Marie Curie by Al Berenger
Published by Roaring Brook Press on July 17th 2018
ISBN: 1250166152
Pages: 32
Goodreads

This “Pocket Bios” biography of Marie Curie was written by Patricia Crété and has been translated into English by Catherine Nolan. Illustrations are by Bruno Wennagel and Mathieu Ferret. The book starts with her childhood in Poland and studies in France, then continues on to her marriage to Pierre and scientific discoveries, and ends with her death in 1934 and the posthumous move of their coffins to the Pantheon in Paris to rest with other heroes of France. The book provides a lot of interesting information about Marie Curie at a PreK to 2^nd Grade level. The illustrations are simple and humorous and definitely add to the enjoyment of the book. I learned a few things that I did not know about Madame Curie and think this book is a good introduction to her life for a younger child. The back of the book also has a timeline of her life, a map with important places in her story, and “People to Know.” This book is similar to the Brian Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos “I Am” series. If you have a Juvenile Biography section at your library or a child who is very interested in learning about historical figures, I would purchase this book.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

Charlie Chaplin by Al Berenger
Published by Roaring Brook Press on July 17th 2018
ISBN: 1250166233
Pages: 32
Goodreads

The “Pocket Bios” series comes from France. The Charlie Chaplin biography was written by Patricia Crété and has been translated into English by Catherine Nolan. Illustrations are by Bruno Wennagel, Mathieu Ferret, Aurélien Fernandez, and Aurélie Verdon. This book provides a concise and easy to read biography of Charlie Chaplin, from the beginning of his life in London through his success in film, multiple marriages, and death in 1977. The illustrations are humorous and are my favorite part of the book. The book is historically accurate (at least as far as basic knowledge about Charlie Chaplin goes) and provides a lot of interesting information geared towards a PreK to 2^nd grade level. I also enjoyed the timeline, map with important places in his life, and “People to Know” in Chaplins life that are included at the end of the book. This reminds me very much of the Brian Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos “I Am” series. If you have a Juvenile Biography section at your library or a child who is very interested in learning about historical figures, I would consider purchasing this book.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook