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32 pp.
| Sleeping Bear
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58536-380-3$16.99
(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.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
David C. Gardner.
This wordy story offers an ultimately hopeful picture of immigrant children in WWI-era New York City during the influenza outbreak. With a sick mother, soldier father, housework, and younger siblings to care for, young tenement girl Rettie's only opportunity for extra pennies is at the annual "Ragamuffin Parade" on Thanksgiving. Painterly illustrations offer hazy depictions of place, time, and living situation; an author's note offers historical context.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
David C. Gardner.
This warm picture-book biography chronicles the steps young Benjamin Banneker, a free-born African American farmer, took to invent the striking clock in 1753. Inspired by a pocket watch, Banneker meticulously studied, drew diagrams, and carved the parts for his clock using a pocketknife. Gardner's watercolor illustrations gorgeously evoke the passing seasons on Banneker's farm. An inspiring accompaniment for STEAM programming.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| September, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-7239-9$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
David Gardner.
As "editress" of two popular ladies' magazines in the mid-1800s, Sarah Josepha Hale advocated for women's education, wrote the first novel condemning slavery, and penned "Mary Had a Little Lamb." This picture-book biography focuses on Hale's tireless work to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, but her wide-ranging influence comes across in the admiring text, the author's note, and the genial illustrations. Bib.