Who Was Norman Rockwell? by Sarah Fabiny

Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade presents talented artist – Norman Rockwell who was an artist best known for covers of the Saturday Evening Post and for portraying an ideal version of American culture. 

Norman Perceval Rockwell (1894-1978) was born in NYC. Norman’s father liked sketching while Norman would watch him. And when his father read, Norman would imagine the characters and draw them. 

His mother was often sick and while his father took care of her, Norman was left to fend for himself. He filled the time with sketching. He was good at it and wondered if he could do it for a living.

His teacher noticed his talent and encouraged him to do drawings along his school reports and on the chalk board at school. The other students were impressed by his work and Norman felt appreciated. 

When time came to pick a school, he chose art school. At school, he had very good mentors. The teachers challenged their students with their projects. One of the teacher’s recognized Norman’s talent and encourage him to submit his portfolio to a publishing company. 

He was asked to create illustrations for children’s book. Afterwards, he started acquiring also projects for magazines. 

His illustrations were relatable with reader’s situations. Thus, people loved them. 

On January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the “Four Freedoms” speech. He wanted people to understand that the US had a responsibility to help its allies fight for democracy. 

Norman was excited about relating Four Freedoms in drawings to help Americans understand the importance of this. His paintings of Four Freedoms became so popular; they raised a lot of money for the war effort. 

He remains to be a beloved American artist; an artist who looked inside every day American’s soul and brought the emotions and memories to the surface and presented it in pictures. That’s why his work resonated with people so much. This biography captures the spirit of an artist who knew how to communicate with people through his art.

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2019

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Develop Habits

 

Traits:

·         He had very strict habits

·         He used his talent to enhance his reports and got noticed

·         He had good mentors who challenged him

·         He used his creativity to paint pictures in order to find bridge between words and what they meant

·         His painted words resonated with the people

 

“When I go to farms or little towns, I am always surprised at the discontent I find.” – Norman Rockwell

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Fulfilled by Anna Yusim – “Are you living the life you thought you always wanted but feel that something is still missing? Do you think you should be happier than you are, considering all that you have? Have you achieved your professional or personal goals but still feel racked with insecurities, anxiety, or depression . . . and can't figure out why?

Psychiatrist Anna Yusim knows just how you feel. Not only has she struggled with these feelings herself, but she has also worked with patients upon patients who have expressed the same bewildering concern: they have everything they've always wanted, and yet deep down they don't feel fulfilled.

Determined to help herself and her patients, Dr. Yusim spent more than fifteen years studying and conducting research and came to a startling conclusion: this lingering feeling of dissatisfaction coincides with spiritual neglect. Once she helped her patients address their spiritual and psychological needs, she saw radical improvements in their happiness levels and quality of life.

Now science is catching up with her innovative approach to therapy as groundbreaking medical research and studies substantiate what Dr. Yusim and many others have suspected for years: spirituality is a powerful path to healing. Drawing from the best in Western medicine, as well as teachings from Kabbalah, Buddhism, and shamanistic traditions, Dr. Yusim has developed a program that marries empirical science and spirituality to help you:

Discover your life's true purpose
Eliminate self-defeating patterns and roadblocks that are keeping you from living your most authentic life
Understand the scientific underpinnings behind "answered prayers" and "random coincidences"-and why having faith in them can change your outlook for the better
Appreciate how consciousness shapes your reality and how to harness this understanding to live a life of abundance.

Filled with exercises, guided meditations, fascinating scientific research, and inspiring success stories, FULFILLED integrates the best of Western medicine with universal spiritual principles to help you find more meaning, more joy, and more fulfillment in your life.”

Harry Houdini by Kjartan Poskitt

 This First Names biography series for middle grade brings the greatest magician in the world namely Harry Houdini. 

Ehrich Weisz was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. He later named himself Harry Houdini. When he was four, the family moved to the US. The family settled in Appleton, Wisconsin. They were always short on money, and due to the financial hardship Harry tried to cheer his mom up from early age. And that’s when he discovered that he liked to entertain people. 

Since he was very athletic, he started practicing acrobatics to entertain people. 

At elven, he got fascinated with locks and figured out how to open them with buttonhook. 

When his father took him to a magician show, Harry knew right away what he wanted to do. He wanted to put people on the edge of their seat. 

When he was fourteen, the family moved to New York. There with a friend, they formed an act and called it the Brothers Houdini. Besides it, Harry picked up any act he could where he also learned valuable skills from other people. 

He constantly worked on new skills to satisfy audience. He figured out a new entertainment to be handcuffed and since he figured out locks as a child it was very easy for him to un-cuff himself. It became a big hit. 

After eight tough years, he got his break when he got an offer to appear in some of the biggest and best theaters in America. His stunts took him to Europe and even Russia. 

He continued to develop new stunts. His success took him into starring in movies. 

He died at fifty-two from health complications. 

This biography exemplifies a man who continuously kept himself busy with training, improving himself, hungry for new tricks, new places to visit and the latest inventions to explore. He became known for his death-defying escapes. His complicated tricks and the secrets turned him into the greatest magician in the world.

Source: Harry N. Abrams, 2019

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Never Stop Learning

 

Trends:

 

·         He liked cheering his mother up from childhood and that’s when he discovered his talent.

·         He was athletic and combined it with his first talent of entertaining people.

·         When he saw a magician show, he knew right away who he wanted to be. He wanted to put people on the edge of their seat.

·         He picked up any act he could while learning valuable skills from other people.

·         He constantly worked on new skills to satisfy audience.

·         He got his break after 8 years of hard work.

·         He continuously kept himself busy with training, improving himself, hungry for new tricks, new places to visit and the latest inventions to explore.

 

 

“My brain is the key that sets me free.” – Harry Houdini

“Keep up your enthusiasm! There is nothing more contagious than exuberant enthusiasm.” – Harry Houdini 

“Never try to fool children, they expect nothing and therefore see everything.” – Harry Houdini

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Dr. Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Triumph in his book “Wisdom of the Ages” where he quotes Cicero’s words and explores their meaning:

“Mistake #3: ”Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.

Mistake #5: Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and study.”

In 1 BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero outlined the six mistakes of man as he saw them evidenced in ancient Rome. Twenty centuries later, the same words still ring the truth.

If we cannot see the solution, it doesn’t mean it can’t be achieved. Harry Houdini proved it.

Our education doesn’t stop with formal schooling. The mind development is a continuous journey throughout our lives. When Harry Houdini achieved his success, he continued to improve his mind, searching for new ideas to continuously reinvent himself. That’s the kind of journey every one of us should be taking with our minds. It’s a never ending lesson.

Who Was Che Guevara? by Ellen Labrecque

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings rebellious figure of Che Guevara who was a leader of the Cuban Revolution and became a symbol of youthful rebellion.

Ernesto Guevara (1928-1967) was born in the port city of Rosario, Argentina. From young age, he craved adventure. While in school, he still traveled whenever he had a chance. While traveling, he began to write in his journal every day. 

He still had two semesters of medical school to finish when his friend asked him to join him on a trip on his motorcycle to Venezuela. On this trip, they met people of different backgrounds and saw how they lived. It left a lasting consequence on Ernesto. 

After graduating from medical school, he traveled to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. 

Then, while in Guatemala, he learned about communist and how the current president of Guatemala was taking the land owned by rich people and corporations, then redistributing it to the poor. Ernesto became passionate about this idea of helping the poor. While on his travels, he met many poor people who worked hard and hardly got paid. 

In Mexico City, he began his work as a doctor. There he met lots of Cubans who began calling him Che meaning friend. Through them, he met Fidel Castro, who told him about Cuba’s situation of being controlled by a small group of wealthy people, and he wanted to overthrow the government. He asked Che for help, and they succeeded. Afterwards, Castro asked Che to help him govern Cuba. 

In 1964, Che spoke at UN in NYC criticizing the US and other countries for taking advantage of the land and the people of the poorer nations. 

After coming back to Cuba, he decided to go to Bolivia which was run by a dictator and to try to overthrow the government. On October 8, 1967, he was captured and killed the following day.

This biography embodies true nature of a man who rebelled against injustice. As a young man, he looked for adventure and found the truth and tragedy of his country. 

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2019

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Take Action When You See Injustice

 

Traits:

·         He craved adventure and to see what was beyond what he knew

·         He wrote his experiences in his journal every day

·         He witnessed human injustice and wanted to make a difference

·         He took action in making poor people’s lives better

 

 

“Above all, try always to be able to feel deeply any injustice committed against any person in any part of the world. It is the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary.” Che Guevara

 

“We were…two young men-boys, really-who went looking for adventure and found the truth and tragedy of our homeland.” – Alberto Granado (trip with Che through South America)

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 The Genius of Jesus: The Man Who Changed Everything by Erwin Raphael McManus - What is the purpose of your life? How can your life matter? There is more to life than simple existing. How do you find your purpose in life?

To better understand it, many study the works of geniuses. There are many of them in different disciplines, including science, arts, and philosophy. I always thought that the greatest of them was Leonardo da Vinci, but the author reasons it was Jesus. The one that never gets to be mentioned as genius and who left the most lasting impact. And there is a big difference between other geniuses and the one of Jesus. The others saw new ways in their fields; Jesus saw a new way to be human. His genius is reverse from the others. Not everyone is born a prodigy, but everyone has ability to transform into better.

Jesus’ genius was “how he engaged people from every walk of life, and how he dealt with controversy, conflict, and opposition.” The little interactions we experience every day matter and how we handle them.

The author interestingly illuminates different kinds of geniuses with concise examples; how we see it in modern time and how they were approached by Jesus and what a difference his methodology made. I enjoyed how he recaptures what, for example, empathy or ethics mean. My favorite was the genius of grace and how he profoundly learned that lesson that shapes his life to this day. He reminds us that in those most strenuous situations in life it might be hard to keep that grace, but those are the lives’ lessons worth noting and learning from. It’s not always easy to rise above the fray, but “grace gives us room to grow, to change, to mature.” The past doesn’t define our future.

McManus is a gifted wisdom-teller, who was an average student and an introvert. While studying genius in college and searching for his purpose in life, he ran into Jesus of Nazareth and that put him on his extraordinary journey, defying those who didn’t see him achieving much in life. He rose to achieve Doctorate degree and to be an advisor to the CEOs and others among many other achievements. He is a true testament to what he preaches about.

Ferdinand Magellan by Candy Gourlay

 This First Names biography series for middle grade brings one of the greatest explorers of the fifteenth century - Ferdinand Magellan who was the first man to sail around the world.

Ferdinand was born to a noble family in 1480 in Sabrosa, Portugal, among rolling hills with vineyards. When he was about eight his family moved to Porto by the sea where he admired the ships of explorers, and dreamed of being a captain and travel to mysterious places.

After losing both parents in 1490, he was sent to school for Pages in Lisbon. As a page he watched all the explorers approach the king for funds.

In 1493, when he was thirteen, Christopher Columbus received funds from Spain for his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Ferdinand dreamed of exciting travels, but instead he was given a clerical position.

After ten boring years, there was hope on the horizon for Ferdinand when Vasco da Gama traveled beyond the southern tip of Africa to India. King Manuel of Portugal wanted to conquer the new lands for its riches. Twenty two worships were assembled, but he didn’t have enough men. This was Ferdinand’s chance at his dream. As a noble, he couldn’t sign up as a working crew member. He had to sign up as a “gentleman adventurer,” who came for adventure, not money.

Ferdinand distinguished himself and got praised by the captain who promoted him as his assistant. After conquering the west coast of India, they pushed farther east. After conquering Malacca, at thirty-three, after eight years, he returned to Portugal.

Meanwhile, there were some new discoveries in South America, and Ferdinand saw his chance to discover something new. After securing the funds, his expedition took him west, toward southern tip of South America. Afterwards, they persisted west and arrived at Philippines. They were getting close to the Spice Islands, when Ferdinand lost his life in a battle at Mactan Island.

Even though he didn’t actually make it to the Spice Islands, he is still credited to be the first one to circumnavigate the world as his fleet finished the journey.

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

Source: Harry N. Abrams, 2020

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Observant and Open to New Experiences

 

Traits:

·         As a child, he observed ships at port which led him to dream of being a captain in order to travel to mysterious places.

·         As a page at king’s court, he watched all the explorers approach the king for funds.

·         After ten boring years at king’s court, he acted when opportunity presented and signed up for an unknown adventure with Vasco da Gama who was conquering new lands.

·         He distinguished himself quickly and got promoted as captain’s assistant.

·         After returning from his adventure, he signed up for his own expedition. He already knew how to secure funds.

·         He is credited to be the first one to circumnavigate the world.

 

“I am not afraid of darkness. Real death is preferable to a life without living.” – Vasco da Gama

“Travel teaches us that we have ability to adapt.” – Ferdinand Magellan

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 The 72 Names of God by Yehuda Berg – “The power of The 72 Names of God operates strictly on a soul level, not a physical one. It's about spirituality, not religiosity. Instead of being limited by the differences that divide people, the wisdom of the Names transcends humanity's age-old quarrels and belief systems to deal with one common bond that unifies all people and nations as one — the human soul.”

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. 

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2013

 

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 to the known route 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

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 Christopher Columbus didn’t limit himself because of his age. He didn’t give power to fear. He continued to explore passed his age as it was seen during his time.

Dr. Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Time in his book “Wisdom of the Ages,” where he further explains it by citing poetry of John Milton, one of the most respected figures of English literature. “Milton lost his eyesight in his early forties and had to dictate his poetry when this was a far greater hardship than it would be today.” By finding the way to continue what he loved, he triumphed over his earthly fate. Our physical world doesn’t have to limit our spiritual world. Make peace with time, don’t give it power by obsessing about it.

“Live the truth that resonates with you, regardless of how you have been conditioned or what the good opinion of others might be.”

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.

Source: Godwin Books, MacMillan Publisher, 2024

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Listen to 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

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 The Healing Code by Alexander Code – “THE HEALING CODE is your healing kit for life--to heal the issues you know about, and the ones you don't. In 2001, Dr. Alex Loyd discovered how to activate a physical function built into the body that consistently and predictably removes the source of 95% of all illness and disease so that the neuro-immune system takes over its job of healing whatever is wrong with the body. His findings were validated by tests and by the thousands of people from all over the world who have used The Healing Codes system to heal virtually any physical, emotional, or relational issue, as well as realize breakthroughs in success.

His testing also revealed that there is a "Universal Healing Code" that will heal most issues for most people. In this book you will get that Universal Healing Code, which takes only minutes to do. The book also includes:

The Seven Secrets of life, health, and prosperity
The 10-second Instant Impact technique for defusing daily stress
The Heart Issues Finder, the only test that identifies your source issues in a succinct personalized report.”

Similarly Dr. Sue Morter proves the same in her book The Energy Codes.

Dr. Joe Dispenza proved it with his own body as he healed his body when others said it was impossible. And he does it with thousands of his patients. Patients who healed themselves of cancer and other diseases.