January 12 Birthday: Jose Limon

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.

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 the Nixon 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 Birthday: Sadako Sasaki

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

Sadako by Eleanor Coerr, illustrated by Ed Young (interview)(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 7 Birthday: Zora N. Hurston

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.

The Zora Neale Hurston Digital Archive at the University of Central Florida offers information about Hurston’s life and times, writings, and criticism.

January 7 Birthday: Millard Fillmore

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.

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 4 Birthday: Louis Braille

Louis Braille, inventor
Jan. 4, 1809-Jan. 6, 1854

Louis Braille by Dennis B. Fradin, illustrated by Rob Sauber (Silver Burdett, 1997)

Louis Braille, a French boy who lost his sight as a young boy, invented a reading system for the blind when he was only 15.

Learn Braille's alphabet and number system at the American Foundation for the Blind site.

Unknown Birthday: Johann Gutenberg

Johann Gutenberg, inventor
1398-Feb. 3, 1468

Gutenberg by Leonard Everett Fisher (Atheneum, 1993)

The Gutenberg Bible anyone? Setbacks abounded, but Gutenberg ultimately succeeded. He revolutionized printing with the invention of adjustable type, creating mass-produced works for the first time.

Look inside one of the five copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the U.S. at an online exhibit at the Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin. Then roam through the other associated links.

January 1 Birthday: Chiune Sugihara

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.

January 1 Birthday: Paul Revere

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.

January 1 Birthday: Betsy Ross

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.

January 1 Birthday: W. W. Law

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.

January 1 Birthday: Amelia Stewart Knight

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.

December 31 Birthday: Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse, artist
Dec. 31, 1869-Nov. 3, 1954

A Bird or Two: A Story About Henri Matisse by Bijou Le Tord (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 1999)

This tribute to the French artist, known as the father of modern art, focuses on Matisse's later years, when he lived in Nice and was inspired by its extraordinary light.

View a collection of Matisse art and a bio at the WebMuseum, Paris.

December 30 Birthday: Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley, musician
Dec. 30, 1928-June 2, 2008

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

A double page spread in this collective bio is devoted to rocker, Bo Diddley. This artist played the violin as a child, and then switched to the guitar as a teen. He is credited with the invention of a thump-thump-a beat on the guitar.

Read more about Bo Diddley at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.

book source: library

December 30 Birthday: Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods, athlete
Dec. 30, 1975-

Tiger Woods by David R. Collins, illustrated by Larry Nolte (Pelican, 1999)

Tiger Woods, the gifted young African American golfer, faced prejudice with positive character and determination as a child and as an adult. He won his first U.S. Amateur Championship at the age of 19.

Visit the Tiger Woods Official Website to learn more about this great golfer.

December 29 Birthday: Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson, U.S. President
Dec. 29, 1808-July 31, 1875

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

A tailor by profession, this was our only president who could quilt. He was number 17.

You can read Johnson's State of the Union Address on the Project Gutenberg site.

book source: library

December 28 Birthday: Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson, U.S. President
Dec. 28, 1856-Feb. 3, 1924

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

Our most educated president spent more money on books than clothes. His number? 28.

Read the official White House biography of President Wilson at Whitehouse.gov.

book source: library

December 25 Birthdays: Jesus

Jesus
Dec. 25-

Jesus by Brian Wildsmith (Eerdmans, 2000)

Beginning with the birth of Jesus, Wildsmith highlights the rest of Jesus' life, death on the cross, resurrection and ascension. Merry Christmas!

The King James version of the Bible is available online at Verse Link.

book source: library

December 25 Birthday: Anwar el-Sadat

Anwar el-Sadat, politician
Dec. 25, 1918-Oct. 6, 1981

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

Anwar el-Sadat, a former president of Egypt is featured in this book dedicated to sixteen celebrated individuals.

Read more about Sadat at the Jewish Virtual Library.

book source: library

December 23 Birthday: Sarah Breedlove Walker

Sarah Breedlove Walker, philanthropist
Dec. 23, 1867-May 25, 1919

Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Nneka Bennett (Candlewick, 2000)

Born to former slaves, Sarah Breedlove Walker triumphed over numerous adversities to become the owner and operator of a hair products business which became one of the largest companies in America by 1912. Her generosity was legendary as she shared her wealth with others.

The Official Website of Madam C. J. Walker a.k.a Sarah Breedlove Walker offers a bio and more.

book source: library

December 22 Birthday: Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson

Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, environmentalist and former First Lady
Dec. 22, 1912-July 11, 2007

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein (HarperCollins, 2005)

One person can make our world a more beautiful place. Here's proof. Thank you, Lady Bird.

Visit The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

book source: bookstore purchase

Unknown Birthday: Esther

Esther, leader

Esther's Story by Diane Wolkstein, illustrated by Juan Wijngaard (HarperTrophy, 1998)

Esther saved the day. Literally. In this biblical account, written in the form of a diary, Esther tells the story of her life and how as Queen Esther she saved her people from Haman, who wished to destroy the Jewish people.

Queen Esther: The Merit of Things Hidden from the Women in Judaism.

book source: library

Unknown Birthday: Eratosthenes

Eratosthenes, mathematician and librarian
c. 276 BC-194 BC

The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Little Brown, 1994)

Sun and shadows. Those were the keys to the Eratosthenes' discovery of how to measure the Earth's circumference. A fascinating look at ancient times and at how geometry can make sense of our world.

Learn how Eratosthenes figured it out at the Cornell website.

book source: library

December 16 Birthday: Jane Austen

Jane Austen, writer
Dec. 16, 1775-July 18, 1817

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

The English author of Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and four other works was not famous until after her death.

Drop by Jane Austen's House Museum on the Web.

book source: library

Unknown Birthday: Cleopatra

Cleopatra, leader
69 BC-August 12, 30 BC

Cleopatra by Peter Vennema and Diane Stanley, illustrated by Diane Stanley (HarperTrophy, 1997)

The woman was a savvy ruler. Incredible artwork accompanies the story of the last queen of Egypt.

Take a look at the Field Museum of Chicago's Cleopatra of Egypt: From History to Myth exhibit.

book source: library

December 13 Birthday: Emily Carr

Emily Carr, artist
Dec. 13, 1871-Mar. 2, 1945

Emily Carr: At the Edge of the World by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Maxwell Newhouse (Tundra Books, 2003)

A Canadian artist whose work focused mostly on the Native peoples of the Northwest is featured in this book about her life. From her childhood through her later years, Carr's incredible work is reproduced alongside the narrative.

See Emily Carr at home and at work on a website devoted to her.

book source: library

December 13 Birthday: Ella Josephine Baker

Ella Josephine Baker, civil rights worker
Dec. 13, 1903-Dec. 13, 1986

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

Baker, a civil rights worker was active in the NAACP and helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

Read a biography of Baker at a Law Library site.

book source: library

December 11 Birthday: Annie Jump Cannon

Annie Jump Cannon, astronomer
Dec. 11, 1863-Apr. 13, 1941

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

Cannon was an astronomer and curator of photographs at Harvard Observatory. She was the person responsible for organizing stars into types (O, B, A, F, G, K, M), a classification that is still in use today.

Click on over to the Annie Jump Cannon Homepage at Wellesley.edu.

book source: library

December 10 Birthday: Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, writer
Dec. 10, 1830-May 15, 1886

Emily by Michael Bedard, illustrated by Barbara Cooney (Doubleday, 1992)

This is a fictionalized account of a young girl's encounter with her Amherst, Massachusetts, neighbor—the reclusive poet, Emily Dickinson.

Visit The Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, for tours and information.

book source: bookstore purchase

December 9 Birthday: Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper, naval officer and computer scientist
Dec. 9, 1906-Jan. 1, 1992

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

A reciepent of the National Medal of Technology and many other awards, Hopper helped revolutionize computers.

Grace Hopper.org celebrates women in computing.

book source: bookstore purchase

December 8 Birthday: Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera, artist
Dec. 8, 1886-Nov. 24, 1857

Diego by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2007)

This bilingual biography about Diego Rivera, celebrates the life of the incredible Mexican muralist. Brilliant folk-art illustrations compliment the text.

Visit The Virtual Diego Rivera Web Museum and take a look at the work of one of the greatest muralists.

book source: library

December 7 Birthday: St. Columoille

Columoille, saint
Dec. 7, 521-June 9, 597

Across a Dark and Wild Sea by Don Brown, illustrated by Deborah Nadel (Roaring Brook, 2002)

This is a story of an Irish monk of the sixth century also known as St. Columba. He established a monastery and copied books and illuminated manuscripts.

The Catholic Encyclopedia posts a biography of St. Columa on its website.

book source: library

December 7 Birthday: Willa Cather

Willa Cather, writer
Dec. 7, 1873-Apr. 24, 1947

The Divide by Michael Bedard, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully (Doubleday, 1997)

Moved from Virginia to Nebraska, young Willa Cather ultimately found the prairie home. And inspiring.

The Willa Cather Archive offers access to her writings, manuscripts & letters, and life.

book source: library

December 6 Birthday: Patsy Mink

Patsy Takemoto Mink, politician
Dec. 6, 1927-Sept. 28, 2002

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

Mink, a strong civil rights advocate from Hawaii, was the first Japanese American woman to serve in Congress.

For an overview of her accomplishments, read Mink's biography in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

book source: library

December 5 Birthday: Bill Pickett

Bill Pickett, cowboy and rodeo performer
Dec. 5, 1871-Apr. 2, 1932

Bill Pickett: Rodeo-Ridin' Cowboy by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Gulliver Books, 1996)

Born in Travis County, Texas, Pickett invented the rodeo sport of bulldogging. Yahoo!

Pickett was included in The National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1971. He was the first African American inducted into this elite group.

book source: bookstore purchase

December 5 Birthday: Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren, U.S. President
Dec. 5, 1782-July 24, 1862

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

A brief description of the 8th, one-term president who loved to sing.

Read more about Van Buren at a site devoted to American Presidents.

book source: library

December 5 Birthday: Little Richard

Little Richard, musician
Dec. 5, 1932-

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

Little Richard was one of the earliest rockers. This deluxe showman from Georgia made his first record at 18 and found fame in 1955 with his hit called "Tutti Fruitti."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Little Richard in 1986.

book source: library

December 2 Birthday: Georges-Pierre Seurat

Georges-Pierre Seurat, artist
Dec. 2, 1859-Mar. 29, 1891

Seurat and La Grande Jatte: Connecting the Dots by Robert Burleigh (Abrams, 2004)

Focused on a single painting by the French painter Seurat, the author weaves in the story of the artist's life.

Seurat's masterpiece, Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte was the subject of an exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago.

book source: library

November 30 Birthday: Mark Twain

Mark Twain, writer
Nov. 30, 1835-Apr. 21, 1910

American Boy: The Adventures of Mark Twain by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 2003)

Brown takes readers on a journey through the childhood and life of the plucky Twain. A fitting introduction to an American legend.

The Hannibal Courier Post looks at the life and works of Samuel Clemens.

book source: library

November 29 Birthday: Tzu Hsi

Tzu Hsi, royal
Nov. 29, 1835-Nov. 15, 1908

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

Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi ruled her country for 47 years. It was said that she loved to read.

Fordham University posts information about the Court Life in China.

book source: library

November 29 Birthday: Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott, writer
Nov. 29, 1832-Mar. 6, 1888

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

Based on her own childhood with her three sisters in Concord, Massachusetts, Alcott's most famous work, Little Women was followed by other classics such as Little Men, Jo's Boys, and Eight Cousins. Alcott also wrote works for adults.

Visit Orchard House, where Alcott lived when writing Little Women.

book source: library

November 19 Birthday: Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi, politician
Nov. 19, 1917-Oct. 31, 1984

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

Indira Gandhi served as the Prime Minister of India during portions of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. This remarkable woman is highlighted in this book dedicated to women who have changed the world.

Remembering Indira Gandhi highlights Gandhi's contributions.

book source: library

November 27 Birthday: Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee, athlete
Nov. 27, 1940-July 20, 1973

Be Water, My Friend: The Early Years of Bruce Lee by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee (Lee & Low Books, 2006)

A master of Kung fu, Chinese American Bruce Lee turned the West on to martial arts.

A photo and article about Lee is posted at Time.com.

book source: library

November 24 Birthday: Frances H. Burnett

Frances H. Burnett, writer
Nov. 24, 1849-Oct. 29, 1924

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

Burnett, the author of the children's classic, The Secret Garden, originally illustrated by Tasha Tudor, was nicknamed "Fluffy." Who knew?

A biography of Burnett is posted on a site of an ardent fan.

book source: library

November 23 Birthday: Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce, U.S. President
Nov. 23, 1804-Oct. 8, 1869

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

One paragraph about the 14th president who put the first Christmas tree in the White House can be found in this collective biography.

Read Pierce's Inaugural Address on Friday, March 4, 1853, posted on The Avalon Project at the Yale Law School.

book source: library

November 22 Birthday: Sieur De La Salle

Sieur De La Salle a.k.a. Rene-Robert Cavelier, explorer
Nov. 22, 1643-Mar. 20, 1687

Despite All Obstacles: LaSalle and the Conquest of the Mississippi by Joan Elizabeth Goodman, illustrated by Tom McNeely (Mikaya Press, 2001)

Follow La Salle from his birth in France through his Mississippi adventures through a text filled with excerpts from letters, diaries and journals.

The Handbook of Texas Online provides a biographical sketch of La Salle.

book source: library