Who Was Walt Disney? by Whitney Stewart

Who Was Walt Disney?

Author: Whitney Stewart
Illustrator: Nancy Harrison
Awards: N/A
Genre: Nonfiction (Biography)
Grade Level: 2-6

This is about Walt Disney and how he created his iconic Disney empire. Walt Disney grew up on a farm in Missouri and was always entertaining people. He was rejected many times as a cartoonist before he became the great creator that he is known for today. He and his brother Roy noticed a lack of animation studios in the California area and decided to fill the void with their own studio. This eventually became the Walt Disney Studios that we all know today.

The only illustration in this book is the cover page, which is a colorful caricature of Disney in front of a castle.

Because Walt Disney is such an iconic celebrity for families, students will find the story of his life interesting and inspiring. The absence of pictures may deter younger readers, but seeing as the book is not very long, I think it is suitable for many age groups.

Balloons over Bradway by Melissa Sweet

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Author/Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Awards: Caldecott Award
Genre: Nonfiction (biography)
Grade Level: PK- 2

Even as a child, Tony Sarg was always trying to make things move. He even built contraptions to do his chores for him! When he grew up, he moved to London and noticed that children didn't have any puppets, so he began to make them for all the children. Eventually his puppets were used in Broadway productions. Macy's asked him to design puppets for their windows, and he used cartoon characters for his inspiration. As the holidays approached, Macy's decided to provide a parade for their employees and Tony was hired to replace the scary animals with more friendly characters. This became an annual event to entertain guests on Thanksgiving. Tony continued to improve his balloons each year.

I love the nontraditional illustrations in this story. On every page their is something unique, including diagrams, sketches, parade routes, and even puppets that look like they are laying on the page.

This book would be especially useful around Thanksgiving when sone students may be watching the parade at home. Students can learn a lot about the time period of this story. The illustration include older phones, streets, buildings, and of course, puppets. Students can appreciate the hard work Tony Starg put into his designs, especially without the use of the modern technology that we have now.

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan

Authors: Deloris Jordan, Roslyn M. Jordan
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Awards: N/A
Genre: Nonfiction (biography)
Grade Level: PK-2

When he was a child, Michael loved to play basketball with his brothers. He was feeling discouraged because he did not think he was tall enough to be a good basketball player. When he asked his mother how he could get taller, she told him to put salt in his shoes. Although puzzled, Michael listened to his mother and remained patient and said his prayers every night. When Michael was asleep, his mother would put salt in his shoes and say a prayer for him. Michael practiced playing basketball every day. His hard work and determination, along with the help of the salt and prayers, resulted in Michael becoming one of the best basketball players ever.

The illustrations are colorful and intricate. They really bring readers to the neighborhood basketball court where Michael Jordan learned to play.

Although students interested in sports will find this story interesting, the best use for this book is to introduce moral values to readers. Classes can discuss how hard work, patience, and perseverance can pay off in the end.

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel by Kathryn Gibbs Davis

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel

Author: Kathryn Gibbs Davis
Illustrator: Gilbert Ford
Awards: N/A
Genre: Nonfiction (biography)
Grade Level: K-2 grade

George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. was an engineer who had big dreams. He design for the Ferris wheel won a contest as his attempt to out-shine the Eiffel Tower after the previous years wold fair. Despite many hardships in the design process as well as unsupportive peers, the Ferris wheel appeared at the 1893 World Fair and has since become an iconic attraction for many amusement parks.

The illustrations are full of vibrant blues and purples. The details in the Ferris wheel, such as the geometric shape and bright lights, transport readers to a different time.

Young readers will learn a lot about where their favorite attraction came from and how it was invented. This underdog story may inspire students to think of new ideas themselves.

Who was Dr. Suess? by Janet B. Pascal

Who was Dr. Suess?

Author: Janet B. Pascal

Illustrator: Nancy Harrison

Awards: N/A

Genre: Nonfiction (Biography)

Grade Level: 2-5 grade

Ted Geisel, who is better known for his pen name "Dr. Suess," loved to create doodles as a child. His mom made up rhymes and his dad ran a zoo. He liked to look at the funny ears on the animals. He also loved funny hats. He would even throw parties at his house where everyone who attended wore crazy hats. His favorite time to wear funny hats was when he was writing his stories. He created many children's books that are iconic and popular around the world.

Although the illustrations are all black and white, they are still interesting even to young readers. As seen in the cover, the illustrations are similar to a caricature and bring Dr. Suess to life.

This biography would pair excellently with any of Dr. Suess's impressive stories. I think students would find it both interesting and informative to learn about the author of the books they love. Students can also talk about the things that inspired Dr. Suess as a writer, such as the zoo animals, and think about things in their life that inspire them.