ReFoReMo Day 17: Mira Reisberg Applauds Biographies with Voice

3/18/2015

by Dr. Mira Reisberg

As a people-person and a lifelong learner, I’m a huge biography fan. I especially love the new approach to biography that reads like fabulous fiction. Each of these books has a wonderfully distinctive author’s voice along with individual character voices through how the language is used. Try reading these together to track how the authors use language for voice.

Wangari Maathai:The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees Written by: Frank Prévot, Illustrated by: Aurélia Fronty

Hello, I’m Johnny Cash Written by: G. Neri, Illustrated by: A.G. Ford

When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot By Lauren Stringer

Bon Appétit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child By Jessie Hartland

Noah Webster & His Words Written by: Jeri Chase Ferris, Illustrated by: Vincent X. Kirsch

Prize Alert
Mira is donating one illustration course, Home School Hero's Art Journey, at the conclusion of ReFoReMo. The lucky winner will learn to access their inner visual artist and make creative personal, and professional breakthroughs. To be eligible for this prize, you must be fully registered, comment on this post, read daily, and keep a record of your progress.

Mira Reisberg is the Director of the Children’s Book Academy and has helped many people get published, including multi-award winning self-publisher Kathryn Otoshi. Her new course with Jed Alexander will empower authors and illustrators to create professional print and e-books and get them into bookstores and children's hands with no financial risk. Learn more at http://bit.ly/CBAclass.

187 Comments

Angela Turner

3/16/2015 05:35:08 pm

Mira, I am a big fan from viewing several of your webinars. I also love to read biographies and I am loving writing them as well. I have read some of your suggestions and will search out the others asap!

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:31:55 am

Thank you for your kind words, Angela. It's people like you that make what I do all worth while!

Keila Dawson link

3/16/2015 05:36:12 pm

I enjoy history and genealogy. The most interesting stories are about people. Wonderful to see so many biographies with "story" getting published. Voices that all should hear.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:28:41 am

I couldn't agree more, Keila. These are some particularly interesting stories with fabulous illustrations and I encourage you to read each of them!

Myrna Foster link

3/16/2015 06:05:19 pm

I haven't seen any of these before. Thanks for the recommendations!

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:34:13 am

So glad you were able to learn something new! I hope the recommendations work well for you!

Wendy Engelmann

3/16/2015 06:18:29 pm

I found this post very enlightening. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about biographies.

Therese Nagi

3/17/2015 06:05:04 am

Thank you Mira for sharing these book choices. I read Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. G. Neri brings Johnny Cash's Iife alive with his lyrical prose. Can't wait to read the other books.

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:36:22 am

You're welcome Therese. I'm glad you enjoyed the book and I agree with you; the lyrical prose really is beautiful. Read on!

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:35:02 am

You're so welcome Wendy. I'm glad it was helpful for you.

Maria Laso

3/16/2015 08:33:06 pm

I'd LOVE to write PB biographies, so laden with lyricism and inspiration, but I don't feel I have the authority to write about anyone. So I just wistfully read bios and pretend I wrote them!

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:38:07 am

Maria, if you can dream it, you can do it! You have just as much authority as anyone else who writes these biographies. It's all about research, research, research, and finding an angle different than anyone else's. Give it a shot!

Kaye Baillie

3/16/2015 09:41:25 pm

More wonderful books for me to find. Thanks, Mira.

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:39:04 am

You're welcome Kaye. I hope you enjoy your treasure hunt! Happy reading!

Rebecca Colby

3/16/2015 10:27:45 pm

As I'm working on some NF PB biographies, these recommendations are sure to come in handy! Many thanks, Mira!

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:40:07 am

You're so welcome, Rebecca. Good luck on your writing and I look forward to reading the finished product!

Linda Schueler link

3/16/2015 11:24:50 pm

I am looking forward to reading these. Thanks.

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:40:48 am

Happy reading Linda!

Deborah Allmand

3/16/2015 11:31:48 pm

As a life longlearner I crave new and exciting avenues of writing well. I love research and discovering unique facts about historical people and events. Thanks so much for your post about language in biographies currently on the market. I look forward to reading them.

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:43:04 am

Research is fun, isn't it? I'm so glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you enjoy reading the books. They really are beautiful, each in their own way.

Angela Hawkins link

3/16/2015 11:46:31 pm

I've always loved reading biographies, I find the stories so interesting! I've only read one of these..can't wait to read the rest!

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:43:46 am

I'm right there with you, Angela! Happy reading!

Deirdre Englehart

3/17/2015 12:01:31 am

Mira, I love the book selections! I will check them out (together, if possible).

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:44:37 am

They should all be available at your local library. Happy reading!

mona

3/17/2015 12:13:08 am

I love the research. Thanks for suggesting these books, that all have "distinctive author voices". Look like good reading for mentor texts. Thanks, Mira

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:45:26 am

They really are, Mona! Enjoy them and I hope they bring some inspiration!

Sue Poduska

3/17/2015 12:21:03 am

Thanks, Mira. I haven't read most of these. They look like great books.

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:46:26 am

They really are, Sue! They're beautifully and uniquely illustrated and a joy to read.

Val McCammon

3/17/2015 12:29:00 am

Yea for biographies and the unique and fun ways they are written and illustrated today. Thanks, Mira.

Mira link

3/17/2015 07:47:36 am

Yay, indeed! These books really are a lot of fun. The Bon Apetit book has a great flow to it with unique layout and illustrations. Check it out!

Manju Howard link

3/17/2015 12:30:33 am

Thanks, Mira. I'm adding Wangari Maathai:The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees to my reading list.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:08:03 am

Fabulous, Manju! I hope you enjoy it!

Marianne Kuzujanakis

3/17/2015 12:43:30 am

Great choices. I was unaware of three of them. I need to add them to my reading list this month. I love how you mention the importance of voice, even in biographies. Great tip. Thanks, Mira!

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:10:03 am

My pleasure, Marianne. It's an eaily overlooked and forgotten part of writing biographies and yet absolutely essential to a good one! I hope you enjoy the books!

sharon giltrow

3/17/2015 12:59:19 am

Thanks Mira for these interesting books and what interesting people the authors have chosen to write about. I look forward to reading them :-)

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:11:15 am

You're welcome Sharon and you're right! The uniqueness of the individuals is what drew me to these books in the first place. Happy reading!

maria gianferrari link

3/17/2015 01:06:39 am

I love biographical pbs! Thanks for these recommendations! I've only read the first book, thus far so I'll be requesting the others from the library.

Some of my favorites are The Right Word and A Splash of Red by Jen Bryant & illus. by Melissa Sweet; A Home for Mr. Emerson by Barbara Kerley illus by Edwin Fotheringham; Me, Jane, by Patrick McDonnell and The Secret World of Walter Anderson by Hester Bass, illustrated by EB Lewis. All have great voice too, and amazing illustrations! Star Stuff on Carl Sagan, by Stephanie Roth Sisson is also wonderful.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:12:38 am

What lovely suggestions, Maria. I will have to check those out as well.

Angela Padron link

3/17/2015 01:23:32 am

Wonderful suggestions as always, Mira. Thanks for the post!

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:14:04 am

Glad you enjoyed them Angela. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did and they inspire you.

Mary Worley

3/17/2015 01:31:23 am

I tend to like memoirs over biographies when I'm reading "adult" books, so I'm interested to see how these read. They all look intriguing. Thanks!

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:15:41 am

I think you'll really enjoy them, Mary. Not only are they beautifully written, but the illustrations really help move the stories along and, in the case of Bon Apetit, really make everything fun and whimsical.

Joanne Sher link

3/17/2015 01:39:51 am

Mira is WONDERFUL. These all look fabulous :) Love voice in a biography! Thanks!

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:16:43 am

Oh, thank you Joanne. I truly appreciate your kind words and hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did.

Bev Langill

3/17/2015 01:45:28 am

Love these biographies. So many great ones now that shine the spotlight on the lives of such interesting people. What a fabulous giveaway!

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:18:45 am

I couldn't agree more, Bev. Good luck on the giveaway and happy reading!

Juliana Lee link

3/17/2015 01:53:58 am

I never used to like biographies much. But these are so much more appealing. I think it's the element of authentic voice that makes today's biographies so much more interesting than the dry facts I read back in the stone age.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:20:22 am

I agree Juliana, that's what really drew me to these books. Plus the illustrations are gorgeous and fun and lend such a whimsical feel to each of the stories, making them much more interesting.

Janet Smart link

3/17/2015 01:57:57 am

I love biographies. One that I love is called, Passing the Music Down by Sarah Sullivan. It is based on the lives of two old-time fiddle players.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:22:45 am

How wonderful, Janet. I'll have to check that one out. Happy reading!

Robin Currie link

3/17/2015 01:59:13 am

There are so many fascinating people in the world - famous and local. Thanks for the suggestions.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:23:55 am

My pleasure, Robin. I hope you get a chance to read through these! You'll really enjoy them!

Joyce Tucker link

3/17/2015 02:06:16 am

Thank you for sharing...I love PB biographies.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:24:59 am

You're welcome, Joyce. Enjoy them!

Alice Fulgione

3/17/2015 02:17:28 am

I'm not an illustrator but I do write picture book manuscripts. I learned so much from your picture book writing course and I've very much enjoyed your webinars. Thanks so much for your great suggestions!

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:26:25 am

Thank you for the kind words, Alice. I'm glad you've had a chance to learn from us and hope you join us for our exciting new course coming up at the end of the month. It's really revolutionary!

Doreen Lepore link

3/17/2015 02:44:04 am

Thanks from another biography fan!

Mira Reisberg link

3/17/2015 03:24:27 pm

Good to know. Hoping to have a nonfiction/biography course next year at the Academy.

Lori Dubbin

3/17/2015 02:48:44 am

Thank you, Mira, for these enticing nonfiction mentor texts 'that read like fabulous fiction.' I'm thinking, "Bon Appetit!" as we all dig in :)

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:30:05 am

Yes Lori! Bon Apetit indeed! In fact, I would absolutely start with that book - so whimsical and fun.

Kirsti Call link

3/17/2015 02:51:39 am

I love these suggestions, Mira! Love learning from you :)

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:31:20 am

Thank you for the kind words, Kristi. Having students enjoy learning is what make sit all worth while. Happy reading!

Rene`Diane Aube

3/17/2015 02:52:15 am

I'm looking forward to reading these biographies...you always have fabulous! recommendations! :) Thank you, Mira

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:33:23 am

Thank YOU Rene! I'm so glad you have enjoyed the recommendations in the past. Happy reading!

Erin Nowak link

3/17/2015 02:54:08 am

Oooh, oooh, oooh! Thank you so much for these suggestions and I look forward to exploring voice in these books. I am especially excited for When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, as I am a huge Ballet Russes fan!

Ave Maria Cross

3/17/2015 03:06:49 am

I love, love, love biographical pb stories. It's a great way for kids to learn about history because the way they are written now is so compelling.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:34:16 am

It really is a lovely book - you won't be disappointed. Happy reading!

Mira Reisberg link

3/17/2015 03:23:01 pm

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that book!

Stephanie Geckle link

3/17/2015 03:13:22 am

I don't consider myself an illustrator, but I can attest that drawing leads a writer to new discoveries and helps flesh out characters. It always helps when I get stuck. In fact, I think that's just what I'll do today, thanks! And thanks for the biography examples. I love Wangari Maathai...

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:35:41 am

You couldn't be more correct, Stephanie. What a great creative practice! Good luck in fleshing out your characters!

Debra Shumaker

3/17/2015 03:22:33 am

Love, love, love the voice in NOAH WEBSTER AND HIS WORDS. I'll have to check these other recommendations out! Thanks Mira!

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:40:41 am

If you loved that one, you'll definitely like the others! Happy reading!

Prya

3/17/2015 03:23:49 am

Mira, thank you for these titles.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:41:24 am

My pleasure, Prya. I hope you enjoy them are inspired!

Karen Nordseth Roos

3/17/2015 03:36:17 am

ooooooh, i really want to read wangari maathai! this would be awesome, if only my library had a copy. :/ thank you so much. i love biographies as picture books.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:43:02 am

No problem, Karen. Just request it from them. They can have it transferred from another library. I hope you can get your hands on it. It's really a lovely story.

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/17/2015 03:57:43 am

Hi Mira,
I'm a former student from your Chapter Book course, and an ongoing avid follower. Thanks for this list! I adore Noah Webster and Hist Words. It's so clever that you don't realize you're getting a history lesson! Can't wait to read the others. :)

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:44:44 am

Hi Rita! So glad you're continuing to follow along and hope to see you in some future classes - like our fabulous new one coming up at the end of this month! It's revolutionary!

The hidden history lessons are what I love so much about this style of biography. It really gets the kids excited about history and reading!

JEN Garrett link

3/17/2015 04:08:50 am

Biographies are a wonderful unique way to get nonfiction into younger hands. I especially loved Noah Webster, and can't wait to study the others.

I can't believe I'm passing on one of MIRA'S COURSES (because they all are so fabulous) but I'm honing my writing right now, and feel another winner would benefit more from this prize.

Mira link

3/17/2015 09:46:40 am

Hullo Jen,
Sorry to hear you won't be joining us for our next course, but I wish you well in your writing. You can always come back and take the new course once it's been converted into a self-paced course! It's really quite revolutionary and you won't want to miss it!

Renee Kirchner

3/17/2015 04:09:46 am

More great titles to enjoy! Thanks Mira!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:09:56 am

You're quite welcome, Renee. Happy reading!

Heidi Yates

3/17/2015 04:35:42 am

I love reading biographies too and can't wait to get my hands on the titles you have recommended. Thank you Mira!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:11:58 am

No problem, Heidi! I hope you get to read these soon. They are all so fabulous!

Carol Gordon Ekster link

3/17/2015 04:48:42 am

Picture book biographies are so powerful in their ability to inspire children. Thanks for sharing these, Mira. I will add them to my Pinterest board of great picture book biographies. https://www.pinterest.com/cekster/great-picture-book-biographies/
And one of my favorite author/illustrator combo of picture book biographies that sing with rhythm are the Pinkneys. Thanks for the many ways you inform and inspire #kidlit folks.

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:13:10 am

Thank you for adding your Pinterest board link, Carol. I'm excited to check out all the great books you've pinned!

Sandy Powell

3/17/2015 05:13:56 am

Mira, you are a busy woman! I see you everywhere online. I took your course on picture books last year so I know you are recommending some great mentor texts. Thanks and thank you for keeping us picture book writers full of knowledge.

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:18:18 am

I really am, but I love it! It's my absolute pleasure to share what I know - I love watching my students succeed! You should join us for our exciting new course coming up at the end of the month. It's going to be revolutionary!

Leslie Goodman link

3/17/2015 05:38:17 am

I remember how dry biographies were when I was a child. The livelier, story-telling way they are written now is entertaining and enjoyable. Thank you for these mentor texts. I'm looking forward to another wonderful afternoon in my library!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:19:44 am

I agree completely, Leslie. Have fun curled up with those books. They're so much fun to read, you're really going to find yourself getting lost in history!

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/17/2015 05:47:36 am

I'm using When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky as a mentor text right now. It's great! Have also read Noah, but the others are new to me. To the list!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:20:43 am

So glad you've been bale to enjoy a couple of them so far, Jilanne. I really think you'll enjoy the others even more! Happy reading!

Teresa MI Schaefer link

3/17/2015 05:55:45 am

Mira, Thank you for directing our attention to these PBs.

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:21:24 am

My pleasure, Teresa. I hope you enjoy them!

Elaine Hillson

3/17/2015 06:15:57 am

I hadn't seen these before. So thank you for suggesting some more wonderful books for me to find.

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:22:59 am

My pleasure, Elaine. Happy hunting and happy reading!

Laura Renauld

3/17/2015 06:43:50 am

Onto my reading list they go!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:24:03 am

Enjoy, Laura! They're all so fabulous and fun!

Gabrielle Snyder

3/17/2015 07:02:21 am

As a kid, one of my all-time favorite books was a biography of Beatrix Potter (which seems to be out of print now -- bummer). I will check these biographies out; they all sound fabulous!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:25:15 am

That really is a bummer. It's so sad when good books go out of print. I think you'll really enjoy these - the voice and illustrations make them so engaging!

Lindsey Tate

3/17/2015 07:51:15 am

Thanks for the inspiring suggestions. I'm in the middle of writing a PB biography so the list couldn't have come at a better time. Now to make my writing sing!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:26:05 am

Oh how wonderful, Lindsey. I hope these truly inspire you!

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/17/2015 08:02:26 am

Hi Mira...thank you so much for participating in ReFoReMo...I loved biographies as a child...and rediscovered the new breed of nonfiction for children when I took Kristen Fulton's Non-Fiction Archaeology class last year. I hang my head in shame..I've only read ONE of the books you mentioned...but I'm reserving the others from the library TODAY!

Anyone who wins your Heroes class is pretty darn lucky...it's one I'd love to take. ;)

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:27:51 am

I'm so glad to hear you're reserving these books! You'll really enjoy them! They're so engaging and whimsical.

Good luck on the giveaway! We'd love to have you!

Suzy Leopold

3/17/2015 08:24:24 am

And because of you Mira, I continue to learn and grow. These titles are outstanding and will be useful as I continue to write creative nonfiction. I look forward to reading them and to hear the character's voice through the authors voice.

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:29:45 am

Thank you for the kind words, Suzy. I'm so glad I've been of help to you. I'd really like to encourage you to check out the newest course coming up. It's going to be revolutionary!

As for the biographies - Enjoy! They're all stunning!

Laura J / Laura Jenkins

3/17/2015 08:56:18 am

Thank you for the suggestions above. I was unaware of a couple of them.

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:30:30 am

Glad I could bring these wonderful bios to your attention, Laura. They're all so splendid. I can't wait for you to read them!

Johnell link

3/17/2015 09:26:50 am

Excellent advice as usual, Mira.

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:31:22 am

Thank ou Johnell,
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! Happy reading!

Kristi Veitenheimer

3/17/2015 10:25:34 am

What fun books to add to my ever growing list!

Mira link

3/17/2015 10:32:05 am

They really are, Kristi! Beautifully written and stunningly illustrated. You're really going to enjoy them!

Jarm Del Boccio link

3/17/2015 10:40:20 am

Yay! More non-fiction PBs to examine. Thanks, Mira!!

Mira

3/30/2015 07:30:38 am

Enjoy! I'm sure you'll enjoy them as much as I did.

Penny Parker Klostermann link

3/17/2015 11:00:06 am

Mira,
Thanks so much for the wonderful reading suggestions. I've only read one of these and I look forward to delving into the rest! I love the new approach to biographies, too. It draws me into their story.

Mira

3/30/2015 07:36:49 am

Penny,
No problem. I'm sure you'll enjoy them as much as I did. Nothing like being drawn into a good story. Happy reading!

Beth Gallagher

3/17/2015 11:00:53 am

Thanks so much for this, Mira! I'm a convert to nonfiction and LOVE biographies! I have been creating a portfolio of bio ms's too! :)

Mira

3/30/2015 07:39:30 am

That's wonderful Beth. Hopefully these books inspire you. Enjoy!

Kathy Mazurowski

3/17/2015 11:58:34 am

Hi Mira,
Thank you for focusing on these titles. I have looked at the Julia Child book, but now I want to read it again! The other titles also sound interesting. I've got some new ideas now.

Mira

3/30/2015 07:42:54 am

No problem Kathy. They are all beautifully written and illustrated. You're really going to enjoy them! Happy reading!

Cassie Bentley

3/17/2015 12:38:42 pm

I've wanted to read more about Wangari Maathai. I couldn't remember her name, now I see a picture book about her! I can't wait to see it.
These aren't current celebrities, they are real people who worked hard.

Mira

3/30/2015 07:50:07 am

I'm sure you'll enjoy the Wangari Maathai book. It's such a good read! Enjoy!

Nicole Popel link

3/17/2015 01:21:00 pm

Mira, Soooo many books, soooo little time! There's two up above that I have NOT read, so off to the library I go.
Love reading your posts, always!
Cheers,
Nicole
PS Or maybe I should say "waves" as they do down under? I just leaned that bit of slang!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:54:27 am

My pleasure, Nicole. Enjoy!

Maria Marshall

3/17/2015 01:29:48 pm

Mira,
I am a giant fan, also. Thank you for the amazing list. I haven't seen most of them. Yeah! Another library trip. :-)

3/30/2015 07:54:10 am

My pleasure, Maria. Happy reading!

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/17/2015 02:08:19 pm

I would say that the genre of children's books that I least gravitate to is non-fiction, so the non-fiction and biography suggestions through ReFoReMo have been great for me. I have really enjoyed a lot of the suggestions and look forward to getting even more out of the box by reading these. Thanks for the post!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:40:18 am

My pleasure, Heather. It's wonderful to discover new things you would not normally find on your own. Happy reading!

shirley johnson

3/17/2015 02:27:04 pm

Will enjoy reading these. Thanks for sharing this list of books.

Mira

3/30/2015 07:56:29 am

Glad I could bring these wonderful bios to your attention, Shirley. I can't wait for you to read them!

Julie Burchstead

3/17/2015 02:32:45 pm

Loved your recent webinar with Miranda Paul! I am beginning to love biographies. This genre is exploding with such great titles. I especially loved On a Beam of Light. Thanks for these new titles to add to my list of look-fors.

Mira

3/30/2015 08:27:52 am

I'm so happy you enjoyed the webinar with Miranda Paul. Biographies are so lovely. I hope you enjoy these titles, they are such fun.

Janie Reinart

3/17/2015 03:09:02 pm

Thank you, Mira. Ordering these books from the library now!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:01:36 am

My pleasure, Janie. Enjoy!

Sandy Perlic

3/17/2015 04:55:21 pm

I had no idea there was a Johnny Cash biography! What a wonderful selection of titles you've given us to look into. REFOREMO has reminded me how blessed we are with an abundance of wonderful reading material. Thank you!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:17:13 am

My pleasure, Sandy. We are blessed indeed. The Johnny Cash bio is wonderful, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Happy reading!

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/17/2015 05:02:17 pm

Ah... my heart belongs to the biography! I'm running (see me???) to my library's e-site to put these on my loan list! Thanks for the suggestions!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:32:13 am

My pleasure, Juliann. Not only are they well written, but the illustrations help move the stories along. I'm sure your going to love them!

MaDonna Maurer link

3/17/2015 08:21:14 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to the library tomorrow and had planned to look at the bio section. Thanks for giving a heads up on good texts to look for. ;)

Mira

3/30/2015 09:09:04 am

My pleasure, MaDonna. Happy reading!

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/18/2015 03:19:40 am

It's fascinating to read the Wangari Maathai biography you chose along with Jen Cullerton Johnson's 2010 biography Seeds of Change and Jeanette Winter's 2008 biography Wangari's Trees of Peace. All three use the same material, but the narrative voices and artistic choices are strikingly different.

Caroline Twomey link

3/18/2015 03:43:22 am

Thanks for these suggestions Mira, I'm looking forward to reading these! Really enjoy your webinars too ")

Mira

3/30/2015 08:37:43 am

You're quite welcome, Caroline. Happy reading!

Sue Heavenrich

3/18/2015 03:57:12 am

LOVE Noah Webster & His Words....
definitely checking out the others.

Mira

3/30/2015 07:59:36 am

Noah Webster & His Words is wonderful. I'm sure you'll love the others as well. Enjoy!

Denise Engle

3/18/2015 03:58:49 am

I read a stack of biographies yesterday that did read like fiction. I so enjoy the new approach. Thank you for your posting!

Mira

3/30/2015 09:12:48 am

My pleasure, Denise. Enjoy!

Romelle Broas link

3/18/2015 07:03:31 am

I enjoyed Noah Webster and his words. I've added the others to my reading list. Thank you, Mira!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:04:12 am

No problem, Romelle. Happy reading!

Jennette Mutolo

3/18/2015 08:00:19 am

A pb bio can draw in even the most reluctant readers! Thanks so much for the titles!

Mira

3/30/2015 07:46:05 am

My pleasure, Jennette. I hope you enjoy them!

Yvonne Mes link

3/18/2015 09:31:08 pm

Ooooh, goody, some new NF books to check out! Thanks for these suggestions, Mira. I am quite hooked on reading NF biographies and am now waiting for my own NF biography on Sidney Nolan to come out with Random House Australia in October!

Carrie Charley Brown

3/23/2015 11:08:03 am

Very cool to hear that you have a date to celebrate, Yvonne! Congrats!

Mira

3/30/2015 07:52:40 am

That is wonderful! Congrats!

Lisa Connors link

3/19/2015 01:41:49 am

Loving these suggestions! Thanks!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:47:27 am

You're welcome. Happy reading!

Helen Dening link

3/19/2015 02:16:58 pm

Oooohh, I can't wait until these come in at the library. Thanks, Mira!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:05:28 am

My pleasure, Helen. I'm sure you'll love them all!

Sara Eastler link

3/19/2015 02:28:02 pm

I LOVE biographies Mira! Right now my favorite is Little Melba and Her Big Trombone and (always...) Henry and His Freedom Box. I'm always surprised that my kids never seem to tire of these either. My 5 and 10-year-old ask for On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein like it's better than a plate of chocolate chip cookies. ;-)

Mira

3/30/2015 09:16:41 am

Biographies are wonderful! Hopefully you, and your children will enjoy this list. Happy reading!

Kelley Lewis

3/20/2015 07:31:05 am

I feel the same way - reading a biography with some drama is a far better way to learn than cold historical fact. In fact, a good biography actually teaches history, too. Thanks for these great suggestions.

Mira

3/30/2015 08:35:33 am

No problem, Kelley. These are fun books to read. I'm sure you are going to love them. Happy reading!

Saba

3/21/2015 05:04:41 pm

I look forward to checking out these books. I would love to write a biography one day :)

Mira

3/30/2015 08:14:37 am

Thank you Saba. I'm sure you'll love them all. We will be doing a biography course some time soon that you may find helpful.
https://wj168.infusionsoft.com/app/form/cba

Linda

3/23/2015 04:52:37 am

Mira, I'm looking forward to reading these books. Your suggestions are always helpful. Thank you!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:08:03 am

My pleasure Linda. Glad I could bring these wonderful bios to your attention. I can't wait for you to read them!

Ann Magee

3/25/2015 03:55:12 am

Biographies have captured my heart--both reading them and writing them. So, so, so many amazing lives have come before us and their stories need to be told. Our children need to know them and be inspired by them. Thanks for this post, Mira.

Mira

3/30/2015 08:44:11 am

My pleasure, Ann. I couldn't agree more, these stories need to be told. They are so wonderful. Each uniquely illustrated and a joy to read.

Lauri Meyers link

3/26/2015 02:13:18 pm

Uh-oh - I haven't read any of these...off to the library.

Mira

3/30/2015 08:50:35 am

I know you'll love them. Happy reading!

Jeanette Bradley

3/30/2015 02:01:16 am

Awesome list of books! Thank you Mira!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:45:20 am

My pleasure, Jeanette. Happy reading!

Mary Warth

3/30/2015 03:32:08 am

I appreciate these suggested texts. I have not read many picture book biographies and these look really interesting.

Mira

3/30/2015 08:49:32 am

They really are wonderful books. Beautiful illustration and engaging story. Enjoy!

sadee schilling

3/30/2015 03:52:21 am

I'm hooked on PB biographies since you introduced them in your class, Mira! Thanks for this new list--can't wait to read them!

Mira

3/30/2015 08:51:37 am

My pleasure, Sadee. Enjoy!

Noel Csermak

3/30/2015 10:35:46 am

Mira, my comment didn't make it on the day of your post, but I wanted to let you know that your course was my first introduction to the study of Picture Books and it has been a springboard for more discovery and development. Thank you for these new suggestions.

Laurie J. Edwards link

3/30/2015 07:50:00 pm

Love how you share your extensive knowledge of picture books, Mira!

Carrie Finison

3/31/2015 01:24:40 am

I can't wait to check out some of these - I've read NONE of them yet! Thank you for sharing, Mira!

Laura K Zimmermann link

3/31/2015 01:52:11 am

Great suggestions...I hope PB biograpy I'm working on can live up to these great examples...

Mike Karg link

3/31/2015 02:45:13 am

Thank you for selections I never would have considered!

Anita Banks

3/31/2015 04:23:50 am

Thank you for the suggestions.

Ellen Sirianni

3/31/2015 06:26:28 am

Thank you for these wonderful titles!

Tanya Konerman link

3/31/2015 09:11:11 am

Love the Noah Webster title...I'll check out the others too!

Amie Valore-Caplan

3/31/2015 09:59:41 am

Thank you for these fabulous suggestions--I enjoyed all of the books tremendously! The Julia Child book was such a delight--after reading it, my 12-year-old son and I watched video of her on YouTube--what a fabulous job Jessie Hartland did of capturing Child's personality in a picture book! I was inspired by the story of Wangari Maathai (wow!), and the Webster book was delightful, informative, and a nice complement to the American Revolution books suggested in an earlier post (George vs. George and John and Tom). I also really like the trend in adding plenty of citations and additional resources in the back of nonfiction. Great ways to learn more and to see how much research went into creating these fantastic small portraits of incredible people.

Jennifer Judd link

3/31/2015 11:48:24 am

Thank you for these, Mira! I have been wanting to expand my list of biographies, and these look wonderful!

Sherry Howard link

3/17/2018 01:01:19 pm

Mira, this is just what I needed! And anyone who wins one of Mira’s classes will be in for a treat! Love you, Mira!

ReFoReMo Day 17: Mira Reisberg Applauds Biographies with Voice

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