Heroes - Lives to Learn From
March
Compassion Faithfulness Mercy
March
Compassion Faithfulness Mercy
Clara Barton (1821-1912)
Founder of the American Red Cross
“I have an almost complete disregard of precedent and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.”Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton fully embodies this month’s focus on compassion, faithfulness, and mercy. Her depth of compassion for others, whether school children, battlefield wounded, or victims of hurricanes and other disasters has been unmatched. Her own code was uncompromising: “You must never so much as think whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not, you must never think of anything except the need and how to meet it.”
A painfully shy girl, Clara grew up in a large family and was schooled mainly by her brothers and sisters. She began her nursing career at home, when one of her brothers fell ill, and she nursed him back to health. For years she taught school, and actually founded two schools – one in North Oxford, Massachusetts, and a second in New Jersey. But she found her life’s work during the Civil War, when her path-breaking service to the wounded on the frontlines earned her the title, “Angel of the Battlefield.” She went on to found the American Red Cross, which unlike its European counterpart, aided in disaster relief as well. A spectacular children’s book on Clara Barton has yet to be written, but read more about the life of this amazing woman.
Founder of the American Red Cross
“I have an almost complete disregard of precedent and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.”Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton fully embodies this month’s focus on compassion, faithfulness, and mercy. Her depth of compassion for others, whether school children, battlefield wounded, or victims of hurricanes and other disasters has been unmatched. Her own code was uncompromising: “You must never so much as think whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not, you must never think of anything except the need and how to meet it.”
A painfully shy girl, Clara grew up in a large family and was schooled mainly by her brothers and sisters. She began her nursing career at home, when one of her brothers fell ill, and she nursed him back to health. For years she taught school, and actually founded two schools – one in North Oxford, Massachusetts, and a second in New Jersey. But she found her life’s work during the Civil War, when her path-breaking service to the wounded on the frontlines earned her the title, “Angel of the Battlefield.” She went on to found the American Red Cross, which unlike its European counterpart, aided in disaster relief as well. A spectacular children’s book on Clara Barton has yet to be written, but read more about the life of this amazing woman.
Brave Clara Barton.
Frank Murphy. Illustrated by Sarah Green. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2018. (K-3) 
Who Was Clara Barton?
Stephanie Spinner. Illustrated by David Groff. Grossett and Dunlap, 2014. (Slender chapter book as possible read-aloud for 4-6) |
A Woman of Valor: Clara Barton. Stephen B. Oats.
Free Press, 1995 (Strong middle school readers and up) Chunky, definitive adult biography of this amazing woman. Vertical Divider
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March is Women's History Month!
Many of our recommendations for "Heroes" this month are "Heroines" because we're celebrating Women's History month! Take some time to learn about the trail-blazers and little-known female movers and shakers, who have made our world a better place.
Many of our recommendations for "Heroes" this month are "Heroines" because we're celebrating Women's History month! Take some time to learn about the trail-blazers and little-known female movers and shakers, who have made our world a better place.
Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell.
Tanya Lee Stone. Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Henry Holt, 2013. (K-3)
A snappy biography of the feisty girl, who became the nation’s first female doctor. In the 1840s “lady-doctors” were non-existent in the U.S., but one of Elizabeth Blackwell’s dying friends confided her desire for one. Elizabeth, moved by her friend’s plight and not accustomed to taking “no” for an answer, saw a need, studied for Medical school, and was accepted (as a joke). Elizabeth didn’t see the humor: she enrolled, completed the course, and graduated with top honors. Dr. Blackwell opened a hospital for the poor and orphaned in New York City, paved the way for many more women in medicine. Fast-paced and delightfully rendered account of a woman who was not afraid to plow new ground.
Tanya Lee Stone. Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Henry Holt, 2013. (K-3)
A snappy biography of the feisty girl, who became the nation’s first female doctor. In the 1840s “lady-doctors” were non-existent in the U.S., but one of Elizabeth Blackwell’s dying friends confided her desire for one. Elizabeth, moved by her friend’s plight and not accustomed to taking “no” for an answer, saw a need, studied for Medical school, and was accepted (as a joke). Elizabeth didn’t see the humor: she enrolled, completed the course, and graduated with top honors. Dr. Blackwell opened a hospital for the poor and orphaned in New York City, paved the way for many more women in medicine. Fast-paced and delightfully rendered account of a woman who was not afraid to plow new ground.
Write On, Mercy! The Secret Life of Mercy Otis Warren. Gretchen Woelfle. Illustrated by Alexandra Wallner. Calkins Creek, 2012. (2-6)
Who wrote the first nineteenth-century history of the American Revolution? A woman who lived it: Mercy Otis Warren. At a time when many women did not receive a strong education in the classics, she did, and Mercy Otis Warren had a life-long love of history, law, and the life of her young nation. The sister of firebrand patriot James Otis, and the wife of Dr. James Warren (who fought at Bunker Hill), she had ongoing exposure to the course of the war, and a strong desire to write about the issues of the day. This is a well written introduction to one of the Founding Mothers. Throughout her life, Mercy wrote satirical poetry, political plays, and in 1805 published a three-volume history of the American Revolution, which Jefferson lauded as a valuable contribution, though her Quincy-based neighbor, John Adams, disagreed. Refusing to limit her activities to the domestic sphere alone, Mercy bucked the trends of her time and gained many admirers. (She strained her friendship with John and Abigail Adams because on him, her history showed no mercy!)
Who wrote the first nineteenth-century history of the American Revolution? A woman who lived it: Mercy Otis Warren. At a time when many women did not receive a strong education in the classics, she did, and Mercy Otis Warren had a life-long love of history, law, and the life of her young nation. The sister of firebrand patriot James Otis, and the wife of Dr. James Warren (who fought at Bunker Hill), she had ongoing exposure to the course of the war, and a strong desire to write about the issues of the day. This is a well written introduction to one of the Founding Mothers. Throughout her life, Mercy wrote satirical poetry, political plays, and in 1805 published a three-volume history of the American Revolution, which Jefferson lauded as a valuable contribution, though her Quincy-based neighbor, John Adams, disagreed. Refusing to limit her activities to the domestic sphere alone, Mercy bucked the trends of her time and gained many admirers. (She strained her friendship with John and Abigail Adams because on him, her history showed no mercy!)
Dangerous Jane. Suzanne Slade. Illustrated by Alice Ratterree.
Peachtree Publishing, 2017. (2-5) Compassion, Mercy, Courage
The first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Jane Addams had a heart for those in need. She was born to privilege, but lost her mother at age two and endured a debilitating disease as a child. Her father made sure Jane read deeply and was not insulated from the needs of others. Early on, the little girl wondered what she could do to help those in her city who suffered poverty and injustice. As a young woman, she started Chicago's Hull House to assist the immigrant community. She was a study in courage as she continued to take strong stands on hard issues (World War I) and faced lots of public criticism. This is a powerful biography of her life, poetically written and illustrated with evocative water color pen and ink drawings.
Peachtree Publishing, 2017. (2-5) Compassion, Mercy, Courage
The first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Jane Addams had a heart for those in need. She was born to privilege, but lost her mother at age two and endured a debilitating disease as a child. Her father made sure Jane read deeply and was not insulated from the needs of others. Early on, the little girl wondered what she could do to help those in her city who suffered poverty and injustice. As a young woman, she started Chicago's Hull House to assist the immigrant community. She was a study in courage as she continued to take strong stands on hard issues (World War I) and faced lots of public criticism. This is a powerful biography of her life, poetically written and illustrated with evocative water color pen and ink drawings.
Girls Think of Everything. Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women.
Catherine Thimmesh. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. HMH, 2018 (4-6)
Necessity may be the mother of invention, but plenty of mothers have become inventors along the way. These are the stories of 15 women and their search for a better way to do something that makes the world a better place to live in. From Chocolate chips to Kevlar, paper bags to Space Bumpers, the women in this book, tried again and again to think of and produce a new way to solve old problems. Inspiring stories and fun illustrations.
Catherine Thimmesh. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. HMH, 2018 (4-6)
Necessity may be the mother of invention, but plenty of mothers have become inventors along the way. These are the stories of 15 women and their search for a better way to do something that makes the world a better place to live in. From Chocolate chips to Kevlar, paper bags to Space Bumpers, the women in this book, tried again and again to think of and produce a new way to solve old problems. Inspiring stories and fun illustrations.
Mother Teresa. Demi.
Margaret K. McElderry, 2010 (2-5)Compassion, Mercy
A startlingly beautiful picture-book biography of the woman whose life came to be synonymous with compassion and service of the poor. Demi, who has written about and illustrated the lives of many religious figures, uses gold ink, simple lines, vivid colors, and intricate borders to tell the life story of the little nun who founded an order of sisters to helping India’s sick and dying. Demi situates Mother Teresa’s work with the poorest of the poor in the context of her deep faith. This is a wonderful introduction to one of the great human beings of modern times.
Margaret K. McElderry, 2010 (2-5)Compassion, Mercy
A startlingly beautiful picture-book biography of the woman whose life came to be synonymous with compassion and service of the poor. Demi, who has written about and illustrated the lives of many religious figures, uses gold ink, simple lines, vivid colors, and intricate borders to tell the life story of the little nun who founded an order of sisters to helping India’s sick and dying. Demi situates Mother Teresa’s work with the poorest of the poor in the context of her deep faith. This is a wonderful introduction to one of the great human beings of modern times.
The Luck of the Irish
As the snow melts and mud mars our paths, celebrate the abiding green of Ireland!
St. Patrick, the lucky of the Irish, and the wisdom of their sages are all a story away.
These are all K-4 classics.
As the snow melts and mud mars our paths, celebrate the abiding green of Ireland!
St. Patrick, the lucky of the Irish, and the wisdom of their sages are all a story away.
These are all K-4 classics.
Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. Tomie dePaola.
Holiday House, 1994.
Tomie dePaola’s lively historical biography is a good introduction to Ireland’s legendary saint and hero commemorated on March 17th. We follow Patrick’s life from his kidnapping and enslavement as a youngster, to his escape from slavery, then his return to Irish shores as a bishop.
Holiday House, 1994.
Tomie dePaola’s lively historical biography is a good introduction to Ireland’s legendary saint and hero commemorated on March 17th. We follow Patrick’s life from his kidnapping and enslavement as a youngster, to his escape from slavery, then his return to Irish shores as a bishop.
Finn McCool and the Great Fish. Eve Bunting.
Illustrated by Zachary Pullen. Sleeping Bear Press, 2011.
Eve Bunting, who is Irish herself, tells this whimsical tale of a gentle giant who is extraordinarily helpful, but not terribly bright (something of “turnip head”) seeking wisdom from an old man who knows it source. Lyrical, charming and beautifully illustrated.
Illustrated by Zachary Pullen. Sleeping Bear Press, 2011.
Eve Bunting, who is Irish herself, tells this whimsical tale of a gentle giant who is extraordinarily helpful, but not terribly bright (something of “turnip head”) seeking wisdom from an old man who knows it source. Lyrical, charming and beautifully illustrated.
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato. Tomie dePaola.
Puffin 1997.
Irish humor and the lilt of Irish laughter are all over this silly book, in which a lazy Irish farmer learns to be careful of what he wishes for!
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato. Tomie dePaola.
Puffin 1997.
Irish humor and the lilt of Irish laughter are all over this silly book, in which a lazy Irish farmer learns to be careful of what he wishes for!
Fiona’s Luck. Teresa Bateman.
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2009.
Cleanly, cleverly illustrated and magically narrated, this is the unlikely tale of a time when “the big folk” were using up all the luck in Ireland, and the King of leprechauns decides to squirrel what remains away in a trunk. Beset by hard times (the potato famine!), the Irish now suffer, and a resourceful Fiona sets out to recover luck from the leprechauns. Quick thinking, she makes her own luck in a charming and charmed tale.
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2009.
Cleanly, cleverly illustrated and magically narrated, this is the unlikely tale of a time when “the big folk” were using up all the luck in Ireland, and the King of leprechauns decides to squirrel what remains away in a trunk. Beset by hard times (the potato famine!), the Irish now suffer, and a resourceful Fiona sets out to recover luck from the leprechauns. Quick thinking, she makes her own luck in a charming and charmed tale.