August 17 Birthday: Jorge Posada

Jorge Posada, athlete
Aug. 17, 1971-

Play Ball! by Jorge Posada with Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Raul Colon (Simon& Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2006)

Dreams can come true. New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada's perseverance and hard work are captured in this story based on his childhood in Puerto Rico. Way cool--this book is also available in Spanish.

To learn more about Jorge Posada's stats, visit Baseball-Reference.

August 17 Birthday: Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett, "King of the Wild Frontier"
Aug. 17, 1786-Mar. 6, 1836

A Picture Book of Davy Crockett by David A. Adler, illustrated by John Wallner (Holiday House, 1996)

Remember the Alamo. The life and times of Davy Crockett, real-hero and folk hero, are brought to life in this picture book biography of an American icon.

Visit The Alamo today.

August 16 Birthday: Joseph "Joe" Switzer

Joseph "Joe" Switzer, inventor
Aug. 16, 1915-c.1973/4

The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani (Charlesbridge, 2008)

Just published, this bio about the brothers who invented eye-popping colors glows.

Take a look at these pseudo "Day-Glo" flowers.

August 16 Birthday: George Littlechild

George Littlechild, artist and author
Aug. 16, 1958-

This Land is My Land by George Littlechild (Children's Book Press, 1993)

Part autobiography, part history, Littlechild matches his words with his bold, colorful art in this book about his life and the lives of other Native American peoples. Littlechild is a member of the Plains Cree Nation.

Resources about George Littlechild can be found in the Native American Authors Project page.

August 13 Birthday: Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley, sharpshooter
Aug. 13, 1860-Nov. 3, 1926

Bull's-Eye: A Photobiography of Annie Oakley by Sue Macy (National Geographic Children's Books,2001)

This book hits the target with its engaging text, period photos and drawings.

The online version of the PBS documentary of Annie Oakley on American Experience offers a program transcript, timeline, values, posters from the Wild West Show and other fascinating facts.

August 12 Birthday: Katharine Lee Bates

Katharine Lee Bates, author of words to America the Beautiful
Aug. 12, 1859-Mar. 28, 1929

Purple Mountain Majesties: The Story of Katharine Lee Bates and "America the Beautiful" by Barbara Younger, illustrated by Stacey Schuett (Turtleback Books, 2002)

Where do ideas come from? In this case, from majestic scenery. Inspired by view from Pikes Peak, Katharine Lee Bates began to write a poem that would become a national treasure.

View images from Pikes Peak Cam Top Peak Pics in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a sense of Bates' wonder.

August 11 Birthday: Maria Mitchell

Maria Mitchell, astronomer
Aug. 11, 1818-June 28, 1889

Maria's Comet by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Deborah Lanino (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1999)

Maria Mitchell's passion and determination shine through this fictionalized account of her childhood.

The Maria Mitchell Association in Nantucket continues Mitchell's legacy through education programs, museums and research.

August 10 Birthday: Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover, U. S. President
Aug. 10, 1874-Oct. 20, 1964

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

One brief paragraph in this collective biography is devoted to Herbert Hoover, millionaire and 31st president of the United States.

Check out the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum to learn more about Hoover and his legacy.

August 8 Birthday: Esther Morris

Esther Morris, pioneer
Aug. 8, 1814-Apr. 2, 1902

When Esther Morris Headed West: Women, Wyoming, and the Right to Vote by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers (Holiday House, 2001)

Go, Esther! What one woman (and others) did to make the West a more equitable place to live.

Online information about Esther Morris can be viewed at the WOW Museum-Women of the West Museum.

August 7 Birthday: Ralph Bunche

Ralph Bunche, peacemaker
Aug. 7, 1904-Dec. 9, 1971

Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World by Jane Breskin Zalben (Dutton, 2006)

Sixteen profiles of world peacemakers include a double-page spread of American diplomat Bunche. Stunning collages accompany each biography. Bunche was the first person of color to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

To learn more about Dr. Ralph Bunche, visit the PBS site Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey.

August 6 Birthday: Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol, artist
Aug. 6, 1928- Feb. 22, 1987

Uncle Andy's: A Faabbbulous Visit with Andy Warhol by James Warhola (Putnam, 2003)

Campbell's soup. Paintings of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. Andy Warhol's nephew gives readers an insider's view of his uncle's pop art.

The Andy Warhol Museum in Warhol's hometown of Pittsburgh has a stellar collection of his work. Of note: Warhol's "fifteen minutes of fame" quote lives on.

August 5 Birthday: Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong, American astronaut
Aug. 5, 1930-

One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 1998)

An ordinary boy. An extraordinary adult. Imagine. Walking on the moon. Armstrong's childhood sets the stage for his historic lunar landing in this introduction to an American hero.

The Armstrong Air and Space Museum chronicles Ohio's contributions to space flight.Or click on over to NASA's Kid Page.

August 4 Birthday: Barack Obama

Barack Obama, US President
August 4, 1961-

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008)

Celebrating hope and a can-do attitude, this biography about Obama takes readers from his birth in Honolulu to his presidential election victory.

Currently in office, more information about our 44th President of the United States can be found at the White House.gov web site.

August 4 Birthday: Maurice "Rocket" Richard

Maurice Richard, athlete
Aug. 4, 1921-May 27, 2000

Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)

In just a few pages of this collective biography, Krull crams tons of data, descriptions and anecdotes about Canadian professional ice hockey player Maurice "Rocket" Richard's life. Lively illustrations add humor and zip.

CBS Archives offer radio and TV clips of this famous NHL player.

August 4 Birthday: Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, musician
Aug. 4, 1901-July 6, 1971

If I Only Had a Horn: Young Louis Armstrong by Roxane Orgill, illustrated by Leonard Jenkins (Houghton Mifflin, 1997)

A jazzy story about achieving dreams. Illuminating artwork makes this book about "Satchmo" sing.

The Official Site of the Louis Armstrong House & Archives is well worth a visit.

August 3 Birthday: Alexander Posey

Alexander Posey, poet, journalist
Aug.3, 1873-May 27, 1908

How We Are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)

There are lots of ways of being smart. This collection of twelve talented people includes a portrait, short profile and a poem about Alexander Posey.

An 1933 article from Oklahoma's Historical Society, Chronicles of Oklahoma provides additional insight into Posey's life.

August 1 Birthday: Anneographies

Anneographies, blog
Aug. 1, 2006-

Today is Anneographies birthday!

This past year I've celebrated over 350 birthdays via picture book biographies. And now, I'm looking forward to reading the newest releases and adding them in birthday-by-birthday.

Happy Birthday to you, whenever it is your special day!

With aloha,
Anne

August 1 Birthday: Abbie Burgess

Abbie Burgess, lighthouse keeper
Aug. 1, 1839-June 16, 1892

Abbie Against the Storm: The True Story of a Young Heroine and a Lighthouse by Marcia K. Vaughan, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth (Beyond Words Publishing, 1999)

Abbie saved the day. And the day after that. And the day after that. This book is a dramatic fictionalized account of the four weeks that seventeen year old Abbie Burgess spent caring for a Maine lighthouse and her family. “Not once in all that time did the lights fail. Not one ship floundered. Not one life was lost.” Amazing.

A special thanks to Bob Trapani, Executive Director, American Lighthouse Foundation for supplying Abbie Burgess Grant’s birthdate.

August 1 Birthday: Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key, wrote words to U.S. national anthem
Aug. 1, 1779-Jan. 11, 1843

Francis Scott Key and “The Star Spangled Banner” by Lynea Bowdish, illustrated by Harry Burman (Mondo, 2002)

This book, the story behind the story of the writing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” illustrated with impressionistic paintings simply and vividly accounts Key’s inspiration.

Visit the Smithsonian’s Star-Spangled Banner National Museum of American History site to learn more.

August 1 Birthday: William Clark

William Clark, explorer
Aug. 1, 1770-Sept. 1, 1838

A Picture Book Biography of Lewis and Clark by David A. Adler, illustrated by Ronald Himler (Holiday House, 2003)

The spirit of adventure is captured in this book about Lewis and Clark’s most celebrated journey—the expedition of the West.

Join in online and Go West Across America with Lewis & Clark! at the National Geographic website.

Visit Discovering Lewis & Clark , an online “hyperhistory in progress” and retrace the steps of these explorers and more.