I feel it is never too young to introduce young readers to Biography. No, one does not want to burden them with all of the details of a person’s life. But rather select one special event or characteristic upon which to build a story introducing the person.
I like to classify these picturebooks or storybooks as “Near-Biography”. A recent publication, LOUISA THE LIFE OF LOUISA MAY ALCOTT by Yena Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen (Henry Holt, 2009, $17.00) brings the childhood and early writing career of this remarkable writer to a young audience today.
A lovely seasonal book done by two friends of mine is BANSHEE by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCulley. (Clarion Books, 2009, $16.00. available now.
Terry is awakened from sleep by a noise. Could it be a night-prowling cat or that horned owl who lives nearby? No, he is convinced it is the Irish legend, the Banshee who wails outside a house when death is near. But who could the Banshee be coming for? Terry’s Ma, his da, or brother Liam? He musters his courage and heads out to beg the Banshee to go away.
For any middle school or even high school teacher who has to teach about the Holocaust, may I recommend a book from 2008, This very short book would help answer students who ask “How could this happen?” T4 A NOVEL takes today’s reader back to Germany in 1939. Hitler has issued T4 order to kill any mentally or disabled person. The government soon realizes the populace will not allow simply massacring these people. So, they get medical doctors to vouch that the disabled with be compassionately housed in institutions.
Wordless picture books were a popular trend when I opened shop in 1982. They have continued since on what I would call a lesser degree. However, a new and exciting wordless book is now available. THE BORED BOOK by David Michael Slater, illustrations by Doug Keith (Simply Read Books, 2009, $16.95) opens in a living room scene where an adult and two children are spending an afternoon.
THE PLOT CHICKENS by Mary Jane and Herm Auch (Holiday House, 2009, $16.95) contains marvelous advice for those who wish to write for children. Maxine the hen borrows books from the local library to read to the girls in the coop. One day she decides she could write her own. Thus begins a clever tale illustrating 8 rules an author of children’s books should follow.
Every year we watch the leaves change from greens to vivid hues of orange, red and yellows. While enjoying this yearly panorama get out LEAF TROUBLE by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church (Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc, 2009, $16.99) and introduce the very young readers to Pip Squirrel.
Some American school children are up-in-arms after word got out that the school day and year might be extended. As discussion heats up, bring out NASREEN’S SECRET SCHOOL by Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane Books an imprint of Simon and Schuster 2009 $16.99).