Who Was Christopher Columbus? by Bonnie Bader

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the adventures figure of Christopher Columbus who found the New World and never knew it.

Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. Genoa was a busy port on the Mediterranean Sea. With his brother, he loved going to the docks and watching all the ships bringing goods from faraway places. He dreamed of becoming a famous sea captain. 

He started sailing at the age of fifteen. It took him to Lisbon where he opened a business with his brother, making maps. Based on the information gathered from captains at the docs he created maps. At the map store, he heard merchants talking about finding a new route from Europe to Indies. This became his dream.

His dream was also enforced by the stories he read about Marco Polo’s travels from Italy to China, and was fascinated by them. No one from Europe was able to sail east to Indies as the route was too long. They all came back. Thus, he wanted to sail west to Indies, but people laughed at him. So he read book after book to gather as much information as possible. 

Now, he needed the money for his dream adventure. After a few refusals, the king and queen of Spain granted him money. He was already forty-one which was considered old for such voyage. After gathering three ships, crew and supplies, they sailed on August 3, 1492. 

On October 12, 1492, they landed at Bahamas. Within the next few weeks, they explored the islands for gold, but there was very little of it. 

On January 4, 1493, they headed home. Despite the little gold he brought, he was welcomed as a hero. His next three trips turned unsuccessful in finding gold.

Columbus died on May 20, 1506 believing that he found a sea route to the Indies. He didn’t find gold; instead he found a whole new world. 

This biography embodies true nature of an explorer, a man who was curious about the world and craved to discover something new. 

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 7-10, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts. 

Published in 2013 by Penguin Workshop

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams.

 

Traits:

 

·         From childhood, he enjoyed being by the sea and watching ships in the busy port. This led him to his dream of becoming a famous sea captain.

·         He started sailing at the age of fifteen which brought him to another city where he stayed for some time until a better opportunity presented but meanwhile he was making maps from the information gathered from captains.

·         When he heard merchants talking about finding a new route from Europe to Indies. This became his new dream.

·         He read book after book on the subject of those who travelled far including Marco Polo.

·         He knew he had to sail in the opposite direction known at the time even when others laughed at him.

·         After his research, he needed money to fund his expedition. After a few refusals, he was granted the money.

·         He was considered already old for such adventure but he persisted with his dream.

·         He didn’t find gold; instead he found a whole new world.

 

 

“Life has more imagination than we carry in our dreams.” – Christopher Columbus

 

“You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Christopher Columbus

Wildflower Emily: A Story About Young Emily Dickinson by Lydia Corry

 Emily Dickinson’s story is written in a very warm and fun way. It’s in a style of comic filled with vivid illustrations, short text and selected poems.

Emily was passionate about botany which she loved exploring in true nature. She did it with her big dog who was supposed to protect her.

When she listened to nature, her second passion woke up within her – poetry.

The story focuses on her early years before she became a recluse. It brings her adventurous and joyful side which truly shines through in this story.

The last pages are in a form of vignettes summarizing the years 1830-1886: how she wrote poetry, made her own books, loved baking, and about her siblings and community.

The target audience for this book is 8-12 years. For proficient readers it will be a breeze, and for those who need more encouragement it will be an enjoyable journey. With simple text and very warm illustrations, the story is presented in a fun way with character that engages and inspires to explore the nature, to be authentic, and to follow one’s heart.

It’s an amazing inspiration for young readers.

Published in October 2014 by Godwin Books 

Source: Godwin Books, MacMillan Publisher

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Listen to the Nature

 

Traits:

·         She explored her passion for botany

·         She spent hours in nature to nurture her hunger for natural world

·         When she was one with nature, it woke up another passion inside her which was poetry

 

“I dwell in possibility.” – Emily Dickinson

“Saying nothing… sometimes says the most.” – Emily Dickinson

“I do not like the man who squanders life for fame; give me the man who living makes a name.” – Emily Dickinson

Who Was Dr. Seuss? by Janet Pascal

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings captivating figure of Dr. Seuss who became an illustrator and author and changed children’s books forever. 

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He loved to hang around the zoo. He was also known for exaggerating when telling stories. He liked writing jokes for the school paper. At Dartmouth College, he became editor-in-chief as the students loved his stories and drawings. 

After college, he got a job as an illustrator. And later, started writing for Judge magazine. He introduced his strange and playful creatures. He signed the column, “Dr. Seuss.” Doctor because he didn’t get the doctorate degree and disappointed his father.

He became very successful as an illustrator. It led him to illustrating children’s books. And later to also write and illustrate stories. The Cat in the Hat was published in 1957, and became one of his most popular stories. 

With time, in his writings, he touched on subjects of environment and on not taking action when wars broke out in Europe. There was some opposition to it, but he stood up for what he believed in. He was writing for humanity. He received a Pulitzer Prize, which was never given to a children’s book writer before.

In 1990, he published his last book, Oh the Places You’ll Go, describing all the challenges and adventures facing a young person starting out on the road of life. 

He died in 1991, at the age of eighty-seven.

The story illustrates a man who never took himself too seriously, stayed true to his heart, and spoke up when he felt it was right.  

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 7-10, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts. 

Published in 2011 by Penguin Workshop

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Child-like (fresh and curious)

 

(Child-like doesn’t mean childish/immature) 

 

Traits:

 

·         From childhood, he had a natural instinct for telling stories, some of them exaggerated, some with great humor.

·         His love for stories led him to writing and illustrating, and he stayed on the path that felt right for him.

·         He became successful with writing children’s stories which later developed into writing about more serious issues which some of his followers didn’t like, but he stood by what he believed in.

·         He never took himself too seriously, stayed true to his heart, and spoke up when he felt it was right.

 

 

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

 

Who Were the Wright Brothers? by Jim Buckley

 Who Were the Wright Brothers? biography for middle grade brings two fascinating brothers who built and flew the first successful airplane. 

The Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, grew up in Dayton, Ohio, in 1880s. From childhood, they enjoyed building kites and other toys. Their parents encouraged them to explore the world around them. They built a toy that looked like a helicopter. It became their dream to build something bigger and to fly it. 

Wilbur’s health problems kept him at home, but he never stopped learning. He kept reading books on history, science, nature, and religion. Orville had his own interests. When he received woodcutting tools, it led him to a business in printing. Wilbur became paper’s editor, and later joined the business. 

In 1892, they each got a bike which was a new popular thing to do. Since their friends knew that they were good at fixing things, they brought their bikes for repair. This gave brothers an idea for a new business. With time, besides repairs, they started making their own bikes. 

While they were building bicycles, there was another race to create a flying machine. Wilbur got into studying aviation. Orville read about birds. They persisted with their research. Then, they started testing their gliders over and over. If something broke, they fixed it and continued. 

The brothers were good at talking through ideas to solve a problem. Once, they got the engine up in the air, they worked on other versions to make it fly faster and farther.

At first no one took them seriously, but when reporters published stories about the Wrights’ success in the air, then people took them seriously. The US Army gave them a contract to produce planes for the US and to train new pilots. 

On May 30, 1912, Wilbur died of typhoid at the age of forty-five. His father said, “he lived a short life, full of consequences.”

After the death of his brother, Orville lost heart for leading the company. He sold it for $1 million and retired. But he never stopped making things. He worked on plumbing and heating systems. He created toys for his nieces and nephews. 

This story shines with brothers’ brilliant ideas, hard work and determination. They never got married, but made their lives very fulfilling.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 7-10, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2014 by Penguin Workshop

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Never Stop Learning

 

Traits:

 

·         From childhood, they were eager to explore the world around them. They were very curious children and their curiosity was strongly encouraged by the parents.

·         The brothers shared their interest as well as developed their own, and supported each other.

·         They were good at fixing bikes and that gave them an idea for their own business.

·         Whatever sparked their interest, they studied about it to gain knowledge on their own.

·         They were good at talking through ideas to solve a problem.

·         At first, no one took them seriously but that didn’t discourage them from their endeavor.

·         They never stopped being curious or creative.

·         Their hard work and determination led them to success that benefited humanity.  

 

“Successful people are successful for one simple reason: They see failure differently.” – Seth Godin

"If we worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance." - Orville Wright

Who Was Nelson Mandela? by Pam Pollack

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the courageous man – Nelson Mandela – whose African name meant “tree shaker” and that’s what he did when he fought for equal justice for all.

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. His real name was Rolihlahla. At the time, South Africa was ruled by the British, who took all the rights of African people. Nelson attended school run by Christian missionaries from Europe. It was the teacher at school that gave him a Western name – Nelson Mandela.

At school, he learned English, history and geography, but he learned the most at tribal elders’ meetings. He dreamed of becoming a leader like his foster father. 

His education continued at Fort Hare College where he got new ideas how to govern his country. In Johannesburg, with his law degree, he became active in different organizations, but in 1948 a new system was incorporated – apartheid. 

Nelson led many protests and became known as a protest leader. He led many campaigns. They were all peaceful demonstrations. They never reacted with anger. 

After five months in prison, he realized that their peaceful protests were met with aggression and innocent people died. He changed his tactics. Armed resistance was formed. But someone betrayed him and he was sentenced to life in prison.

The hard labor and deplorable conditions of the prison never broke his spirit. He continued to study law and history when he was allowed access to books, and encouraged other prisoners to study and learn.

The US and other countries took notice of the unjust system put by white South Africans. They put pressure on South African government to release Mandela from prison. Because businesses left South Africa, it made hard for them to survive. 

The new president of South Africa released the prisoners, including Mandela. On February 11, 1990 Mandela stepped out of prison. He was seventy-one. He spent twenty-seven years in prison. Many hoped that he wouldn’t have strength to continue with his work, but he did. 

On May 10, 1991, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.

This biography shines light on an inspiring man who stood by what he strongly believed in even if that meant risking his life. 

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-11, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2013 by Penguin Workshop

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Stand Up For Justice

 

Traits:

 

·         While obtaining formal education, he enjoyed his tribe’s meetings the most where he gained the knowledge that resonated with him the most. – At early age, with his natural instinct, he found his tribe

·         He found his dream of becoming a leader at early age and stayed on this path which always felt right for him. It was a path that would not only benefit him but also the humanity. Something that had a bigger purpose than just himself

·         He became active in community services whenever opportunity arose

·         Even in hard times, he stood by what he believed in which was not easy

 

 

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” – Nelson Mandela

 

Who was Beatrix Potter? by Sarah Fabiny

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings incredible woman – Beatrix Potter, a talented illustrator of small animals and beloved author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. 

Helen Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866 in London to a wealthy family. From childhood, she was imaginative and creative. She liked collecting all kinds of creatures from the garden. Her Scottish nanny told her stories from Scotland about fairies and witches who lived in magical forests. Her teacher, on the other hand, taught her drawing. And the butler sneaked animals to Beatrix’s bedroom. Those were her first mentors. 

Her mother was stern who wanted her and her brother to be clean all the time. Her father was more loving. He liked to sketch, too. He took her to museums and studios of artists who were his friends. At home, she studied the drawings of animals and plants from her father’s books, and copied them as closely as she could. 

The family spent summer holidays in the countryside of Scotland where she and her brother had a freedom of exploring nature. She observed animals in their natural habitat and sketched them. 

Her brother who became an artist encouraged her to look for a publisher for her pictures. She found one, but the parents weren’t happy about her making money. It was different for her brother who was a man. 

Beatrix was very upset about this unfairness. Then, she found another way to express herself. When her friend’s child became sick, she wrote him a letter about four rabbits. One of them, the mischievous one, became the most famous rabbit in the world. Over the years, she sent many letters to all her friend’s children creating stories about squirrel, little pig and the tailor. 

Meanwhile, she continued her study and drawings of mushrooms. She believed that mushrooms could be used for medicinal purposes. She presented her discovery to scientific organization in London. But because she was a woman, no one took her seriously. 

She decided to turn her first letter about the naughty rabbit into a book. All publishers rejected her idea. So she published it herself. After the copies sold out quickly, she was able to find a publisher.

There was time when she worried if there was any purpose to her life. Now, it became very clear. She loved writing stories for children. Despite the norms of the time, she continued to pave her own path. She published twenty-three best-selling books. 

Despite her success, she led a simple and modest life in the countryside, enjoying what she loved the most – nature. 

This biography illustrates a woman who defied the norms of her time. During her time and of her status she was expected to get married and have children. That was the only expectation of her. If no marriage, then she was expected to live with her parents. She not only found the way to follow her passion but also bought a house in the Lake District of England where she bought lots of acres of land and later left it to the National Trust which preserved her lands. She not only created the most cherished stories for children, but also preserved lands with natural habitat for generations to come. She is truly an inspiring character. 

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published 2015 by Penguin Workshop

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Go Where There is No Path and Leave a Trail

 

Traits:

·         Her creative mind found a way for her originality to shine through despite the limitations that were put on her

·         She absorbed herself in her passion

·         She created habits to tend to her interests

·         Norms don’t always mean it’s the right way, she found the right way for herself

·         She didn’t give up on her passion despite the obstacles

 

 

“If I have done anything, even a little, to help children on the road to enjoy and appreciate honest, simple pleasures, I have done a bit of good.” – Beatrix Potter

“Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.” – Beatrix Potter 

“We cannot stay home all our lives, we must present ourselves to the world and we must look upon it as an adventure.” – Beatrix Potter 

“I hold that a strongly marked personality can influence descendants for generations.” – Beatrix Potter 

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Harold R McAlindon

Who Was Michelangelo? by Kirsten Anderson

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings Renaissance artist - Michelangelo who was a talented painter, sculptor, and poet.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564) was born in Caprese, Italy. 

From childhood, he enjoyed drawing and he did it against his father’s wishes. Since there was no stopping him from his art, the father agreed for Michelangelo to be apprenticed at thirteen. Soon after, his sculpturing talent was discovered by Lorenzo de’Medici.

Living at Medici’s palace, he was surrounded by philosophers, writers and other artists. He absorbed their knowledge.

At a hospital belonging to church, he asked if he could dissect bodies that weren’t claimed by families. He was allowed to do it. This helped him to make his sketches and sculptures more realistic.

When he heard that a large block of marble at the office of Works of Florence cathedral was available for a sculpture to use, he presented his project to carve the figure of David. He was chosen to do the project and the sculpture carved by him was awe-inspiring. 

For a few years, he travelled between two cities, working on chapel and library in Florence and statues in Rome. 

His last years were spent in Rome where he worked on the Last Judgement wall fresco, and other projects.

This biography illustrates a man who despite being beat by his father and brothers when caught drawing, he just couldn’t stop himself from following his talent. Whenever opportunity presented to learn something to improve his skill, he always grabbed it. His talent was undeniable; he had high standards and high expectations from himself, this also led to some conflicts. He was known to be difficult and bad-tempered. 

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts. 

Published in 2022 by Penguin Workshop

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: “I am still learning.”

 

Traits:

·         Even when he was punished as a child for drawing when told not to, he just couldn’t stop from following the talent that was given him

·         He used presented surroundings to learn something from them

·         He asked to dissect unclaimed bodies in order to learn anatomy

·         When opportunity presented to prove his talent, he presented his project in order to receive the commission 

 

 

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” – Michelangelo 

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” – Michelangelo