WORLD RECORD WOMEN- Present and Past: PEDAL, BALANCE, STEER

 Recent news has heralded the excitement of sailing woman COLE BRAUER finishing second in a field of sixteen solo (male) sailors in a race to circumnavigate the world's oceans. Click above to read more details if this has somehow missed you. It's a powerful story of defying expectations and overcoming obstacles. Brauer's accomplishments are impressive in any times, even "these days", though it is apparently still somewhat "shocking" to many people that "a woman" could accomplish this, or even attempt it. 

From the report above:

"Aboard her 40-foot racing boat First Light, 29-year-old Cole Brauer just became the first American woman to race nonstop around the world by herself." 

Brauer was following early paths and inspirations of women breaking social "rules", examples provided by many other women in the past who had also seem potential in themselves that others dismissed, actively challenging themselves to do things others found incredible. One difference is that news coverage and shared stories about such groundbreaking women could not reach women globally. 

Calkins Creek, 2024
An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers

The story of one such woman is revealed in PEDAL, BALANCE, STEER: Annie Londonderry, First Woman to Cycle Around the World, written by the talented (and curious) researcher, storyteller, author VIVIAN KIRKFIELD, with fabulous illustrations by Alison Jay.  The subject of this event-focused bio/profile was known as Annie Londonderry, though her actual name was Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, married jewish mother of three who saw a poster with a daring opportunity, and set out to improve her family. 

The central story is that two rich men decided to pose a monetary prize (ten thousand dollars, at a time in which that translates to more than a quarter million modern dollars!). Terms of the challenge were specific, including that it must be bicycle strip around the world (allowing for ocean liner travel), that the woman must earn five thousand dollars during the trip (within the fifteen month limit), as well as restrictions related to accepting donations and other supports. 

Kirkfield incorporates excerpts from Annie's own accounts, directly connectING readers to Annie's personality, intentions (to improve prospects for her family's future) and perseverance. Kirkfield carries readers rapidly through Annie's record-setting narrative journey: learning to ride a bike, recognizing the immeasurable restrictions of biking in layered skirts and a corset on a man's-weight bike, plotting the best route (doubling back to restart after hundreds of miles), being waylaid and robbed, and so much more!

Incidents and anecdotes along the way are each revealing and informative about her clever approaches to meeting each of the strict criteria spelled out in the details of the contract challenge. Her awareness of NELLIE BLY's recent trip around the world offered examples embraced by and expanded by Annie, including selling signed photos along the way, lecturing groups about her travels, and, in fact, adopting the surname LONDONDERRY and displaying that non a sign on her bicycle to be the first female athlete compensated for advertising. 

If you've figured by now that Annie succeeded, you'd be right, but that fact barely scratches the surface of what I learned about her through this entertaining picture book, in the main narrative, through extended back matter, and by examining these stylized but remarkable illustrations. The story demands an initial read-through, but invites repeated readings during which the detail-rich illustrations reveal countless background facts about that time period and the various aspects of society around the globe. insights about standards of dress, style, occupations, attitudes, transportation, response to gender challenges, and so much more. I found it especially exciting that Kirkfield did not end the narrative at the end of that challenge journey, but included ways in which Annie's experienced shaped the remainder of her perusal and professional life.

Current news about sailing success COLE BRAUER has the benefits of digital media and "going viral". In fact, many kinds of advertising and reporting about women who broke new ground were common in the real time of the last century and more as women challenged struggles and successes. Those public records allowed modern day researchers to find reports and archival evidence of the impact each accomplishment had. The wonder, today, is how many author/researchers (many of them women) are making it their mission to find reliable sources, including primary sources, to share inspiring stories about women/girls who recognized difficulties but refused to see gender as a barrier to their horizons. Picture book format offers an ideal platform and intended audiences, reaching and affecting young female AND male perspectives before limitations and stereotypes ossify. In the next few posts I'll offer a few look-backs at examples of some of my favorite examples from recent years.

March 31, but You Haven't Heard the Last of Women in History

 On these final two days of March I am reviewing nonfiction picture books about women in history- in the ARTS! Louise Borgeois was the subject of a post about rebel artists in the twentieth century in THIS POST, and AMY CHENEY BEACH is the subject of the picture book reviewed below. They are distinctly different books in writing and illustrations styles, even in intended audiences and purposes, and yet they are similar in an important way. Both celebrate women whose lives extended across many decades of unique and brilliant creativity and excellence in artistic fields. Certainly those who study visual art are highly informed about the art and impact of Bourgeois, and those who study classical music composition know the works of Amy Cheney Beach. Even so, neither is well known (if known at all) by the general public. WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH ebbs away with ongoing attention to famous women leaders, often in fields of science, technology,  mathematics, etc. Artistic leaders of their time matter as much or more to history and culture.. Please share their picture books and other resources all year long.

Calkins Creek, 2023
Astra Publishing

PITCH PERFECT AND PERSISTENT: The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach is written by Caitlin DeLems and illustrated by Alison Jay. What do you call a one-year-old girl who hums, perfectly and on pitch, forty-four different familiar tunes? A two-year-old who confidently sings out an anthem from start to finish, every word accurate, every note on pitch?

A child who identifies notes and chords by color and emotion?

Most would call her a prodigy, a phenom, at least a  gifted child who should be nurtured and allowed to create.

Not Amy's mother.

Mrs. Cheney was a music teacher who's piano playing was the source of Amy's repertoire, but the family's strong religious beliefs required that no one, especially children, should call attention to themselves. Despite the safe and simple life depicted on the page, despite a sense that the mother's denial of access to a keyboard was from loving concern, despite illustrations with rounded figures and soft edges and tones, despite a charming rustic setting, my heart ached for Amy. Those soothing elements do allow readers to recognize that rules and restrictions of a social/cultural preset can be stifling, but are pointless against a child with a singing heart and soaring spirit. A double-page spread makes it clear how childlike and self-directed Amy was, with nursery rhyme characters dancing across musical bars that suggest the alternative melodies she imagined for those familiar tunes, swirling through her mind and voice like the swallows who dip and flow across the skies.

This deeply and thoroughly researched biography unfolds in chronological order but ascends and dips across Amy's life, revealing opportunities and accolades followed by denials and departures imposed by family and conventions. Eventually a compromise within marriage to an older man allows her a range of activity through which she can pursue her deepest love- musical composition.

The groundbreaking, startling devotion of her life, and source of her ultimate acclaim, was classical composition. That talent, skill, and art is challenging in any time or situation, but it was unheard of for a WOMAN to compose serious music. Amy's work, in fact, developed fully orchestrated symphonies and beyond. After her husband died she was left independent with the means to travel and control her own life. Her immeasurable talent expanded even further, including  travel, performances, and appearances, leading to world renown within the realm of music. 

I found Amy to be as compelling to read about as she was compelled to produce and create music. That's saying a lot. Back matter in these nonfiction picture book biographies is often impressive and informative. This is no exception, but is every bit as impressive in the author's acknowledgement of the many experts who advised or otherwise assured that this seemingly simple picture book rises to a level of scholarly resource, from the main text and from the bibliography provided.

The ability for anyone, but especially for girls and women, to develop and sustain a vision of themselves, their inner resources, and their unique perspectives beyond the moats and gates and walls of cultural norms is necessary and requires intentional effort. Books like this one,  and this one, elevate "out of the box" thinking and self-determination beyond role models to beacons of hope and guiding lights.

Grandparents Day: Two Perfect Picture Book Gifts

I feel blessed to have memories of three of my four grandparents from my childhood. The last of the three had died by the time I was in high school. My heart swells with joy for those who have had chance to share their lives with grandparents long into their own adulthood, a true bonus of the increased longevity trend for seniors/elders. There are certainly joys on the grandparent-side of this relationship, too, but the grandchild-adult has a privilege many of us will never know. 
Even so, any and every grandparent relationship resides in a special place in our lives. I'd be willing to bet my very small life savings that this has always been true, and always will be. Honoring those memories matters every day of our lives.
Sunday, September 8, is Grandparents Day. So, even though I'll admit that holidays like this one are often contrived commercial ventures, I will contribute to the sales-side of things by recommending two picture book titles that would be perfect gifts for grandparents on that day, or any time.

Penguin Random House, 2019

MY GRANDMA AND ME is written by Mina Javaherbin and illustrated by Lindsey Yankey.
While this is a very specific story and setting from actual childhood memories in Iran, the experiences and activities and resonance of emotion are universal. 
Note this line form the narrative:
"In this big universe full of many moons, I have traveled and seen many wonders, but I have never loved anything or anyone the way I love my grandma."
The opportunity to see special and unforgettable daily experiences unfold within this less familiar cultural context offers an invitation to recognize and appreciate our common humanity. It also reveals the similarity of childhood experiences on a global basis, embedding the beauty of the Iranian cultural images and practices within a story that feels like our own. 
I can easily see this being a gift to a grandma with the addition of a personal note inscribed about your own specific memories. Likely, many of your memories will mirror those noted in the pages of this book: quilts, cookies, playmates and prayers, to suggest only a few. 
As the quote above indicates, the text is lyrical and loving, the illustrations are delightfully detailed and subdued. And the story arc feels a bit like an extension of the book I featured in my previous post about the world-changing power of openhearted perspectives.

Candlewick, 2019

LOOKING FOR YESTERDAY is written and illustrated by Alison Jay. I love that this unique picture book opens (before the title page) with a quotation from Walt Whitman:
"Happiness...not in another place but this place, not for another hour but this hour."
What an ideal launch to this boy's earnest memory that "Yesterday was the best day." On each surreal double spread his memory of an amazing day spent with his grandfather leaves him long to go back in time, then calculating how he can make that happen. His evident knowledge of science integrating the speed of light with relative time and allows for some creative imagination about time travel and worm holes, humorously portrayed.When he turns to Granddad for advice, he offers the typical kid question: WHY? 
(Spolier alert- the ending is revealed next.) 
Together they examine Granddad's photo album, taking a virtual tour through his rich and rewarding past. He wisely advises that 
"Every day brings the chance of a new adventure. Why go looking for yesterday when you can be happy here...TODAY!"

In this case the trusting relationship between the two is also one that transcends their time, place, ethnicity, or specificity. Yes, they've shared memorable experiences, but the marvel of simply being together in the NOW merits appreciation and attention. On a side note, I was particularly pleased that in the revelation of memories, and the NOW, there was no evidence of handheld and other digital devices, allowing no role for those in making any day a "best day". 

Why give a picture book to a grandparent, especially if the "grandchild" is already a teen or even an adult? 
It saddens me to think you might ask that, but if the thought crossed your mind, please check one past post in particular. It shares an insight I gained when I gifted my own mom with a picture book many years ago (HERE).
And if your family's senior generation is dealing with disappearing memories, whether Alzheimers or for other reasons, please take a peek back at this post about WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.
If you have other grandparent or multi-generational titles to suggest, please add them in the comments.