Category: biography

Behind the Scenes: “The Evolution of a Picture Book Biography from Sub to Pub” by Danna Zeiger, Ph.D.

October 17, 2025

Looking back over the process of a book can be really informative. So much is forgotten over the course of the several years it takes from idea to published. Here’s an interesting post from debut author Danna Zeiger on the journey of REWRITING THE RULES: HOW DR. KATHLEEN FRIEL CREATED NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR BRAIN RESEARCH … More Behind the Scenes: “The Evolution of a Picture Book Biography from Sub to Pub” by Danna Zeiger, Ph.D.

Mining for Heart in the Absence of Compassion: WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE by Andrea Wang

September 26, 2025

Author Andrea Wang’s latest book is beautiful in text and art, and at the same time heartbreaking and inspiring. The path to the heart of WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE she shares here is such a perfect example that shows how “heart” arises from the connection between author and research, that … More Mining for Heart in the Absence of Compassion: WORTHY: THE BRAVE AND CAPABLE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIERCE by Andrea Wang

Especially for Educators: “Who Helps You Shine? Embracing a Growth Mindset to Reach Your Dreams” by Lisa Rogers

September 19, 2025

Here’s another fantastic book from one of the Kid Lit for Growing Minds members! In this post for educators and librarians, author Lisa Rogers, a former library teacher, shares how WOODY’S WORDS: WOODROW WILSON RAWLS AND WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS can be used as a springboard for students to practice a growth mindset. GIVEAWAY! … More Especially for Educators: “Who Helps You Shine? Embracing a Growth Mindset to Reach Your Dreams” by Lisa Rogers

Behind the Scenes: “Making it Personal: Interviewing Relatives of Historical Subjects” by Claudia Friddell

June 20, 2025

Writers often ask how to go about interviewing someone connected to the subject of a biography. The opportunity is golden, and…very intimidating! In this post, author Claudia Friddell shares her process of preparing for an interview with relatives of Virginia Hall, as well as conducting it. The book is fabulous! And so are her tips! … More Behind the Scenes: “Making it Personal: Interviewing Relatives of Historical Subjects” by Claudia Friddell

Behind the Scenes: “Using Poetry to Get Unstuck” by Julie Winterbottom

June 6, 2025

Ah yes, the conundrum of TMI (too much information). I know it well. It’s like you’re a kid in a candy store and can only choose one of the many varieties tempting you. Here’s a wonderful post from Julie Winterbottom on how she drilled down for her focus in MAGIC IN A DROP OF WATER: … More Behind the Scenes: “Using Poetry to Get Unstuck” by Julie Winterbottom

Behind the Scenes: “Finding a Way into the Story” by Jeanne Walker Harvey

May 2, 2025

“Finding a way in” is one of the challenges for an author. But it was also the challenge for the subject of author Jeanne Walker Harvey’s biography of architect I.M. Pei which focuses on his process of creating a way into the Louvre in Paris. You’ll be fascinated by this story behind the story of … More Behind the Scenes: “Finding a Way into the Story” by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Especially for Educators: “’Riding a Bike with No Hands:’ Using Sensory Imagery to Infuse Writing With Emotion” by Lisa Rogers

February 21, 2025

Here’s a great writing activity for the classroom from author Lisa Rogers! Bringing emotion to the page can be a challenge for any writer, but it’s that emotion that connects a reader. Springboarding from her latest book, JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY: LA GRANDE VALLÉE SUITE, young writers use sensory imagery to bring emotion to … More Especially for Educators: “’Riding a Bike with No Hands:’ Using Sensory Imagery to Infuse Writing With Emotion” by Lisa Rogers

Especially for Educators: “Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time” from Beth Anderson and Vivian Kirkfield

February 7, 2025

Don’t you wonder sometimes if historical figures in the same time period knew each other? or knew about each other? I thought about that a lot when I was working on stories of Prudence Wright and Deborah Sampson. They lived in the same colony, at the same time, both animated by the revolutionary spirit. With … More Especially for Educators: “Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time” from Beth Anderson and Vivian Kirkfield

Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla

January 24, 2025

I’m a fan of Selene Castrovilla’s writing…and the ways she finds to tell stories. I know how hard it is to take a snippet of history, dig out the information, and create a story that’s engaging and meaningful! Her new book, GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES: THE GLASSES THAT SAVED AMERICA is fabulous! Here Selene shares … More Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla

Behind the Scenes: “A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively” by Lori Alexander

August 2, 2024

Transforming a pile of information into story is a challenge. And then when you think you’ve done it, you learn it’s not working as you’d hoped. In this post, author Lori Alexander shares how she continued to revise until the story came alive. Her examples are informative, and the tips she leaves us with are … More Behind the Scenes: “A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively” by Lori Alexander