Illustrated by Gary Kelley; Little Brown for Young Readers
A dramatic narrative, along with Eleanor Roosevelt’s own words, traces her transformation from a shy, frightened child to the First Lady of the World.
Awards
- Arkansas Diamond Reading List
- Booklist: Youth Editor’s Choice Titles
- New York Council for the Humanities, The Together Book Club
- One Book/One School, Powell Magnet School, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Platinum Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
- Tennessee Volunteer State Book Reading List
- Academia Norte Americana De La Lengua Espanola, University of Texas-San Antonio, Premio De Literature Infantil Y Juvenil Campoy – Ada , Primer Premio
Reviews
“Even familiar political figures can get bold new treatments, as this dramatic picture-book biography shows. The narrative moves swiftly through the important moments in Roosevelt’s life, including marriage and family, but along with accomplishments, Rappaport does something more subtle — she shows the way Eleanor grew into herself. Crisp sentences focus the narrative and are bolstered by the quotes that end each page. If the text has a smart spareness to it, the accompanying art is composed of rich, beautifully crafted paintings that also catch Roosevelt’s growing sense of purpose. an exciting introduction to a well-loved leader.” Booklist, starred review
“Rappaport’s spare text and Kelley’s handsome paintings, evocative of WPA murals, reclaim the legendary first lady’s story for the younger set, revealing the person behind the icon. Even if readers have little sense of history, they will close the book understanding that it was America’s great fortune to have Eleanor’s life coincide with some of its darkest hours.” Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
“…Celebrate women in history and politics with this picture-book life.” School Library Journal, starred review
Celebrating Eleanor Roosevelt and Women’s History at the Powell Magnet School.
Eleanor overcame her insecurities as a child, ultimately traveling across the United States and all over world on behalf of all people living in poverty, World War II soldiers and veterans, women’s rights and human rights. She truly became the “First Lady of the World” and is honored each year during Women’s History Month.
From the Author’s Note
When I was a young, there was little information available about women and their accomplishments outside their roles of being mothers, wives, and homemakers. The one exception was Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a role model for me, my friends, and our mothers because she represented what was possible for women.
Her courage, persistence, and determination inspired me to think about and to pursue what I believed in. I share her life with you, with the hope that you – girls and boys – will follow her advice:
“Do something every day that scares you.”
On December 10, 1948, The United Nations ratified The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eleanor was the US Representative at the United Nations and had worked tirelessly for its passage.
The Declaration consists of 30 Articles, but its message is really a simple statement which she believed:
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
Eleanor Roosevelt with the Spanish version of the Declaration of Human Rights – Image from Wikipedia
Inside Page – Eleanor, Quiet No More!
Though she was a quiet child, she ultimately traveled across the country and all over world on behalf of Americans living in poverty, World War II soldiers and veterans, women’s rights and human rights. She truly became the “first lady of the world” and is honored each year during Women’s History Month.
Learn More
The Franklin D. Roosevelt President Library (FDR) in Hyde Park, New York includes Eleanor Roosevelt’s newspaper articles and correspondence.
Eleanor Roosevelt – National Historic Site, Hyde Park, New York. The only National Historic Site dedicated to a first lady. It is now also the ‘home’ for the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill.
National Women’s Hall of Fame – established in 1969 to showcase great women and is home to exhibits, artifacts, and a research library and online resource.
Return to Big Word Biographies or Return to Celebrating Women’s History