Biographies in Children's Literature

Thank you for stopping by She Reads Books today. I am so thrilled you decided to stop by! One of my favorite quotes is from Courtney Hinshaw over at Ramona Recommends (http://ramonarecommends.blogspot.com/) and it reads, "A picture book can be what every human needs." I love this quote because it sends a message to every reader and person telling them that even at older ages, it is okay for everyone to still need a picture book every now and then for a "pick me up". Today I will be sharing my review on five biography books in the Easy Reader Biographies series in children's literature and how I would use the books in my future classroom.

Book #1: Harriet Tubman - Follow the North Star by Violet Findley 

Book Review: Harriet Tubman - Follow the North Star is an Easy Reader Biography book about Harriet Tubman, an African American slave. This story is a simple and informational book that is sure to keep its readers engaged through its illustrations and the many facts added to the illustrations in the story. Harriet Tubman was just above five feet tall living in America during the time of slavery and she could not read or write. She helped many African American slaves escape to freedom. A glossary is even included in the back of the book with words that students may not know and how to pronounce certain words. I would recommend this book to any teacher and parent to read to their students and children because it teaches them to help others and it teaches them about a great person that once lived!

Lesson Idea: In my future classroom, I would love to use this book as a read-aloud during African American history month. Some lesson ideas I have for this book is to use it to teach/reinforce the difference between facts and opinions, character traits, and a writing activity prompt that ask the students how they would help others in need.

Book #2: Helen Keller - An Inspiring Life by Carol Ghiglieri

Book Review: Helen Keller - An Inspiring Life is an Easy Reader Biography book about Hellen Keller, a woman who was disabled but she did not let that stop her from achieving her goals and helping others. This story is a simple and informational book that is sure to keep its readers engaged through its illustrations and the many facts and dates added to the illustrations in the story. Hellen Keller wrote books and traveled the world even though she was deaf and blind due to an illness that left her sick. She learned and created ways to help her communicate with those around her. A timeline is included in the book to show the important milestones in her life and a glossary is even included in the back of the book with words that students may not know and how to pronounce certain words. I would recommend this book to any teacher and parent to read to their students and children because it teaches them to have courage and that no matter the circumstance, they can overcome anything. It also teaches them about a great woman from the past and how she impacted others!

Lesson Idea: In my future classroom, I would love to use this book along with other books as a read-aloud to introduce to the students famous Americans and their contributions. One lesson idea I have for this book is to use it to teach character traits and how to find reliable and correct research information for projects using books and the internet. 

Below I have attached the author's website link in case you wanted to check out her other works or in case you wanted to know more about her!

Website: http://www.carolghiglieri.com/

Book #3: Johnny Appleseed - An American Who Made a Difference by Alyse Sweeney

Book Review: Johnny Appleseed - An American Who Made a Difference is an Easy Reader Biography book about John Chapman, who is also known as Johnny Appleseed. This story is a simple and informational book that is sure to keep its readers engaged through its illustrations and the multiple facts and dates added to the illustrations in the story. Johnny Appleseed was a kind man who planted apple trees from Massachusetts to Indiana to help provide food for the settlers who were moving westward. A map is included in the book to show where the apple trees were planted, and a glossary is even included in the back of the book with words that students may not know and how to pronounce certain words. I would recommend this book to any teacher and parent to read to their students and children because it teaches them to accomplish their dreams just like Johnny Appleseed accomplished his dream of planting apple trees all over the Western part of the United States. It also teaches them about a kind and gentle person that once lived in America!

Lesson Idea: In my future classroom, I would love to use this book as a read-aloud during the fall since it does incorporate apples. One lesson idea I have for this book is to use it to teach about the life cycle of an apple, the parts of an apple, and an informational sheet about Johnny Appleseed that the students will fill out using the text from the book.

Book #4: Squanto - A Friend to the Pilgrims by Carol Ghiglieri 

Book Review: Squanto - A Friend to the Pilgrims is an Easy Reader Biography book about Squanto, a Native American. This story is a simple and informational book that is sure to keep its readers engaged through its illustrations and the many facts added to the illustrations in the story. Squanto lived in America around the time the Pilgrims came to America and he taught the Pilgrims how to survive in the New World. He taught them how to hunt, fish, gather food, and even grow their own food. It also shows and explains the Native Americans' and the Pilgrims' great harvest they organized and put together. A glossary is even included in the back of the book with words that students may not know and how to pronounce certain words. I would recommend this book to any teacher and parent to read to their students and children because it teaches them to help others and it teaches them about a great person that once lived!

Lesson Idea: In my future classroom, I would love to use this book as a read-aloud during the Thanksgiving holiday. One lesson idea I have for this story is for the students to fill out a character map about Squanto using character traits and the information provided in the book. 

Below I have attached the author's website link in case you wanted to check out her other works or in case you wanted to know more about her!

Website: http://www.carolghiglieri.com/

Book #5: Susan B. Anthony - Fighter for Women’s Rights by Carol Ghiglieri 

 

Book Review: Susan B. Anthony - Fighter for Women’s Rights is an Easy Reader Biography book about Susan B. Anthony, a woman who lived during a time when women did not have the same rights as men. This story is a simple and informational book that is sure to keep its readers engaged through its illustrations and the multiple facts and dates added to the illustrations in the story. Susan B. Anthony was very dedicated to fighting for women’s rights and equality for women. A timeline is included in the book to show the important events during the time and a glossary is also included in the back of the book with words that students may not know and how to pronounce certain words. I would recommend this book to any teacher and parent to read to their students and children because it teaches them to be brave and to fight for a change and what they believe in. It also teaches them about an impactful person that once lived in America!

Lesson Idea: In my future classroom, I would love to use this book as a read-aloud to discuss important women figures in the history of the United States. One lesson idea I have for this book is to use it to teach the concept compare and contrast. This book would be a great book to use for students to compare and contrast the rights of women many years ago to the rights of women today (how they have changed but also how they might still be similar).

Below I have attached the author's website link in case you wanted to check out her other works or in case you wanted to know more about her!

Website: http://www.carolghiglieri.com/

I hope that you enjoyed my book reviews and lesson ideas. I hope you consider adding all five books to your classroom library if you have not already!

Happy Reading,

Ashley