Pocket Bios Sent #3 by Al Berenger - ADVISABLE

Pocket Bios by Al Berenger.  PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. 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. 

Coco Chanel 9781250166258 

I learned a lot from this book that I didn’t know. One thing that stands out is learning that her very first design was a women’s riding outfit. 

Rosa Parks 9781250166173 

I learned about Rosa’s mom’s influence on her, teaching her about equality early on. 

Cleopatra 9781250166210 

I learned that Cleopatra took her own life by letting a poisonous snake bite her. 

Marie Curie 9781250166159  

I learned that Marie had to move from Poland to France because Poland would not let women attend college. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher