ACHUKA Children's Books UK

children's & YA recommendations on the go

You are here: Home / Archives for biography

Great Britons: 50 Amazing People Who Have Called Britain Home – Inspiring Lives by Imogen Russell Williams ill. Sara Mulvanny

By Leave a Comment

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“An excellent resource for classrooms, libraries and home collections, a volume to study, dip into and revisit.” BfK 5-Star review

The inspiring stories of 50 key figures in Great Britain’s history, who had an impact on the ways we live, think and feel today.

Throughout the centuries, the history of this small island nation has been shaped by the people who were born in Britain or arrived on its shores. From early Britons to modern pioneers, leaders, writers, athletes and activists, this country has contained a wealth of incredible talent, only made ‘greater’ by our history of immigration, integration and innovation.

This beautiful large-format gift hardback features stunning full-colour artwork throughout. Each page spread is devoted to a tale of an incredible Briton, told by talented writer and children’s book critic Imogen Russell Williams and brought to life by Sara Mulvanny’s vivid illustration. Discover the enthralling and diverse stories of 50 brilliant Britons through the ages, from the warrior queen Boudicca of early Britain, who rose in revolt against the Romans, to activist Malala Yousafzai, who fights for every girl’s right to an education today. The gripping tales include key figures from all areas of British life – science, medicine, entertainment, sports, activism and more.

Featuring the inspirational lives and achievements of amazing people such as Florence Nightingale, Alan Turing, Mary Prince, Stormzy, Charles Darwin and Noor Inayat Khan, Great Britons is not only a celebration of our history as an island, but also as part of a far larger and greater world.

Follow the illustrator on Instagram:

This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 24 May 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“Pictures of 2020 protests, sometimes sharing the page with pictures from historical protests, show young people demanding change. The simple layout is powerful: The photographs present a striking reality concerning our collective past and the repetition of history. Bridges’ hopeful words, her faith born of experience, are soothing and encouraging in this time of unrest and uncertainty. Essential reading for all ages.” KIRKUS

On November 14, 1960, at the age of six, Ruby Bridges became the first black child to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans. Escorted by federal marshals past angry segregationist protesters, young Ruby attended William Frantz Elementary and earned a place in civil rights history. Sixty years later, Ruby has written an impassioned letter to young people engaging in the fight for racial equality. Her words, a call to action imbued with love and grace, are paired with black-and-white photographs from then-and now.

RuPaul – Little People, BIG DREAMS 61 by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara ill. Wednesday Holmes

By Leave a Comment

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

Even before little Ru was born, a fortune teller told his mum that he would one day be famous… It was only a matter of time before he figured out how. Playing dress-up was his favourite game, and that’s where he felt most comfortable. Ru went on to study performing arts and then moved to New York to mix things up in a punk band. Later, drag was a way to express himself as an artist. He found success for himself, then wanted to help others find theirs. He inspires us to do what feels right and love ourselves. This witty and wise 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 inspiring performer’s life.

Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellomynameiswednesday/

Discover other titles in this series…

Swordswoman!: The Queen of Jhansi in the Indian Uprising of 1857 – True Adventures by Devika Rangachari ill. America Pinelli

By Leave a Comment

BookTust Book of the Day 15 Apr 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“In this compelling and revealing adventure story, real characters, events and historical fact are woven into a page-turning tale of courage in the face of cruelty and injustice. Expert storytelling means this extraordinary tale will appeal to a wide range of readers and will linger with them long after the last page.” BookTrust

Queen Lakshmibai of of Jhansi was an unconventional queen. She could read and write; she rode a horse and wielded a sword; she trained other women to ride and fight alongside her. When the East India Trading Company, who ruled India in the 19th century, demanded that she hand over control of Jhansi, she refused. And when an uprising began to stir in 1857, and the British laid siege to her fortress, the warrior queen tied her infant son to her back, mounted her favourite horse, and escaped to raise an army. This is the story of a woman who defied all conventions to become an icon of resistance in colonial-era India

The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe by Sandra Nickel ill. Aimee Sicuro

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the day 22 Mar 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“Several Rubin quotes are included, and a lovely Rubin epigraph concludes the book. Numerous delicate illustrations aptly feature dark blue, star-spangled, galactic backgrounds.” KIRKUS
“Whether representing Rubin’s thoughts or a winter snowstorm, striking watercolors repeat concentric circles and curves, suggesting images of swirling galaxies, the very subject that prompts Rubin’s work. Sicuro solves the problem of depicting dark matter by gloriously representing it as if seen through a spectrometer, like “glitter caught in an invisible halo.” Appended with an author’s note, documentation of direct quotes, a timeline of Rubin’s life, and a bibliography.” Horn Book

A  biographical picture book telling the story of a female astronomer who made huge discoveries about the mysteries of the night sky and changed the way we look at the universe.

Vera Rubin was one of the astronomers who discovered and named dark matter, the thing that keeps the universe hanging together. Throughout her career she was never taken seriously as a scientist because she was one of the only female astronomers at that time, but she didn’t let that stop her. She made groundbreaking and incredibly significant discoveries that scientists have only recently been able to really appreciate-and she changed the way that we look at the universe. A stunning portrait of a little-known trailblazer, the picture book tells Vera’s story and inspires the youngest readers who are just starting to look up at the stars.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aimee Sicuro (@aimeesicuro)

Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimeesicuro/

Art Is Life: The Life of Artist Keith Haring by Tami Lewis Brown ill. Keith Negley

By Leave a Comment

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.

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

YouthQuake: 50 Children and Young People Who Shook the World by Tom Adams ill. Sarah Walsh

By Leave a Comment

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

Waterstones
Amazon

Rashford – Tales from The Pitch by Harry Coninx

By Leave a Comment

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

By Leave a Comment

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.

Waterstones
Amazon

One Hundred Steps: The Story of Captain Sir Tom Moore by Captain Tom Moore ill.Adam Larkum

By Leave a Comment

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.

Waterstones
Amazon