PICTURE BOOK NONFICTION: Leave It to Abigail by Barb Rosenstock and Honeybee by Candice Fleming
ABOUT THE BOOK
Everyone knew Abigail was different.
Instead of keeping quiet, she blurted out questions. Instead of settling down with a wealthy minister, she married a poor country lawyer named John Adams. Instead of running from the Revolutionary War, she managed a farm and fed hungry soldiers. Instead of leaving the governing to men, she insisted they “Remember the Ladies.” Instead of fearing Europe’s kings and queens, she boldly crossed the sea to represent her new country. And when John become President of the United States, Abigail became First Lady, and a powerful advisor.
Leave it to Abigail–an extraordinary woman who surprised the world.
REVIEW
I've long admired Abigail Adams. Her intelligence and determination as well as her relationship with her husband have intrigued me. So naturally when I heard about this picture book biography about her I had to pick it up. It did not disappoint. Not only did I learn things about Abigail that I didn't previously know, but the illustrations are different than any I've seen before now. In many ways, Abigail was a product of her time, she spent much of her life running a household and raising a family. But in other ways, she stood out. Abigail's outspokenness, intelligence, and marriage to a man she loved made her different than many women of her time. It's difficult to summarize an entire life in a picture book, but this book does a excellent job of sharing some of the activities and experiences from Abigail's life that made her stand out. Abigail's efforts to support and aide her husband in his work on top of her own is admirable, especially since John was gone so often. The combination of animated illustrations and cross-stitch backgrounds and artwork makes for an eye-catching picture book. The notes and sources listed at the end are helpful and informative. An excellent example of a what a picture book biography can be.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Beginning at birth, the honeybee emerges through the wax cap of her cell and is driven to protect and take care of her hive. She cleans the nursery and feeds the larvae and the queen. But is she strong enough to fly? Not yet!
She builds wax comb to store honey, and transfers pollen from other bees into the storage. She defends the hive from invaders. Apis accomplishes all of this before beginning her life outdoors as an adventurer, seeking nectar to bring back to her hive.
Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann describe the life cycle of the hard-working honeybee in this poetically written, thoroughly researched picture book, similar in form and concept to the Sibert and Orbis Pictus award book Giant Squid, complete with stunning gatefold and an essay on the plight of honeybees.
REVIEW
As in their award winning book Giant Squid, Fleming and Rohmann have created a fascinating book about an animal. This time the focus is on the rapidly disappearing honeybee. The book takes the reader on a journey with a honeybee from birth to death. Fleming's amazing flowing free verse poetry shows how a young female honeybee grows and develops and moves from job to job until finally flying away to gather nectar. Rohmann's stunning illustrations are so large and detailed you can even see the small hairs on the honeybee's legs. The four page spread is amazingly beautiful showing the honeybee flying for the first time. If you've ever wanted to know more about the honeybee or even if you haven't, I highly recommend this gorgeous book. It's both informative and beautiful.
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