You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Andre Carrilho

In this picture book biography, an old-timer tells us what made Sandy Koufax so amazing. We learn that the beginning of his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers was rocky, that he was shy with his teammates, and experienced discrimination as one of the only Jews in the game. We hear that he actually quit, only to return the next season--different--firing one rocket after another over the plate. We watch him refuse to play in the 1965 World Series because it is a Jewish high holy day. And we see him in pain because of an overused left arm, eventually retiring at the peak of his career. Finally, we are told that people are still "scratchin' their heads over Sandy," who remains a modest hero and a mystery to this day.

Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude

Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude by Jonah Winter, Calef Brown (Illustrator)
In a story inspired by the modern and groundbreaking writing of Gertrude Stein herself, not alot makes sense. Enter the whimsical world of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Read this overview and comment from PlanetEsme Plan.

Coretta Scott

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)
This extraordinary union of poetic text by Ntozake Shange and monumental artwork by Kadir Nelson captures the movement for civil rights in the United States and honors its most elegant inspiration, Coretta Scott.

One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin

One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin by Kathryn Lasky, Matthew Trueman (Illustrator)
Describes the life and work of the renowned nineteenth-century biologist who transformed conventional Western thought with his theory of natural evolution.

I Heard God Talking to Me: William Edmondson and His Stone Carvings

I Heard God Talking to Me: William Edmondson and His Stone Carvings by Elizabeth Spires

The illiterate child of freed slaves, William Edmondson (1874–1951) experienced religious visions from the age of 13 or 14. At 57 he began carving limestone; he became, in 1937, the first African-American to have a solo show at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Four of Spires' poems are taken verbatim from interviews with the artist, but elsewhere the poet mimics Edmondson's homespun language to remarkable effect, and creates narrative voices for Edmondson's sculpted characters, photos of which are shown facing the poems. Here are Edmondson's own words about stonecutting:

"I was out in the driveway with some old pieces of stone when I heard a voice telling me to pick up my tools and start to work on a tombstone. I looked up in the sky and right there in the noon daylight He hung a tombstone out for me to make...I knowed it was God telling me what to do. God was telling me to cut figures. First He told me to make tombstones. Then He told me to cut the figures. He gave me them two things..."

Words to My Life's Song

Words to My Life's Song by Ashley Bryan, Bill McGuinness (Photographer)

Ashley's autobiography is full of art, photographs, and the poignant never-say-never tale of his rich life, a life that has always included drawing and painting. Even as a boy growing up during the Depression, he painted, finding cast off objects to turn into books and kites and toy and art. Even as a solder in the segregated Army on the beaches of Normandy, he sketched, keeping charcoal crayons and paper in his gasmask to draw with during lulls.

Eleanor, Quiet No More The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor, Quiet No More The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport, Gary Kelley (Illustrator)
A quiet, lonely girl, Eleanor Roosevelt was born to a world of privilege, but not one of love. Eleanor found solace in books and in the life of her lively and independent mind. Her intellectual gifts and compassionate heart won her the admiration of many friends--and the love of her future husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While other young women of her class were spending time at dances and parties, Eleanor devoted her energies to teaching children in New York City's poorest neighborhoods. Later, she became the most socially and politically active--and controversial--First Lady that America had ever seen. Ambassador, activist, and champion of civil rights, Eleanor Roosevelt changed the soul of America forever.

"Very early I knew there were men and women and children who suffered."

"What one has to do usually can be done."

"You must do the things you cannot do."

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right -- for you'll be criticized anyway."

"Do something everyday that scares you."

Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington

Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington by Anne Rockwell, Matt Phelan (Illustrator)
"...George told General Braddock he thought they should use the American Indian tactic of surprise attack. But Braddock insisted they march into battle in a long line, accompanied by a marching band to keep them in step. That was the British way. George lost his temper..."
Portrays George Washington as a shy boy who wasn't afraid of anything except talking to people, but who grew up to lead an army against the British and serve as the first President of the new nation.