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 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

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