Synopses & Reviews
Teedie was not exactly the stuff of greatness: he was small for his size. Delicate. Nervous. Timid. By the time he was ten years old, he had a frail body and weak eyes. He was deviled by asthma, tormented by bullies. His favorite place to be was at home. Some might think that because of these things, Teedie was destined for a ho-hum life. But they would be wrong. For teeedie had a strong mind, as well as endless curiosity and determination. Is that all? No. Teedie also had ideas of his own--lots of them. It wasn't long before the world knew him as Theodore Roosevelt, the youngest president of the United States.
Review
"Browns characteristically vigorous scrawls capture both the scrawny boy and the bulldog of a man, infusing his vignettes with a sizable helping of wit. All in all, this is a spot-on introductory book for lower grades."--Kirkus Reviews"Line and wash illustrations add movement and a playful tone to the serious text, which generously incorporates quotes from Roosevelt . . . An authors note concludes this brief overview and may well encourage youngsters to learn more about this fascinating figure."--School Library Journal, starred review
". . . vignettes of scratchy pen-work that capture humor and drama with equal easeand shows Teddys progression from a wispy twig into a big stick . . . a more kid-friendly hook in the young man whose determination trumped his boyhood shortcomings."--Booklist
"Browns signature watercolors follow the text and, on the final page, provide a potent instructional summation as President Theodore Roosevelt stands at the bully pulpit while a hand-lettered text proclaims his accomplishments."--Horn Book
Review
"Dashing line-and-watercolor artworkand#133;A sure handed wedding of text and art that brings history to life." Booklist, Starred 9/1/07 Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
Pen and ink and watercolors effectively depict the simplicityand#133;of Colonial lifeand#133;Readers will enjoy this exciting picture-book biography...
School Library Journal
"Brown continues his string of exemplary biographies...In the watercolor illustrations, [Dolley's] smiling good nature and exotic attire come through clearly in brighter days, and in darker, she radiates a sturdy presence even in plainer garb." Kirkus, Starred 9/15/07 Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"Historical figuresand#133; come to life with a few spidery lines and generous dollops of translucent watercolor..."--The Bulletin Nov.2007 The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A sure-handed wedding of text and art that brings history to life." Book Links STARRED November 2007 Book Links, ALA
Synopsis
By the time he was 10 years old, Theodore Roosevelt had a frail body, weak eyes, suffered from asthma, and was tormented by bullies. But Teedie had a strong mind, endless curiosity, and a fierce determination. Full color.
Synopsis
Dolley was a farm girl who became a fine first lady when she married James Madison. She wore beautiful dresses, decorated her home, and threw lavish parties. Everyone talked about Dolley, and everyone loved her, too. Then war arrived at her doorstep, and Dolley had to meet challenges greater than sheand#8217;d ever known. So Dolley did one thing she thought might make a difference: she saved George Washington. Not the man himself, but a portrait of him, which would surely have been destroyed by English soldiers. Don Brown once again deftly tells a little known story about a woman who made a significant contribution to American history.
About the Author
Don Brown is a professional illustrator. His first children's book, RUTH LAW THRILLS A NATION, was a Reading Rainbow feature selection and an NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. His second book, ALICE RAMSEY'S GRAND ADVENTURE, received starred reviews in THE BULLETIN, KIRKUS REVIEWS, and SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL. School Library Journal has called him "a current pacesetter who has put the finishing touches on the standards for storyographies." His most recent book, RARE TREASURE, was selected as a NCSS-CBC Notable Children"s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies.