Famous Women Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Barbara Lowell Children's Book Author

Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane

Kids Books — Inventors

19 July 2016March 6, 2023

Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane

By Kirsten W. Larson, Illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Emma Lilian Todd’s mind was always soaring–she loved to solve problems. Lilian tinkered and fiddled with all sorts of objects, turning dreams into useful inventions. As a child, she took apart and reassembled clocks to figure out how they worked. As an adult, typing up patents at the U.S. Patent Office, Lilian built the inventions in her mind, including many designs for flying machines. However, they all seemed too impractical.

Lilian knew she could design one that worked. She took inspiration from both nature and her many failures, driving herself to perfect the design that would eventually successfully fly. Illustrator Tracy Subisak’s art brings to life author Kirsten W. Larson’s story of this little-known but important engineer. 7-10 years

Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo daVinci

by Gene Barretta

In 1781, Thomas Paine came up with a model for a single-span bridge. In 1887, Adolf Eugen Fick made the first pair of contact lenses. And in 1907, Paul Comu built the first helicopter. But Leonardo da Vinci thought of all these ideas more than five hundred years ago! At once an artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist, da Vinci wrote and drew detailed descriptions of what would later become hang gliders, automobiles, robots, and much more. In Neo Leo, Gene Barretta shows how Leonardo’s ideas — many inspired by his love of nature — foreshadowed modern inventions, offering a window into the future.

The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth

by Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by George Couch

Plowing a potato field in 1920, a 14-year-old boy from Idaho saw in the parallel rows of overturned earth a way to “make pictures fly through the air.” This boy was not a magician. He was a scientific genius. Just eight years later he made his brainstorm in the potato field a reality. He transmitted the world’s first television image.

Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor

By Laurie Wallmark, Illustrated by Katy Wu

To her adoring public, Hedy Lamarr was a glamorous movie star, widely considered the most beautiful woman in the world. But in private, she was something more: a brilliant inventor. And for many years only her closest friends knew her secret. Now Laurie Wallmark and Katy Wu tell the story of how, during World War Two, Lamarr developed a groundbreaking communications system that still remains essential to the security of today’s technology.

Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became An Inventor

by Emily Arnold McCully

With her sketchbook labeled My Inventions and her father’s toolbox, Mattie could make almost anything — toys, sleds, and a foot warmer. When she was just twelve years old, Mattie designed a metal guard to prevent shuttles from shooting off textile looms and injuring workers. As an adult, Mattie invented the machine that makes the square-bottom paper bags we still use today.

George Ferris What A Wheel

by Barbara Lowell, Illustrated by Jerry Hoare

Have you ever ridden a Ferris wheel? You can see for miles! But when the inventor of the Ferris wheel, George Ferris, first pitched the idea, everyone thought he was crazy. A 250-foot bicycle wheel that goes around and around and can carry 2,160 people in train size cars at the same time? Can’t be done, they said. But George proved them wrong. Teacher Guide available at: https://barbaralowell.com/teacher-guide-2/

George Crum and the Saratoga Chip

by Gaylia Taylor, Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Who invented the potato chip? George Crum did as a chef in a Saratoga Springs, New York restaurant in 1853. Who knew the potato chip was that old?

Papa’s Mechanical Fish

by Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Boris Kulikov

Clink! Clankety-bang! Thump-whirr! That’s the sound of Papa at work. Although he is an inventor, he has never made anything that works perfectly. That’s because he hasn’t yet found a truly fantastic idea. But when he takes his family fishing on Lake Michigan, his daughter Virena asks, “Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a fish? Papa is off to his workshop. With a lot of persistence and a little bit of help, Papa — who is based on the real-life inventor Lodner Phillips — creates a submarine that can take his family for a trip to the bottom of Lake Michigan.

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine

by Laurie Wallmark, Illustrated by Amy Chu

Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, develops her creativity through science and math. When she meets Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Ada understands the machine better than anyone else and writes the world’s first computer program.

Eat My Dust! Henry Ford’s First Race

by Monica Kulling, Illustrated by Richard Walz

It’s 1901 and Henry Ford wants to build a car that everyone can own. But first he needs the money to produce it. How will he get it. He enters a car race, of course!

A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver

by Aliki

Award winning author and illustrator Aliki tells George Washington Carver’s story in this beautifully told and illustrated picture book.

Thomas Edison and His Bright Idea

by Patricia Brennan DeMuth, Illustrated by Jez Tuya

As a curious child who was always asking questions, it’s no wonder Thomas Edison grew up to become a famous, prolific inventor. This easy-to-read nonfiction story follows Edison from his time in school to his career as a full-time inventor. Edison’s discoveries will fascinate and inspire all curious young minds!

Who Were The Wright Brothers?

by James Buckley, Jr., Illustrated by Tom Foley

As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success by working with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. The brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world’s first successful airplane. These aviation pioneers never lost sight of their dream to fly and to soar higher!

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may like: Leonardo Da Vinci Invented https://barbaralowell.com/leonardo-da-vinci-invented

Thomas Edison Invented https://barbaralowell.com/thomas-edison-invented

Ben Franklin Invented Swim Fins https://barbaralowell.com/ben-franklin-invented-swim-fins

Books For Kids — Frida Kahlo

27 June 2016January 25, 2023

Me Frida

by Amy Novesky, Illustrated by David Diaz

Like a tiny bird in a big city, Frida Kahlo feels lost and lonely when she arrives in San Francisco with her husband, the famous artist Diego Rivera. It is the first time she has left her home in Mexico. And Frida wants to be a painter too. But as Frida begins to explore San Francisco on her own, she discovers more than the beauty. She discovers the diversity, and exuberance of America. She finds the inspiration she needs to become one of the most celebrated artists of all time. 4-8 years

Frida Kahlo

Viva Frida

by Yuyi Morales

Frida Kahlo, one of the world’s most famous and unusual artists is revered around the world. Her life was filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases. 4-8 years

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos

By Monica Brown, Illustrated by John Parra

The fascinating Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, is remembered for her self-portraits and her dramatic works featuring bold and vibrant colors. Monica Brown tells the story of Frida and her beloved pets — two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn. These animals helped to inspire Frida’s art and her life. 4-8 years

Frida

by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Ana Juan

When her mother was worn out from caring for her five sisters, her father gave her lessons in brushwork and color. When polio kept her bedridden for nine months, drawing saved her from boredom. And when a bus accident left her in unimaginable agony, her paintings expressed her pain and depression — and eventually, her joys and her loves. Over and over again, Frida Kahlo turned the challenges of her life into art. 4-8 years

My Little Golden Book About Frida Kahlo

By Silivia Lopez, Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

This Little Golden Book captures the essence of Frida Kahlo for the youngest readers. From overcoming illness, to being one of only a handful of girls at her school in Mexico, to having her paintings hanging in museums, this is an inspiring read for future trailblazers and their parents! Features informative text and colorful illustrations inspired by Frida’s own artwork. 2-5 years

Frida, A Board Book

By Summer Morrison

Join a youthful Frida as she spends the day with her animal friends, practicing their names in English and Spanish. At her bedtime, all of the friends (amigos) gather together to say goodnight (Buenas Noches). This book is inspired by the artwork and life of Frida Kahlo.

Frida Kahlo

By Isabel Munoz, Illustrated by Jane Kent

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created vibrantly hued paintings and led an equally colorful life. Known for her self-portraits, she became a feminist icon whose work now sells for millions of dollars. This biography looks at Frida’s childhood, including her bout with polio, as well as her devotion to Mexican culture and political causes. It tells about the bus accident that left her in chronic pain but also sparked her career and her marriage to Diego Rivera. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge. 6 and up

The Story of Frida Kahlo: A Biography Book for New Readers

By Susan B. Katz

Frida Kahlo is one of the most celebrated artists in the world, but before she made history with her beautiful paintings and brave spirit, she went through a life-changing accident that would have made many people want to give up. This book shows you how she fought to overcome setbacks and follow her passion to create amazing artwork and make the world a more colorful place.

You can explore how she went from a young girl from a small Mexican town to one of the most well-known painters in history. How will her creativity and can-do attitude inspire you? 8 years+

Frida Kahlo: The Artist in the Blue House

By Magdalena Holzhey

This book looks into the world of the artist Frida Kahlo and introduces children to the themes that infused her vibrant paintings and shows how her life influenced her art. Through illustrations of her work and photographs of Kahlo and her family, children are encouraged to learn about her life, artworks, and important relationships. 8-12 years

Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself

by Margaret Frith, Illustrated by Tomie dePaola

This book explores the creative and imaginative world of Mexico’s most celebrated female artist. 5-9 years

Who Was Frida Kahlo

by Susan Fabiny, illustrated by Jerry Hoare

You can always recognize a painting by Kahlo. She is in nearly all of them with her black braided hair and colorful Mexican outfits. Frida transformed herself into a living work of art. She is famous for her self-portraits and her haunting imagery as well as her marriage to painter Diego Rivera. Her beloved homeland Mexico inspired Frida with its ancient culture and history. 8-12 years

A book about Frida Kahlo’s artist husband Diego Rivera:

Diego Rivera: His World And Ours

by Duncan Tonatiuh

This book introduces one of the most popular artists of the twentieth century, Diego Rivera, to young readers. It tells the story of Diego as a young, mischievous boy who demonstrated a clear passion for art and then went on to become one of the most famous painters in the world. 6-9 years

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

Frida Kahlo Facts for Kids: https://kids.kiddle.co/Frida_Kahlo

You may like Books For Kids: Artists https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-artists

Books For Kids — Kadir Nelson

8 June 2016February 17, 2021

Eleven books for kids by award-winning artist, author, and illustrator Kadir Nelson:

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

By Kadir Nelson

What began as a spiritual has developed into one of America’s best-known songs, and now for the first time it appears as a picture book, masterfully created by award-winning artist Kadir Nelson.Through sublime landscapes and warm images of a boy and his family, Kadir has created a dazzling, intimate interpretation, one that rejoices in the connectedness of people and nature.

Inspired by the song’s simple message, Kadir sought to capture the joy of living in and engaging with the world. Most importantly, he wished to portray the world as a child might see it—vast and beautiful.

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan In Pursuit of a Dream

by Delores Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan,

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams. He feared he’d never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That’s when his mother and father stepped in and shared an invaluable lesson. What really goes into the making of a champion is patience, determination, and hard work.

Ellington Was Not A Street

by Ntozake Shange, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Noted poet Ntozake Shange recalls her childhood home and the close-knit group of innovators that often gathered there. These men of vision, brought to life in the majestic paintings of artist Kadir Nelson, lived at a time when the color of their skin dictated where they could live, what schools they could attend, and even where they could sit on a bus or in a movie theater. Yet in the face of this tremendous adversity, these dedicated souls and others like them not only demonstrated the importance of Black culture in America, but also helped issue in a movement that “changed the world.”

Nelson Mandela

By Kadir Nelson

It is the story of a young boy’s determination to change South Africa, and of the struggles of a man who eventually became the president of his country. Mandela believed in equality for all people, no matter the color of their skin. Readers will be inspired by Mandela’s triumph and his lifelong quest to create a more just world.

Resources in the back include an author’s note and a bibliography listing additional sources for readers who want to find out more. Perfect for sharing at home or in the classroom.

Heart and Soul: The Story of Americans and African Americans

by Kadir Nelson

The story of Americans and African Americans is a story of hope and inspiration and unwavering courage. This is the story of the men, women, and children who toiled in the hot sun picking cotton for their masters. It’s about the America ripped in two by Jim Crow laws. And about the brothers and sisters of all colors who rallied against those who would dare bar a child from an education. This is a story of discrimination and broken promises, determination, and triumphs.

The Undefeated

By Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Originally performed for ESPN’s The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world’s greatest heroes. The text includes references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Back matter provides historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.

Coretta Scott

by Ntozake Shange, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Walking many miles to school in the dusty road, young Coretta Scott knew the unfairness of life in the segregated south. A yearning for equality began to grow. Together with Martin Luther King, Jr., she gave birth to a vision of change through nonviolent protest. It was the beginning of a journey — with dreams of freedom for all.

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

by Ellen Levine, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Henry Brown doesn’t know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves’ birthdays. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Henry grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday — his first day of freedom.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

This poetic book is a resounding tribute to Tubman’s strength, humility, and devotion. With proper reverence, Weatherford and Nelson do justice to the woman who, long ago, earned over and over the name Moses.

Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln (Big Words)

by Doreen Rappaport, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

From the time he was a young boy roaming the forests of the unsettled Midwest, Abraham Lincoln knew in his heart that slavery was deeply wrong. A voracious reader, Lincoln spent every spare moment of his days filling his mind with knowledge, from history to literature to mathematics, preparing himself to one day lead the country he loved toward greater equality and prosperity.

A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis

by Matt De La Pena, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

On the eve of World War II, African-American boxer Joe Louis fought German Max Schmeling in a bout that had more at stake than just the world heavyweight title. For much of America, their fight came to represent America’s war with Germany. This elegant and powerful picture book biography centers on this historic fight in which the American people came together to celebrate our nation’s founding ideals.

Visit Kadir Nelson at: http://kadirnelson.com

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may like: Kids Books Andrea Davis Pinkney https://barbaralowell.com/kids-books-andrea-davis-pinkney

Books For Kids: Baseball

24 May 2016February 18, 2021

Who Is Derek Jeter?

By Gail Herman, Illustrated by Andrew Thomson

When Derek Jeter was eight years old, he announced that he was going to play baseball for the New York Yankees. Jeter earned the attention of major league scouts in high school and was drafted to the New York Yankees in 1992. Named Rookie of the Year, he helped the Yankees win the World Series five times, and became team captain in 2003. With his good looks, easygoing personality, and sense of humor, Derek has always been a fan favorite. Retiring from baseball in 2014, Derek Jeter leaves behind a legacy.

Becoming Babe Ruth

by Matt Tavares

Before he is known as the Babe, George Herman Ruth is just a boy who lives in Baltimore and gets into a lot of trouble. But when he turns seven, his father brings him to the gates of Saint Mary’s Industrial School for Boys. His life is changed forever.

At Saint Mary’s, he’s expected to study hard and follow a lot of rules. But there is one good thing about Saint Mary’s. Almost every day, George gets to play baseball. Under the watchful eye of Brother Matthias, George evolves as a player and as a man. And when he sets off into the wild world of big-league baseball, the school, the boys, and Brother Matthias are never far from his heart.

Out of the Ballpark

By Alex Rodriguez, Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Before he hit 400 home runs…
Before he was named
American League MVP…
Before he was AROD to
millions of fans…
He was Alex.

Just a kid who wanted to play baseball more than anything else in the world. Baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez has drawn on his own childhood experiences to create this exciting picture book. It’s the story of a boy named Alex who knows what it’s like to swing at a wild pitch or have a ball bounce right between his legs. Alex is determined not to let his mistakes set him back—even if it means getting up at the crack of dawn to work on his hitting and fielding before school each day!

Baseball’s Greatest Hitters From Ty Cobb to Miguel Cabrera

By S.A. Kramer, Illustrated by Jim Campbell

This Step into Reading Step 5 Sports Reader profiles the greatest hitters in baseball: Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron. Now updated to include Miguel Cabrera, who made baseball history by achieving the Triple Crown in 2012, and up-and-comer Mike Trout. This star-studded survey remains contemporary by addressing the use of performance-enhancing drugs by some of baseball’s top stars.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

By Kadir Nelson

The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners, of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship, of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black America in the first half of the twentieth century. But most of all, the story of the Negro Leagues is about hundreds of unsung heroes who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible conditions, and low pay to do one thing they loved more than anything else in the world: play ball.

Baseball Biographies for Kids: The Greatest Players from the 1960s to Today

By Dean Burrell

It’s the bottom of the ninth, bases are loaded, and your team is down by three―who do you want coming up to bat? Baseball Biographies for Kids answers this question and more!

Bursting with statistics and impressive feats from the greatest players of the last 60 years, this lineup of inspirational baseball biographies shows you what it takes to be a real MVP. Discover the ultimate dream team as you explore the best pros for each position. You’ll also get quick looks into some truly legendary baseball players and lots of fun facts!

Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates

by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Raul Colon

On an island called Puerto Rico, there lived a little boy who wanted only to play baseball. Although he had no money, Roberto Clemente practiced and practiced until–eventually–he made it to the Major Leagues. America!

As a right-fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he fought tough opponents–and even tougher racism–but with his unreal catches and swift feet, he earned his nickname, “The Great One.” He led the Pirates to two World Series, hit 3,000 hits, and was the first Latino to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But it wasn’t just baseball that made Clemente legendary–he was also a humanitarian dedicated to improving the lives of others.

Campy: The Story of Roy Campanella

by David A. Adler, Illustrated by Gordon C. James

Roy Campanella loved baseball. A professional player from the age of fifteen, he later became the first African-American catcher to integrate Major League Baseball. Fans and players adored Campy for his good nature, and cheered his multiple MVP awards as a Brooklyn Dodger. But in 1958, his career ended when a car accident left him a quadriplegic. Refusing to give in to self-pity, Campy became a Dodgers coach, held baseball clinics for teenagers, and bravely advocated for the disabled.

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?

by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Andre Carrilho

An old-timer tells us what made Sandy Koufax such an amazing baseball player. We learn that the beginning of his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers was rocky, that he was shy with his teammates, and experienced discrimination as one of the only Jews in the game.

We hear that he actually quit, only to return the next season—different—firing one rocket after another over the plate. We watch him refuse to play in the 1965 World Series because it is a Jewish high holy day. And we see him in pain because of an overused left arm, eventually retiring at the peak of his career. Finally, we are told that people are still “scratchin’ their heads over Sandy,” who remains a modest hero and a mystery to this day.

Baseball’s Best

By Andrew Gutelle, Illustrated by Cliff Spohn

Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Hank Aaron—five amazing baseball legends. From the first black man to play major-league ball to the longest hitting streak ever, these are some of the game’s most inspiring stories. Find out what unforgettable feats won each player a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

My Little Golden Book About Jackie Robinson

By Frank Berrios, Illustrated by Betsy Bauer

This Little Golden Book captures the essence of Jackie Robinson for the littlest readers. Lively text and compelling artwork detail Robinson’s remarkable journey from childhood, to playing for the Negro Leagues, to then becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. Little ones will be inspired by the many challenges Robinson gracefully rose to, while they learn important baseball and civil rights history.

Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man

by David A. Adler, Illustrated by Terry Widener

Lou Gehrig’s perseverance is legendary. During fourteen years as a first baseman for the New York Yankees, he played in a record 2,130 consecutive games, earning himself the nickname Iron Horse. Lou loved baseball and considered himself a very lucky man, even though on his thirty-sixth birthday he was diagnosed with a fatal disease.

Satchel Paige

by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrated by James E. Ransome

No one pitched like Leroy “Satchel” Paige. Fans packed the stands to see how many batters he could strike out in one game. He dazzled them with his unique pitching style, and he even gave nicknames to some of his trademark pitches — there was the “hesitation,” his magic slow ball, and the “bee ball,” named because it would always “be” where he wanted it to be.

Follow Satch’s career as he begins playing in the semipros and goes on to become the first African American to pitch in a major League World Series, and the first Negro Leaguer to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Teammates

by Peter Golenbock, Illustrated by Paul Bacon

The story of how Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a Major League baseball team when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s, and how on a fateful day in Cincinnati, Pee Wee Reese took a stand and declared Jackie his teammate.

You Never Heard of Willie Mays?

by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Terry Widener

Many believe baseball great Willie Mays to be the best player that ever lived. He hit 660 home runs (fourth best of all time), had a lifetime batting average of .302, and is second only to Babe Ruth on The Sporting News‘s list of “Baseball’s 100 Greatest Players.”

The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America’s Hero

by Barb Rosenstock, Illustrated by Terry Widener

In the summer of 1941, Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio and his favorite bat, Betsy Ann, begin the longest hitting streak in baseball history. But when Betsy Ann goes missing, will DiMaggio keep hitting? Set on the brink of World War II, this is a spellbinding account of a sports story that united the country and made DiMaggio a hero, at a time when one was profoundly needed.

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may like: Kids Books Girls Playing Baseball https://barbaralowell.com/kids-books-girls-playing-baseball

Books For Kids Jackie Robinson https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-jackie-robinson

Barnstorming Bessie Coleman

11 May 2016August 21, 2019

Bessie Coleman, born to Texas sharecroppers in 1892, wanted more out of life than picking cotton. She wanted to “amount to something.” One of thirteen children, Bessie left Texas for Chicago in 1915, to live with her brothers Walter and John.

Bessie attended a beauty school and became a manicurist. She worked at the White Sox Barber Shop during World War I. Bessie listened to the daring stories told by pilots returning from Europe. Her brother, John, who had served in WWI teased her that French women were superior because they could fly planes. Bessie decided she would fly too. But no U.S. aviation schools would accept her. She was an African American woman.

Bessie Coleman

Bessie enjoyed reading the African American newspaper the Chicago Defender. The publisher, Robert S. Abbott, learned about Bessie’s dream to fly. He suggested that she learn French and apply for training at a French flight school. Bessie quickly learned the language and was accepted by a leading aviation school in France.

Bessie Coleman

Learning to fly the Nieuport Type 82 biplane required skill and daring. Although Bessie witnessed the death of a fellow student, she continued to fly determined to succeed. She trained for seven months. On June 15, 1921, Bessie received her pilot’s license. She was the first African American woman to do so. And the first African American to receive an International pilot’s license.

Returning home, Bessie was unable to find employment as an aviator. She traveled again to Europe for advanced training and to learn aerial stunt flying. Bessie was considered by experienced European pilots to be an exceptional flyer.

Returning again to the U.S., Bessie had a new dream. She would open a flight school to train African American women. Bessie needed money to finance this. With her skill and training, she became a barnstormer. In the early days of flying, pilots toured the country performing stunts at exhibitions to earn a living. They were called barnstormers.

Bessie Coleman In Her Uniform

Bessie first appeared at an air show in Garden City, Long Island. She dressed in a military style uniform. She performed loops and spirals over the crowd. The show billed Bessie as “the world’s greatest woman flier.”

Bessie appeared in more air shows. In 1923, she was able to purchase a Curtiss JM4 military surplus biplane known as a Jenny. Bessie flew in her Jenny before a Los Angeles crowd in June that year. Her plane stalled and crashed. Bessie survived the accident, but was left with a broken leg and three broken ribs.

On June 19, 1925, Bessie returned to the air in Texas to celebrate Juneteenth. Texas slaves were effectively freed from slavery by U.S. troops on June 19, 1865. Beginning that day, Bessie refused to perform in the south if African Americans were banned from attendance.

To help raise funds for her flight school, Bessie spoke to audiences about flying. She encouraged African Americans to consider flying too.

Bessie never realized her dream of opening a flight school. She purchased another Jenny biplane in 1926. Many people including her family considered it to be in poor condition. On April 30, 1926, Bessie flew as a passenger in the plane scouting a landing site for a parachute jump. The pilot, William Wills, lost control. Bessie and Wills like many early aviators lost their lives flying.

Bessie Coleman, called “Brave Bess” inspired women to live their dreams as she had lived hers. In 2006, she was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

You may also like: Amelia Earhart Crosses The Atlantic https://www.amelia-earhart-crosses-atlantic

Harriet Quimby America’s First Female Licensed Pilot https://barbaralowell.com/harriet-quimby-pilot

Elinor Smith Teenage Flying Flapper https://barbaralowell.com/elinor-smith-flying-flapper

Books For Kids:

Fly High!

By Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger

Illustrated by Teresa Flavin

Talkin’ About Bessie The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman

By Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth

4 May 2016August 21, 2019

New York Times, April 2, 1931 — Jackie Mitchell, organized baseball’s first girl pitcher struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the first inning today.

Seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell, a new pitcher for the Chattanooga Lookouts, a minor league baseball team, faced the “Sultan of Swat” and the “Iron Horse,” the best of the best New York Yankees batters and stuck them out.

Jackie, one of the first females to sign a baseball contract grew up playing sports. When she was eight, her neighbor Brooklyn Dodger’s pitcher Dazzy Vance taught Jackie how to pitch.

The owner of the Lookouts, Joe Engel watched Jackie pitch at a baseball training camp and offered her a contract. Now he had the only team with a female pitcher. Engel enjoyed using stunts to bring crowds into the ballpark. After signing Jackie, he promoted an exhibition game between the Lookouts and the New York Yankees who were traveling home from spring training.

Jackie Mitchell

On April 2, 1931, starting pitcher Clyde Barfoot faced the first two Yankee batters giving up two hits. Lookout’s manager Bert Niehoff tossed him out and put Jackie in. Next up, Babe Ruth followed by Lou Gehrig.

Jackie Mitchell with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

Babe tipped his hat to Jackie. Her first pitch was ball one. Babe swung and missed the second pitch for a strike. Then he swung and missed again. Strike two. Jackie threw her next pitch and Babe watched it cross the plate for strike three. He threw his bat into the dirt and walked back to the dugout.

Now Lou Gehrig was up. He swung and missed Jackie’s first three pitches and stuck out. With only seven pitches, Jackie struck out two of baseball’s all-time greatest batters. The crowd of 4,000 gave her a standing ovation.

Jackie shows off for Gehrig and Ruth

Jackie walked the next batter, second baseman Tony Lazzeri. Then manager Bert Niehoff pulled her out of the game and returned pitcher Clyde Barfoot. The Yankees beat the Lookouts 14-4.

Baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, not known for his kind heartedness, voided Jackie’s contract making her first game with the Lookouts her last.

Landis decided that baseball was “too strenuous” for women. But Jackie continued to play, traveling around the country with a barnstorming team. She retired at age twenty-three never doubting that she had actually struck out Ruth and Gehrig without any help from them.

If you like this article, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Childen’s Author

You might also like: Books For Kids: Baseball https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-baseball

Books For Kids:

Mighty Jackie The Strike-Out Queen

by Marissa Moss Illustated by C.F. Payne

Babe Ruth Saves Baseball

By Frank Murphy, Illustrated by Richard Walz

Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man

By David A. Adler, Illustrated by Terry Widener

Vinnie Ream’s Abraham Lincoln

20 April 2016August 21, 2019

Vinnie Ream, eighteen-years-old, was the first woman and the youngest person, to receive a commission from the United States government to sculpt a statue. She won the commission over many talented male sculptors. But why?

As a young girl, Vinnie Ream learned to paint and draw from members of the Winnebago tribe, in Madison, Wisconsin where she lived. In 1861, her family moved to Washington, D.C. To help support her family during the Civil War, fourteen-year-old Vinnie worked as a clerk for the U.S. Post Office, the first woman to do so. Vinnie also volunteered in local hospitals helping wounded soldiers to write letters home.

Vinnie Ream

Through a congressman, Vinnie met sculptor Clark Mills, a renowned artist at the time. At his studio, she watched him work and felt that she too could sculpt. Vinnie worked with clay for a few hours and made a medallion of an Indian chief’s head. Impressed by Vinnie’s ability, Mills invited her to be his apprentice.

Soon, she sculpted busts of members of Congress who became her friends. They asked her to produce a marble bust. Vinnie chose President Abraham Lincoln as her subject. The president rejected the idea at first. But after learning that Vinnie was a westerner and was not well-off financially, he agreed. It is said that Vinnie worked on her bust of Lincoln in his office over a five month period.

Vinnie Ream’s Bust of Abraham Lincoln

After Lincoln’s assassination in April 1865, Congress decided to pay tribute to him with a full-size statue to be placed in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. Impressed by the life-like appearance of her bust of Lincoln, Vinnie was awarded the $10,000 commission and was provided a studio in the basement of the Capitol. To make the correct measurements, she was given the clothing that Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated.

Unlike other sculptors, Vinnie opened her to studio to the public. Visitors watched tiny Vinnie stand on scaffolding to sculpt the tall clay model. Once it was completed, it was cast in plaster and shipped to Rome. Vinnie and her parents traveled there to select marble for the statue. She choose white Carrara marble the type that Michelangelo had used. The statue was then sculpted by Italian stonecutters and unveiled at the U.S. Capitol in January 1871. Vinnie was only twenty-three-years-old.

Vinnie Ream’s Statue of Abrahma Lincoln

“The one great, lasting, all-dominating impression that I have always carried of Lincoln has been that of unfathomable sorrow, and it was this that I tried to put into my statue.” — Vinnie Ream

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

A Book For Kids:

Vinnie and Abraham

by Dawn FitzGerald

Illustrated by Catherine Stock

To Learn More About Vinnie Ream Visit: http://www.vinnieream.com

You may like: Books For Kids: Abe Lincoln https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-abe-lincoln

Elinor Smith, Teenage Flying Flapper

13 April 2016August 21, 2019

Six-year-old Elinor Smith persuaded her father to let her fly in a Farman pusher biplane near her home on Long Island, New York. “By the time the pilot touched the wheels gently to the earth, I knew my future in airplanes and flying was as inevitable as the freckles on my nose.”

Farman pusher biplane

Elinor took flying lessons at age 10. Sitting on a pillow with her feet resting on blocks tied to the controls, Elinor learned to fly and by age 12, “I could do everything but take off and land.” She soloed a plane at age 15 and became the youngest licensed pilot at 16. Her license was signed by Orville Wright.

Elinor received worldwide attention when she was challenged to fly under one of New York’s East River bridges. Elinor not only met the challenge in 1928 at age 17, she flew the Waco 10 plane under four bridges: the Queensboro, the Manhattan, the Williamsburg and the Brooklyn Bridge. Charles Lindbergh wished her good luck and said, “…keep your nose down in the turns.” Her stunt has never been repeated.

Elinor Smith

Voted “Best Female Pilot” in 1930 by her peers, Elinor set many speed, altitude and endurance records. In 1934, she became the first woman on a Wheaties cereal box. Nicknamed the “Flying Flapper,” Elinor retired from flying for awhile to marry and raise her children, but returned in 1956, flying jets. Her last flight was in 2001, at age 89 when she flew an experimental plane at Langley Air Force Base. Elinor Smith died on March 19, 2010 at age 98.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

A Book For Kids:

Soar, Elinor! By Tami Lewis Brown Illustrated by Francois Roca

You may also like: Amelia Earhart Crosses The Atlantic https://barbaralowell.com/amelia-earhart-crosses-atlantic

Harriet Quimby America’s First Female Licensed Pilot https://barbaralowell.com/harriet-quimby-pilot

Barnstorming Bessie Coleman https://barbaralowell.com/barnstorming-bessie-coleman

Photo by San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives

Elizabeth Blackwell

18 March 2016February 2, 2023

In Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell, author Tanya Lee Stone tells how Elizabeth Blackwell’s dream to become a doctor was finally realized. Elizabeth, the first American female to receive a medical degree was rejected by every medical school she applied to, until…

Elizabeth Blackwell

…the students at New York’s Geneva Medical College, thinking their teachers were only joking when they asked if a woman should be admitted, voted to let Elizabeth in. What a surprise when she showed up. Elizabeth outsmarted the entire class graduating with the highest grades in 1849.

Geneva Medical College

After graduation, Elizabeth was unable to find employment. It seemed that no one wanted to hire a female physician. Elizabeth sailed to Europe for additional training and returned to New York City where she opened her own medical practice.

Elizabeth also ran a free clinic teaching hygiene to poor women and children. With her sister Emily, the third American female to receive a medical degree, Elizabeth opened The New York Infirmary for Women and Children. Elizabeth later opened her own medical school at the Infirmary training woman as doctors.

Elizabeth Blackwell persevered and lived her dream, leading the way for American women physicians.

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell is a beautifully told picture book biography with engaging illustrations by Marjorie Priceman for children.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

Visit Author Tanya Lee Stone at: http://www.tanyastone.com

To Learn More:

Wilma Rudolph, Champion Sprinter

9 March 2016August 21, 2019

Wilma Rudoph overcame polio as a child to become the fastest female sprinter in the world. She was the first woman to win three Olympic gold medals in a single Olympic Games.

Born premature at 4 and 1/2 pounds, Wilma contracted polio at age four. She wore a brace on her left leg and worked with a physical therapist. Through sheer determination, Wilma walked without the brace by age nine. By age eleven, she no longer needed an orthopedic shoe.

Wilma, one of twenty-two children, loved basketball. With two strong legs, she became a star player at her Tennessee high school. Tennessee State University track and field coach Ed Temple watched Wilma in action. He knew at once that she was a gifted athlete. He first invited her to participate in the Tennessee State summer track and field program. From then on she trained with him.

In 1956, at age sixteen, Wilma became the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team competing in the Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia. She won a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 m relay.

Wilma raced again in the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome. She won and set records in the 200 m dash and the 4 x 100 m relay and won the 100 m dash. Nicknamed “The Tornado,” at age twenty, Wilma became the “fastest woman in the world.” She was the first woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games — the first Olympic Games to be televised.

Coach Ed Temple and team, Rome, 1960

“I always had the worst starts in the history of sprinters because of my size [5’11”]. I was the tallest sprinter that ever came from the United States. In my first 35-45 yards, I was never in the race so I was always happy they didn’t have 35-45 yard races. The farther I ran, the faster I became. I could always accelerate at the end and that was the key to the success of Wilma Rudolph, never the start.”

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

A Book For Kids:

Wilma Unlimited

By Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by David Diaz

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