I enjoy the Leading Ladies from A to Z series by John Robert Allman. Due in October of 2023 (I am not waiting patiently for this as these books are just fabulous), we will have J is for Judy: Classic Hollywood’s Leading Ladies from A to Z.
Some of the women presented this time around are a mixture of different eras and genres. Some will most likely be known such as Bette Davis or Audrey Hepburn. But some are “maybe you know them” such as Barbara Stanwyck or Rita Moreno. Still some people, like Ethel Waters or Hattie McDaniel, might not be known at all. However, if you are a big women’s or movie history buff you probably know Anna May Wong but what about Nancy Kwan and Miyashi Umeki? And we do not just see the women of in front of the camera but behind it too, such as Mary Pickford and Edith Head.
You do not need to know anything about movies as this book gives you a delightful overview of many of the trailblazers of the red carpet. Allman also gives us a mini biography/paragraph of each women mentioned at the end of the book. And you not only see illustrations of the women done by Peter Emmerich, but some of the famous scenes they were in, or when accepting awards (and several making history). The colors are a combination of not being too overwhelming, but also pop. The details can be busy, but they are also there as supporting characters.
This can be for all ages, but does lend itself to an at least five and up age range, but even up into the second or lower third grade. And of course, this is not just for kids, but adults will enjoy too.
Also, available in the series is A Is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z plus B is for Broadway: Onstage and Backstage from A to Z.