I have a little soft spot for v; even if she spells her name wrong. (You can spell it with one N which is the way I prefer). She was an independent woman. One who made history because she knew nobody else could. She stood her ground, won and lost elections and popularity because of it and was all around both a woman of her time and far ahead of it. Rankin was a woman who knew her mind, would become an activist despite any misgivings she might have had and went on to make a difference. Even if bills she championed would not happen until after she left her office.
Gretchen Woelfle’s picture book, A Take-Charge Girl Blazes and Trail to Congress: The Story of Jeannette Rankin highlights the events that would make her the first Congresswoman from Montana. We follow how she would not back down from fights, she would fire back with her words and actions. And all of this is done with Rebecca Gibbons illustrations. This is a decent introduction to the life of a little known politician. Extras are included at the end. However, as I was reading as an online reader copy, it was a little difficult to read all of them as size of font became an issue.
And another woman who was a take-care gal, was Eleanor Roosevelt. In Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Path to Kindness Aura Lewis takes a mixture of mostly fact and a few assumptions (nobody knows what she and her cousin said on the train trip) to make an introductory picture book biography. Starting with the event when she was two years old and ending soon after meeting her future husband, we follow how a shy girl, one filled with fears and anxiety, would help shape a nation.
This takes a different approach to the life and time of Roosevelt, as I do not remember seeing much about her childhood, her school years, or the fears she faced. I was not aware of the cold and unstable childhood she had as well. This and more comes to life with illustrations by Helaine Becker. They are romantic, and far from simple, but do not complicate things. The afterwards shows more about her parents and some of the things that happen after the book ends.
Both books were read via online reader copies.
