Tag: picture book biography

The Fire of Stars by Kirsten W. Larson: A Sparkling Biography of a Scientific Trailblazer

~ Devyn ~ Leave a comment

The Fire of Stars: by Kirsten W. Larson is a must-read for anyone who loves science and is passionate about exploring the universe. It’s a fascinating and beautifully illustrated biography of Cecilia Payne, the first person to discover what burns at the heart of stars.

Author: Kirsten W. Larson
Illustrator: Katherine Roy
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: February 7, 2023
Format: Picture Book

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This was one of my 23 Most Anticipated Picture Books of 2023 , and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint! The book is a real gem, with lyrical and evocative text by Kirsten Larson and stunning illustrations by Katherine Roy. The text captures the excitement and thrill of scientific discovery while the illustrations showcase the beauty of space and the wonder of a star’s birth.

I personally loved how this book parallels the birth of a star with the journey of Payne’s own curiosity and scientific career. It’s a great reminder of the power of science and the spirit of adventure that drives so many of us to explore and discover.

I highly recommend The Fire of Stars for classroom, school libraries, and bookshelves everywhere. It’s a Junior Library Guild Selection, and a must-read for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of science and the power of human curiosity.

It’s no surprise that this book has received high praise from critics and reviewers. Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly have all given it a starred review. Critics have praised the book’s “luminous thematic pairing” and its ability to emphasize Payne’s accomplishments, highlighting her impact on astrophysics.

The Fire of Stars officially releases next week but you can preorder your copy wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. However, all opinions and recommendations expressed in this post are our own and are not influenced by any affiliations or compensation received.

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Review: Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education

~ Devyn ~ Leave a comment

If you’re looking for an inspiring picture book for Women’s History Month, I have the perfect pick for you today! Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education by Reem Faruqi and Hoda Hadadi tells the story of the author’s courageous grandmother, Maryam Faruqi, founder of Happy Home Schools in Karachi, Pakistan.

Title: Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education
Author: Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Hoda Hadadi
Published: January 17, 2023
Publisher: Harper Collins Children
Format: Picture Book

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Beginning in Maryam’s childhood as she attended school herself, Milloo’s Mind follows Maryam (affectionately called Milloo by her father) as she realizes she wants to become a teacher. Milloo remains determined and goes on to graduate highschool and college, though it was uncommon for girls to receive such an education. And she was just getting started on her journey to becoming an educator.

I don’t want to give away the whole plot, but I will say that I absolutely adored this book! Reem Faruqi’s perfect pacing combined with Hodad Hadadi’s unique intricate artwork makes for a wonderful reading experience.

With an informative Author’s Note, Milloo’s Mind would be a fantastic addition to classrooms and school libraries everywhere. It’s also a wonderful selection to add Pakistani and Muslim representation to International Women’s Day ciriculums, projects, and read alouds.

Milloo’s Mind officially released yesterday, so be sure to grab your copy today! You can find it wherever books are sold including Bookshop, Amazon, and your favorite indie bookstore. And don’t forget you can always request a copy at your local library if they haven’t already ordered it.

Because this is a HarperCollins title, I would like to point out that Harper Collins workers have been on strike since 11/10/2022. You can help support the workers’ fight for fair wages by donating to the HarperCollins Union Strike Hardship Fund, signing the HarperCollins Strike Solidarity Open Letter, shopping the HarperCollins Union on Strike Bookshop, or boosting their message on Twitter @hcpunion.

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Review: Ablaze With Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

~ Devyn ~ 1 Comment

Today I want to share another picture book biography with you all, because you know they’re my favorites. Following the life of Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have her work added to the White House Collection, Ablaze With Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey and Loveis Wise is a wonderful selection for both Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

Title: Ablaze With Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Author: Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrator: Loveis Wise
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s
Published: February 22, 2022
Format: Picture Book

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Beginning with Alma’s childhood in Georgia, where her family filled their home with creativity despite the racism they faced, Ablaze With Color follows her story through her successful career as an educator, all the way to the day her art was hung in the Old Family Dining Room of The White House. This stunning picture book biography is a celebration of Alma Thomas’ art, and the beauty and joy she brought to the world.

The illustrations by Loveis Wise perfectly capture that beauty and joy. The vibrant colors on every page mirror Alma’s signature style and bring her remarkable story to life.

With substantial backmatter, including an Author’s Note, Illustrator’s Note, and timeline, Ablaze With Color is a must-have for the shelves of classrooms and school libraries.

Ablaze With Color officially released yesterday (February 22, 2022), so you can pick up your copy wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Many thanks to Blue Slip Media and Harper Collins Children’s for sharing a review copy of Ablaze With Color with me. I am so honored to learn about Alma Thomas and share her story today.

About The Author:

Jeanne Walker Harvey has been a longtime docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Just like Alma Thomas, Jeanne believes that art brings us joy. Her other picture books include Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines and My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey. Jeanne studied literature and psychology at Stanford University. She lives in Northern California. Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com.

About The Illustrator:

Loveis Wise is a nonbinary illustrator and designer from Washington, DC, now based in Los Angeles. They have collaborated and imagined with clients such as the New Yorker, the New York Times, HarperCollins, Google, Disney Hyperion, and Adobe, to name a few. Their work often speaks to themes of joy, mindfulness, and liberation. 

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Flashback Friday: Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved The Violin

~ Devyn ~ Leave a comment

For Flashback Friday I want to look back at a fantastic picture book biography published back in May of 2020. Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin by Tracy Newman and Abigail Halpin tells the story of world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Title: Itzhak : A Boy Who Loved the Violin
Author: Tracy Newman
Illustrator: Abigail Halpin
Published: May 12, 2020
Publisher: Abrams
Format: Picture Book

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Beginning with his childhood in Tel Aviv and ending with Itzhak Perlman’s first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show in 1958, this stunning book perfectly captures the beauty of Itzhak’s music. Young readers will learn of Itzhak’s fight for his life when he was hospitalized for polio at the age of four, and how he was paralyzed by the disease. They will also learn of how Itzhak never let his paralysis hold him back from his dreams.

Readers will also learn that, like many other musicians, Itzhak Perlman has synesthesia. This neurological condition allows him to see music as color. I absolutely love the way Abigail Halpin captures the colors of music on every page of Itzhak.

Itzhak is a beautiful story of perseverance and the love of music. I would highly recommend it! You can pick up your own copy wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Abrams for providing me with a review copy of Itzhak. I can always count on Abrams to deliver fantastic picture book biographies, and I can never get enough.

About The Author:

Tracy Newman is the author of many books for young readers, including the . . . Is Coming series. She lives in coastal New England. 

About The Illustrator:

Abigail Halpin is the illustrator of many books for young readers, including Finding Wild and Mama’s Belly. She lives in Maine.

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Flashback Friday – Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

~ Devyn ~ Leave a comment

It’s Flashback Friday again, and today I am sharing one of my favorites genres—a picture book biography! Originally released in April 2020, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade and Cozbi A. Cabrera is a stunning example of the powerful way picture books can bring historical figures to life for young readers.

Title: Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
Author: Suzanne Slade
Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Publisher: Abrams Books For Young Readers
Published: April 7, 2020
Format: Picture Book

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Exquisite details the life of Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize, from her childhood surrounded by books to her celebrated career sharing the stories of the people of the neighborhood she grew up in. We follow the ups and downs of Gwendolyn’s life, including the struggles her family faced during the Great Depression, Gwendolyn’s struggles to feel seen amongst her peers, her marriage and the birth of her first son, wrapping up in 1950 when she won the Pulitzer Prize.

Gwendolyn Brooks’ story is especially inspiring to young writers, because Gwendolyn herself started writing when she was only seven years old. Children will find an example in Gwendolyn’s childhood to observe the world around them and find the poetry there.

The illustrations by Cozbi A. Cabrera are absolutely stunning. The color and composition of the acrylic paintings are so beautiful throughout, and every page breathes life into Gwendolyn’s story. It’s no surprise that Exquisite was a 2021 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honoree.

The back matter contains a wonderful Author’s Note with additional details about Gwendolyn Brooks, as well as a timeline of her life, making Exquisite a great selection for classroom and school libraries.

You can pick up your own copy of Exquisite wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you again to Abrams Books For Young Readers for sending me a review copy of Exquisite. This book is a beautiful example of why picture book biographies are my some of my very favorites.

About The Author:

Suzanne Slade is the award-winning author of many books for children, including several about other groundbreaking women, such as Dangerous Jane and A Computer Called Katherine. Slade lives in Libertyville, Illinois.

You can find Suzanne online at her website suzanneslade.com and on Twitter (@AuthorSSlade) and Instagram (@authorsslade).

About The Illustrator:

Cozbi A. Cabrera holds a BFA from Parsons School of Design. She has illustrated several books for children and is also well known for her handmade cloth dolls. Cabrera lives in Evanston, Illinois.

You can find Cozbi online at her website cozbi.com and on Twitter (@CozbiHandmade) and Instagram (@cozbi).

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