Susanna ReichReviews

A beautifully illustrated and written book displaying the life of a women and her cat in Paris, France. Also an educational book about an influential French cook, Julia Childs. This book would be good for 2nd-4th grade to teach kids about Julia Childs.

Recommended by Kate and Violet

Pencil and watercolor illustrations lend a vintage feel to the story of Julia Child and her cat, Minette, focused on the time in Julia's life when she was living in Paris and learning to cook.

Back matter includes an afterword, a photo of Julia and Minette, notes, sources, author's note, and a glossary and pronunciation guide.½

3/22/22

Cute story. Great illustrations.

The biography about Pete Seeger is all about his love for music, and how much was a largely influential piece of his life. Pete Seeger is an important person in American history because he used his gift of music to inspire people that needed light in their lives. Pete Seeger sung for the working and lower class citizens in America, because he could see how much affected them and lit up their sad faces. Pete Seeger grew up in a family that was not wealthy and at the time of the stock market crashing, so he often lived with very little or nothing at all. He put together many bands, and they would travel across The United States to sing to people who needed the music. Pete Seeger was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War, but he still kept up his love of singing to give some hope to his fellow soldiers who were injured. Pete Seeger was also invited by Martin Later King Jr. to sing and participate in his rally and peaceful protest to give African Americans the rights they deserved. Pete Seeger got a lot of hatred from people who did not support what he was singing for, but it never stopped Pete from singing. The book starts off at the begging of Pete Seeger life as a young child, and it goes through his whole life, and it ends with a memory of Pete Seeger's passing in 2014. The book was very well written, and it even encouraged me to look up Pete Seeger and listen to some go his music. (Very good music by the way).

I truly enjoyed learning about Jose. I think is story is really unique. A lot of the times, people who have become famous for something have been doing the specific thing for years. Jose started late but he followed his heart and became great. This was a great story and I would definitely recommend.

Longer than most picture book biographies

Very sweet picture book biography of Julia Child's just in time for the centennial celebration of her birth.

This biography of the activist and folk singer Pete Seeger is for older readers (suggested age is 7 and up), although it is a picture book. The author tells readers the story of how Seeger came to become both a musician and an advocate of civil rights, inspiring generations, most recently during the turbulent years of the 1960's. (A review of a similar biography but for younger readers, Listen: how Pete Seeger Got America Singing by Leda Schubert is reviewed here.)

Over his long life (he lived to be 94), Seeger never stopped playing to crowds gathered to protest injustice of any kind. His was a unique kind of “nonviolent” protesting; he used his words and music on his five-string banjo to convey workers’ rights issues, the need for civil rights for blacks, objections to the Vietnam War, and respect for the environment, inter alia.

Seeger was investigated, censored, and blacklisted, but still he persisted. “We Shall Overcome,” an old gospel song, became one of the key songs of the Civil Rights Movement thanks to Seeger.

The author, in a note at the end of this book, relates that she grew up in a situation much like that of Pete Seeger: among other similarities, their families had traditions of political activism, and one parent was a professional musicologist. She heard Seeger perform many times, and was greatly influenced by him.

She writes:

“As I researched this book, I came to understand why Pete saw himself as a link in a chain. It’s a chain in which music and social responsibility are intertwined, one that began long before he was born and will continue now that he’s gone. This book is meant to be a link in that chain.

I loved the illustrations by award-winning illustrator Adam Gustavson, who uses digitized gouache, watercolor, pencil, and oil paintings to portray scenes from Seeger’s life.

Evaluation: This is an excellent introduction to the life of someone today’s kids may not know, but should. His songs continue to permeate popular culture, and to encourage a new generation of performers to become politically engaged.

I came to this book as a huge Pete Seeger fan. I can’t count the number of times I saw him perform. The first time I was a young child, maybe 5 or 6 years old and my mother brought me to see him perform at U.C. Berkeley. He was singing for young kids like me. I saw him at many venues in the San Francisco Bay Area, including at least 3 times at the free summer Stern Grove Festival. I adore the man and I adore the music and the activism behind much of it. I also love his silly and otherwise humorous songs.

I did learn some things about Pete from this book and I want to read more. Because of the length of the text here, so much about Pete’s life was not covered, even though it’s a very text heavy picture book. Pete Seeger talked a lot during performances, some about himself, mostly about the issues.

As I read this book, I sang the songs in my head.

I think this book will be most appreciated by older kids, and adults, but particularly people who know the songs. If readers/listeners are not familiar with the songs, they should be played in order to better understand the man and this book.

There are more resources in the back and I will be checking them out!

This book didn’t quite give me the Pete Seeger fix that I needed. Perhaps a longer biography would, but I suspect it’s only his songs that will do the trick. Thank goodness for them, and for my memories of their context. I’m sad that there will be no more. We really need him NOW. I’d love so much to hear some new songs by him about the current state of affairs. I know he’d be brilliant and would galvanize me and others to take even more actions than we are now. He was a great man.

As I said, this might be a good book for young fans of Pete Seeger (but they MUST know his music) and it’s a great introductory book for would be activists, students of social history and environmental science, etc.

The illlustrations’ art style wasn’t my favorite but I ended up liking it well enough, and I appreciated the (too few) photos of Pete Seeger. I’d have been even happier having this book be full of photos, but I know there are other places to see photos.

Susanna Reich spins an engaging tale in this picture-book biography of folk-singer, political activist, and American icon Pete Seeger. Always interested in music, Seeger, who was born in 1919, was deeply influenced by the events of the Great Depression, which shaped his vision of a just society, and what it should look like. An advocate for working people, and for civil rights, his early years as a musician were spent performing for union meetings, and other political gatherings of a progressive bent. His activism saw his group, The Weavers, blacklisted during the McCarthy years, and he often faced physical danger as well, from people outraged that he performed together on stage with black musicians. In his later years, Seeger became involved in the environmental struggle, founding an organization to help clean up the polluted Hudson River. But wherever he was, and whatever he was doing, Seeger incorporated music into his struggle for a better America, and a better world...

As someone who grew up in the Hudson Valley area, and who was involved in progressive politics from an early age, I have many memories of seeing Pete Seeger perform - at the annual Clearwater Festival in Croton, at various political picnics I attended - and I had the honor of meeting him a few times. That background made reading Stand Up and Sing! a particular pleasure, as I learned a little bit more about a man I already greatly admired, but also had the feeling of coming home a bit. Seeger was a man of principle, and his refusal to bow to the pressures put upon him by the House Committee on Un-American Activities, as well as his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement - it was he who introduced Martin Luther King, Jr. to the song We Shall Overcome - and the anti-Vietnam War movement, were particularly admirable. As someone who grew up near the Hudson River, however, his struggle to clean up that great waterway will probably be nearest to my heart, of all his many claims to fame. That and (of course) his music! This is an engaging book, and features appealing artwork by Adam Gustavson, who also worked with Reich on her picture-book about the Beatles, Fab Four Friends. Recommended to anyone looking for excellent new picture-book biographies, particularly those with both musical and historical significance.

Review:
This book is a picture-book biography about the life of renowned dancer and choreographer José Limón. The story uses colorful illustrations and lively language to tell the story of José's childhood, travels to America, and his journey into the world of dance.
Critique:
I think this book is an excellent example of a biography because it tells the true story of an individuals life. However, the author uses simplified language to make the story of José for relatable and understandable for young children. Additionally, this story is amazing because it tells the story of a young man pursuing dance as a career, which is not typically something that boys are encouraged to do.
Use:
1. One use for this book would be to read it aloud during a unit on art or careers. During the read aloud, the teacher can ask questions about José's perseverance in following his dreams. Then, at the end, the teacher can discuss how following one's passions takes a lot of hard work, but is always rewarding in the end.
2. Another way to use this book would be to read it with ELL students. While reading, the teacher can make connections between the students' and José's struggles with language learning, using José's successes as encouragement to the students who are also working to learn English.
Age Appropriateness: Primary, Intermediate
Media: watercolor and colored pencil

Julia Child's life in Paris told through the eyes of her pet cat Minette. I love Julia Child something fierce (although I have no desire to cook from her cookbook, go figure). This is a clever story that will make Julia Child relatable to children in a fun and friendly way, the same way Julia was on her show. Granted it doesn't talk about her difficulties but there is more information in the afterward about her entire life and there are footnotes for the quotes the author used and a pronunciation guide for the french.

Love the illustrations for this. It really looks the way I remember Julia Child looking when I was little and my mom watched he show every Sunday on WLIW 21.

Julia Child's life in Paris told through the eyes of her pet cat Minette. I love Julia Child something fierce (although I have no desire to cook from her cookbook, go figure). This is a clever story that will make Julia Child relatable to children in a fun and friendly way, the same way Julia was on her show. Granted it doesn't talk about her difficulties but there is more information in the afterward about her entire life and there are footnotes for the quotes the author used and a pronunciation guide for the french.

Love the illustrations for this. It really looks the way I remember Julia Child looking when I was little and my mom watched he show every Sunday on WLIW 21.

Julia Child's life in Paris told through the eyes of her pet cat Minette. I love Julia Child something fierce (although I have no desire to cook from her cookbook, go figure). This is a clever story that will make Julia Child relatable to children in a fun and friendly way, the same way Julia was on her show. Granted it doesn't talk about her difficulties but there is more information in the afterward about her entire life and there are footnotes for the quotes the author used and a pronunciation guide for the french.

Love the illustrations for this. It really looks the way I remember Julia Child looking when I was little and my mom watched he show every Sunday on WLIW 21.

Julia Child's life in Paris told through the eyes of her pet cat Minette. I love Julia Child something fierce (although I have no desire to cook from her cookbook, go figure). This is a clever story that will make Julia Child relatable to children in a fun and friendly way, the same way Julia was on her show. Granted it doesn't talk about her difficulties but there is more information in the afterward about her entire life and there are footnotes for the quotes the author used and a pronunciation guide for the french.

Love the illustrations for this. It really looks the way I remember Julia Child looking when I was little and my mom watched he show every Sunday on WLIW 21.

Who knew? I thought I knew everything about the Beatles---I certainly read enough Sixteen Magazine articles about them in the 60’s---but I find, after reading this picture book, that I really knew very little. All four came from poverty and troubled families and I find that very interesting. All four found their way to the Beatles in a less than direct way and I find that very interesting. All four were gifted in unique ways and I find that very interesting.

So, who knew? Great children’s picture book about four fabulous friends.

A little boy who was torn from his country due to civil war. Coming to the United States Jose's English was not that good. He never gave up and and the determination he showed in learning to speak English was the same determination that lead him to becoming a wonderful dancer.
The lighting that the illustrator uses through out the book is wonderful and lend themselves to sharing a story of a magical man who shared an amazing gift with the world.½

"Jose! Born to Dance" told a great story about the life of Jose Limon, who moved from Mexico to America with his family, and after failing to become a painter, he became a dancer. The book tells his story starting in Mexico during the Civil War that broke out in the early 1900's and ends with his success as a dancer later on in his life. A reason why I liked this book was because it included the hardships in his life, not just his successes. Such as when his family had to hide in their basement for three days and nights, in order to keep them safe from the fights going on in the streetS during the Civil War. The author also includes his struggles in school and how the laughter from his fellow classmates in America motivated him to become a proficient English speaker. The illustrations were not over the top and did not cover the whole page. The illustrator, Raul Colon, painted pictures that illustrated the different events in Jose's life. For example, on the last page of the book the illustration shows Jose on stage in front of a ginormous crowd of people chanting "Bravo!". I believe that the overall message of this book is that if you do your best, stay motivated, and do not let others bring you down, then you can achieve more than you could possibly imagine.½

Mexican American dancer Jose Limon, traveled a long road to accomplish his dreams. A great desire to share his love for the arts with the world, pushed him to move to New York to pursue his dreams. Jose: Born to Dance includes beautiful illustrations to help tell the story of a man with a dream and determination to pursue it. I loved this story and the author including dual language throughout the book.

recommended for: those who like love stories, stories about cats, cooking; when one reader remembers Julia Child

I think I would have enjoyed this book better back long, long ago when I was an omnivore.

If kids might be interested in the real woman, Julia Child, I suggest the 5 pages at the end be read first, or at least read. There is a photo of Child but otherwise the pages are mostly text based and contain an afterword, notes (the quotes in the book are from actual sources), sources, a glossary and pronunciation guide, and an author’s note.

I remember watching The French Chef cooking show with my parents when I was young. It was really big in 1964 and 1965; there were no other shows like it during that era.

In this story, I love how Child said that she took cooking more seriously than anything else, except for her husband and her cat. So, this is a cute cat story and a sweet love story. I like how French words are incorporated into the story.

But I was grossed out by the descriptions of the food. As a vegan I was appalled and not charmed.

The illustrations were mixed for me. Overall, I really enjoyed them. I felt kind of uncomfortable though with the picture of Minette the cat and the mouse. The mouse is cute and by that point in the story, the reader/listener knows that mouse is Minette’s favorite food.

2 ½ stars

The life story of José Limón, the Mexican-American dancer and choreographer who became a pioneer in the field of modern dance, is told in this engaging picture-book biography from author Susanna Reich and illustrator Raúl Colón. Opening with Limón's birth in 1908, the book explores his early childhood in Culiacán, Mexico; his family's move to California to escape the violence of the Mexican Revolution, and their life once there; and his own move to New York City as a young man, determined to become an artist and share his vision with the world. Eventually becoming discouraged, both by the cold foreignness of New York, and by his own lack of inspiration as a visual artist, Limón was electrified by his first exposure to modern dance, deciding to devote himself to this new art-form. Becoming a dedicated student of Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, he eventually went on to become a world famous performer and choreographer, leaving an indelible mark on the world of dance.

With a simple text that will carry young readers along with José Limón on his extraordinary journey - from small town Mexico to big city New York; from an artistic young man who dreams of becoming a painter, to a dancer absolutely dedicated to his craft - and evocative watercolor and colored pencil illustrations that perfectly capture the sense of movement in the story, José! Born to Dance offers an excellent introduction to its subject's life. It highlights a number of important themes, from following one's dreams, to being open to new ideas and inspirations, and is as much an immigrant story as it is an artistic one. An informative afterword gives more details about Limón and his ground-breaking career. Recommended to young dancers and would-be dancers, as well those looking for good picture-book biographies, and children's stories addressing immigration.

This charming picture-book biography follows the story of Minette Mimosa McWilliams Child, a very fortunate Parisian feline who comes to live with Julia and Paul Child, enjoying the benefits of having a chef-in-training as a human companion, but also pursuing her own epicurean course as a mouse-hunter. As Julia Child slowly begins her transformation into world renowned cook - learning how to shop for the proper ingredients, attending courses at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school - Minette perfected her hunting skills, although she did enjoy sampling the human food, from time to time.

Julia Child appears to be a hot topic these days - always popular, she seems to have become even more a subject of public attention since the release of the recent film, Julie and Julia - so I am not surprised that there is now a children's biography focused on her, and on her cat Minette. These things seem to go in waves, in the children's literature world, so I am likewise not surprised to discover that there is another picture-book biography devoted to Child, Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child released the same month as this one. There also appears to be an adult book devoted to Child and her cats, Julia's Cats: Julia Child's Life in the Company of Cats. All of which is to say: this book felt very current to me, despite being set in 1940s Paris. I enjoyed the glimpse into Minette's world - and through her, into Child's - and I found the artwork, done in pencil and watercolor by Amy Bates, immensely appealing. Recommended to young cat lovers (although sensitive readers might want to be aware that mention is made of Minette "crunching" on mice), and to kids who are interested in Julia Child.

The French chef and her finicky feline.

Love the illustrations of Julia and Paul Child, and of course their cat Minette!