What the Ermine Saw by Eden Collinsworth

 The Extraordinary Journey of Leonardo da Vinci's Most Mysterious Portrait explores the journey of his painting - Lady with an Ermine – which was bought by Czartoryski family. Thus, in large part, this story introduces Izabela Czartoryska who founded the first Polish museum and how she became the owner of this painting.

Lady with an Ermine was painted in 1490 and that it is most likely a portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, who was a mistress of Ludovico Sforza of Milan. He was a patron of arts and commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint Cecilia, and also the Last Supper.

What is so special about this painting? It’s the dynamics that he captured, not just a face of a woman, but someone who was captured in a moment of turning. The ermine was most likely added as a second draft and symbolizes pregnancy and childbirth. It’s not clear if she was pregnant at the time with Ludovico’s child.

In 1491, Lady with an Ermine was in Cecilia’s possession when she left Ludovico’s palace.

Then, the trace of the painting disappears for 250 years.

In 1800, Adam Czartoryski, Polish noble, while in Italy purchased Lady with an Ermine for his mother, Izabela – an art collector.

The first part of the book offers the stories of people who were involved first with creating the painting and later owning it. The second part of the book offers the journey of the painting. Thus, weaving the story of Izabela Czartoryska.

She came from one of the most influential families in Poland. Being of noble blood and truly seeing the poverty around her was a rarity in her spheres. She knew that handing out a few coins to beggars wouldn’t solve the problem. Throughout her life, she searched for a solution, and later found it in education.

She was a great patriot, who deeply cared for her country and fought for its independence. When Poland was partitioned by Prussia, Austria, and Russia, it gave her fuel to preserve Polish culture and language. That’s when the idea of starting the first museum came to her mind. Next, she started schools for peasants. Due to lack of books for school, she wrote them herself. She was a phenomenal dynamo, who cared about her country and humanity.

She was full of energy and whatever she did she did it with passion.

Published in 2022 by Doubleday

Source: Doubleday

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Whatever You Do, Do It With Passion

Traits:

·         She shaped her own ideas by listening what others had to say

·         She recognized mentorship which came in different forms

·         She was open to ideas that came her way

·         She searched for solutions rather than surrounded to problems

·         Her misfortunes strengthened her determination

·         She followed her passions which had many branches but some of them grew sturdier and led her to something greater

·         Life is a journey which doesn’t end with achieving one goal. It’s a continuous journey of setting new goals.

·         She was full of passion and energy

 

 " Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Who Is the Dalai Lama? by Dana Meachen Rau

 Who Is ...? biography series for middle grade brings an incredible spiritual figure of Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama is considered to be the political and religious leader of Tibet.

Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who founded Buddhism sometime between the sixth and fourth centuries BC in northern India. He gave up a royal life to search for enlightenment. He taught others how to find peace within themselves. After he died, his followers continued to practice his lessons. The first Dalai Lama was Gendun Druppa.

Lhamo Tsering was born on July 6, 1935 in Tibet. His father was often angry and harsh with his children. On the other hand, his mother was gentle and kind.

In December 1933, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama had died. So Tibet had been without a leader for two years. The search to find the next Dalai Lama has continued. The monks and government members looked for signs to guide them to the right person.

The first sign was to head northeast. The following signs took them to Lhamo’s family. The boy was presented with some items and he picked up only those that belonged to the last Dalai Lama. Thus, he was chosen as the next Tibetan leader.

When he was four, he was taken with his family to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. He lived in the Potala Palace, which stood high on a hill overlooking Lhasa.

At six, he began his training as a Buddhist monk.

At fifteen, he was forced to become a leader as Communist China invaded Tibet in 1950 and wanted to rule it.

Communist Chinese tried to eradicate the Tibetan culture, language, and religion. When things got violent Lhamo left Tibet for India. In March 1959 he arrived with about 350 Tibetan refugees in India where they were welcomed to stay.

He asked the United Nations for help to protect Tibetans from China. With time, more Tibetans escaped to India where he set up a government-in-exile.

Throughout his life he looked for peaceful solutions, advocating for respect for one another’s beliefs and traditions and work together peacefully. He continued to travel to Europe, US and Canada and spreading the message of peace and compassion.

He wrote over 100 books, won many awards from more than 30 countries. His message continues to be to look inward to find happiness and look outward to help others throughout the world.

In 2011, the Dalai Lama stepped down as the political leader of Tibet, ending 350-year old tradition. He continues to be the spiritual leader.

The story of this incredible spiritual figure shines with the dimensions of kindness, compassion, understanding, forgiving, and peaceful coexistence for which he’s been advocating his whole life.

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 2018 by Penguin Workshop

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Stand Up for Humanity Rights

Traits:

·         Look for peaceful solutions

·         Respect all no matter what status

·         Respect other’s beliefs and traditions

·         Cooperate in finding solutions

·         Be peaceful and compassionate

·         Look inward to find happiness

·         Look outward to help others

·         Be kind, understanding, forgiving

·         Coexist peacefully with others

·         Stand up for humanity rights

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries." - Dalai Lama

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” – Dalai Lama

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” – Dalai Lama

“When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” – Dalai Lama

“World belongs to humanity, not this leader, that leader or that king or prince or religious leader. World belongs to humanity.” – Dalai lama

“We all have to live together, so we might as well live together happily.” – Dalai Lama

 

 

The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution by Alex Storozynski

 This biography of Thaddeus Kosciuszko brings a humble human being who became hero on both continents, North America and Europe.

Thaddeus (1746-1817) was born in Brest region, which then was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, now it’s part of Belarus. His parents were landowners with a mid-size estate.

The father taught his children to be respectful toward all people, no matter what social class they represented. They believed that all people were entitled to hope and happiness. He treated the peasants fairly and rewarded them fairly for their work. He taught all those values to all his children, and Tadeusz took his father’s teachings to heart.

Thaddeus was eighteen, when he received scholarship to attend the Royal Knight School led by Prince Adam Casimir Czartoryski in Warsaw. The Prince also became Thaddeus’ mentor.

He continued his studies in Paris, where he gained valuable knowledge, which helped him to better understand economics and military matters.

At the same time, the colonists in America were fighting against England, fighting for their independence. He decided to enlist and help the American colonists.

The range of defenses that he set up at Bemis Heights, located at Hudson River south of Saratoga led to a successful Battle of Saratoga.

The next successful fortification, he set up was at West Point, where he suggested to create an American military academy resembling the ones in Europe. And that’s what Thomas Jefferson did in 1802.

His success didn’t extend to Poland, which went through three partitions done by the powerful neighbors: Prussia, Austria, and Russia. In 1795, Poland was wiped off the map for 123 years, which pained Kosciuszko greatly. He took part in many uprisings, fighting for independence of his country to the end of his life.

Thaddeus was a very humble human being. He was way ahead of his time, advocating for Polish serfs in hope the rest of the Europe would follow, and for the American slaves. He was a hero of both worlds, advocating on both continents for equality for all. He stressed importance of not only freeing slaves and serfs, but also providing education in training, giving people skills so they could support themselves.

When the news of his death spread throughout Europe, funeral masses were held in many churches of different faiths.

The story reflects the most humble character. With heartfelt writing, the author sheds light on American and Polish hero, who is well known to Poles. A hero, who to the last days of his life encouraged young cadets to gain valuable knowledge and always serve their country and defend it.

When there was bickering between American generals, Thad wrote to General Gates, “I declare sincerely that I am susceptible and love peace. I would choose rather to leave all, return home and plant cabbages.”

Published in 2009 by Thomas Dunne Books

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Humble

Traits:

·         He respected all no matter what status

·         He was fair

·         He gained valuable knowledge and used it to benefit others

·         He stood up for freedom and independence

·         He advocated for humanity

·         He stood up for equality for all

·         He gave people tools, so they could better themselves

·         He remained humble

 

"The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering." - Bruce Lee

The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang

 In this story, the author shares her own experience through which she learns to be patient and which led her to being a person of written words rather than spoken.

Kao Kalia Yang comes with her family to US as a young Hmong refugee. At school, she picks English words and at home, she feels comfort of her family and speaks her native language. But it’s what she sees when she is with her mother outside their comfortable space. When her mother tries to speak English and other people don’t take time or don’t make any effort to understand her, Kao turns inwardly. At school, she stops speaking English. It’s her silent revolution, which she reveals years later.

It is a very touching story. The feelings of the child are well-expressed. You can feel her loneliness and struggle to speak out the words even when she wants to. There is a girl who offers her friendship and it shows the author’s appreciation for people who offer friendship.

The writing is poetic and original. The target audience for this book is 5-10 years. For those who are around 10 and good at reading, I can see them reading it themselves, but for the rest, it might be one of those stories that is read to children and touches their minds and stays with them for a long time.

This touching picture-book is accompanied by lovely illustrations that express well the child’s feelings and her story.

Published in March 2024 by Carolrhoda Books

Source: Carolrhoda Books

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Take Time to Listen to Another Person.

Traits:

·         Be patient

·         Take time to listen and understand another human being

·         Offer friendship

 

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi