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.

April 8 Birthday: Sonja Henie

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.

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.

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.

April 4 Birthday: Maya Angelou

span style="font-weight:bold;">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 Maya Angelou Official Website offers a short bio and photos.

April 4 Birthday: Muddy Waters

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.

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.

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.

May 2 Birthday: Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy, inventor
May 2, 1843(4?)-October 10, 1929

The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor by Wendy Towle, illustrated by Wil Clay (Scholastic, paper, 1995)

An engineer, McCoy invented (among other things) an automatic lubricator for trains and heavy machinery. It was so much better than what was in common use that people insisted on “the real McCoy.”

A short bio on a web site hosted by Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers highlights McCoy.

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.

March 31 Birthday: Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez, civil rights activist
Mar. 31, 1927-Apr. 23, 1993

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Yuyi Morales (Harcourt, 2003)

A heartfelt account of Chavez’s childhood, his days as a field laborer and as the nonviolent organizer of the 1965 grape boycott.

America’s Library posts several great stories about Chavez for kids.

March 30 Birthday: Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh, artist
Mar. 30, 1853-July 29, 1890

Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1995)

Van Gogh was the artist who cut off his ear and drank a lot of coffee, although the two were not related. Even though he was extraordinarily productive, he never saw acclaim in his lifetime.

Hop over to the WebMuseum, Paris to read about Van Gogh and see images of his work.

March 29 Birthday: John Tyler, Jr.

John Tyler, Jr., U.S. President
Mar. 29, 1790-Jan. 18, 1862

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

This collective biography devotes one paragraph to the tenth commander and chief. Interesting factoid: Tyler had more children than any other president.

Basic information about Tyler can be found on the Miller Center of Public Affairs University of Virginia site.

Unknown Birthday: Kate Shelley

Kate Shelley, teenage heroine
19th century

Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend by Robert D. San Souci (Dial, 1995)

A storm. A broken bridge. A train. Fifteen-year old Kate Shelley to the rescue. High drama in Iowa, July 6, 1881.

American Folklore.net recounts Kate Shelley's heroic actions.

The Kate Shelley Railroad Museum in Miongona, Iowa is open for visitors. Stop by soon.

March 25: Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin, musician
Mar. 25, 1942-

The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001)

Surrounded by musical neighbors such as Smokey Robinson, Otis Williams and Dianna Ross, Aretha Franklin loved to sing, too. Can you spell R-e-s-p-e-c-t?

Read about Franklin at the Time 100 site.

March 24 Birthday: Harry Houdini

Harry Houdini, magician
Mar. 24, 1874-Oct. 31, 1926

Houdini: World’s Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Eric Velasquez (Walker Books for Young Readers, 2005)

Houdini sawed people in half and wrapped himself in chains—all in the name of magic. This biography offers a look inside his life, his challenges and his performances.

Visit the PBS American Experience site about Houdini, The Man Behind the Myth for a timeline, gallery, teacher’s guide and special features.

March 24 Birthday: John Harrison

John Harrison, inventor
Mar. 24, 1693-Mar. 24, 1776

The Man Who Made Time Travel by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes(Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003)

Harrison succeeded in figuring out how to track longitude for ships at sea...after five tries and over thirty-five years. Thank you for your perseverance, Mr Harrison!

The National Maritime Museum dedicates a page to Harrison and the Longitude problem.

March 21 Birthday: Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach, musician
Mar. 21, 1685-July 28, 1750

Sebastian: A Book about Bach by Jeanette Winter (Silver Whistle, 1999)

Bach survived the sorrows of childhood and created magnificent music. And aren't we glad he did!

The J.S. Bach Home Page celebrates the life and work of Bach.

March 21 Birthday: Ruth Law

Ruth Law, aviator
Mar. 21, 1887-Dec. 1, 1970

Ruth Law Thrills a Nation by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 1995)

In 1916, Law flew nonstop from Chicago to New York and set the American record. This is the story of her great achievement.

See a photo of Law and read a short history of her aviation life. Other links are also featured.

March 19 Birthday: Charles M. Russell

Charles M. Russell
Mar. 19, 1864-1926

Cowboy Charlie: The Story of Charles M. Russell by Jeanette Winter (Harcourt Children’s, 1995)

When he grew up, Russell wanted to be a cowboy. He did that and more. After years on the frontier, he exchanged that life for one of an artist and brilliantly painted and sculpted the Old West.

According to their web site, the C.M. Russell Museum has the “most complete collection of Russell works and personal objects in the world.” Mosey on over soon.

March 18 Birthday: Grover Cleveland

Grover Cleveland, U.S. President
Mar. 18, 1837-June 24, 1908

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

In one paragraph, the legacy of the 22nd president is summed up. Cleveland was the only president to marry in the White House.

Cleveland facts are available on the IPL (Internet Public Library)site.

March 17 Birthday: St. Patrick

St. Patrick
AD 373-493
Mar. 17=St. Patrick’s Day

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola (Holiday House, 1992)

Born in Britain, Patrick was kidnapped as a boy and spent time in Ireland as a slave. Follow the story of his life and sainthood as well as five legends about him in this book.

The University of College Cork is an online resource for Irish history, literature and politics.

March 16 Birthday: James Madison

James Madison, U.S. President
Mar. 16, 1751-June 28, 1836

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

The "Father of the Constitution" and smallest of our presidents, Madison was number 4.

Learn more about Madison at The White House.gov.

March 15 Birthday: Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson, U.S. President
Mar. 15, 1767-June 8, 1845

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

Jackson, the 7th president, added running water to the White House. He was known as the "people's president."

The White House posts a bio of Jackson and the highlights of his term.

March 14 Birthday: Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, scientist
Mar. 14, 1879-Apr. 18, 1955

Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 2004)

Einstein was not the best student and yet...he grew up to win the Nobel Prize.

Some quotations, a poster of Albert Einstein and more can be found at the St. Andrews site.

March 11 Birthday: Wanda Gag

Wanda Gag, illustrator and author
March 11, 1893-June 27, 1946

Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw by Deborah Kogan Ray (Viking, 2008)

Captivated by drawing from the time she could hold a pencil, Gag honed her skills and although family tragedies waylaid her dreams for a time, eventually she went to art school and became the creator of one of the most beloved children’s books, Millions of Cats.

The Minnesota Historical Society offers biographical notes and additional resources on Gag at its Minnesota Author Biographies Project site.

Unknown Birthday: Sacagawea

Sacagawea, explorer
c. 1787-Dec. 12, 1812 or April 9, 1884

A Picture Book of Sacagawea by David A. Alder, illustrated by Dan Brown (Holiday House, 2001)

A translator and guide on the Lewis and Clark expedition, this Native American woman was an invaluable member of the team.

The PBS special Lewis & Clark: Inside the Corps offers more biographical information on Sacagawea.

Unknown Birthday: Giselle Potter

Giselle Potter, children's author and illustrator
20th century-

The Year I Didn't Go to School by Giselle Potter (Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2002)

What a year! Traveling around Italy with her family's theater troupe when she was seven, Potter gives a first-person account of this magical time.

Puppeters of America can link you up with a guild, festival or event in the US and Canada.

March 7 Birthday: Maud Lewis

Maud Lewis, artist
Mar. 7, 1903-July 30, 1970

Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Mark Lang (Tundra Books, 2002)

Lewis, a Canadian artist who had physical disabilities, painted amazing images in a primitive folk art style. Five-star inspirational.

To learn more about this gifted artist, visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

March 6 Birthday: Michelangelo

Michelangelo, artist
Mar. 6, 1475-Feb. 18, 1564

Michelangelo by Diane Stanley (HarperTrophy reprint, 2003)

Michelangelo’s life and art, including the Pieta and the Sistine Chapel are at the forefront of this detailed picture book biography about him.

Click over to the WebMuseum, Paris for more info on Michelangelo.

March 4 Birthday: Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi, musician
Mar. 4, 1678-July 28, 1741

I, Vivaldi by Janice and Tom Shefelman (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2008)

This picture book transports readers to Vivaldi's Venice, where he lived and found success as a violinist and composer.

An informative bio and photo of Vivaldi is available at the Baroque Music site.

March 3 Birthday: Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor
Mar. 3, 1847-Aug 2, 1922

Alexander Graham Bell by Leonard Everett Fisher (Atheneum, 1999)

Hello? The inventor of the telephone and other inventions is featured in this bio about his childhood and beyond.

The Franklin Institute Resources of Science Learning offers a short article about Bell’s Telephone and the history of telephones.

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.

March 2 Birthday: Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss, writer
Mar. 2, 1904-Sept. 24, 1991

The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (Random House, 2004)

From a childhood spent dreaming and doodling to budding artist at 22, this biography of the famous children’s writer shows what made Seuss tick.

Dr. Seuss’ Seussville is maintained by his publisher, Random House and has a biography of Seuss as well as cool games for kids.

March 1 Birthday: Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin, musician
Mar. 1, 1810-Oct. 17, 1849

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)

Chopin began playing the piano at four and performing at eight. This Polish composer is known as one of the "greatest pianists in history."

An online bio of Chopin is available here.

February 27 Birthday: Marian Anderson

Marian Anderson, musician
Feb. 27, 1897-Apr. 8, 1993

When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2002)

When African-American contralto Marian Anderson was 57 years old, she sang with the Metropolitan Opera. This is the story of her journey, from childhood church singer to European sensation to opera star.

Marian Anderson: A Life in Song exhibit at the Penn Library not only contains information about Anderson’s tours, but includes video and audio excerpts from interviews and performances.

February 26 Birthday: Fats Domino

Fats Domino, musician
Feb. 26, 1928-

Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

Domino learned to play piano when he was ten. Born and raised in New Orleans, he's still rockin'.

Domino was an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Unknown Birthday: Vijaya Latshimi Pandit

Vijaya Latshimi Pandit, diplomat
1900-1990

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy(Charlesbridge, 2005)

Meet Pandit, an Indian diplomat and first female president of the UN. In a few short paragraphs we learn about her great accomplishments. I love her quote: "The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war."

Read up on the United Nations at their web site.

February 23 Birthday: George Frideric Handel

George Frideric Handel, musician
Feb. 23, 1685-Apr. 14,1759

Handel, Who Knew What He Liked by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Candlewick, 2001)

Here’s a humorous (and detailed) take on Handel’s life and music, including the a debunking of the myth that the tradition of standing during the Hallelujah Chorus began with the king.

Read an introduction to the Handel House, it’s history, restoration and about Handel’s London at the Handel House Museum.

February 22 Birthday: George Washington

George Washington, U.S. President
Feb. 22, 1732-Dec. 14, 1799

A Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler, illustrated by John Wallner and Alexandra Wallner

Washington and his times are featured in this simple biography about his life.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens offers a virtual mansion tour. Visit today.

February 20: Joshua Slocum

Joshua Slocum, navigator
Feb. 20, 1884-Nov. 14, 1909

Born in the Breezes: The Voyages of Joshua Slocum by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Walter Lyon Krudop (Orchard, 2001)

Sail the high seas with this story about Slocum’s life and his love of it.

The Joshua Slocum Society International website attempts to “maintain a complete record of all single-handed circumnavigators, to popularize the legendary first solo circumnavigator, Captain Joshua Slocum.”

February 18 Birthday: Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison, professor and writer
Feb. 18, 1931-

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)

Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved in 1988 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. Highlights of this extraordinary woman can be found in this collective biography.

Biographies, bibliographies, essays, interviews are posted on a site devoted to Morrison.

February 17 Birthday: Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, athlete
Feb. 17, 1963-

Jump! From the Life of Michael Jordan by Floyd Cooper (Philomel, 2004)

Meet African-American basketball player Air Jordan as a child and young adult in this picture book biography about him. Hoops, anyone?

NBA.com offers a player profile of Jordan. Check it out.

February 14 Birthdays: Margaret Knight, Anna Howard Shaw and Katherine Stinson Otero

Margaret Knight, inventor
Feb. 14, 1838-Oct. 12, 1914

Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor by Emily Arnold McCully (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006)

Inventive as a child, Knight grew up to create the first paper bag machine. When her idea was stolen, she went to court and won. The first woman to receive a U.S. patent triumphed.

View at photo of Knight’s machine at the Smithsonian Institution

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Anna Howard Shaw, women’s rights advocate
Feb. 14, 1847-July 2, 1919

A Voice From the Wilderness: The Story of Anna Howard
Shaw by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

Based on her autobiography, this story of Shaw traces her life from childhood to adulthood. A teacher, then a doctor, Shaw became active in the women’s suffrage movement.

A biography and photo of Shaw are available at MichiganEpic.org

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Katherine Stinson Otero, aviator
Feb. 14, 1891-July 8, 1977

Katherine Stinson Otero, High Flyer by Neila Skinner Petrick, illustrated by Daggi Wallace (Pelican, 2006)

High flyer, indeed. Stinson was the fourth woman in the U.S. to earn a pilot’s license and performed throughout the world. But when she was denied permission to fly for the armed services in WWI, she raised money for the effort by flying in exhibitions.

The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission posts a bio of Stinson on their site.

February 13 Birthday: Grant Wood

Grant Wood, artist
Feb. 13, 1891-Feb. 12, 1942

Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood by John Duggleby (Chronicle, 1996)

A picture book biography about the man who grew up to paint American Gothic showcases his love of the Heartland and determination to paint his own way.

Going Back to Iowa: The World of Grant Wood looks at Woods’ world and work.

February 12 Birthdays: Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin and Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth

Abraham Lincoln, U.S President
Feb. 12, 1809-Apr. 15, 1865

Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days 1809-1837 by Cheryl Harness (National Geographic Children’s Books, 1998)

Lincoln was a man of great determination and compassion. This book about his early years shows the roots of those qualities.

Go to the White House for more details about Lincoln’s life.

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Charles Darwin, naturalist
Feb. 12, 1809-Apr. 19, 1882

The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin by Peter Sis (Walker, 2003)

Darwin’s life and ideas are detailed through the text and illustrations. Notes and diary entries from Darwin’s work as well as maps and timelines illuminate the text.

Read what orchidologists have to say about Darwin, his work with orchids and its impact on scientific knowledge.

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Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth
Feb. 12, 1884-Feb. 20, 1980

What to Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham (Scholastic Press, 2008)

Alice Roosevelt had an appetite for life. She had spark. And verve. Because her father was the president of the United States, her enthusiasms were well documented. Thank goodness. Among other things, young readers will love knowing she had a snake named Emily Spinach and that she interrupted her father's second term swearing in ceremony.

Learn more about Alice Roosevelt at the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

February 11 Birthday: Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison, inventor
Feb. 11, 1847-Oct. 18, 1931

A Picture Book of Thomas Alva Edison by David A. Adler, illustrated by John C. Wallner and Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 1996)

In this biography of a man who was always thinking ahead, readers will learn about Edison's inventions as well as his life.

At a site hosted by Rutgers, you'll find The Edison Papers, a collection of over five million pages of documents. Search Edison’s bio, patents, inventions and other related materials.

February 9 Birthdays: W.A. Bentley and William Henry Harrison

W. A. Bentley, photographer
Feb. 9, 1865-1931

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs, illustrated by Mary Azarian (Houghton Mifflin, 1998)

As a boy, snowflakes captured William Bentley’s attention. But it was a microscope with a camera that led to his life’s work: photographing snowflakes. This Caldecott Medal Winner is cool!

The Official page of Snowflake Bentley.com has articles by Bentley, snowflake links, current Jericho weather conditions, and more.

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William Henry Harrison, U.S. President
Feb. 9, 1773-Apr. 4, 1841

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

Harrison, Number 9, served the shortest term—one month.

The POTUS (Presidents of the United States) section of the IPL (The Internet Public Library) gives an overview of Harrison’s life with plenty of links to take you beyond the basic facts.

February 8 Birthdays: Waterhouse Hawkins and Alice Walker

Waterhouse Hawkins, artist
Feb. 8, 1807-1889

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating History of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2001)

This is the story of a man with a vision and talent. Hawkins was passionate about dinos and it led him to build life-size models of them.

From an article in Prehistoric Times Magazine, see drawings of Hawkins’ work and read more about him.

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Alice Walker, writer
Feb. 8, 1944-

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)

Born to sharecroppers in Georgia, Alice Walker worked hard in school. She was an active participant in the civil rights movement and is an accomplished poet and novelist. The Color Purple is her most well-known work.

Links to information about Walker can be found at a Cuny.edu site.

February 7 Birthdays: Charles Dickens and Laura Ingalls Wilder

Charles Dickens
Feb. 7, 1812-June 9, 1870

Charles Dickens: The Man Who Had Great Expectations by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1993)

Fans of A Christmas Carol will be especially interested in this biography of Dickens, who rose above his troubled childhood but never forgot it.

The New York Public Library hosts an online seminar by Kenneth Benson called Charles Dickens: The Life of the Author in six sessions.

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Laura Ingalls Wilder, author
Feb. 7, 1867-Feb. 10, 1957

Laura Ingalls Wilder by Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 1997)

The story of the pioneer girl turned author is featured in this simple biography about the creator of the Little House books.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum contains Wilder’s history, museum information and a link just for kids.

February 6 Birthdays: Ronald Regan and Babe Ruth

Ronald Regan, U.S. President
February 6, 1911-June 5, 2004

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

A movie actor turned president, Regan loved to ride horses and tell a good story. He was the 40th president of the United States.

Read a bio of Regan on the White House site.

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Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Mike Wimmer (Voyager Books, 2003)

The story of Ruth as well as his home run record-breaking in 1927 is illustrated with realistic paintings and images of baseball cards with career stats.

BabeRuth.com is a source for biography, stats, achievements, quotes, photos and awards about Babe Ruth.

February 5 Birthday: Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron, athlete
Feb. 5, 1934-

Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way by Peter Golenbock, illustrated by Paul Lee (Gulliver Books, 2001)

African-American baseball great Hank Aaron followed his dream and in spite of the racial tensions in the 1960s and hate mail directed to him, he kept on and broke the home run record of Babe Ruth.

Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, Aaron is featured on their site.

February 4 Birthdays: Charles Lindbergh, Rosa Parks and Alexis Soyer

Charles Lindbergh, aviator
Feb. 4, 1902-Aug. 26, 1974

Flight by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Mike Wimmer (Putnam Juvenile paperback, 1997)

This is one of my all-time favorite picture book biographies. It is the dramatic account of Lindbergh’s solitary flight across the Atlantic in 1927 with picture-perfect artwork.

Information about the flight, flight timeline, Spirit of St. Louis, photos, documents, articles, and biographies can be found at CharlesLindbergh.com.

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Rosa Parks, civil rights advocate
Feb. 4, 1913-Oct. 24, 2005

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier (Holt, 2005)

The story of the seamstress and African-American civil rights leader who refused to give up her sit on the bus is told in this compelling picture book biography of a true heroine.

The Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development offers a biography and timeline of Mrs. Parks.

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Alexis Soyer, chef
Feb. 4, 1810-Aug. 5, 1858

The Adventurous Chef: Alexis Soyer by Anne Arnold (FSG, 2002)

French chef Soyer organized a soup kitchen during the Irish potato famine and worked with Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War.

To read more about Soyer, visit the Victorianweb.org site.

March 3 Birthday: Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor
Mar. 3, 1847-Aug 2, 1922

Alexander Graham Bell by Leonard Everett Fisher (Atheneum, 1999)

Hello? The inventor of the telephone and other inventions is featured in this bio about his childhood and beyond.

The Franklin Institute Resources of Science Learning offers a short article about Bell’s Telephone and the history of telephones.

February 2 Birthday: John P. Parker

John P. Parker, abolitionist, inventor
Feb. 2, 1827-Jan. 30, 1900

Freedom River by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier (Jump At the Sun, 2000)

This Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book recounts the story of ex-slave John P. Parker, and his efforts to assist others in gaining freedom through the Underground Railroad.

The Autobiography of John Parker, an Online Archival Collection at Duke University gives visitors information about Parker and links to Underground Railroad sites.

February 1 Birthdays: Langston Hughes and Don Everly

Langston Hughes, poet
Feb. 1, 1902-May 22, 1967

Langston's Train Ride by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Leonard Jenkins (Orchard, 2004)

When Hughes was eighteen, he took a train from Ohio to Mexico. During his journey he wrote one of his most famous poems, The Negro Speaks of Rivers. This is the story of that ride and creation of that poem.

PoetryFoundation.org hosts several of Hughes’ poems.

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Don Everly, musician
Feb. 1, 1937-

Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

In a page of text devoted to The Everly Brothers, readers learn Phil and his brother Don started out singing country but crossed over to rock and roll. Wake Up Little Susie was one of their biggest hits.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, a timeline and short bio of The Everly Brothers is posted at RockHall.com.

January 31 Birthday: Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson, athlete
Jan. 31, 1919-Oct. 24, 1972

First in the Field: Baseball Hero Jackie Robinson by Derek Dingle (Hyperion, 1998)

The first African-American Major League Baseball player of modern era is featured in this photobiography about his childhood and early adulthood.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame provides basic info and additional links on
Robinson’s phenomenal career. Search for Robinson under the "The Hall of Famers" tab on the homepage.

January 30 Birthday: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, U. S. President
Jan. 30, 1882-Apr. 12, 1945

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

This president had "fireside chats" broadcast over the radio, a collection of miniature pigs and a vibrant wife, Eleanor. FDR was number 32.

Visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum today.

January 29 Birthdays: William McKinley and Oprah Winfrey

William McKinley, U.S. President
Jan. 29, 1843-Sept. 14, 1901

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

Number 25 banned the color yellow in the White House. A one paragraph bio of this president highlights his life and career.

Read more about McKinley at The White House site.

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Oprah Winfrey, talk show host
Jan. 29, 1954-

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

T.V. talk show host, book lover, actress, philanthropist and more, Ms. O, an African-American, is dedicated to making the world a better place.

One of the richest people in the world, Winfrey recently opened a Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Read an article about the school here.

January 28 Birthday: Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock, artist
Jan. 28, 1912-Aug. 11, 1956

Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker (Frances Lincoln Publishers, 2005)

Splatter painting anyone? This is a riveting look at Lavender Mist, one of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock’s most famous paintings and how he came to paint it.

Browse the collection of Pollock’s work at The Museum of Modern Art at MoMa.org.

January 27 Birthday: Wolfgang Mozart

Wolfgang Mozart, musician
Jan. 27, 1756-Dec. 5, 1791

Mozart Tonight by Julie Downing (Aladdin, paper, 1994)

Told in first person, Mozart’s life is center stage in this story of his struggles and creativity.

The Mozart Project offers a biography, compositions, selected essays, bibliography and links to all things Mozart.

January 26 Birthday: Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman, aviator
Jan. 26, 1892-Apr. 30, 1926

Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by E. B. Lewis (Orchard, 2002)

The first African-American woman airplane pilot’s story is told in approximately two-dozen fictionalized poems a.k.a. eulogies about her life.

PBS features a bio and photo of Coleman on their Fly Girls page.

January 24 Birthday: Maria Tallchief

Maria Tallchief, ballerina
Jan. 24, 1925-

Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina by Maria Tallchief, with Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Gary Kelley (Viking Juvenile, 1999)

Native American ballerina Maria Tallchief tells the story of her own childhood up to her move to New York at seventeen in pursuit of a dance career.

A few images of Tallchief can be seen at The Ballerina Gallery.

Unknown Birthday: Nzingha

Nzingha, ruler
1683-Dec. 17, 1663

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by KathleenKrull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)

This take-charge warrior queen effectively resisted slave traders in West Africa (present-day Angola), appointed women and influenced politics forty years and beyond.

Biographical info on Nzingha is available.

Also visit the Official Web Site of the Republic of Angola.

Unknown Birthday: Blanche Leathers

Blanche Leathers, steamboat captain
c. 1860-?

Steamboat! The Story of Captain Blanche Leathers by Judith Heide Gilliland, illustrated by Holly Meade (DK, 2000)

Blanche Leathers didn't listen when as a child she was told, "Girls don't grow up to be steamboatmen." America's first woman steamboat captain proudly sailed the Mississippi River for years.

View a photo of a steamboat Captain Blanche Leathers commanded, on this link to the Tennessee Genealogy & History site.

January 19 Birthdays: Paul Cezanne and Phil Everly

Paul Cezanne, artist
Jan. 19, 1839-Oct. 22, 1906

Paul Cezanne: A Painter's Journey by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by works from the National Gallery of Art (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2006)

French artist Cezanne and his work are featured in this introduction to this talented Post-Impressionist painter.

The National Gallery of Art exhibit, Cezanne in Provence, offers a chronology, images and background. Visit today!

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Phil Everly, musician
Jan. 19, 1939-

Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

In a page of text devoted to The Everly Brothers, readers learn Phil and his brother Don started out singing country but crossed over to rock and roll. Wake Up Little Susie was one of their biggest hits.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, a timeline and short bio of The Everly Brothers is posted at RockHall.com.

January 17 Birthdays: Muhammad Ali, Ben Franklin and Mack Sennett

Muhammad Ali, athlete
Jan. 17, 1942-

I Shook Up the World: The Incredible Life of Muhammad Ali by Maryum Ali, illustrated by Patrick Johnson (Beyond Words Publishing, 2004)

Three-time winner of the World Heavyweight boxing championship, an Olympic gold medal and numerous other awards, Ali was born Cassius Clay, Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky. One of his most famous quotes is “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.”

Visit the Kids section of Ali's Official Website that highlights the many accomplishments of this African-American super athlete.

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Ben Franklin, founding father
Jan. 17, 1706-Apr. 17, 1706

The Life of Ben Franklin: An American Original by Yona Zeldis McDongough, illustrated by Malcah Zeldis (Holt, 2006)

Author, politician, and inventor were just a few of Franklin’s occupations. The story of his life and achievements are detailed in this biography.

Time Magazine’s Online Edition has a Special Report on Franklin, titled “Citizen Ben’s Great Virtues.”

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Mack Sennett, film pioneer
Jan. 17, 1880-Nov. 5, 1960

Mack Made Movies by Don Brown (Roaring Brook Press, 2003)

“In 1900, twenty-year-old Mack Sennett was a horse’s rear end.” Who can resist an opening line like that? Read more about the silent moviemaker of the slapstick Keystone Kops and Charlie Chaplin.

A mini-biography and a listing of Sennett's is available on a movie database site.

January 16 Birthday: Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey, ethologist
Jan. 16, 1932-Dec. 26, 1985

Light Shining Through the Mist: A Photobiography of Dian Fossey by Tom L. Matthews (National Geographic Children’s Books, 1998)

The Fossey name is synonymous with gorillas. Fossey studied them in their native habitat in the mountains of Rwanda and in the Congo. Photos add to this fascinating introduction of Fossey and her work.

Learn more about Fossey’s work, mountain gorillas, conservation and research at The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International site.

January 12 Birthdays: Ira Hayes, Jose Limon and Jack London

Ira Hayes, WWII hero
Jan. 12, 1923-Jan. 24, 1955

Quiet Hero: The Ira Hayes Story by S.D. Nelson (Charlesbridge, 2006)

Ira Hayes served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. A photographer captured a picture of Hayes and five of his buddies raising an American flag on Iwo Jima. That photo made him and the others instantly famous. This is the story of his childhood on an Indian reservation, his time in the military and the effects of war on his life.

For a photo of the U.S.M.C. War Memorial and a brief history of it, visit the National Park Service site.

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Jose Limon, dancer
Jan. 12, 1908-Dec. 2, 1972

Jose! Born to Dance by Susanna Reich, illustrated by Raul Colon (Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005)

Jose “wanted to give a gift to the world, but he didn’t know what it could be.” Until....he discovered dance. Thus began his spectacular career as a dancer, choreographer and creator of his own dance company.

Limon’s dance lives. Visit the Limon Dance Company and Foundation website to learn about upcoming performances and the heritage of the organization.

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Jack London, author
Jan. 12, 1876- Nov. 22,1916

Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1994)

London went to seek fame in the California gold rush and found it by writing about it. His most famous work: The Call of the Wild.

A bio, FAQs, photos, images, writings, resources for students and teachers can be accessed at The Jack London Online Collection hosted by Sonoma State University.

Unknown Birthday: Hypatia

Hypatia, mathematician & philosopher
370-415

Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia by D. Anne Love, illustrated by Pam Paparone (Holiday House, 2006)

Hypatia found her passion in numbers and ideas. This "symbol of a learned women" in fourth century Alexandria inspires.

Read what Socrates wrote about Hypatia, plus a few other facts posted on the University of Chicago web site.

January 9 Birthday: Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon, U.S. President
Jan. 9, 1913-Apr. 22, 1994

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

Nicknamed "Tricky Dick,” Nixon was the 37th president, the first to visit all 50 states, and the only one to have resigned from office.

Learn more about Nixon at his presidential library and museum.

January 8 Birthday: Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, musician
Jan. 8, 1935- Aug. 16, 1977

Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

Rock on! The King lives on. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis moved to Memphis as a teen and began recording after high school. Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog and Love Me Tender were just a few of his hits.

Have you been to Graceland? Learn about tours to Elvis’ home and other Elvis news at Elvis.com.

January 7 Birthdays: Millard Fillmore, Zora N. Hurston and Sadako Sasaki

Millard Fillmore, U.S. President
Jan. 7, 1800-March 8, 1874

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

Krull's one paragraph description of President Number 13 notes that he had no bad habits!

Fillmore’s White House biography is available on the Whitehouse.gov site.

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Zora N. Hurston, author
Jan. 7, 1891-Jan. 28, 1060

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by
Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Z is for Zora in this tribute to famous women. An African-American writer during the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston was also a folklorist and anthropologist.

A page about Zora Neale Hurston is available at the VG: Voices from the Gaps Women Artists and Writers of Color, An International Website. It offers information about Hurston’s life and times, writings, and criticism.

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Sadako Sasaki, peacemaker
Jan. 7, 1943-Oct. 25, 1955

Sadako by Eleanor Coerr, illustrated by Ed Young (Putnam, 1993)

This is an adaptation of Eleanor Coerr’s classic novel, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. In this story, Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl stricken with “atom bomb disease” holds fast to the legend that if a person who is ill folds a thousand origami paper cranes, the wish to be well again will be granted. Though Sadako fell shy of her goal, her friends and classmates rallied behind her cause and saw that she was buried with one thousand cranes. Three years after her death, a statue of this great peacemaker was erected in Hiroshima Peace Park.

From the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum homepage, click the Kids Peace Station button to read The Sadako Story, Sadado and the Atomic Bombing. Letters to Sadako, Peace Studies Presentation Room, the Question Box and Kids Links.

January 6 Birthday: Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, poet and more
Jan. 6, 1878-July 22, 1967

Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1994)

“The fog comes on little cat feet,” begins one of Sandburg’s most famous poems. American poet, newspaperman, biographer, children’s author…Sandburg won not one, but two Pulitzer Prizes.

At the Carl Sandburg Home, run by the National Park Service, kids can Jump aboard! and learn more about the Poet of the People through his poems, songs he collected, and film clips.

January 5 Birthday: Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey
Jan. 5, 1931-December 1,1989

Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Hyperion, paperback, 1995)

African American dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey’s Texas childhood, his Los Angeles dance experiences, and his founding of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City make for inspiring reading.

Attend an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance or learn more about their programs at Alvin Ailey.org.

January 1 Birthdays: Hank Greenberg, Amelia Stewart Knight, W. W. Law, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross and Chiune Sugihara

Hank Greenberg, athlete
Jan. 1, 1911-Sept. 4, 1986

Hammerin' Hank: The Life of Hank Greenberg by Yona Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Malcah Zeldis (Walker Books for Young Readers, 2006)

First baseman and outfielder, Greenberg was a American Hall of Famer with an incredible slugging percentage. Born to Orthodox parents, who were not thrilled by his choice of profession, he became the first Jewish baseball star. His heritage was sometimes a source of ridicule on and off the field but as this book shows, it informed the choices he made.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame site offers highlights of Greenberg’s career.

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Amelia Stewart Knight, pioneer
Jan. 1, 1817/8-unknown

Way West: Journal of a Pioneer Woman by Amelia Stewart Knight, illustrated by Michael McCurdy (Simon & Schuster Children’s, 1993)

Knight’s journey from Iowa to Oregon in 1853 was far from ordinary. In this adaptation of her journals, readers will get a glimpse into this pioneer woman’s life on the long, long trail.

The Diary of Mrs. Amelia Stewart Knight's successful journey is posted online at a site devoted to The Oregon Trail.

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W.W. Law, civil rights leader
Jan. 1, 1923-July 29, 2002

Delivering Justice: W. W. Law and the Fight for Civil Rights by Jim Haskins, illustrated by Benny Andrews (Candlewick, 2005)

Westley Wallace Law made a difference. Born in Georgia, amidst poverty and segregation, this African American, who grew up to be a mail carrier, joined the NAACP as a young man, helped blacks register to vote and was instrumental in leading the Great Savannah Boycott.

This Far by Faith, a PBS program, describes W. W. Law’s life of dedication and service.

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Paul Revere, patriot
Jan. 1, 1735-May 10, 1818

Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrated by Ted Rand (Puffin edition, 1996)

Granted, this is not a traditional picture book biography, but this famous poem does tell the story of Revere’s famous midnight ride on April 18, 1775. A silversmith by trade, Revere played a most significant role in the American Revolution. “Listen, my children, and you shall hear, Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere…”

Read the real story of Revere’s ride, a virtual midnight ride, Revere’s own words, Longfellow’s poem and more at The Paul Revere House site.

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Betsy Ross, businesswoman and seamstress
Jan. 1, 1752-Jan. 30, 1836

Betsy Ross by Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 1994)

In this book, Ross’ childhood, family life, and business life are showcased along with her legendary flag-making effort.

Tour Betsy Ross’ house, view American flags, read about the history of the flag and other fascinating facts at The Betsy Ross Homepage.

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Chiune Sugihara, diplomat
Jan. 1, 1900-July 31, 1986

Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee (Lee & Low,1997)

Sugihara, known as the “Japanese Schindler” was a diplomat serving in Lithuania during WW II when he saved thousands of Jews. This powerful narrative is written from the point of view of Sugihara’s son Hiroki.

The Jewish Virtual Library tells the compelling story of Chiune and Yukiko Sugihara’s eternal good deeds.