Published:
I wrote a “Staff Picks” article about Black Women in February for Black History Month. I thought I’d highlight some more women this month, because it’s never a bad idea to read more picture book biographies, there are so many great ones!
Harriet’s Ruffled Feathers: The Woman Who Saved Millions of Birds by Joy McCullough; illustrated by Romina Galotta.
Harriet Lawrence Hemenway, Bird Conservation Activist
Fact about Harriet: In 1896, Harriet Hemenway and her friend Minna B. Hall founded the Massachusetts Audubon Society, which eventually became the National Audubon Society. If you are interested in activities about birds for kids and families, the Audubon Society's website is a great place to start.
Why I love this book: Beautifully written and illustrated, I can’t get over the way Ms. Hemenway got her friends’ attention: Wear your best hats to my tea. And then she would address her guests, “Did you know that every year five million birds are killed in the name of fashion?” Genius! She even convinced Queen Victoria!
Breaking Through the Clouds: the Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson by Sandra Nickel; illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia.
Joanne Simpson, Meteorologist (First Woman to get a Meteorology PhD)
A quote: “You don’t just sit there and all of a sudden a light bulb flashes over your head and you say, ‘Aha!’ What you have to learn to be is…stubborn.”
Why I love this book: the end pages are of all different cloud formations, letting you know that this is a serious book. Inside you learn about a stubborn woman who watches the clouds and finally teaches the world why they are so important.
Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotamayor; illustrated by Lulu Delacre.
Sonia Sotomayor, First Latina Supreme Court Justice
A quote: “I think it’s important to move people beyond just dreaming to doing.”
Why I love this book: Oh, how I love this book! The end papers are actual photographs from Justice Sotomayor’s life. The book is well written and the illustrations are exquisite, with images that don’t just depict real life but also are metaphors in themselves. Most of the pages are done in oil washes, but close to the end of the book, the artist uses my favorite medium on some pages: collage!
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai; illustrated by Kerascoet.
Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
A quote: “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”
Why I love this book: this book is written by Malala! You can tell how smart she is by her writing style and the stories she chooses to tell. There is not a wasted word.
Dazzling Zelda: The Story of Fashion Designer Zelda Wynn Valdes by Aura Lewis in collaboration with Farai Simoyi.
Zelda Wynn Valdes, Fashion Designer
A quote: “I have a God-given talent for making people beautiful.”
Why I love this book: Zelda has her start by making a dress for her grandmother, who didn’t believe Zelda could do it. This book is not heavy on text–instead, the pages are full of colorful pictures of dresses and women wearing them.
Mama in Congress: Rashida Tlaib’s Journey to Washington by Rashida and Adam Tlaib with Miranda Paul; illustrated by Olivia Aserr.
Rashida Tlaib, First Muslim Congresswoman
A quote: “My mother raised 14 kids, with little means, from our humble house in Southwest Detroit - and now her daughter, who started school not speaking English, is going to be a congresswoman. It was so important for her to know her strength got me here, and that I'm going to fight every day with her spirit inside me.
Why I love this book: The book is told from the perspective of Congresswoman Tlaib’s two sons, going through what Congresswoman Tlaib does at work, her childhood, and her run for elected offices.
About the Author
Suzi W. is a Children’s Services Librarian at the Palisades Neighborhood Library.
When I’m not at the library: I am taking pictures on walks in my neighborhood, talking on the phone with my friends, or having coffee in a nearby cafe. I'm also trying to learn fiber arts including embroidery.
Currently reading: Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea by Cynthia Rylant.