Reviews
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Megan Halsey, Sean Addy, Cynthia Chin-Lee
turrean's review against another edition
3.0
An alphabet of famous women. I always think an A-to-Z format is problematic; often the material is aimed at children who have outgrown picture books. The information provided on each woman is necessarily limited to the merest glimpse.
That aside, the book could easily serve as a conversation starter about each of these famous people. I was fascinated by the range and diversity of the women covered in the book, especially the fact that the author included many women who are still alive. Kids often feel that "famous" people all lived a long time ago. I did roll my eyes bit at the fact that the women are listed by their first names, which seemed a little patronizing. However, the author mentions in her note at the end of the book that she did this specifically, not only to make the subjects more human and approachable to young readers, but also because family names, in many cultural traditions, emphasize connections to men--husbands and fathers.
The collage-style illustrations were fascinating, though I must confess I didn't like the illustration that accompanied biographical sketch of "Helen Keller." All the crossing pairs of arms made her look like the caterpillar from "Alice in Wonderland."
That aside, the book could easily serve as a conversation starter about each of these famous people. I was fascinated by the range and diversity of the women covered in the book, especially the fact that the author included many women who are still alive. Kids often feel that "famous" people all lived a long time ago. I did roll my eyes bit at the fact that the women are listed by their first names, which seemed a little patronizing. However, the author mentions in her note at the end of the book that she did this specifically, not only to make the subjects more human and approachable to young readers, but also because family names, in many cultural traditions, emphasize connections to men--husbands and fathers.
The collage-style illustrations were fascinating, though I must confess I didn't like the illustration that accompanied biographical sketch of "Helen Keller." All the crossing pairs of arms made her look like the caterpillar from "Alice in Wonderland."
mrsbond's review against another edition
4.0
If for nothing else, I loved the variety of women selected. Yes, Amelia Earhart is included, but so is Frida Kahlo, Nawal El Sadaarvi, and even Oprah Winfrey. Page design is lovely. Includes selected bibliography for further study and exploration on the profiled women.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome book! Beautiful and inspirational! I really enjoyed this book.
The artwork was phenomenal and is a great place to start to get young readers interesting in empowering woman.
I liked that Chin-Lee used the women's first names/given names rather than their family names for each letter. This helped put the focus on the actual woman being recognized.
There was a good variety of women from different backgrounds and occupations. The women were from all of the world, some very famous and some not as well known, but no less inspiring.
Truly an amazing work, great for young readers. Each entry is fairly lengthy, but uses simple language to explain the women's lives and their contributions. There are also quotes from the women themselves (or about them), which added more depth to the entries. A pleasure to read.
The artwork was phenomenal and is a great place to start to get young readers interesting in empowering woman.
I liked that Chin-Lee used the women's first names/given names rather than their family names for each letter. This helped put the focus on the actual woman being recognized.
There was a good variety of women from different backgrounds and occupations. The women were from all of the world, some very famous and some not as well known, but no less inspiring.
Truly an amazing work, great for young readers. Each entry is fairly lengthy, but uses simple language to explain the women's lives and their contributions. There are also quotes from the women themselves (or about them), which added more depth to the entries. A pleasure to read.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book of biographies of important women in world history. Unlike many of this kind of book, there is a broad spectrum of careers and paths shown, not just the arts and sports. Biographies are short, so this is a good book to use as a starting point for students wanting to learn more about the various women.
A must have for a junior/intermediate classroom.
A must have for a junior/intermediate classroom.
eirenophile's review against another edition
4.0
A little too much information for this to function as a read aloud (unless you read one page a night). The images are cool and I liked the list. That said, I am still looking for a children's book of women that shows more women through time and space. While this one had some women from other countries, it was biased towards the West and mostly representative of the last century and a half. Definitely a good one though, and one I'd like to have on my shelf.
kjewelweed's review against another edition
3.0
I ventured to read more group biographies after really enjoying Shaking Things Up. This one is fine. It's not my favorite simply due to my dislike for the illustrations.
iymain's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent. This book is thoughtfully constructed (Cynthia Chin-Lee deliberately lists the women by first name instead of patronym) with gorgeous illustrations. Each mini-profile contains a quote by the woman described. Hearing their actual voices through their words makes the biographies even more compelling. The collage-like illustrations are full of symbols and visually arresting details that also give the reader another way to connect with the woman on the page. I appreciated the diversity of the women included in this book. Artists, scientists, activists, astronauts, pilots and authors... Yet before they came across as accomplished in their fields, Chin-Lee builds them up as strong people in their own right. She uses anecdotes and descriptions of these woman as girls to show how their character drove them to do great things.
This is a very inspiring book, though I can attest that it's hard to get through in one sitting. It's small, but packed with information. Even if a girl doesn't read it from cover to cover, she'll find a story inside that can foster a dream that will go on for a lifetime.
This is a very inspiring book, though I can attest that it's hard to get through in one sitting. It's small, but packed with information. Even if a girl doesn't read it from cover to cover, she'll find a story inside that can foster a dream that will go on for a lifetime.
amdame1's review against another edition
5.0
CIP: none
Summary: a biography of 26 inspiring women from A to Z.
Review: This book is an amazing collection of biographies about fabulous women from Amelia Earhart to Zora Neale Hurston. There is a fantastic array of ethnicities, professions, hobbies, and religions to delight any reader from ages 6-12. It is inspiring and delightful to read these little snippets about so many strong women's lives and challenges, joys and struggles. The illustrations show great creativity with their mixed media, incorporating bits of lace, maps, typeset, pressed flowers, etc. in the vivid watercolor pictures.
SLJ says: "There is sophistication in both the quotes and in the art, encouraging repeated readings"
Kirkus says: "An inspiration and a delight"
Summary: a biography of 26 inspiring women from A to Z.
Review: This book is an amazing collection of biographies about fabulous women from Amelia Earhart to Zora Neale Hurston. There is a fantastic array of ethnicities, professions, hobbies, and religions to delight any reader from ages 6-12. It is inspiring and delightful to read these little snippets about so many strong women's lives and challenges, joys and struggles. The illustrations show great creativity with their mixed media, incorporating bits of lace, maps, typeset, pressed flowers, etc. in the vivid watercolor pictures.
SLJ says: "There is sophistication in both the quotes and in the art, encouraging repeated readings"
Kirkus says: "An inspiration and a delight"
reader44ever's review against another edition
3.0
While I liked this book, I didn't enjoy it enough to gush over it. The educational aspects of it were wonderful (and wonderfully done). The imagery that accompanied the narrative was not so great. It seemed cobbled together, partly because of the way the illustrations were done: sort of a collage-type effect. And one of the illustrations was downright disturbing: one of the photographers was portrayed by having her hand raised and holding a camera lens, through which you could see her eye. While the other women were portrayed more fully, this one illustration left me scratching my head a bit. I also found the formatting of the book to be on the not-so-great side: it was so wide that I had trouble holding it. The only way I can see a child reading it would be to lay it flat on the floor or a table, or to hold half of it while reading it with someone else who holds the other half. So all in all, it was an awkward book to read. But as I said at the beginning, the educational aspects of it were fantastic.