Pocket Bios by Al Berenger - ADVISABLE

Pocket Bios by Al Berenger. PICTURE BOOK. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. $15.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Each book is divided into about ten sections. Each section has a guiding topic at the top, two or three paragraphs, and a date or date range. These are each paired with a cartoonish illustration. Following the text is a timeline, map key, people to know page, and fun facts. 

I love the way the text is divided up into sections that make the biographies accessible. There is a lot of detail in these biographies without being hard to read. The illustrations are cartoonish which makes it less aesthetically pleasing but less intimating for young readers. These books do a good job covering the whole span of a life - not just the moments they are famous for. I am disappointed that there are only four women covered in the collection so far. 

Blackbeard   9781250166050  

This book was unlike the others in that it was about a historical figure not to be looked up to. I learned that Blackbeard was so fierce that he wove cannon fuses into his beard.

Isaac Newton   9781250168795  

I learned that in his tinkering, Isaac once built a tiny mill powered by a mouse. 

Muhammad Ali   9781250168740  

I learned that Muhammad lost his world title because he opposed the Vietnam war.

Charlie Chaplin  9781250166234  

I learned that many of Charlie’s movies were not only funny, but also a commentary on plights of different populations. This text is very circular, starting with his poor beginnings and ending with his generous donations to the poor. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher