Remarkable Lives, Remarkable Stories
by Nikki TateWonder Kids: The Remarkable Lives of Nine Prodigiesby Charis Cotter
Annick Press, 2008
I’m fascinated by child prodigies. The idea that a child can be so accomplished, whether at music, math, painting, or some other area is intriguing. Where do children like these come from? What is it like to grow up with a great talent? How do children cope with being thrust into the adult world at such a young age?
Charis Cotter answers these questions and more in Wonder Kids, a collection of nine short biographies of amazing children. The people she profiles range from Phillis Wheatley—a black slave who, at the age of 14, had her first poem published—to Stevie Wonder. Before the age of 10, Stevie had taught himself to play the harmonica by listening to the radio, not so unlike Clara Schumann, a 19th Century virtuoso pianist who began by imitating her father at the keyboard when she was just five. The story of how Terence Tao, one of the world’s best mathematicians is equally astounding. At the tender age of two, the little boy began to solve math problems on the fridge door using magnetic numbers.
Each child’s story is related in clear, interesting prose. Tidbits about family life, school, and their developing talents draw readers into the lives of these extraordinary children. Colour photographs provide a further peek into their lives and careers. This full-colour format allows readers to fully appreciate the paintings of Wang Yani. Yani was born in 1975 in southern China and her paintings (done when most children are tackling kindergarten finger paints) show a sophistication and grace that most adults would be delighted to accomplish. From Buster Keaton to Fanny Mendelssohn, Dai Vernon the magician and 18th Century polyglot, Maria Gaetana Agnesi, each story is intriguing and compelling and, sometimes, poignant and dramatic. Children interested in the lives and accomplishments of those featured in this wonderful book are guided to websites, further reading, musical recordings, and movies. The author’s enthusiasm for her subject and her excellent writing combine to do a fine job of celebrating the lives of nine remarkable youngsters.
Mark Twain: An American Starby Elizabeth MacLeod
Kids Can Press, 2008
Toronto writer Elizabeth MacLeod has written several other biographies in the Snapshots series of books for children. Her previous subjects have included Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Harry Houdini, and Lucy Maude Montgomery. MacLeod’s new book is about Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain). Twain certainly provides plenty of rich fodder for a biographer.
Beginning with a brief introduction to the man who some consider to be America’s first celebrity and one of the nation’s best-known writers, the book then returns to Twain’s roots in Hannibal, Missouri. Twain’s life as a writer, traveller, raconteur, and hopeless businessman is chronicled in this nicely designed book, which is full of colour illustrations, historical photographs, maps, and ephemera. There are plenty of short captions and sidebars for those who may struggle with reading and lots of additional detail in the main narrative. Pithy quotes (and what would a book about Mark Twain be without pithy quotes?) grace nearly every page. Facts about the tragic aspects of Twain’s life (he outlived his wife and three of his four children and endured terrible financial troubles) are interwoven with information about the successes of his writing career. Despite the challenges he faced, Twain’s wit never failed him.
The book concludes with a timeline and a bibliography of Twain’s books and short stories. Several sites of historic interest are listed (actual, geographic ones, not websites). An index provides an easy way to navigate for those using the book as a research tool.
Fantastic Female Filmmakersby Suzanne Simoni
Second Story Press (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series), 2008
Though this book’s presentation is a little more sedate than the previous two titles (no colour!), the content is inspiring for young filmmakers of both genders. Girls, though, will be particularly pleased to read about such a fine selection of women who have made their mark working behind the camera.
Though the first film ever made that actually told a story was the work of Alice Guy-Blachē of France, after the appearance of “talkies” and the rise of film as big industry, things soon got tough for women. Despite the many barriers facing women wanting to work as directors (today things aren’t much better in Hollywood—only 12 per cent of directors are women!), some persevered. These remarkable women have braved angry mobs (Deepa Mehta’s attempts to film “Water” triggered angry protests in India), discrimination, and all the usual financial and creative challenges of making films. The directors featured include women from the US, Canada, India, England, Martinique, and Germany. Their work ranges from serious documentaries to television dramas and Bollywood-style extravaganzas. Peppered with quotes and anecdotes, the text provides the reader with a real sense of the women’s personalities and their creative visions.
Nikki Tate is an author who lives on Vancouver Island. Kids who like to write should visit Nikki’s website at www.tarragonisland.com or www.stablemates.net.
