(2) K-3 "Julia Elizabeth Wells was born into a melody--her childhood attuned to the timbre of the tiny English village where she heard music in the rhythm of the river, in the whistle of the wind, in the symphony of songbirds." This lyrical picture-book biography focuses on the challenges and successes of Andrews's early life. When her concert-pianist mother remarried and moved to London during WWII, Julie was summoned to join her and had a difficult time adjusting to life in a large city under constant threat of bombs. But her stepfather, also a musician, discovered her gift of a voice, paid for singing lessons, and promoted her career. Julie became successful so quickly that she performed for the queen while still a child. The book concludes with a brief summary of Andrews's accomplishments as an actor and author of children's books; in an appended author's note, Hedlund describes her personal connection to her subject. Soft-hued illustrations ranging from a series of small vignettes to double-page spreads reveal setting, action, emotion, and personality, complementing the alliterative text, which is full of musical references. The case cover offers a surprise: an illustration of young Julie by the river, with Mary Poppins reflected in the water. Back matter includes a timeline (but no source notes).

Reviewer: Christina Dorr | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Chin Ko. These early-reader biographies offer simple narratives that touch on highlights of these (frequently covered) subjects' lives. Large font is surrounded by plenty of white space to aid emerging readers. The cartoonlike illustrations are slick but occasionally emotive; an appendix includes photographs and/or period paintings as well as contextual information. Timeline. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Chin Ko. These early-reader biographies offer simple narratives that touch on highlights of these (frequently covered) subjects' lives. Large font is surrounded by plenty of white space to aid emerging readers. The cartoonlike illustrations are slick but occasionally emotive; an appendix includes photographs and/or period paintings as well as contextual information. Timeline. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by S. D. Schindler. In a rollicking, lively storyteller's voice, Bowman relates a little-known insult gone wrong, the ensuing almost-duel between Abraham Lincoln and fellow Illinois state congressman James Shields, and the lessons both men learned. Watercolor and ink illustrations convey the story's mood and the 1842 setting. An afterword gives additional facts about the incident, its players, and the politics and economy of the time. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 John Jeffries, a loyalist who moved to England after the Revolutionary War, became the first American to study weather conditions in a hot-air balloon, as well as to cross the English Channel in one (with copilot Jean-Pierre Blanchard). Brown relates the story with humor and woven-in (sourced) quotations. Pencil and watercolor illustrations vary in perspective and add cartoonish wit. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. More of an inspirational piece than a straightforward biography, this picture book relates the difficult early years through the Williams sisters' rise to tennis fame and their ensuing setbacks. Themes of hard work, perseverance, and family loyalty are emphasized throughout Bryant's text, which includes occasional (unsourced) quotations. Cooper's trademark subtractive illustrations are full of life, emotion, and character.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Denos. From the creators of Just Being Audrey comes another picture-book biography on a beloved American woman. The narrative outlines Jackie Kennedy Onassis's accomplishments throughout her life, with emphasis on her grit, assured voice, and passion. (Satisfyingly, her relationship with JFK is just a small part of the story.) Elegant watercolor, pencil, and pen-and-ink illustrations complete the engaging portrait. Author's and illustrator's notes are appended. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amiko Hirao. Librarian Clara Breed was a hero to the Japanese American children in San Diego who were banished to internment camps during WWII: she sent books, postcards, soap, and other supplies to cheer them up. Hirao's colored-pencil illustrations and archival black-and-white photographs on the endpapers help contextualize Grady's moving story, which includes excerpts from the children's actual letters. Reading list, timelines. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by London Ladd. Halfmann tells young readers the little-known story of Lilly Ann Granderson, a slave who secretly learned to read and write alongside her master's children. As an adult, Granderson risked her life to educate other slaves. Earth-toned, realistic acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations are sometimes flat yet add emotion to the narrative. Back matter includes a contextual afterword and quotation sources. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 This picture book inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's friendship with Marilyn Monroe centers on an instance in the 1950s when Monroe's influence supposedly helped black Fitzgerald be allowed to perform at a popular NYC venue. Evoking the nightclub's glitz and glamour, the bright-colored, graphic illustrations on thick pages are the draw here. Short bios of both women and a photo conclude the book.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Jay. Hannigan's lively picture-book biography of Belva Lockwood (1830–1917) focuses on Lockwood's lifelong fight against injustice, especially toward women. She became the first woman to argue before the Supreme Court and run for president, even before women had the right to vote. Hannigan's liberal quoting of her subject brings Lockwood's story to life, as do Jay's period-reminiscent crackled oil-paint illustrations. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Erin McGuire. This picture book biography does justice to the spunky, independent writer of To Kill a Mockingbird. Hegedus develops Lee's character and shares the author's childhood influences (including her small-town lawyer father and her friend Truman Capote) who helped shape her groundbreaking novel. Unfortunately, the digital illustrations cheapen the presentation, giving it a cartoonlike look. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thirteen "Extraordinary Women." Hood writes poems, in various styles, about fourteen young women in history who resisted and persisted--from Molly Williams, first American woman fire fighter (1780s) to activist Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize winner (2014). Each spread of this attractive book was created by a different female illustrator, including Selina Alko, Sophie Blackall, LeUyen Pham, and Melissa Sweet. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Valérie Boivin. Hughes offers a fictionalized account of journalist and urban activist Jane Jacobs (1916–2006), who built a career saving communities in New York City, Toronto, and elsewhere from development plans. Hughes's story is informative and interesting, though the text is unfortunately set in very small font. Boivin's digitally rendered illustration style is a mix of the primitive, cartoonish, and avant garde.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David C. Gardner. In 1893, a fearful five-year-old Russian-Jewish boy named Israel arrives on Ellis Island. Renamed Irving Berlin, his life story and contributions to American music as a composer are simply and engagingly told. Lighthearted watercolor illustrations underscore the story's action and musicality; a final picture shows Berlin gazing once again at the Statue of Liberty at age 101. An author's note and suggested songs are appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Zhang. Krull depicts Ginsburg as a smart, strong, independent woman, whose mother's influence has always stayed with her. Ginsburg's accomplishments and famous dissents are highlighted; large, bold statements drive home Krull's themes. The illustrations' mix of traditional and digital techniques at times lend the characters an unfortunate, out-of-place plastic quality. Explanatory pieces on the Supreme Court and Ginsburg's most famous rulings are appended. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Morstad. An imagined first-person voice, dotted with (sourced) quotations, introduces flamboyant Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Beginning with her parents' harsh treatment of her, the narrative reveals a creative woman determined to leave a designing legacy with inventive, playful looks. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil-crayon illustrations depict how a dreary childhood "bloomed" into a color-filled life. An appended note says more about Schiaparelli's accomplishments. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Michele Wood. Rockliff writes in an upbeat, toe-tapping first-person voice to tell the story of lesser-known black jazz pianist Lil Hardin, who was accomplished before she met and married jazz great Louis Armstrong. Wood's bold, naive acrylic paintings nicely match the era and subject. Photos, additional biographical information, and a list of songs complete the volume. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Steven Salerno. Bold colors and a rainbow motif decorate this picture book introduction to Harvey Milk, his cause, and the symbol he helped create (with designer Gilbert Baker) for gay equality. The book's first half focuses on Milk's biography; the second tells of gay rights achieved after his assassination and the evolution of the pride flag. Back matter includes notes and photos of pride demonstrators. Reading list, timeline, websites.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Andrea Pippins. In this "love letter...to the next generation of black changemakers" (per the book's welcome note), stylish digitally colored ink portraits illustrate fifty-two brief bios of black subjects; the person's iconic (unsourced) quotations appear in bold. The selections vary widely in era, nationality, background, and occupation, but the connecting factors are talent and willingness to work hard as a child. A "Hall of Fame" with photos is appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr