Tales of Famous Americans

MY DAUGHTER WANTED THIS BOOK AND I FOUND IT HERE, USED BUT IN GREAT SHAPE. SHE LOVES IT AND IT IS VERY ENTERTAINING FOR HER TO LEARN ABOUT FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE CHANGES HAPPEN IN AMERICA.

This is one of my son's favorite books. It's a great sample of different Americans, each making their mark in our history. The pictures catch his attention and the content is just enough for him to want to learn more about each person.(which makes me happy too!) He is able to read the stories, but they are still a bit challenging for his level. It'd be great if they'd make this a series.

While this is not a definitive book, it is an interesting addition to elementary school libraries and even elementary classrooms where American history is taught. "Tales of Famous Americans" is a collection of stories about fourteen famous and not-so-famous Americans. The stories were written by Connie and Peter Roop and illustrated by Charlie Powell. The teamwork produced interesting results. For example, an illustration of Pocahontas is juxtaposed against an actual early photograph of the Jamestown River. Illustrations of a string of pearls, which Powhatan gave to Pocahantas for her wedding, a settler's house, and a picture of Thomas Rolfe, son of Pocahontas, are shown against bright green pages. Pocahontas is first. After mingling with early settlers, Pocahontas, Chief Powhatan's favorite child out of twenty-seven, was abducted to prevent further strife between natives and settlers. She eventually married a white settler and had a child. A year later she returned with her husband and child to England where she later died. Ben Franklin, with the usual candles, printing press, bifocals, and the Pennsylvania State House, and his story are placed on goldenrod pages. Then come George Washington (periwinkle), Davy Crockett (cattle, raccoons, and the Alamo), Abe Lincoln, Suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman (abolitionist), Sitting Bull (Lakota Sioux leader) are among some of these Famous Americans. Later Americans include Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Helen Keller (who looks surprisingly like Patti Duke), Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Four lesser known Americans are also featured in this slim volume: Mia Hamm is one. When Mia was five years old, her parents adopted an older Thai-American orphan. It was he who gave her the impetus to play soccer to win. This story is included. Delores Huerta is a labor leader (her illustration is NOT attractive) and Madam C.J. Walker created hair products for African-American women. She became so successful that hundreds worked for her, but the best thing was using her money to help other African-Americans. She gave to churches and built a theater, doctor and dentist offices--all for the use of African-Americans! Another fascinating famous American is Yo-Yo Ma (Yo-Yo means "friendly" in Chinese). He was born in Paris, France. When Yo-Yo was six, his family immigrated to America. Later that year he and his sister played before President John Kennedy. He played the cello, his sister played the piano. A graduate of Harvard University, Yo-Yo Ma has also used his talent to broaden music horizons for others in this country and around the world. "Tales of Famous Americans" belongs in every elementary school library. Many of these Americans can be found in other books, but ones like Yo-Yo Ma and Madam Walker are enough to make this book worth having for the individual child. Recommended.

Great illustrations- Charlie Powell rocks! Looking forward to more of his work in the future!