Keith Haring believed that art should be enjoyed by everyone, not just those with the money or inclination to visit museums. When Keith moved to New York City in 1978, he rode the subway and noticed that the crowds were bored and brusque, and the subways were decayed and dreary. He thought the people of New York needed liberating, illuminating, and radiating art. So he bought a stick of white chalk and started drawing. This picture book biography explores Keith Haring’s life and shows why his art continues to resonate with people. You can still see his ubiquitous designs gracing billboards, posters, clothing, and more. Keith Negley’s bold, energetic illustrations evoke Keith Haring while maintaining a style all their own.
YouthQuake: 50 Children and Young People Who Shook the World by Tom Adams ill. Sarah Walsh
A collection of inspiring stories about young people who have shaped the world we live in! No one is too small to start a YouthQuake!
This is the story of fearless activists, brilliant inventors, champion athletes, gifted creators and inspiring leaders. It is the story of tremendous trailblazers who have influenced change with their passion, courage and determination, and whose inspirational actions and groundbreaking achievements have shaken the world…

sample page-spread
Rashford – Tales from The Pitch by Harry Coninx
ACHUKA Book of the Day 2 Nov 2020
The story of how a boy from Manchester used his passion and his talent to steer himself on a path to greatness. This fictionalized biography is one of a dozen new titles in Ransom’s Tales from the Pitch series.
Each of the books in this series is prefaced by the words, “Some of the events described in this book are based upon the author’s imagination and are probably not entirely accurate representations of what actually happened.” Fair play; that holds true for even the most scholarly and highly-researched biographies.
This is a wonderful series from a publisher who aims to produce books that are non-intimidating and don’t look as if they are for struggling readers. “In short,” the publicity sheet says, “we’ve made sure they tread the line of being tailored to our readers’ needs, while also looking like cool, fresh, normal books.”
They’ve succeeded with this series. Harry Coninx, a football fanatic and sports data analyst, has produced a set of 120-page chapter books that will have children developing a reading habit in no time. The books are superbly designed, with striking cover illustrations by Ben Farr, that give each one a collectible, football card appeal.
Follow Ben Farr on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benfarr_illustration/
This title, which may already be temporarily unavailable, such has been the media attention the footballer has recently received, follows Rashford’s career from playing recreation ground football for Fletcher Moss Rangers to getting signed for Manchester United’s football academy at the age of seven, through his goal-scoring professional football debut right up to a game played in July this year under Covid restrictions in an empty stadium. As well as descriptions of action on the pitch, we get insights into Marcus’s relationship with his brother, and with manager Jose Mourinho.
Waterstones
Amazon
direct from publisher
Pele – Little People, BIG DREAMS 46 by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara ill. Camila Rosa
With a sock full of rags for a ball, Pele honed his skills in a poor neighbourhood in Brazil. He believed that, one day, he would lead his country to World Cup victory – and he was right! With Pele and his super skills on the team, Brazil lifted the trophy three times. Today, he is widely regarded as the greatest footballer who ever lived – and a hero off the pitch, too, using his voice to help the people who need it most. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of The King’s life.
One Hundred Steps: The Story of Captain Sir Tom Moore by Captain Tom Moore ill.Adam Larkum
Published in support of the creation of the Captain Tom Foundation, this picture book tells the incredible story of the man who walked 100 laps of his garden and captured the heart of a nation. Following the key moments from Captain Tom’s incredible life, the book shows what is possible when we come together and never, ever give up.
David Attenborough – Little People, Big Dreams 40 by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara ill Mikyo Noh
ACHUKA Book of the Day Thu 23 Jan 2020
Such a brilliant biographical series, filling a gaping gap in the children’s market. This latest title publishes 4 Feb 2020.
David grew up in Leicester on the campus of a university, where his father was a professor. As a child, he spent hours in the science library, collating his own specimens and creating a mini animal museum. When he was old enough to go to university, he studied science and zoology–but what he wanted most of all was to be close to the animals he was studying. So, he started working in television, visiting animals in their natural habitats, and telling the world the untold stories of these animals. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the broadcaster’s life.
Yves Klein Painted Everything Blue and Wasn’t Sorry by Fausto
“In each book, the Italian author and illustrator combines inky black and white with a single pop of colour… while his bug-eyed, zany artists recall the Minions from Despicable Me but with art history degrees and sharp suits.” Imogen Carter, The OBSERVER
A clever, quirky read-aloud biography of a leading modern artist…
Artist Yves Klein always thought about how he could surprise his audience. One day, he decided that he would only paint in one color – blue. He painted canvases, globes, branches, gallery floors, and even covered people in blue paint. Klein’s story is told here with wit and eccentricity, perfectly paired with black-line illustrations and blue splashes galore. Fausto Gilberti brings movement, life, and whimsy to the true life story of one of the most important modern French artists of our time.
Scholastic Biography Of President Trump Protest #StepUpScholastic
Scholastic is being taken to task by a growing army of educators, librarians, and parents not for what [a biography recently published] says about Donald Trump, but for what it omits.This past weekend, Teaching for Change, a nonprofit that builds social justice around education, posted a critical review of the book and invited others to join in sending a message to Scholastic. The social media campaign, #StepUpScholastic, urges the publishing company to pull the book and issue a version that tells the truth about the president… … So far, #StepUpScholastic has generated about 530 letters of protest to Scholastic from teachers, parents, librarians, and others across the country.
via Scholastic Under Fire for Children’s Book Portrayal of Trump by Lornet Turnbull — YES! Magazine.
Little People, BIG DREAMS – Two New Titles
Two new editions to this excellent series of illustrated biographies for young readers, beautifully page-designed and printed. Each book contains a timeline at the back.
Highly recommended non-fiction for the younger primary age groups (Y1-Y4) and must-have titles for school libraries. To be appreciated for the artwork as much as the information.
Secret life of children’s author Margaret Wise Brown; a new biography
The beloved children’s author of Goodnight Moon secretly hated kids and had a string of lovers including a married man and a female poet, according to a new biography.
Millions of parents have relied on Margaret Wide Brown classic books for a bedtime story for their little ones.
Her most famous work, Goodnight Moon, sold more than 14 million copies, making her one of the best selling American children’s authors ever.
But Brown’s simplistic, child-friendly books could not be further away from her own wild, complicated lifestyle.