Category: Biography

Featured

A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of Rita Moreno. Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer! by Anika Aldamuy Denise

Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise, Illustrated by Leo Espinosa, Published by Harper, 2020 (Biography, Ages 6-13)

I am obsessed with musicals, especially during my teenage years, and the musical number “America” from West Side Story still invokes as much joy as it did the first time I watched it. As many know, the magnetic performance of Rita Moreno is a big part why it’s considered one of the most memorable moments caught on film. She even won an Oscar for it. So I was so excited when I saw that they were going to publish a picture book on her remarkable life.

BACKGROUND

Rita Moreno was signing and dancing for as long as she can remember in Costa Rica. When her and her mother ends up moving to America, she must navigate a new culture, language, while still pursuing her dream to perform.

BEST FOR

This fifteen minute read aloud would be great for a biography unit, discussing singing, dancing, or a great example of going for your dreams.

PAIR WITH

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle

WHERE TO PURCHASE

A Girl Named Rosita by Anika Aldamuy Denise

Featured

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned To Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

Written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Illustrated by Oge Mora, Published by Schwartz & Wade, 2020. (fiction, ages 5-9)

It’s interesting how we place barriers between us and our goals. We tell ourselves that we do not have time, or that it is too hard. Then when we do have the time we say, “I’m too old” or “it’s too late to start going for my dreams now.” This book really gave me the wake up call to always strive for what we want no matter how old, or how long it takes. Not to mention that the story is charming and a stunner since it’s based on the true story of Mary Walker who lived through twenty-six American presidents!

BACKGROUND

Mary Walker was born in 1848 and always wanted to learn to read. She was freed from slavery at the age of twenty and worked hard to provide for her family growing family. Finally at the age of 116 she decides that she will finally learn to read. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that would be a perfect model of grit, perseverance, goal-setting, and hard work.

PAIR WITH

Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Mae Among The Stars by Rodha Ahmed

Written by Rodha Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington, Published by HarperCollins, 2018. (4-6)

I have been reading news about Victor Glover who is going to be the first Black NASA astronaut to live on the International Space Station. Amidst all the excitement it reminded me of this particular title. This is just a perfect read for those looking to inspire curiosity and wonder.

BACKGROUND

Ever since she was a girl Mae Jemison loved the night sky. Her parents always told her if she could dream it and work hard for it she could be an astronaut, which is exactly what she did. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a seven minute read aloud that would be great for a biography or career unit. Also a great way to inspire curiosity, STEM, and grit.

PAIR WITH

You Should Meet Mae Jemison by Laurie Calkhoven

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung

Written by Julie Leung, Illustrated by Chris Sasaki, Published by Schwartz & Wade Books, 2019. (Biography, 7-12)

IMG_2767

My mother’s side of the family is very artistic including my mom, brother, and I. Although we all enjoy art and making it, there was an unspoken hesitation to see it as a viable career option. It was always deemed a hobby since back then people said, “you can’t make a living as an artist”.  Reading this beautiful title make me reflect back on those times and thankfully see how much that perspective has changed. I love seeing so many Asian artists and their work occupying more public spaces and visuals.  Plus, I do have two cousins that are professional artists and are doing very well for themselves.

BACKGROUND

A young Chinese immigrant Tyrus Wong comes to America as a Paper Son. Eventually he graduates from art school at the top of his class and gets a job at Walt Disney Studios where he pioneers the artistic style used in the feature film, Bambi. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that would be great for a biography unit, discussing different artistic styles, perseverance, and empathy.

PAIR WITH

Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

I Am A Promise by Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce with Ashley Rousseau

Written by Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce with Ashley Rousseau, Illustrated by Rachel Moss, Published by Akashic Books, 2020. (Biography, 4-6)

iamapromise

Even though the Olympics were postponed this year doesn’t mean we cannot appreciate the accomplishments and lives of athletes. I am always so happy to see new and diverse biographies get published and kudos to this particular title for being accessible to younger readers!

BACKGROUND

Six-time Olympic medal winner and representative of Jamaica, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce always dreamed of great races. When her grandmother tells her that she is a promise, she puzzles at her meaning as she excels in her races. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that highlights perseverance, grit, confidence, and of course the Olympics.

PAIR WITH

Unstoppable by Art Coulson

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Asian American Month 2020: Susan Ahn Cuddy and Hazel Ying Lee

I am very thankful for the service and sacrifice of all those who served this country. For this Memorial Day Weekend I chose to honor two amazing pioneers.

IMG_3568

NAME: Susan Ahn Cuddy

DATES: 1915-2015

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Susan was the first female gunnery officer in the US Navy and the first Korean American to work in US intelligence. She served during WWII and trained many fighter pilots.

LEARN MORE:

Their ‘Tough’ Mom was also the Navy’s 1st Asian American Woman Officer

The Officer Who Opened the US Navy for Asian-American Women

IMG_3567NAME: Hazel Ying Lee

DATES: 1912-1944

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Born in Oregon, Hazel was the first Chinese American female to earn a pilot license and fly for the United States military. She is one of the two Asian American women of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

LEARN MORE:

Remembering Hazel Lee, the first Chinese- American female military pilot.

Hazel Ying Yee (1912-1944)

BOOKS

Unfortunately there isn’t a picture book about Susan Ahn Cuddy or Hazel Ying Lee. There is a picture book about Maggie Gee, the one other Asian American pilot in the WASP program during WWII.

skyhightsomg

BACKGROUND

Chinese American Maggie Gee always dreamed of flying even though few women took to the sky. As she grows older WWII breaks out and Maggie takes to the sky to serve.

BEST FOR

About a twenty-five minute read aloud that would be appropriate for an ongoing storytime or biography unit. A great way to introduce a unit on flight or talk about WWII.

PAIR WITH

Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman by Nikki Grimes

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Asian American Month 2020: Kalpana Chawla & Chien-Shiung Wu

IMG_3447IMG_3448

NAME: Kalpana Chawla

DATES: 1962-2003

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Not only was she an astronaut and engineer who loved to fly, she also was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor posthumously in 2004.

LEARN MORE:

Astronaut Friday: Kalpana Chawla

Nasa: Kalpana Chawla

 

 

NAME: Chien-Shiung Wu

DATES: 1912-1997

YOU SHOULD KNOW: A Chinese American physicist she made significant discoveries in the field. She also was the first woman to serve as president of the American Physical Society and was awarded the Wolf Prize in Physics in 1978

LEARN MORE:

Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, The First Lady of Physics

Atomic Heritage Foundation: Chien-Shiung Wu

BOOKS

There are a few independently published titles about Kalpana Chawla, but that was all I could find.

A previous blog entry for a book about Chien-Shiung Wu:

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson

Asian American Month 2020: Dorothy Toy & Anna May Wong

These past few weeks I have been obsessed with doing portraits of Asian American women in ink and watercolor. Since May is Asian American Heritage Month, I decided to share a handful of them as well as some related titles.

Screen Shot 2020-05-03 at 4.40.54 PMKNOWN AS: Dorothy Toy

NAME Shigeko Takahashi

DATES: 1917-2019

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Her and her partner Paul Wing were a successful dance duo and the first Asian Americans to headline many vaudeville venues, dance on Broadway, and appeared in many films.

LEARN MORE

Short biopic

Smithsonian Magazine

Screen Shot 2020-05-03 at 4.41.05 PM

 

KNOWN AS: Anna May Wong

NAME: Wong Liu Tsong

DATES: 1905-1961

YOU SHOULD KNOW: She was the first Chinese American on film who was famous not only in Hollywood, but worldwide. She was outspoken of her frustrations with limited roles and typecasting for Asian actors.

LEARN MORE:

PBS Biopic and article

BOOKS

Unfortunately there are no children’s books about Dorothy Toy (Yet! *cross fingers*) There is an excellent book written about Anna Wong.

ssannawongtitle

BACKGROUND

Chinese American Anna May Wong always knew that she wanted to be a movie star and went on to be the first Asian American in Hollywood, but not without persistent barriers.

BEST FOR

This detailed biography is better suited for an ongoing read aloud or for a biography unit. Also ideal for any child wanting to read about film and Hollywood.

PAIR WITH

Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Shining Star

Shop your local indie bookstore

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson

Written by Teresa Robeson, Illustrated by Rebecca Huang, Published by Sterling Children’s Books, 2019. (biography, ages 5-9)

IMG_2874In honor of international woman’s day I want to introduce this new biography and recipient of the APALA Literature Award for the picture book category. Wu Chien Shiung was an immigrant from China who became a talented physicist. She was crucial in proving new theories but was passed up for the Nobel Peace Prize not once, not twice…but THREE times! It’s safe to say that recognition for her contributions is loooong overdue!

BACKGROUND

Chinese physicist Wu Chien Shiung was born curious. Eventually that curiosity would take her far from her small hometown Liuhe, China to the USA. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen to twenty minute read aloud that would be great for international women’s day *obviously* or any biography unit. Also a great STEM, social justice, or history read.

PAIR WITH

The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by Melina Mangal

Honda the Boy Who Dreamed of Cars by Mark Weston

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Queen of Physics

Shop your local indie bookstore

It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear

Written by Kyo Maclear, Illustrated by Julie Morstad, Published by Harper, 2019. (Biography, 5-9)

It began with a page.jpg

Gyo Fujikawa was the first mainstream illustrator to draw characters of different races together in a children’s book. She also published over fifty books in her career in addition to her other artistic endeavors. She was a pioneer and her courage shines through in this stunning biography. Seriously, just the illustrations alone will captivate you!

BACKGROUND

Japanese American Gyo Fujikawa felt she never fit in, but she knew she loved to draw. After art school, various obstacles including the imprisonment of her family in internment camps during WWII doesn’t deter her from being an artist and activist. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that would be a wonderful biography to include in a unit. It is also ideal for starting a discussion about activism, representation, diversity, grit, empathy, and justice. Includes a timeline, notes, and bibliography.

PAIR WITH

Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading It Began With a Page

Shop your local indie bookstore