February 1, 2017
Gr 2-4-These volumes follow their subjects' lives from childhood to the present, with a focus on their love of reading and creating. Major works, awards, and literary role models/influences (e.g., James Baldwin's mentorship of Nikki Grimes) are also covered. Byers's cover portraits and interior art are line-driven and bright. Each portrait is done in a realistic, graphic novel style. The photos of each author are well selected; however, the intermittent appearance of stock photos is jarring. Brief but appealing introductions to titans of children's literature.
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2017
This hip-looking series profiles award-winning children's book creators. The brief texts target emerging readers, introducing nonfiction conventions and structure. Abundant photographs, graphic elements, paint smears, and doodles accompany the biographical content. However, the books do contain some factual inaccuracies and unfortunately lack a forthright discussion of race. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.
(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)