Amelia Earhart: Flying Solo by John Burke
With Amelia Earhart: Flying Solo, Burke introduces young readers to Amelia Earhart, a true heroine for the ages. Beginning when Earhart is a girl, she was more interested in adventure than appearing ‘proper’. Among other things, she tried to build a roller coaster as a child! Despite familial upheavals and personal trials, Earhart never gave up on her dreams, and would go on to become an aviator. During her life, she earned many accolades, setting records left and right. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Sadly, in an attempt to circumnavigate the world by plane, Earhart mysteriously disappeared. Burke’s writing is clear and easy to undersand, supplemented with pictures, and extra tidbits of information. Earhart is a fascinating woman and a great role model for young girls.
If you have any children with a love of history, this is the perfect gift!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
George Washington: Frontier Colonel by Sterling North
North’s classic biography of our nation’s first President, George Washington: Frontier Colonel, is a great introduction for young readers. The language is easy to follow, and presented in such a way as to be interesting. The narrative follows Washington from his childhood in Virginia, to his time as a surveyor, a seafarer, and a militiaman, up to the point he became the first leader of our fledgling culture. I don’t think I ever really knew how reluctant he was to accept. It also delve into more personal aspects of his life with Martha. I liked that. Sometimes ‘short’, kid-oriented biographies focus on the biggest and flashiest parts of the subject’s lives. Throughout are gorgeous pictures and lithograph images.
If you have any children with a love of history, this is the perfect gift!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Abraham Lincoln: Friend of the People by Clara Ingram Judson
In Abraham Lincoln: Friend of the People, Judson introduces younger readers to one of history’s most influential US Presidents. With easy to read, accessible language and a panoply of historic photographs and lithographs, the story of Lincoln comes alive. From a humble background rife with trials to test and temper, this unassuming, gentle-natured man worked hard, and became a lawyer. From there, Lincoln entered the political arena, rising to the highest station in the land, and carrying the burden of leading the country during our single most devastating period. Unfortunately, his life was cut too short that fateful night at Ford’s Theatre. I quite enjoyed the subtle shifting of language as you go along, suggesting an increase in education. For a book first written over half a century ago, it is surprising fresh and vibrant.
If you have any children with a love of history, this is the perfect gift!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Benjamn Franklin: Inventing America by Thomas Fleming
Fleming’s Ben Franklin: Inventing America details the life and times of a man most influential to the shaping of America. Franklin was a man of many talents, boundless energy, and curiosity worthy of a cat. Better known as an inventor and politician, he was also an eloquent philosopher, and an athlete. This last I had no idea about! Through a brilliant combination of easy to read prose, and photographs/illustrations, younger readers can learn all about this multi-talented man. There’s much here about Franklin’s personal life too. The fraction and fracture between he and his son was something I’d forgotten. And I had no idea the man had such a playful personality!
If you have any children with a love of history, this is the perfect gift!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
