Two Great Nonfiction Picture Book Biographies

WHO SAYS WOMEN CAN'T BE DOCTORS?
The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell
by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Henry Holt and Company, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9048-2
Picture Book Biography
1st and up
Reviewed from purchased copy.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Some women could be teachers or seamstresses, but career options were few. Certainly no women were doctors.
 
But Elizabeth refused to accept the common beliefs that women weren’t smart enough to be doctors, or that they were too weak for such hard work. And she would not take no for an answer. Although she faced much opposition, she worked hard and finally—when she graduated from medical school and went on to have a brilliant career—proved her detractors wrong. This inspiring story of the first female doctor shows how one strong-willed woman opened the doors for all the female doctors to come.

REVIEW

There are more and more great picture book biographies being published about ordinary people who did extraordinary things.  I love it.  This is another great one to add to the list.  Elizabeth Blackwell was clearly a strong-willed person from the time she was little.  I loved the examples the author shares illustrating this, for example carrying her brother over her head until he gave in on whatever it was they fought about, and sleeping on a hard floor to 'toughen' herself up.  I also really liked the details about how she didn't set out to become a doctor, she didn't even like being around blood or sickness when she was younger.  But once the idea was planted in her mind, she persisted until she made her dream a reality, despite a tremendous amount of opposition.  I love stories like this because they are inspiring and true!  The illustrations by Marjorie Priceman are darling and match the spunky tone of the writing to a tee.  The bright colors and expressive faces add a great deal to the enjoyment of the story.  I highly recommend this as not only a great picture book biography, but just an awesome story period.

MARY WALKER WEARS THE PANTS

The True Story of The Doctor, Reformer, and Civil War Hero
by Cheryl Harness, illustrated by Carlo Molinari
Albert Whitman & Company, 2013
ISBN:  9780807549902
Picture Book Biography
Grades 1st and up
Reviewed from purchased copy.  

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mary Edwards Walker was unconventional for her time: She was one of the first women doctors in the country, she was a suffragist, and she wore pants! And when the Civil War struck, she took to the battlefields in a modified Union uniform as a commissioned doctor. For her service she became the only woman ever to earn the Medal of Honor. This picture book biography tells the story of a remarkable woman who challenged traditional roles and lived life on her own terms.

REVIEW   

I had to smile as I read this book. Mary Walker was a lady who knew her own mind and heart and lived according to her beliefs regardless of what others said or did.  She was mocked and gossiped about at all levels of society, she was even jailed at one time for daring to wear pants at a time when women were expected to wear only long dresses and skirts.  She also made her way through medical school and fought her way into the army to work as a surgeon during the Civil War.  Her courage both on the front lines and behind the front lines earned her the Medal of Honor.  While she didn't live to see women get the right to vote she did much to encourage women and men to fight for their civil rights.  Not only is this a fascinating story, but a great biography.  It's challenging to write a biography this short, but Harness does a great job giving the reader a glimpse of the brave woman that was Mary Walker as well as a glimpse of a time that isn't as long past as it might seem.  Another great picture book biography, a must have for schools and public libraries alike.