[Nonfiction Wednesday] Biographies of Fantastically Great Women (Part 1 of 2)

Myra here.

We are delighted to join the Nonfiction Picture Book meme 2018 hosted by Alyson Beecher @ Kid Lit Frenzy. We would also be linking our nonfiction choices with our reading themes throughout the year, when we can.

We have just launched our new reading theme two days ago. This reading theme is absolutely perfect for us, as we lovelovelove biographies, picturebook biographies, memoirs, and first-person narratives. My first sharing this week can be perceived as a slight hangover from Women’s Month – but then again, it should be Women’s month every single month of the year! This is Part One of two posts.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World

Written and Illustrated by Kate Pankhurst
Published by Bloomsbury Children’s (2016)
ISBN-10: 1408876981
ISBN-13: 9781408876985
A review copy was provided by Pansing. Book photos taken by me.

There is now a surplus of picturebook biographies about wonderful women. Our SEL bookshelf, for one, has more than 50 multicultural/international picturebooks that challenge gender stereotypes and depict lives of women who have been immensely successful and influential in fields that were traditionally perceived to be exclusively for men. This book is a wondrous addition to this list of titles that can be readily shared with young readers.

This 32-paged book contains life story vignettes of around 13 women – from Jane Austen to Frida Kahlo to Sacagawea to Rosa Parks and Anne Frank.

I admire the way that the author is able to distill the important facts and information about each women, not just highlighting their contributions to their discipline and to society, but also imbuing them with actual voices, feelings, and thoughts.

There were a few names that were unknown to me, such as Mrs Seacole who happened to be a half Scottish, half Jamaican nurse who joined a group of medical professionals to help out soldiers during the Crimean War. I am sufficiently intrigued to seek out more books about her.

While the page may appear to be somewhat cluttered and overly-crowded, I believe the intention is to make it appear engaging and multi-modal for young, tech-savvy readers. I especially liked the last page where all the women came together in a “Gallery of Greatness” with the author asking the reader: “How will you change the world?” and the various women providing a one-liner advice based on their life narratives.

This is definitely one title that you should add to your bookshelves. Share it with your young female readers who will undoubtedly be inspired to change the world.

#LitWorld2018GB Update: Author is from the UK (even while the women shared in this book come from different countries).