May 19 Birthday: Bob Switzer

Bob Switzer, inventor
May 19, 1914-Aug. 20, 1997


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

A Sibert Informational Honor book, this bio about the brothers who invented eye-popping colors shines light on an innovative and important addition to our world.

Day-Glo worms? View “A Primer on Marine Flatworms for K-12 Students” at the University of New Hampshire site and you’ll be a believer.

May 17 Birthday: Erik Satie

Erik Satie, musician
May 17, 1866-July 1, 1925


Strange Mr. Satie by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Petra Mathers (Viking, 2003)

The eccentric French composer’s life and music is examined in this picture book biography about him.

A photo and biography of Satie can be seen here.

May 13 Birthday: Joe Louis

Joe Louis, boxer

May 13, 1914-April 12, 1981

A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial, 2011)

An iconic fight between American heavyweight boxer Joe Louis and German Max Schmeling on the eve of WWII drew Americans together and came to symbolize the war. This is a stirring story of hope.

The Official Web Site of Joe Louis gives visitors photos, quotes, fast facts and a biography.

May 13 Birthday: Ritchie Valens

Ritchie Valens, musician
May 13, 1941-February 3, 1959


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

Valens was the California music sensation and singer of Donna and La Bamba. He was the first Mexican-American rock and roll star. Unfortunately he died in a small plane crash along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.

Go to the Ritchie Valens Official Web Site for information on his life, his music and his family.

May 12 Birthday: Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale, nurse
May 12, 1820-Aug. 13, 1910


A Picture Book of Florence Nightingale by David A. Adler, illustrated by John Wallner and Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 1997)

Nurse extraordinaire, Nightingale changed her profession for the better and served with compassionate care.

Read a bio of Nightingale at the The Florence Nightingale Museum in the UK.

May 11 Birthday: Martha Graham

Martha Graham, choreographer

May 11, 1894-April 1, 1991

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenburg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Brian Floca (Flash Point, 2010)

This is the story behind the story of the collaboration of three artists—a choreographer, a composer and an artist—who created the magnificent ballet, Appalachian Spring. Thank you Martha Graham, Aaron Copeland and Isamu Noguchi.

The Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance continues her work.

May 11 Birthday: Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali, artist
May 11, 1904-Jan. 23, 1989

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

A Spanish painter known for his surrealist style is spotlighted in this collective biography.

The Salvador Dali Museum hosts a site with images from the collection.

May 10 Birthday: Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire, dancer

May 10, 1889-June 22, 1987

Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire by Roxane Orgill, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch (Candlewick, 2007)

As young children, Adele was tapped as the “real dancer” but in time it was clear that Fred had an affinity for dancing, too. On the road with the vaudeville circuit, Fred and Adele were popular performers. After a two-year break, they returned to the stage and the act got better and better. Eventually Adele left and Fred went to Hollywood where he danced into the hearts of movie-goers everywhere.

Time.com offers this tribute: Fred Astaire: 1899-1987: The Great American Flyer.

May 10 Birthday: Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, astronomer
May 10, 1900-Dec. 7, 1979


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

“Stellar Atmospheres, A Contribution to the Observational Study of High Temperature in the Reversing Layers of Stars” anyone? That was the title of Payne-Gaposchkin’s dissertation, who excelled at Harvard as a student and a professor.

On a site about notable astronomers, read more about Payne-Gaposchkin.

May 10 Birthday: Quah Ah

Quah Ah aka Tonita Pena, artist
May 10, 1893-Sept. 9, 1949


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

A Pueblo painter, Pena’s lively work inspired other women to stretch their artistic bounds.

See a photo of Pena at the Purdue site.

May 8 Birthday: Harry Truman

Harry Truman, U.S. President
May 8, 1884-Dec. 26, 1972


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

The sign on Truman's desk read "The Buck Stops Here." This piano-playing 33rd president held watermelon spitting wars in the White House.

The Truman Presidential Museum & Library is the source for Truman research.

May 7 Birthday: Eva Peron

Eva Peron, politician
May 7, 1919-July 26, 1952


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

The First Lady of Argentina was a powerful presence in the political arena in Latin America and the world.

Read about Peron’s legacy at the Official Evita Peron Website.

May 7 Birthday: Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms, musician
May 7, 1863-Apr. 3, 1897


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

Brahms, a German composer who made a living from music from the age of 15 on is featured in this collective biography. Interestingly, he had a great friendship with musician Clara Schumann.

A bio, catalog of works, pictures, and links about Brahms can be found on a site dedicated to him.

May 6 Birthday: Willie Mays

Willie Mays, athlete
May 6, 1931-


Say Hey! A Song of Willie Mays by Peter Mandel, illustrated by Don Tate (Jump At The Sun, 2000)

This rhyming picture book about the home-run hero takes readers from his birth to the ballpark. Batter up!

Go to The National Baseball Hall of Fame for stats on Mays.

May 5 Birthday: Nellie Bly

Nellie Bly, journalist
May 5, 1864-Jan. 27, 1922


The Daring Nellie Bly: America’s Star Reporter by Bonnie Christensen (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2003)

Serious female reporters were a rare breed in the late 1880s. Bly not only took up the call, but succeeded brilliantly.

An article called, Nellie Bly: The Best Reporter in America is posted on the CUNY web site.

May 4 Birthday: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn, actor and philanthropist

May 4, 1929-Jan. 20, 1993

Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo, illustrated by Julia Denos (Blazer+Bray, 2011)

A touching story of the acclaimed actress who grew up in Nazi-occupied Europe and found her greatest role in motherhood and serving others. Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and other iconic films live on, as do Hepburn's charitable endeavors.

The Official Site of Audrey Hepburn spotlights her life & career and her Children’s Fund.

May 3 Birthday: James Brown

James Brown, musician
May 3, 1933-Dec. 25, 2006


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

"The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" picked cotton, shined shoes, boxed, and played baseball before making it big.

NPR offers information about the man, the message and the soul.

May 3 Birthday: Septima P. Clark

Septima P. Clark, civil rights advocate
May 3, 1898-Dec. 15, 1987

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

A teacher, Clark fought for equality in civil rights movement. Injustices done to her with regards to her lost job were repaid.

Read about Clark on this site.

May 3 Birthday: Golda Meir

Golda Meir, political leader
May 3, 1898-Dec. 8, 1978

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

One of the founders of the State of Israel as well as serving at its Prime Minister for five years, Meir made a remarkable contribution to Israel and the world.

The Jewish Virtual Library posts a bio of Meir on their site.

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.