Women Make History

Among the newest biographies being published are amazing stories of women who lived their lives in ways that changed the world. Sometimes the changes alter the way the entire world acts, in other cases, the changes are profound for a few people nearby or occasionally, just one person's life shifts, but it can become a transformation that signals a larger reshaping of a community, a discipline or a culture. Imagine the change you can be!



Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Simon & Schuster, $15.99, Ages 4-8.

Now famous as the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Kenyan Wangari Maathai is also the first African woman to win this award. The founder of the Green Belt Movement to reclaim the damaged land by planting trees to curb erosion, among many other things, Wangari, currently known as Mama Miti – Mother of Trees – grew up in the shadow of Mount Kenya, hearing stories of how the people held ceremonies for peace under sacred trees. As an adult, city dweller, she plants trees to refresh her spirit and remember her family’s roots.
Award-winning author Napoli shares Wangari’s story in a folklore style, showing women and children coming to ask for help, and Wangari offering assistance in the form of giving the women trees to plant, for food, for firewood, for shelter, for medicine, etc. Using the Kikuyu names for the trees and a repeated refrain, Thayu nyumba (translated as “peace, my people”) Napoli’s lyrical text is accompanied by celebrated artist Nelson’s oil paints combined with textiles in vibrant collage illustrations honoring the spirit of the country, people and an amazing woman of many firsts.
This vigorous book with its dynamic faces, strong bodies, energetic colors, and spirited story, introduces a good woman who demonstrates “something we can all do, ‘Plant a tree.’” An Afterword, Glossary and notes from both author and illustrator are included.

The Daring Miss Quimby by Suzanne George Whitaker, illustrated by Catherine Stock. Holiday House, $16.95, Ages 7-9.

Pioneer pilot, Harriet Quimby was first a journalist who often followed her magazine stories into daring exploits. This led her to flying lessons, when planes looked like bicycles with wings. Flying was dangerous in the early years of the twentieth century, but ultimately Harriet’s practice helped her succeed in becoming the first woman in the US “to earn a pilot’s license.”
Loving the wild clamor of attention, Harriet designed a purple satin flight suit, which “made her stand out” even more. When she decided she was ready to fly alone across the cold and foggy English Channel with only a compass, she wore the famous purple hooded suit. She was still wearing it when she landed later that morning on a French beach near a fishing village, once again making history for women. Shortly after, she began performing in air shows all over the US until her untimely death.
In this, her first picture book, author Whitaker shares her curiosity and love of flying with readers, writing with deep affection for her subject, adding to the spirit of adventure surrounding Quimby’s life. Well-known illustrator Stock’s pencil and watercolor paintings deliver a sense of Harriet’s vitality and eager audacity in the movement generated by cars, planes, crowds, and even birds as one reads this page-turner biography. A Timeline of Women in Aviation, Suggested Websites, a Selected Bibliography, and an Author’s Note are helpful additions.

Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott by Yona Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen. Henry Holt, $17.99, Ages 8-12.

A fascinating but simple biography of well-known author, Louisa May Alcott, McDonough’s book is easy to read, and includes elements of Alcott’s life to tempt young readers. When young Louisa falls into a “frog pond, a kind black boy” jumps in and pulls her out, running away before she can thank him. Louisa always remembers him and believes it contributes to her becoming “an Abolitionist at a very early age.”
From an unconventional family who at one time lived on an experimental vegetarian farm, Louisa learns to keep a journal and later moves easily and naturally into teaching and writing. Illustrator Andersen uses exuberant gouache and pastels to show Louisa’s development, and to contrast dark and light with the losses Louisa experiences. With intense bright colors, Andersen also demonstrates singularities characteristic of Louisa’s personality.
Life in the mid-1800’s is difficult and the family is never wealthy until after the publication and success of her most famous novel, Little Women, in 1868. In her smoothly flowing text, author McDonough introduces readers to Louisa’s kindness, evident throughout the book, as Louisa cares for family members who are ill, goes to Washington, DC as a nurse for Civil War soldiers and spends time helping in hospitals, orphanages, and asylums. Later Louisa becomes the guardian for her niece, Lulu, when Lulu’s mother May, Louisa’s sister dies, shortly after Lulu’s birth.
Louisa was a traveler, with an intrepid spirit, whose relatively short life (she died at age 55) offers readers insight into her success as a writer. Quotes, poems, interesting facts about her writing and her family, important dates, a bibliography and especially a recipe for New England Apple Slump, one of her favorite desserts, are included at the end and add to the interest and appeal of this fresh and delightful picture book biography.

For the Season of Giving and Gifts

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck. Dial, $16.99, Ages 10+

Returning to the setting and characters of his award-winning novels, A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago, young adult novelist Richard Peck grabs attention for his newest novel immediately with opening paragraphs about a house “haunted by a living being.” Grandma Dowdel, the eccentric star character from the above-mentioned companion novels, is “way too solid” (and cranky) “to be a ghost.”
Bur eleven-year-old Bob Barnhart and his family who have moved in next door to her so his dad can become the Methodist church’s new minister, begin to realize the last house in town and its owner are both real and larger-than-life. With 1958 era sensibilities, including a supposed ghost of a Kickapoo Indian princess, and assumptions about the winter holiday season that don’t include other religious belief systems, this historical novel nonetheless gives readers a chance to laugh and have their hearts warmed.
She’s “no church woman,” and she doesn’t “neighbor,” and Christmas is “just another day to her.” But Mrs. Dowdel’s gifts are many and large, and she doesn’t wait until Christmas to give them. But most important, the surprising gifts in this holiday tale extend beyond the pages, creating a remembrance of a time now past.

A Traditional Japanese Tale

The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger. Holiday House, $16.95, Ages 5-8

Based on a Japanese folktale, this delightful retelling supplies readers with an understanding of an ancient good luck symbol and its origins. Japanese born author, Nixhizuka’s debut children’s book is a dream-like tale of a son whose father’s illness prevents him from selling fish to earn a living.
Yohei the son, feeds and cares for a drenched, mud-splattered cat. When Yohei cannot sell the fish, the cat, in apparent appreciation, beckons customers to Yohei’s humble home. They buy the fish he was unable to sell, and had to bring home with him when his father is suddenly taken ill.
Thanks to the cat, he’s able to sell all the fish before they spoil. The customers promise to return and Yohei is able to earn a living, and care for his father.
This tale of a son’s devotion, love and care for both his father and a stray cat is accompanied by muted watercolor gouache, ink and colored pencil illlustrations. Artist Litzinger’s flat, almost primitive, style accents the magical qualities of this folktale. Her occasional bright colors emphasize the importance of the character, lifting it from the earthier tones in the background. Her decisions to fade some of the colors adds depth in a sometimes opaque but effective scene layout, and increasing the brightness of the colors adds energy as the tale progresses to its fable-like ending.

One Way to Remember Birthdays . . . .

The Birthday Tree by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Barry Root. Candlewick, $16.99, Ages 7-9

Jack’s father was a sailor who left the sea with his wife, after losing three sons to the waves. To honor Jack’s birth, his parents plant an apple tree.
As Jack grows, so does the tree. His parents notice the apple tree seems to reflect Jack and his moods and his health. When Jack leaves home, his parents watch the apple tree to understand what’s happening with Jack.
When a meadowlark perches on the tree, they think he’s traveling over land, when it’s a gull, he’s sailing the sea. When the apple pies are sweet, Jack’s happy, but when lightening strikes the tree, the sailor father and his wife become concerned.
Newbery Medal award winner Fleischman often begins a story asking “what if . . . .” which is true for this lyrical mythic tale. Illustrator Root uses earth-toned watercolors in a careful mix of large and small images. Oval paintings on several pages are used to capture the shape of the seasonal tree, emphasizing its importance. With careful use of light and dark, the artist has crafted timeless paintings to accompany a powerful family story, with a twist of magic.

Normal Day

Normal day,
let me be aware of the treasure you are.
Let me learn from you,
love you,
bless you before you depart.
Let me not pass you by
in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.


by Mary Jean Iron