Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller, by Joseph Lambert

Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller

This is an engaging and moving graphic novel about Annie Sullivan, describing, in flashbacks, her tragical childhood of loss and deprivation, her own partial blindness, and then her acclaimed work as Helen Keller's teacher.

Joseph Lambert created a special cartoon style--wordless, in mostly gray and black, and using simple human forms without visual details--for the period during which Helen, up to about age 8, had no language whatsoever, due to her blindness and deafness. These pages are interwoven with detailed, colorful pages showing what else is happening at the same time (such as conversations between Helen's parents and Annie), that Helen is not aware of.

Those of us familiar with some of the conventional biographies of Helen Keller will recognize these scenes, such as Helen running around her family's breakfast table, helping herself to everyone's plate, grabbing and eating their eggs. A strong pair of arms, which we know must be Annie's arms, are shown restraining Helen, repeatedly, making her sit in a chair, and hold a spoon, which Helen endlessly resists.

There is the well-known scene at a water pump, in which Helen finally understands what Annie has so long been trying to teach her--that the word for "water" represents water. And so Helen acquires language, which transforms her life. After this, their relationship deepens, and becomes a flourishing and life-long friendship and collaboration.

This beautiful book is very highly recommended.   2012.

K. Muhm

Liberty's Voice: The Story of Emma Lazarus, by Erica Silverman. IIlustrated by Stacey Schuett

 Liberty's Voice: The Story of Emma Lazarus

Unless they have visited the Statue of Liberty, many young children may not have heard of the poet Emma Lazarus. This picture book biography tells the fascinating story of the woman whose poem, "The New Colossus" is engraved on a plaque in the Statue of Liberty. From the time she was a young girl, Emma loved learning and writing. She kept a notebook which she filled with her poetry. It is a little-known fact that at Emma's request, Ralph Waldo Emerson served as her writing coach. As she became increasingly more aware of the difficulties and injustices immigrants coming to the United States experienced, Emma wrote newspaper articles, plays and poems to raise awareness and change attitudes.

Although in picture book format, LIBERTY'S VOICE tells a story that will interest readers of all ages. The bright watercolor illustrations wonderfully capture the feeling of the nineteenth century. This book may even inspire a family trip to Liberty Park and Ellis Island.

2011

C. Buchanan

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton Johnson. Illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace

Did you know that one person can change the world? Wangari, a young girl growing up in Kenya, did! She learned from her mother that the mugumo tree was home to many creatures and supplied food to many people and animals. When she returned to Kenya after studying biology in college in the United States, she saw that foreign companies were cutting down trees so they could develop coffee plantations. With fewer and fewer trees to hold the soil in place, the land was being destroyed. Wangari began a campaign to encourage women to plant trees. Eventually thirty million trees were planted! Learn how Wangari's persistence taught people all over the world to protect the environment. She showed the power women can have when they work together. This true story is brightly illustrated with stylized drawings that make you want to visit Kenya. An inspiring biography for readers of all ages.

2010

C. Buchanan