Dr. Lynette Smith is a Professor at Walden University at the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Services. Dr. Smith is a passionate advocate for reading and has served on prestigious book award committees, including Notable Books for a Global Society and Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts. 

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​Lynette Smith and Carolyn Angus
 
The picture book biographies reviewed in this column introduce readers of all ages to creative individuals who have made notable contributions in the visual, literary, and performing arts. The books are good choices for reading aloud to spark interest and encourage discussion in classrooms, libraries, and homes as well as for independent reading.  

​Bea Breaks Barriers!: How Florence Beatrice Price’s Music Triumphed Over Prejudice. Caitlin DeLems. Illus. by Tonya Engels. (2024). Calkins Creek.
Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bea, who loved all types of music, gave her first piano recital at age four, excelled at school, and broke barriers. After graduation, she headed north with dreams of becoming a composer. Bea, one of two Black students at Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music, graduated with honors. She returned to Arkansas to teach in Black colleges, married, and moved to Chicago. Tonya Engels’ acrylic-and-oil paintings beautifully set the scene for Caitlin DeLems’ picture book biography of Florence Beatrice Price (1887-1953), who created many musical compositions including a symphony performed in 1933 at the Chicago World’s Fair and an arrangement of the traditional spiritual “My Soul’s Been Anchored in de Lord,” which was sung by contralto Marion Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, but was largely overlooked until after her death. Back matter includes author’s and illustrator’s notes, a musical glossary, a timeline, archival photographs, a list of artists during the time period, and a bibliography. (PreK Up)
—LS

​Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava. Gary Golio. Illus. by E. B. Lewis. (2024). Calkins Creek.
“It doesn’t have to be pretty to be true, but if it’s true, it’s beautiful. Truth is beautiful.” Gary Golio’s present-tense narrative with numerous quotes and E. B. Lewis’ expressive watercolor illustrations introduce readers to Black photographer Roy DeCarava (1919-2009), who gained worldwide recognition for his work. While working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1940s, DeCarava has his 35mm camera in hand as he moves through Harlem taking pictures of people walking through the neighborhood, lounging on their stoops, and playing in the street. Life does not pass Roy unnoticed; Roy and his camera see beauty everywhere in Harlem. Back matter includes an extensive author’s note, a timeline, archival photographs, a bibliography with sources of quotes cited, and a list of museums featuring DeCarava’s photographs. (PreK Up)  
—LS

​Extraordinary Magic: The Storytelling Life of Virginia Hamilton. Nina Crews. (2024). Christy Ottaviano.
Nina Crews’ picture book biography of Virginia Hamilton (1934-2002), a compilation of 16 free verse poems and collage-style digital illustrations, focuses on her childhood. Growing up on her family’s farm in Ohio, Ginny, who was named for the state of Virginia, where her Grandfather Levi was born into slavery, was free to be a dreamer, a wanderer, and her own unique self. She believed words held extraordinary magic and loved listening to her family’s stories. When she was nine, she decided to become a writer and filled “The Notebook” with stories of her family’s love, losses, rage, and dreams. At 24, she moved to New York City. Her first book, Zeely, was published in 1967, and she won the Newbery Medal in 1975 for her novel M. C. Higgins, the Great. The back matter for this inspiring story of “the extraordinary magic” of Virginia Hamilton includes a bibliography, a selected list of Hamilton’s books, an author’s note, a timeline, and archival photographs. (PreK Up)
—LS

​The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith! Dean Robbins. Illus. by Susanna Chapman. (2024). Candlewick.
Viola was the youngest of the Smith sisters to join the family jazz band. Her introductory efforts on the drums were offbeat and terrible. However, she had fun, and as she practiced hard her drumming became “bolder, flashier, and faster.” She toured the Midwest with her sisters until the family band broke up. Although it was considered unladylike to play jazz, Viola started her own women’s band, The Coquettes. She built her own drum kit and with her group became famous. Viola, who continued working as a percussionist and enjoyed playing different kinds of music until the age of 107, opened doors for other women instrumentalists and is recognized as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Susanna Chapman’s retro, mixed media illustrations for Dean Robbin’s energetic biography of Viola Smith (1912-2020) clearly depict the jazz musician and her bold, fast, flashy technique. Back matter includes an author’s note, a glossary of musical terms related to jazz, and resources. (PreK Up) 
—LS

​Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin. Michelle Meadows. Illus. by Jamiel Law. (2024). Harper.
Powerful words and images tell the story of James “Jimmy” Baldwin (1924-1987), who grew up in Harlem loving stories and finding joy in music, books, and family. As a Black, gay man, however, Jimmy was familiar with the blues and dreamed of an equitable world filled with love. He used his powerful voice to write The Fire Next Time (1963), essays on racism, and to speak up for racial equality during Civil Rights demonstrations. The poetic style of Michelle Meadows’ text, coupled with Jamiel Law’s expressive illustrations, chronicles Jimmy’s life from a small shy boy who kids picked on, to becoming preacher as a teenager, to eventually returning to writing and creating a body of work that led to his recognition as one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. Back matter includes an author’s note, a list of Baldwin’s books, a timeline, and sources. (PreK Up)
—LS 

​A Mind of Her Own: The Story of Mystery Writer Agatha Christie. Robyn McGrath. Illus. by Liz Wong. (2024). Beach Lane.
This picture book biography tells the fascinating story of Agatha Christie (1890-1976), from her childhood as a curious, imaginative girl to her recognition as “the Queen of Crime.” Although young Agatha has a mind full of stories, she struggles to get her ideas down on paper, teachers reject her efforts, and she stops writing. However, with a mind filled with possibilities following work as a nurse in a hospital caring for wounded World War I soldiers, Agatha accepts her sister Madge’s challenge to write a detective story. After years of putting together the puzzle pieces of solving a crime—Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?—in her head, writing, submitting, and persevering rejections, her manuscript is accepted and, as is shown in an illustration of Agatha happily reading a copy of her first published detective story, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920), she is a published author. Back matter includes “More about Agatha Christie,” author’s and illustrator’s notes, a list of mystery vocabulary, and a bibliography) (PreK Up) 
—CA

Signs of Hope: The Revolutionary Art of Sister Corita Kent. Mara Rockliff. Illus. by Melissa Sweet. (2024). Abrams.
Sister Corita Kent changed the lives of young people by using unique and creative methods to teach students in her messy, noisy classroom and, in the 1960s, transformed the art world with messages of love, hope, peace, and justice amid splashes of color and ad slogans. Her perspective was that “work is play, imagination means adventure, and there is no line between life and art.” Mara Rockliff’s lively text peppered with quotes and Melissa Sweet’s mixed-media collage illustrations entice the reader to join Sister Corita’s students in observing art in the ordinary by looking closely and carefully at the world a little at a time. Sister Corita was small in stature, but her artwork was “big and loud.” The back matter for this picture book biography of Corita Kent (1918-1986), known as the “Pop Art nun,” includes author’s and illustrator’s notes, a timeline, sources of quotations, and resources. (PreK Up) 
—LS ​

​A Song for August: The Inspiring Life of Playwright August Wilson. Sally Denmead. Illus. by Alleanna Harris. (2024). Levine Querido.
A Song for August is a picture book tribute to Black American August Wilson (1945-2005), who is recognized as one of the greatest American playwrights. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August loved words and learned to read at the age of four, but he hated school where he was bullied. When a teacher did not believe that he had written his paper about Napoleon Bonaparte, he tore it up, walked out, and started going to the public library rather than to school. He learned everything about the Black experience that he could from reading books by Black authors and by listening to records including those of blues singer Bessie Smith. He also studied paintings by Black artists and took notes on conversations he overhead in his neighborhood. Wilson wrote his first full-length play, Jittney, in 1977, and went on to write a play about Black Americans for each decade of the 20th century. Back matter includes notes on Wilson’s Century Cycle and an author’s note. (PreK Up)
—CA

​Whirligigs: The Wonderous Windmills of Vollis Simpson’s Imagination. Carole Boston Weatherford. Illus. by Edwin Fotheringham. (2024). Calkins Creek.
The whimsical illustrations in this picture book biography take readers on a spinning journey into the life of Vollis Simpson (1919-2013). One of 12 children growing up on a farm in North Carolina, Vollis was tinkering and fixing things before he could read. “If you don’t try something, he figured, you don’t learn anything.” While in the army air corps during World War II, he built a wind-powered washing machine out of salvaged airplane parts and a motorcycle from a bike. After leaving the army, Vollis ran a machine-repair shop and house-moving business in his hometown of Lucama, North Carolina. Later, after he was injured, his life changed. Bored with watching television, he began building windmill-like sculptures on the family farm, and his passion for creating things from metal scraps resulted in a colorful spinning field of windmills. Back matter contains an author’s note and photographs of Simpson’s wonderous windmills. (PreK Up) 
—LS

​The Wire Zoo: How Elizabeth Berrien Learned to Turn Wire into Amazing Art. Natasha Wing. Illus. by Joanie Stone. (2024). Paula Wiseman.
Young Elizabeth loved animals and attempted to draw pictures of them as she saw them in her mind with beautiful energy lines moving across their bodies, but her portraits were always just scribbles. She tried other art forms with no success until Mr. Corran, the instructor in an experimental sculpture class, encouraged her to “think of things in terms of problem solving.” When he gave Elizabeth a roll of thin wire, she twisted and bent it into the shape of a cat, and with continued experimentation, she began creating three-dimensional wire sculptures of animals. The back matter of this picture book biography of Elizabeth Berrien (b. 1950), the “Godmother of Wire,” includes more about the “wire zoo” of animals she continues to create that are exhibited worldwide and photographs.  (PreK Up) 
—CA

​Deborah L. Thompson
 
The bounty of picture book biographies presented in this column is a literary feast for readers. There was a wealth of titles published in 2024 from which to choose, and those reviewed here introduce readers of all ages to a diverse group of fascinating people including an Indigenous marathon runner, a chef who feeds the world, and a master storyteller/librarian. 

​Comet Chaser: The True Cinderella Story of Caroline Herschel, The First Professional Woman Astronomer. Pamela S. Turner. Illus. by Vivien Mildenberger. (2024). Chronicle.
This “true Cinderella story” of Caroline Herschel (1750-1848), the world's first professional woman astronomer, has no prince charming or fairy godmother, but it does have William, the charming, favorite brother/fairy godfather who rescues Caroline, whose mother has relegated her to being the family’s servant in Hanover, Germany. After William moves to England, he invites Caroline to live with him, and she becomes an accomplished musician and astronomer. Using telescopes hand-crafted in their home, William discovers the planet Uranus, and together they identify two moons circling Uranus, two new moons of Saturn, and 2,400 nebulae. On August 1, 1786, Caroline discovers a comet, and goes on to find seven more. Pamela S. Turner’s crisp text, which includes numerous quotations, is enhanced by Vivien Mildenberger’s exquisite illustrations. The back matter includes additional information about Caroline Herschel, a glossary, sources of quotations, and a bibliography. (PreK Up)

​Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez. Belen Medina. Illus. by Natalia Rojas Castro. (2024).  Atheneum.  
There are marathons (footraces that are 26.219 miles in length) and then there are ultramarathons that can be fifty, sixty, or a hundred miles or more. This picture book biography of ultramarathoner Lorena Ramírez (b. 1995), a member of the Rarámuri community of Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, Mexico, tells how she, unlike other marathoners with their fancy gear and gadgets, runs in huaraches made of rubber tires and a skirt sewn by her mother. Lorena grew up traversing the cracked ground of canyons, ascending and descending steep mountains, and crossing over high bridges in inclement weather through night and day. Natalia Rojas Castro’s colorful, digitally rendered illustrations and Belen Medina’s lively, rhythmic text with well-placed onomatopoeia—"swish, swoosh,” “clip, clap,” “drip, gulp”—capture the challenges young Lorena faces as she reaches the finish line of a 60-mile race and celebrates her victory as a daughter of the “light-footed people.” Back matter includes more about Lorena and the Rarámuri community and a list of sources. (PreK Up) 

​Determined Dreamer: The Story of Marie Curie. Deborah Hopkinson. Illus. by Jen Hill. (2024). Balzer + Bray.
Deborah Hopkinson and Jen Hill have collaborated to create an accessible picture book biography of Marie Sklodowska Curie (1867-1934). Born in Warsaw, Poland, Marie could read at the age of four. Although Marie graduated from high school as the first in her class and dreamed of being a scientist, finances prevented her from continuing her education until, at the age of 24, she entered the University of Paris where she studied physics and chemistry and met and married Pierre Curie. In 1898, Marie and Pierre discovered two new elements—polonium and radium. In 1903, Marie earned her doctorate in physics (becoming the first woman in France to do so). In the same year, along with her husband and one other scientist, Marie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics (becoming the first woman to do so). In 1911, Marie Curie also won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (becoming the first person to be awarded two Nobels). Back matter includes an author’s note, a timeline, source notes for quotations, a bibliography, and suggested reading. (PreK Up) 

​Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis. Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illus. by James E. Ransome. (2024). Paula Wiseman.
In this compelling picture book biography of civil rights icon John Lewis (1940-2020), Lesa Cline-Ransome’s informative text evokes the environment of love that surrounded John as he grew up in Jim Crow Alabama, where his parents, siblings, and church family taught him that only love overpowers hate. John took Rev. Martin Luther King’s lesson about standing for truth and justice he heard on the radio with him to Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended seminary. John’s participation in sit-ins at lunch counters helped to desegregate Nashville. This was just the beginning of John’s lifelong fight against injustice that included participating in the Freedom rides, speaking at the 1963 March on Washington, and marching with others toward a phalanx of law officers at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. James E. Ransome’s collage-like illustrations were created with found, painted, and purchased paper and pencil drawings. Back matter includes a photograph of Lewis standing on the Edmund Pettus Bridge fifty years after the 1965 march, an author’s note, a timeline, quote sources, and a selected bibliography. (PreK Up) 

​Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller.  Breanna J. McDaniel. Illus. by April Harrison. (2024). Dial.
Storytelling was in the DNA of Augusta Baker (1911-1998). Stories her grandmother told of Brer Rabbit, dragon slayers, and other characters who used their smarts to extricate themselves from trouble fed her imagination. Augusta took her love of words and stories to college where a class on folktales made her realize that the tales she had heard from her grandmother needed to be retold. Augusta’s calling for sharing stories led to her first job as children’s librarian at the 135 Street Branch of the New York Public Library in Harlem. Appalled by the lack of books featuring positive Black characters and interests, Augusta advocated for better books for young readers. Her efforts influenced such future literary luminaries as James Baldwin and Walter Dean Myers. As her career advanced from NYPL to Sesame Street to the University of South Carolina, Augusta continued promoting storytelling and reading. April Harrison’s illustrations of mixed media, acrylic and pens add zing to Breanna J. McDaniel’s well-written text. Back matter includes a timeline, citations, an author’s note, and photographs. (PreK Up) 

​Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote.  Dinah Johnson. Illus. by Jerry Jordan. (2024). Christy Ottaviano.
This picture book biography of Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) is an engrossing read about Wells’ fight to enfranchise Black women. When the 15th Amendment passed in 1870, only Black men were given the right to vote. Black women, just as white women, were still excluded. In Chicago, Wells organized the Alpha Suffrage Club to lead the fight for Black women’s right to vote locally and nation-wide. In 1913, she went to Washington, D.C., to participate in a parade for women’s suffrage, but there was a problem. The women were marching to enfranchise white women only.  Alice Paul, the organizer of the march, did not want Black women marching along with the white women. Ida B. Wells courageously timed her entrance into the parade just as the Illinois delegation marched by. She joined the white women and marched with them. “It was the right thing to do.” Back matter includes an author’s note, archival pictures of Wells and her daughters, a timeline, and source lists. (PreK Up) 

​A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen. Erin Frankel. Illus. by Paola Escobar. (2024). Random House Studio.
This picture book biography of José Andrés (b. 1969) is a feast for the senses because of Erin Frankel’s lively text with a healthy sprinkling of Spanish words and phrases, and Paola Escobar’s vivid digital art. José acquired his love of cooking from helping his father cook the Sunday paella in Spain and from memories of his mother’s flan. No matter where he was, José wanted to tell stories with the food he made. After immigrating to the United States, award-winning chef and restaurateur Andrés thought about how to help more hungry people while volunteering at the DC Central Kitchen. After feeding victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he created the World Central Kitchen. José Andrés and his volunteers have set up kitchens and served more than 300 million “plates of hope” to hungry people affected by natural and human-made disasters worldwide. Back matter includes an author’s note with photographs and a bibliography. (PreK Up) 

​Skybound!: Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta: Daredevil, Aeronaut, and Scientist.  Sue Ganz-Schmitt. Illus. by Iacopo Bruno. (2024). Calkins Creek.
Mary Myers (1849-1932) dreamed of flying high in the sky, which was unusual for a female in the mid-1800s. Fortunately for her, ballooning had captivated America. At the age of 21, Mary met and married Carl Myers, a fellow balloon enthusiast, who was also a scientist and engineer. Mary and Carl experimented with making balloon material—an explosive undertaking—and tested different ballon shapes to discover which ones were the most aerodynamic. Her chance to soar above the earth came after the aeronaut who piloted their first balloon wanted to do only acrobatics, not science. With her new stage name, Carlotta, Mary made her first balloon flight after only a ten-minute session on how to pilot the balloon. Mary/Carlotta made a career of piloting balloons for scientific research and, of course, to entertain. Iacopo Bruno’s vintage ink illustrations complement Sue Ganz-Schmitt’s lively and sometimes ironic text. Back matter includes more information about Mary/Carlotta, “the Lady Aeronaut,” a detailed timeline, a selected bibliography and suggested readings, and archival photographs. (PreK Up) 

​The Soldier’s Friend: Walt Whitman’s Extraordinary Service in the American Civil War. Gary Golio. Illus. by E. B. Lewis. (2024). Calkins Creek.
Many recognize Walt Whitman (1819-1892) as one of America’s greatest poets, but few know that Whitman served as a nurse, a confidant, a scribe, and a reader to injured soldiers during the Civil War. In searching for his wounded brother, Whitman saw countless numbers of men who were dying or dead. He found his brother, who had a non-life-threatening injury, but there were others in critical condition far away from family and loved ones. In 1863, Whitman was put in charge of the wounded soldiers in Washington, D. C. He was a friendly face that boosted the patients’ spirits, and he held the hands of those who were dying. Gary Golio intersperses quotes from Whitman’s poems and some of his famous quotes in this captivating text. E. B. Lewis’ watercolor illustrations, especially his portraits of Whitman, capture the solemn mood of the times. Back matter includes notes on Whitman, archival photographs, and a list of sources and resources. (PreK Up)