Category Archives: Biography

The Undefeated

Posted on September 19, 2019 by AnEducationInBooks

This picture book, The Undefeated, by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson, is profoundly beautiful. My library has it categorized under poetry, and it is that, too. Every word hits home, powerfully, meaningfully, the cadence spot on with the page turn. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books, Poetry, Voice, Word choice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein

Posted on March 13, 2019 by AnEducationInBooks

First off, Júlia Sardà’s illustrations are the perfect mix of shadowy angles for a biography of a horror writer. The double page spread of Castle Frankenstein (a real place! and inspiration, perhaps, for Mary’s famous title) uses a limited dark … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Canadian author/illustrator, Nonfiction, Picture books | Tagged , | 12 Comments

What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?

Posted on February 11, 2019 by AnEducationInBooks

What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan by Chris Barton, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, tells the true story of Barbara Jordan’s life, beginning with her childhood. In 1966, Barbara Jordan became the first … Continue reading →

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Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli

Posted on April 30, 2018 by AnEducationInBooks

A little girl in Rome who hates having her picture taken grows up into an international fashion designer. Inspired by beautiful, bold flowers, Elsa Schiaparelli imagines many amazing scenarios and when she’s grown, she becomes an artist–a dressmaker. “To be … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Canadian author/illustrator, Picture books | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters

Posted on December 18, 2017 by AnEducationInBooks

Muddy Waters was never good at doing what he was told, a refrain that runs throughout this picture book biography by Michael Mahin (illustrated by Evan Turk). No matter who told him he couldn’t do something–his grandma, the boss man, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Love that prose, Nonfiction, Picture books, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Sachiko, A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story

Posted on November 10, 2016 by AnEducationInBooks

When Sachiko was six years old, an atomic bomb exploded over Nagasaki, killing Sachiko’s little brother and most of her playmates. While her family traveled to a relatively safer place, her brothers suffered and died from the effects of radiation. Radiation … Continue reading →

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Julia Child: An Extraordinary Life in Words and Pictures

Posted on August 15, 2016 by AnEducationInBooks

Julia Child was extraordinary in many ways. Even so, this biography shows how highly relatable Julia Child was, from her nonchalance about making cooking mistakes on TV to her dedication to keep trying until a recipe became perfect. Julia’s unique … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Chapter Books, Nonfiction | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer

Posted on February 24, 2016 by AnEducationInBooks

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement is that rare book that packs nonfiction, biography, poetry and gorgeous layered artwork to tell the story of Fannie, whose community activism and singing earned her “the voice of … Continue reading →

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Rad American Women A – Z

Posted on June 29, 2015 by AnEducationInBooks

This nonfiction picture book has twenty-five page long biographies (X is a unique tribute to all those “women whose names we don’t know”) about historic women, including many less often lauded historical figures such as Dolores Huerta, The Grimke Sisters, Patti … Continue reading →

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The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse

Posted on February 16, 2015 by AnEducationInBooks

This lovely picture book biography, The Iridescence of Birds, by author Patricia MacLachlan and illustrator Hadley Hooper poses questions to a young child. What if you grew up in a gray French town and found colour wherever you went? Would you grow … Continue reading →

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