10/19/2015
Winter (The Founding Fathers!) kicks off his enthusiastic profile of 2016 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton by ranking her as the modern-day successor to Queen Elizabeth, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter. He traces the roots of Clinton’s intellect and ambition to her childhood as a take-charge tomboy and excellent student. Readers learn how her outspoken nature, drive to excel, and growing passion for public service fueled her rise to academic heights in college and a successful law career, as well as advocacy for women and children. Winter focuses on Clinton’s professional achievements (“But why stop at the Senate? Hillary was the first First Lady to run for president!”) and resilience rather than a precise time line, though he includes several significant dates and expresses support for Clinton’s current run for the presidency in an author’s note. Much of Colón’s mixed-media artwork takes its inspiration from familiar photographs of Clinton on the job and in the spotlight. But he also captures several private moments (Bill and Hillary welcoming baby Chelsea, Hillary working alone at her desk) in what feel more like personal family photos. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)
Praise for Jonah Winter's Lillian's Right to Vote:
"Moving.... Stirs up a potent mixture of grief, anger, and pride at the history of black people’s fight for access to the ballot box." —The New York Times
"A much-needed picture book that will enlighten a new generation about battles won and a timely call to uphold these victories in the present." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"A valuable introduction to and overview of the civil rights movement." —Publishers Weekly, Starred
"An important book that will give you goose bumps." —Booklist, Starred
Praise for Jonah Winter's You Never Heard of Willie Mays?!:
“Even adults who are indifferent to baseball will likely be so drawn into Mays’ story and Winter’s rousing text that they’ll want to gather up a crowd just to read this one aloud." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred
“A must-have for baseball fans.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred
“An all-star gem to share with grandparents, parents, children, baseball fans and anyone else.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred
“The Say Hey Kid had style to spare, and so does this irrepressible book.” —Booklist, Starred
12/01/2015
K-Gr 2—Winter opens this picture book biography of Hillary Rodham Clinton by comparing the presidential candidate to three other strong women in history, Queen Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter. Through straightforward text that reflects his admiration for Clinton, Winter introduces her as a "scrappy" girl who "did well in school, played sports with boys, and liked to be in charge." The author takes Clinton from an outspoken student at Wellesley College to First Lady of the United States, senator, and secretary of state, discussing her marriage to Bill Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, along the way. Colón aptly depicts these important events using mixed-media illustrations that resemble pictures in a family album. The warm tones and soft colors personalize this story of a strong, passionate woman who works hard and is driven to succeed. Winter concludes with an author's note that describes Clinton's life in more detail and expresses why he chose to honor her: "By becoming president, she would demonstrate that a girl can grow up to be the most powerful person in the world. That's the world where I want to live." VERDICT A strong addition to biography collections.—Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY
2015-11-03
She is a powerful force in current American politics and immediately identifiable by her first name. Veteran picture-book biographer Winter pulls out all the stops in his very laudatory overview of the life of a fighter for women's rights and health care. Placing her directly in line with Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter, he flies through her childhood, college years, and marriage, followed by her time as first lady, New York senator, secretary of state, and presidential hopeful. Colón's signature, textured artwork—made with watercolor, colored pencils, and lithograph crayons—features Clinton in action on the podium, writing, and speaking. A final double-page spread borders on the hagiographic, with a silhouetted face in the foreground and golden rays of sun radiating across the pages. All in all, this is presented as an inspirational title about a woman who "may soon change the world—into a place where a girl can dream of growing up to be president, a place where men and women are equal." Hillary Rodham Clinton's serious and stylish face fills the jacket cover, the Capitol Dome in the background, inevitably prompting readers to imagine the White House in the forefront. This book's audience will select itself; red staters will avoid it, but Clinton's fans will love it. (author's note) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)
