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News & Reviews

Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington


A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP


image of cover of the children's picture book biography titled The Painter and the President about Gilbert Stuart and George Washington

Calkins Creek

(Astra Books for Young Readers)

(pub. 8.27.2024)

40 pages

Ages 7 -10


Author: Sarah Albee

   Illustrator: Stacy Innerst


Characters: Gilbert Stuart and George Washington


Overview:


"George Washington and artist Gilbert Stuart didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but both men knew the importance of legacy and the power of art. Though George disliked having his portrait painted—which took days and days to complete—he knew his place in history would require people to know his face.


Fortunately, Gilbert Stuart’s unique way of painting didn’t compel his subjects to sit for hours on end—in fact, he encouraged them to move around and even bring friends to chat with. Capturing the soul of each subject, his portraits were unlike any other artists’. And Gilbert Stuart’s one-of-a-kind portrait of Washington stands the test of time—it’s the one that’s used on the one-dollar bill."


Tantalizing taste:


"Martha Washington convinces her husband

to pose for one more portrait.

It's for the grandchildren!

The president reluctantly agrees -

just so long as she doesn't hire

that infernal chatterbox Gilbert Stuart.


Martha hires Gilbert Stuart to paint the

president's portrait.

(She'll have him paint her portrait, too.)


The painter is primed to paint the president.

If he can pull off a perfect portrait,

he can paint and sell copies of it (called replicas).


He'll be able to pay off all his debts.

(Gilbert Stuart tends to spend money faster than he can earn it.)"


And something more: A detailed timeline in the back matter of The Painter and the President includes fascinating facts about both Stuart and Washington, including "in 1796: Gilbert Stuart begins a second portrait of George Washington, as well as one of Martha Washington. He never finishes either portrait but will paint at least 75 replicas of his painting of George Washington."


Author Sarah Albee kindly shared with me: "As I was writing this book I tried to picture what the illustrations might look like. How, I wondered, will an artist handle illustrating a book about another artist? Stacy Innerst's style turned out to be a perfect match. His choice to embed actual Gilbert Stuart paintings into his own illustrations worked so well. It's easy to see what's Gilbert and what's Stacy, and their styles complement one another beautifully. Plus Stacy has a fantastic sense of humor." Yes, Stacy's style and the blending with the Gilbert Stuart paintings are perfect for this book. And the humor matches the clever text too!

A HISTORICAL FICTION TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP


iamge of cover of picture book Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School

Crown Books for Young Readers

(pub. 5.7.2024)

40 pages

Ages 4 - 8


Author: Traci Huahn

   Illustrator: Michelle Jing Chan


Character: Mamie Tape


Overview:


" Mamie’s mom always reminded her a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So when Mamie wanted to go to school, even though Chinese children weren’t allowed, she took her first step and showed up anyway. When she was turned away at the schoolhouse door, she and her parents took another step: they sued the San Francisco school board…and won! Their case Tape v. Hurley made its way up to the California Supreme Court, which ruled that children of Chinese heritage had the right to a free public school education. But even then, Mamie’s fight wasn’t over.


Mamie Tape Fights to go to School is the story of one young changemaker’s brave steps on the long journey to end school segregation in California. It began with a single step.."


Tantalizing taste:


"The school board announced they were opening a separate school for Chinese children. Again.

My lawyers explained I won the right to go to school, but the school board still had the right to keep Chinese children segregated. I'd have to go to that school.

Across town.

Above a grocery store.

With no play yard.


There were no more steps...

Papa shouted words I'd never heard.

Mamma vowed never to send me there.

Later, I thought about all those years Chinese children couldn't go to school at all.

Because of the steps I'd taken, there was now one public school where we were welcome. This time, no one could shut it down.


I reminded Mamma, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Maybe the journey wasn't over, and this was just one small step in the right direction. I told her and Papa I still wanted to go to school...


I was the first pupil to step through the door."

And something more: The author, Traci Huahn, shared in the Author's Steps: "This book is historical fiction. Some details, including the dialogue, are imagined, but all the steps that Mamie and those before her took to fight to go to school, and all the ways others tried to stop them are true...


My research for this book was also a journey of sorts. My first step was learning about Tape v. Hurley. I paged through original legal documents; read books, journals, and government reports; pored over historic photos; and read dozens of newspaper articles chronicling Mamie's case. I interviewed several of Mamie's living relatives and listened to a recorded interview with Mamie at age ninety-six... I visited [the sites mentioned in the book]. Each step of the way, I grew more inspired to tell Mamie's story."

Minerva Hoyt Establishes

Joshua Tree National Park


A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP


Image of cover of picture book biography Cactus Queen about Minerva Hoyt

Calkins Creek

(Astra Books for Young Readers)

(pub. 3.5.2024)

40 pages

Ages 7 -10


Author: Lori Alexander

   Illustrator: Jenn Ely


Character: Minerva Hoyt


Overview:


" Long before she became known as the Cactus Queen, Minerva Hamilton Hoyt found solace in the unexpected beauty of the Mojave Desert in California. She loved the jackrabbits and coyotes, the prickly cacti, and especially the weird, spiky Joshua trees.


However, in the 1920s, hardly anyone else felt the same way. The desert was being thoughtlessly destroyed by anyone and everyone. Minerva knew she needed to bring attention to the problem. With the help of her gardening club, taxidermists, and friends, she took the desert east and put its plants and animals on display. The displays were a hit, but Minerva needed to do much more: she wanted to have the desert recognized as a national park.


Although she met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and won him over, Minerva still had to persuade politicians, scientists, teachers, and others to support her cause. And, it worked! Minerva’s efforts led to what came to be known as Joshua Tree National Park in California, and saved hundreds of thousands of plants and animals. Now, the millions of people who visit each year have learned to love the desert, just as Minerva did.."


Tantalizing taste:


"Wide and wondrous, it was unlike anything Minerva had seen before.

Joshua trees dotted the desert in every direction. Straight. Twisty. Short. Tall. These strange plants grew nowhere else on Earth.

Minerva found herself visiting the desert more often, especially after the death of her husband in 1918.

She nestled inside her sleeping bag atop the sandy soil. The wind whistled through the Joshua trees. Bright constellations swirled overhead.

' I stood and looked. Everything was peaceful, and it rested me.'"


And something more: The author, Lori Alexander, shared in the Author's Note: "Learning about Minerva's mission was both inspiring and humbling. Her passion benefited not only the desert plants and animals but all of us who enjoy visiting this unique region. Vandalism, urban development, and the effects of climate change prove the fight is not over.


In 2020, a group of environmentalists raised their voices and wrote to the government - just like Minerva! They asked that Joshua trees be placed on the California Endangered Species list. The state agreed to temporarily protect all Joshua trees while a team further reviews the case."

Where to find Jeanne Walker Harvey books

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