This month Penguin Young Readers is hosting The Ordinary People Change the World Picture Book Blog Tour and Giveaway. The Ordinary People Change the World series is written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. Today I am sharing 3 of the current 8 books in the series.
"Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in a vivacious, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was biography series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic." ....from the Penguin website
I am Rosa Parks
Dial Books (June 17, 2014)
Description of the book:
Rosa Parks dared to stand up for herself and other African Americans by staying seated, and as a result she helped end public bus segregation and launch the country’s Civil Rights Movement.
Each book focuses on an individual in history. The narrator is the individual featured in the book but drawn as a child. I am Rosa Parks was the third in the series.
At the end of the book, Meltzer provides readers with a timeline, photo, sources used, and recommendations for additional reading.
I am Jackie Robinson
Dial Books (January 8, 2015)
Description of the book:
Jackie Robinson always loved sports, especially baseball. But he lived at a time before the Civil Rights Movement, when the rules weren’t fair to African Americans. Even though Jackie was a great athlete, he wasn’t allowed on the best teams just because of the color of his skin. Jackie knew that sports were best when everyone, of every color, played together. He became the first black player in Major League Baseball, and his bravery changed African-American history and led the way to equality in all sports in America.
Elipoulos' bright, colorful, cartoon-like illustrations draw in and engage young readers.
I am Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dial Books (January 5, 2016)
Description of the book:
Even as a child, Martin Luther King, Jr. was shocked by the terrible and unfair way African-American people were treated. When he grew up, he decided to do something about it—peacefully, with powerful words. He helped gather people together for nonviolent protests and marches, and he always spoke up about loving other human beings and doing what’s right. He spoke about the dream of a kinder future, and bravely led the way toward racial equality in America.
The newest book in the series features Martin Luther King, Jr. and provides readers with a narrative overview of Martin Luther King's life up to 1965. The text spotlights key events in his childhood and youth that helped establish King's personality, and also influenced the work he did to support and lead the Civil Rights movement.
Though the illustrations and information presented in the book may be written for a younger audience, Meltzer does not shy away from addressing the tough issues in which King and others worked so hard to overcome.
Given the limited number of biographies written specifically for younger readers, I have appreciated the work that Meltzer and Elipoulos have put into creating the series. The books provide an initial introduction to amazing individuals such as Martin Luther King, Jr. However, it is important to pair these books with other primary and secondary sources that provide children with a more complete profile of the individuals spotlighted in the series.
Look for all of the Ordinary People Change the World books at your local indie bookstore or public library.
About the Author: Brad Meltzer is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of adult thrillers (including The Inner Circle and its recent sequel, The Fifth Assassin). His two nonfiction gift books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter were New York Times Bestsellers as well, and he has won the prestigious Eisner Award for his comic book work, Justice League of America. Brad is also the host of the History Channel TV show Brad Meltzer's Decoded.
About the Illustrator: Christopher Eliopoulos began his illustration career as a letterer for Marvel, and has worked on literally thousands of comics. But along with that, he is also the author/artist of many comics, including the popular series Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers and Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius, for which he was nominated for multiple Eisner Awards and received a Harvey Award. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and their identical twin sons.
Giveaway:
- 5 winners will receive the full collection of the Ordinary People Change the World Series
- All winners must have US mailing addresses.
- Complete the rafflecopter below.
