04/01/2021
PreS-Gr 2—Employing the first-person voice and simple prose, these biographies convey the lives of a mix of personalities. Interesting facts are provided for readers: the Dalai Lama was chosen as a leader at age two, Fred Rogers enjoyed playing with puppets, Jackie Kennedy loved to ride horses, and John Lewis helped plan the March on Washington. Each title includes a laudatory statement that clarifies the individual's significance, for example, Nelson Mandela's "I changed my country" and Laura Bush's "I helped pass education laws." Well-rendered drawings of the subjects are included, as are photographs. The volumes provide an appropriate amount of information for the grade levels, and young readers should find them engaging. VERDICT Interesting and informative, these titles will complement a primary grades' curriculum. Purchases should be considered based on need.
