Grade 4-8-Pairing readable, carefully selected biographical details with a specific poem or prose excerpt on facing pages, this book makes Sandburg accessible to young readers. In "A New American," they learn that "Carl's feet nearly froze because there wasn't enough money to buy warm boots. He was always glad when spring came," which infuses the jubilant poem "Just Before April Came" with insight. "Family Man" reveals his love for his "homeyglomeys" (wife and three daughters). The accompanying poem, "Little Girl, Be Careful What You Say," is tender and wise advice, "-for words are made of syllables/and syllables, child, are made of air-/and air is so thin-air is the breath of God-." Other roles are examined, including poet, soldier, vagabond, reporter, musician, storyteller, historian, dreamer, and pen pal, and each one is accompanied by an important piece of Sandburg's writing. Nadel's masterful watercolor-and-crosshatch illustrations give additional visual information. A spread of "Illustration Notes" at the end of the book examines the historically accurate, well-researched aspects of the art, providing "some biographical context for select illustrations." This is truly a gem, with broad appeal for readers well beyond childhood.
Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 2-5. Niven spent more than 14 years preparing her adult book Carl Sandburg (1991). In this handsome picture-book biography, she draws on her extensive research to present bits of Sandburg's life and work that will have special appeal to children. An opening spread briefly reviews Sandburg's life from his birth on a corn-husk mattress to his earning the title "Poet of the People." Subsequent pages tell Sandburg's story using his various identities, "New American," "Vagabond," "Soldier," "Journalist," "Family Man," "Poet." Each spread comprises Niven's distilled, anecdotal prose, a selection of Sandburg's writing, and detailed pen-and-watercolor images. On a few pages, the illustrations threaten to overwhelm the poetry with literal imagery. But Nadel's fine draftsmanship and beautiful compositions, including portraits of Sandburg, will delight many readers, and the book's creative, accessible format allows children not only to learn about Sandburg's life and accomplishments but also to come away with a strong sense of the man: his mischievous humor, his devotion to his family, and his powerful vision. A time line matching Sandburg's life with historic events reminds young readers why historical context is important: "Just as one person can help change the world, world events can change individual lives." Gillian Engberg
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