![John's Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0786808179.jpg?itok=cNfDOTLk)
John Lennon and his music are introduced to a new generation in Lennon’s own words, using free verse and lyrics. With Collier’s rich collage and watercolor illustrations in a large-sized format (like Martin’s Big Words) this memorable presentation becomes a tribute to the music legend and visionary.
John’s Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon
![Freedom River](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0786803509.jpg?itok=BFjbNjP3)
Not only did John Parker buy his own freedom to escape slavery, he helped as many as 900 other slaves escape on the Underground Railroad. Poetic language and deeply hued illustrations convey this stirring story. Historical notes are included.
Freedom River
![Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0786851759.jpg?itok=j_dU4tK6)
Dramatic full color illustrations (which won a Caldecott Honor) and splendid, poetic language depict the bravery of Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery on a Maryland plantation only to return again and again to help other slaves escape. Deeply religious, Harriet became known as the Moses of her people and a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
![Escape: The Story of the Great Houdini](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0060850949.jpg?itok=_DwoW61R)
How did a poor boy named Ehrich Weiss became the famous escape artist, Harry Houdini? The author, best known for his original tall tales and novels, demonstrates his ability to tell a spellbinding true story and shares his appreciation for the mystery of magic.
Escape: The Story of the Great Houdini
![Diego](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/067985617X.jpg?itok=crwi28Ui)
The early life of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera is presented in simple, yet revealing language in both Spanish and English. Accompanied by richly colored illustrations, this book is reminiscent of the folk art and themes in Rivera’s work.
Diego
![Play, Mozart, Play!](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0061121819.jpg?itok=-w8QEYMp)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was not only a famous composer and a musical genius; his father turned him into a child sensation! Limited language but rich, detailed, and varied illustrations introduce the essence of the boy and his music.
Play, Mozart, Play!
![The Story of Johnny Appleseed](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0671667467.jpg?itok=rJFau8mf)
Once, long ago, a young man named John Chapman traveled the United States. Not only did he like being with his own thoughts, he liked apples and so helped plant apple trees wherever he traveled gaining a nickname and planting seeds for an orchard of stories. Johnny Appleseed comes alive in simple but expressive illustrations showing how one person can change the look of a country.
The Story of Johnny Appleseed
![Guys Write for Guys Read](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0670060070.jpg?itok=yMKtH4UC)
Scieszka has collected short stories with special appeal to guys; after all, they were written by guys! In this collection, readers will learn about guys who write for guys who read &mdash and love to laugh (and occasionally get grossed out), including a Scieszka family story.
Guys Write for Guys Read
![Uncle Andy’s: A Faabbulous Visit with Andy Warhol](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0399238697.jpg?itok=RBcy1WQ5)
James recounts one family visit to see his uncle and grandmother in New York City. Uncle Andy (who dropped the “a” from his surname) is an artist who would rock the art world, but who is appreciated here as the eccentric uncle of a slightly offbeat family. Warhol’s images are conjured in this energetic family memoir.
Uncle Andy’s: A Faabbulous Visit with Andy Warhol
![Dreamer from the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0805063730.jpg?itok=0KLsQ1cf)
Artist Marc Chagall’s early life is represented through engaging narrative and illustrations that call to mind Chagall’s own work. A reproduction of one of his paintings is included.
Dreamer from the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall
![Action Jackson](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0761316825.jpg?itok=8aCx0Dc3)
The artist Jackson Pollack’s style and energy in his piece Number 1 1950 earned him the nickname Action Jackson. Fascinating details emerge as the art, environment, and inspiration of Jackson Pollack are presented in a carefully crafted, well-told, and vivaciously illustrated picture book biography.
Action Jackson
![Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/078682493X.jpg?itok=noZTPMHU)
From her early days in Harlem to becoming the First Lady of Jazz, the story of Ella Fitzgerald is presented by a cool feline named Scat Cat Monroe. As Scat Cat steals through the pages of this book, Ella Fitzgerald’s life and work are revealed in jazz-inspired language accompanied by dramatic scratchboard illustrations. The result is a lively and loving picture book biography.
Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa
![Charlie Parker Played Be Bop](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0531059995.jpg?itok=4wFwu8LX)
Inspired by jazz great Charlie Parker, rhythm and repetition are woven together to create a musical effect. Animated watercolors and lively text combine in a story that begs to be read aloud.
Charlie Parker Played Be Bop
![My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up With the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0689843879.jpg?itok=awg0xRqB)
Christine recalls growing up with her brothers (known as M.L. and A.D.) in a family in which laughter and love were celebrated. She describes a pivotal moment in their childhood when her brothers are told by the white boys who live across the street that they can no longer play together because the King’s are “Negroes.” The story provides insight into the child M.L. King was, and the man he would become. Realistic watercolors evoke the era and events of this well-told memoir.
My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up With the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
![A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0142400726.jpg?itok=x_tPMJ0w)
At just over 5 feet tall, no one thought Mamie Johnson, also known as “Peanut” because of her size, would become a baseball star. But she sure could pitch! The author collaborated with the actual Mamie Johnson to tell the riveting — and real — story of how Peanut Johnson became one of three women to play professionally in the Negro Baseball League.
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson
![Mountain Men: True Grit and Tall Tales](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0385908415.jpg?itok=kzZd8cxl)
The lives of real people inspire the tales that are told about them. Retold here with humor and colorful language, the stories and people of the mountains are larger-than-life in the actions and pictures of this tall tale book.
Mountain Men: True Grit and Tall Tales
![The Perfect Wizard: Hans Christian Andersen](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0525469559.jpg?itok=XuJIwIH7)
Life as fiction comes together in this attractive and engaging picture book biography of the man who is known for his fairy tales. Excerpts from these tales are juxtaposed with real events in Andersen’s life to provide a fresh look at the stories and their creator.
The Perfect Wizard: Hans Christian Andersen
![Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0689865767.jpg?itok=W-9pbsK3)
Born in 1908, in a small Mexican village, Jose Limon seemed destined to become an artist. The lyrical language incorporates onomatopoeic and Spanish words. The distinctive illustrations with swirling colors reveal the life of a great modern dancer and choreographer.
Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon
![Rosa](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0805071067.jpg?itok=VGOPHqB8)
Rosa Parks was an ordinary woman who became a hero because she “was not going to give in to that which was wrong.” A catalyst for the famous Montgomery Bus boycott in Alabama, she turned the nation’s attention to a glaring injustice in our society. Powerful illustrations evoke a time before the Civil Rights era and give the reader a glimpse at a person, her impact, and a period in American history.
Rosa
![The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0152054456.jpg?itok=K3RdBbMZ)
In spite of looming war, librarian Alia Muhammed Baker was able to save the books from the library of Basra by moving them to safety. Simple forms and deep colors in a naïve style evoke the war without being explicit. The bravery and action of one person celebrates both everyday heroism and books as a unifying force.
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq
![Celia Cruz: Queen of Salsa](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0803729707.jpg?itok=Qb5XGfXo)
Celia Cruz began singing on the streets of Havana as a child. She grew up to become a legendary singer and lasting influence on salsa. Bright, bold illustrations echo the vibrancy of the music in this handsome picture book biography.
Celia Cruz: Queen of Salsa
![America’s Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0152019693.jpg?itok=PVG1WNyz)
Trudy Ederle loved to swim and was determined to be the best. Through hard work and determination she became the first woman to swim the English Channel.
America’s Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle
![Author: A True Story](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0395827442.jpg?itok=tGsRIyjX)
By sharing her own struggles as a child and later as a successful author, Helen Lester demonstrates that hurdles are part of the process. She uses her unique ability to laugh at her mistakes to create both a guide for young writers and an amusing personal story of the disappointments and triumphs of a writer’s life.
Author: A True Story
![Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0688162940.jpg?itok=pzPbWfJd)
A remarkably rounded picture of Shakespeare’s life and the period in which he lived includes a thoughtful attempt to relate circumstances in his personal life to the content of his plays.