Duke Ellington, musician
Apr. 29, 1899-May 24, 1974
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Jump At The Sun, 1998)
This Caldecott Honor Medal winner hits just the right notes. The musical collaboration between Ellington and his band members is divine.
Duke Ellington-The Official Web Site hosts a biography, photos, fast facts, quotes and more.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
April 28 Birthday: James Monroe
James Monroe, U. S. President
Apr. 28, 1758-July 4, 1831
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
One paragraph in this collective biography is devoted to our 8th president. The Monroe Doctrine was named for him. He was one of three presidents to die on July 4th.
The White House offers a profile of Monroe on their site.
Apr. 28, 1758-July 4, 1831
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
One paragraph in this collective biography is devoted to our 8th president. The Monroe Doctrine was named for him. He was one of three presidents to die on July 4th.
The White House offers a profile of Monroe on their site.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
April 27 Birthday: Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant, U.S. President
Apr. 27, 1822-July 23, 1885
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
A military man, Grant was the 18th president and one of few words.
Learn more about Grant at the PBS American Experience site about him.
Apr. 27, 1822-July 23, 1885
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
A military man, Grant was the 18th president and one of few words.
Learn more about Grant at the PBS American Experience site about him.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
April 26 Birthdays: John J. Audubon, Frederick Law Olmsted, I.M. Pei and William Shakespeare
John J. Audubon, artist and naturalist
Apr. 26, 1785-Jan. 27, 1851
The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Houghton Mifflin, 2004)
An astute observer of birds by 18, Audubon continued studying them and became “the greatest painter of birds of all time.”
The Audubon Society posts a biography of their namesake on their site.
Frederick Law Olmsted, architect
Apr. 26, 1822-Aug. 28, 1903
The Man Who Made Parks: The Story of Parkbuilder Frederick Law Olmsted by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Song Nan Zhang (Tundra Books, 1999)
We have Olmsted to thank for New York City’s Central Park, the grounds at Niagara Falls and other top visitor spots. This is the story of his first love—the great outdoors.
The Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site "offers a variety of programs that interpret the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted."
I.M. Pei, architect
Apr. 26, 1917-
How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)
With an eye for the modern, Pei, a Chinese architect, has designed the Louvre Pyramid, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Javits Convention Center, and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art as well as many other breath-taking structures.
View images of Pei’s work at GreatBuildings.com
William Shakespeare, writer
Apr. 26, 1564 (baptism)-Apr. 23, 1616
Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1992)
A fitting introduction to the man who wrote some of our best-loved plays. Truly, a picture book biography for all ages.
A guide to the scholarly resources on Shakespeare can be found at a Palomar Community College site called Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet.
Apr. 26, 1785-Jan. 27, 1851
The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Houghton Mifflin, 2004)
An astute observer of birds by 18, Audubon continued studying them and became “the greatest painter of birds of all time.”
The Audubon Society posts a biography of their namesake on their site.
Frederick Law Olmsted, architect
Apr. 26, 1822-Aug. 28, 1903
The Man Who Made Parks: The Story of Parkbuilder Frederick Law Olmsted by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Song Nan Zhang (Tundra Books, 1999)
We have Olmsted to thank for New York City’s Central Park, the grounds at Niagara Falls and other top visitor spots. This is the story of his first love—the great outdoors.
The Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site "offers a variety of programs that interpret the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted."
I.M. Pei, architect
Apr. 26, 1917-
How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)
With an eye for the modern, Pei, a Chinese architect, has designed the Louvre Pyramid, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Javits Convention Center, and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art as well as many other breath-taking structures.
View images of Pei’s work at GreatBuildings.com
William Shakespeare, writer
Apr. 26, 1564 (baptism)-Apr. 23, 1616
Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1992)
A fitting introduction to the man who wrote some of our best-loved plays. Truly, a picture book biography for all ages.
A guide to the scholarly resources on Shakespeare can be found at a Palomar Community College site called Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
April 23 Birthdays: James Buchanan and Sergei Prokofiev
James Buchanan, U.S. President
Apr. 23, 1791-June 1, 1868
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Number 15 was the only president who never married. He had numerous pets, including a pair of bald eagles.
The Internet Public Library offers facts about Buchanan’s personal life and public service.
Sergei Prokofiev, musician
April 23, 1891-March 5, 1953
Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)
The Russian composer of Peter and the Wolf, dreamed of composing from an early age.
“All Prokifiev. All the time,” is how The Prokofiev Page describes itself. Drop by for a biography, photographs, interviews and links.
Apr. 23, 1791-June 1, 1868
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Number 15 was the only president who never married. He had numerous pets, including a pair of bald eagles.
The Internet Public Library offers facts about Buchanan’s personal life and public service.
Sergei Prokofiev, musician
April 23, 1891-March 5, 1953
Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)
The Russian composer of Peter and the Wolf, dreamed of composing from an early age.
“All Prokifiev. All the time,” is how The Prokofiev Page describes itself. Drop by for a biography, photographs, interviews and links.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
April 22 Birthday: Isabella I
Isabella I, political leader
Apr. 22, 1451-Nov. 26, 1504
Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)
As Queen of Spain, Isabella I financed the travels of Christopher Columbus.
Learn more about Isabella of Castile at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Apr. 22, 1451-Nov. 26, 1504
Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)
As Queen of Spain, Isabella I financed the travels of Christopher Columbus.
Learn more about Isabella of Castile at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Monday, April 21, 2008
April 21 Birthdays: John Muir and Charlotte Bronte
John Muir, preservationist
Apr. 21, 1838-Dec. 24, 1914
John Muir: America’s First Environmentalist by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Stan Fellows (Candlewick, 2006)
The life and accomplishments of Muir, an environmental pioneer, who among other things promoted the establishment of Yosemite as a park, are heralded in this book. Selections from his diary are woven throughout the story and add depth to the telling.
The Sierra Club maintains an exhibit to John Muir, founder of the organization.
Charlotte Bronte, writer
Apr. 21, 1816-Mar. 31, 1855
Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1994)
The author of Jane Eyre, was the eldest of the three Bronte sisters, all English writers.
A brief biography of Bronte can be found on the Victorian Web.org, a site about literature, history and culture in the age of Victoria.
Apr. 21, 1838-Dec. 24, 1914
John Muir: America’s First Environmentalist by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Stan Fellows (Candlewick, 2006)
The life and accomplishments of Muir, an environmental pioneer, who among other things promoted the establishment of Yosemite as a park, are heralded in this book. Selections from his diary are woven throughout the story and add depth to the telling.
The Sierra Club maintains an exhibit to John Muir, founder of the organization.
Charlotte Bronte, writer
Apr. 21, 1816-Mar. 31, 1855
Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1994)
The author of Jane Eyre, was the eldest of the three Bronte sisters, all English writers.
A brief biography of Bronte can be found on the Victorian Web.org, a site about literature, history and culture in the age of Victoria.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
April 20 Birthday: Tito Puente
Tito Puente, musician
Apr. 20, 1923-May 31, 2000
How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)
Known as “The Mambo King,” Puente played Latin jazz and mambo music.
Read more about the talented Puente on the Thomson/Gale site.
Apr. 20, 1923-May 31, 2000
How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)
Known as “The Mambo King,” Puente played Latin jazz and mambo music.
Read more about the talented Puente on the Thomson/Gale site.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Unknown Birthday: Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu, artist
c. 973-c. 1014 or 1025
Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt(Harcourt, 1994)
Novelist. Poet. Servant in royal court. Japan's Shikibu is best known as author of The Tale of Genji, one of the earliest published novels of all time.
Read parts of Murasaki Shikibu's diary online at Penn's digital library site.
c. 973-c. 1014 or 1025
Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt(Harcourt, 1994)
Novelist. Poet. Servant in royal court. Japan's Shikibu is best known as author of The Tale of Genji, one of the earliest published novels of all time.
Read parts of Murasaki Shikibu's diary online at Penn's digital library site.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
April 13 Birthday: Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President
Apr. 13, 1743-July 4, 1826
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
This author of the Declaration of Independence also was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson was president # 3.
Jefferson’s accomplishments are summarized in this profile of him.
Apr. 13, 1743-July 4, 1826
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
This author of the Declaration of Independence also was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson was president # 3.
Jefferson’s accomplishments are summarized in this profile of him.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
April 10 Birthday: Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta, activist
Apr. 10, 1930-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
Co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association with Ceasar Chavez and a leader in the historic grape boycott, Huerta continues to play a pivotal role in worker rights.
Read more about Huerta at the Dolores Huerta Foundation web site.
Apr. 10, 1930-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
Co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association with Ceasar Chavez and a leader in the historic grape boycott, Huerta continues to play a pivotal role in worker rights.
Read more about Huerta at the Dolores Huerta Foundation web site.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
April 9 Birthday: Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins, musician
Apr. 9, 1932-Jan. 19,1998
Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)
The man who wrote Blue Suede Shoes was from rural Tennessee. A talented singer and songwriter, Perkins sure knew how to shake things up.
Perkins, a 1987 inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is featured on a page at RockHall.com.
Apr. 9, 1932-Jan. 19,1998
Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)
The man who wrote Blue Suede Shoes was from rural Tennessee. A talented singer and songwriter, Perkins sure knew how to shake things up.
Perkins, a 1987 inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is featured on a page at RockHall.com.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
April 8 Birthdays: Sonja Henie and Trina S. Hyman
Sonja Henie, athlete
Apr. 8, 1912-Oct. 12, 1969
Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)
A three-time Olympic figure skating champion, Henie was the youngest world champion in history.
Click Olympic.org to read a profile of Henie: The First Figure Skating Celebrity.
Trina S. Hyman, artist
Apr. 8, 1939-Nov. 19, 2004
Trina Schart Hyman: A Self-Portrait by Trina Schart Hyman (Addison Wesley, 1981)
This book may be out of print, but it can be found on library shelves. Hyman, a Caldecott Medal winning illustrator, tells the story of her life and passion for children’s book illustration.
A Teacher Resource File on Hyman contains biographies and lesson plans.
Apr. 8, 1912-Oct. 12, 1969
Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)
A three-time Olympic figure skating champion, Henie was the youngest world champion in history.
Click Olympic.org to read a profile of Henie: The First Figure Skating Celebrity.
Trina S. Hyman, artist
Apr. 8, 1939-Nov. 19, 2004
Trina Schart Hyman: A Self-Portrait by Trina Schart Hyman (Addison Wesley, 1981)
This book may be out of print, but it can be found on library shelves. Hyman, a Caldecott Medal winning illustrator, tells the story of her life and passion for children’s book illustration.
A Teacher Resource File on Hyman contains biographies and lesson plans.
Monday, April 07, 2008
April 7 Birthday: Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday, musician
Apr. 7, 1915-July 17, 1959
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2oo1)
Holiday moved to Harlem at age 14 when jazz was hot. Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith and others were singing at that time. Billie joined in. Her trademark was a white gardenia in her hair.
Holiday is featured in Jazz, a film by Ken Burns.
Apr. 7, 1915-July 17, 1959
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2oo1)
Holiday moved to Harlem at age 14 when jazz was hot. Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith and others were singing at that time. Billie joined in. Her trademark was a white gardenia in her hair.
Holiday is featured in Jazz, a film by Ken Burns.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
April 5 Birthday: Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington, educator and political leader
Apr. 5, 1856-Nov. 14, 1915
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet (Scholastic, 1995)
More than anything else, young Booker T. Washington wanted to learn how to read. Follow his journey in this story based on his childhood.
A biography of Washington, a famous African-American is posted at the Thomson/Gale web site.
Apr. 5, 1856-Nov. 14, 1915
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet (Scholastic, 1995)
More than anything else, young Booker T. Washington wanted to learn how to read. Follow his journey in this story based on his childhood.
A biography of Washington, a famous African-American is posted at the Thomson/Gale web site.
Friday, April 04, 2008
April 4 Birthdays: Maya Angelou and Muddy Waters
Maya Angelou, writer
Apr. 4, 1928-
Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
The author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is a producer, actor and director, too. She recited her poem On the Pulse of Morning at President Clinton's inauguration.
The Internet School Library Media Center offers links to biographies of Angelou, e-texts, lesson plans and bibliographies.
Muddy Waters, musician
Apr. 4, 1913-Apr. 30-1983
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2oo1)
Mississippi born, Waters quit school at ten and worked in cotton fields. He moved to Chicago in 1943 and in 1948 made his first commercial record.
The Official Muddy “Mississippi” Waters site is the place to go for resources about this electrified blues man.
Apr. 4, 1928-
Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
The author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is a producer, actor and director, too. She recited her poem On the Pulse of Morning at President Clinton's inauguration.
The Internet School Library Media Center offers links to biographies of Angelou, e-texts, lesson plans and bibliographies.
Muddy Waters, musician
Apr. 4, 1913-Apr. 30-1983
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2oo1)
Mississippi born, Waters quit school at ten and worked in cotton fields. He moved to Chicago in 1943 and in 1948 made his first commercial record.
The Official Muddy “Mississippi” Waters site is the place to go for resources about this electrified blues man.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
April 3 Birthday: Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall, scientist (primatologist)
Apr. 3, 1934-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
Goodall’s research on chimpanzees is remarkable because of it's length (forty-five plus years) and because of her devotion to the animals and the environment.
Read Jane Goodall: An Extraordinary Life at the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation.
Apr. 3, 1934-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
Goodall’s research on chimpanzees is remarkable because of it's length (forty-five plus years) and because of her devotion to the animals and the environment.
Read Jane Goodall: An Extraordinary Life at the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
April 2 Birthday: Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen, writer
Apr. 2, 1805-Aug. 4, 1875
Perfect Wizard: The Hans Christian Andersen by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Dennis Nolan (Dutton, 2005)
This is the story of Andersen, the “ugly duckling” who grew up to write incredible fairy tales.
Take a look at the Annotated Web-o-graphy of Hans Christian Andersen and chose a site to visit
Apr. 2, 1805-Aug. 4, 1875
Perfect Wizard: The Hans Christian Andersen by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Dennis Nolan (Dutton, 2005)
This is the story of Andersen, the “ugly duckling” who grew up to write incredible fairy tales.
Take a look at the Annotated Web-o-graphy of Hans Christian Andersen and chose a site to visit
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
April 1 Birthday: Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai, peace advocate
Apr. 1, 1940-
Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World by Jane Breskin Zalben (Dutton, 2006)
A member of the Kikuyu ethnic group, Maathai has and is doing much to make the world a better place. Among other things she is interested in the green movement and women’s rights. She won the Nobel Peace Prize because she “stood up courageously against the former oppressive regime in Kenya.”
Read the press release from the Nobel Peace Prize for Maathai received in 2004.
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