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Lap Time - Book Reviews

Picture Book Biographies

by Terry Miller Shannon
I love reading books to children about real people, especially if their stories happen to be entertaining and beautifully illustrated. These wonderful biographies win my grandchildren's approval (and my own):

THE BOY ON FAIRFIELD STREET: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss
Written by Kathleen Krull
Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
(With additional illustrations by Dr. Seuss) ISBN: 0375822984
Random House

Imagine! Dr. Seuss was once a kid-- it boggles the mind, doesn't it? Anyone who loves Dr. Seuss (and who doesn't?) should read this fascinating story of what he was like before he became the famous author. The book answers these questions and more: Where did he get his fantastic love of animals? What did he do for fun? Who told him nonsense rhymes? The story follows Ted to Oxford, where he continued his habitual doodling and silly poetry writing instead of studying. The dreamer with the incredible imagination eventually triumphed of course. Johnson and Fancher illustrate the book beautifully, with Dr. Seuss's own drawings as accents.

BEATRIX: Various Episodes from the Life of Beatrix Potter
By Jeanette Winter
ISBN: 0374306559
Frances Foster Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Fans of Peter Rabbit and other stories by Beatrix Potter will enjoy this small, beautifully illustrated book. The text quotes Beatrix Potter as her life unfolds. She was a lonely child, with an affinity for animals and a passionate talent for drawing. She wrote about Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter to entertain her governess's sick child. The stories became well-loved, successful books, which enabled Potter to live a true-life "happily ever after" ending.

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S TEETH
Written by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora
Illustrated by Brock Cole
ISBN: 0374325340
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

This absolutely delightful book about the United States' first president slips a bit of history into a funny rhyming story about George Washington's dental woes. Many people believe Washington wore wooden dentures; this book sets that rumor to rest. But the actual facts are as riveting as the gossip! Brock Cole's drawings, as always, are perfect.

SHOOTING FOR THE MOON: The Amazing Life and Times of Annie Oakley
Written by Stephen Krensky
Illustrated by Bernie Fuchs
ISBN: 0374368430
Melanie Kroupa Books
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

I've always known about sharp-shooting Annie Oakley, but I had no inkling about her life. Born poor, she shot her first gun at age eight when she hunted a rabbit for her family's dinner (she got the rabbit, but the rifle's kick broke her nose). At age fifteen, Annie supported her family and paid off their home by supplying game to a grocery store. At twenty, she won a clay pigeon shooting match against professional sharpshooter Frank Butler. The two gun-toters fell in love, married, and performed in shows and circuses. This is a fascinating look at a colorful woman who attained success and respect through talent and hard work. The illustrations are absolutely glorious.

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Terry Miller Shannon and her son, Tim Warner, wrote a funny, rhyming picture book. Tim's three-year-old bath-loving son inspired TUB TOYS (Tricycle Press, 2002), which MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW says is "a must-have book for families" and Midwest Book Review says it is: "..greatly recommended..whimsical and fun." Check it out at Tub Toys



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