Illinois Authors

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill School Pub. Co., New York : 1994.

Presents the life and ideas of the renowned nineteenth-century American author.

Told through the eyes of a young boy, the sober mood of the country after the Lincoln assassination is presented as he and many other mourners wait to pay their respects to their fallen president as Lincoln's funeral train travels from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, in 1865.

Silver Whistle Harcourt, Orlando, Fla. : ©2003.

An illustrated biography of the world-famous woman pilot known for her long and daring flights.

Henry Holt and Co., New York : 2004.

A look at a cross-section of people and events in American history from 1621 to 2001 representing the many facets of American life.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York : ©1998.

An account of Admiral Richard Byrd's stay alone in a small shack during an antarctic winter.

Introduces twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber, who worked hard to overcome obstacles and became National Football League stars, one as runningback for the New York Giants, the other as cornerback for the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Traces the history of chocolate from a drink of the Olmec and Maya and later in Europe to its popularity around the world today.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2009.

From morning until night, a city is filled with such sounds as the roars and snores of a subway ride, the flutters and coos of pigeons, and the shouts and beeps of drivers in traffic.

Harry N. Abrams, New York : 2002.

Presents aerial photographs of various scenes from around the world including fishermen in Morrocco, a farm on the island of Crete, and a mangrove forest in New Caledonia.

Orchard Books, New York : 2000.

Uses the imagined viewpoint of Edna St. Vincent Millay to recreate her early years as a poet in New York City. Includes her poem

Philomel Books, New York : ©1991.

Describes how Charles Lindbergh achieved the remarkable feat of flying nonstop and solo from New York to Paris in 1927.

Philomel Books, New York : ©2012.

Ultimon, once king of the dragons and now the last survivor, climbs out of the sewers in which he has been hiding and takes one last flight. Includes notes about the constellation Draco.

Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York : 2008.

Cher Ami was one of six hundred carrier pigeons used by the American Army during World War I. Cher Ami was a hero who, against all odds, helped rescue a lost battalion of soldiers.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2005.

Twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber share a story of perseverance and teamwork from when they were growing up and playing for the Cave Springs Vikings before they became NFL superstars. Ronde and Tiki are a team. They are twins, they are each other's best friends and biggest fans, and they play on the same football team, the Cave Spring Vikings. Ronde is #21 and Tiki is #22, always side by side. Tiki has had seven long touch-down runs this season, and Ronde is proud of his brother, but he can't help feeling a little down when Tiki gets all the glory. If Ronde hadn't been leading the way with his blocks, Tiki wouldn't have been clear to score. Ronde thinks nobody notices the guy who blocks; they only notice the guy who scores. Will the day ever come when Ronde will get his chance? Written by two NFL superstars, this story of perseverance and teamwork will inspire. Barry Root's glowing illustrations bring to life all the excitement and energy of a great game and a team working together.

No punches are pulled in this fascinating biography that covers the life and work of the prolific artist George Bellows. Having spent most of his adult life in New York City, Bellows left behind an extraordinary body of work that captures life in this dynamic city: bustling street scenes, ringside views of boxing matches, and boys diving and swimming in the East River. Art reproductions and photographs from his youth round out the book.

Harcourt Brace, San Diego, Ca. : 2001.

Illustrations and poetic text describe the movement and feel of a fast-paced game of soccer.

Marshall Cavendish Children, Tarrytown, N.Y. : ©2010.

A father teaches his young son about death and remembrance as he buries their beloved dog.

Silver Whistle, San Diego : c1999.

Retells the story of the final, and most difficult, labor of Hercules, known as Heracles in Greek mythology, in which he must go to Underworld and bring back the three-headed dog, Cerberus.

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books 2019

“An inviting and admiring introduction to an important American artist.” —Kirkus Reviews From award-winning author Robert Burleigh comes a striking, intimate picture book biography about an American icon—beloved artist Norman Rockwell. Norman Rockwell is best known for capturing the American spirit as a painter and illustrator in the late twentieth century. This beautifully illustrated, first-person narrative explores Rockwell’s life in episodes based on important moments in American history. Norman Rockwell is not only a great American artist, but he also successfully chronicled two generations of American life, making him one of the most beloved and well-known American artists of all time.

Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2012.

A rabbit named Jack travels across the United States in a story based on the life of author Jack Kerouac.

Voyager Books 1998

Illustrations and poetic text describe the movement and feel of the game of basketball.

For one reader, going through a book is an incredible adventure.

Abrams 2023

From writer Robert Burleigh and illustrator Wendell Minor, an award-winning and bestselling picture book team, comes a gripping climate change–themed tale of a polar bear family fighting to survive. It is March in the cold North. The long-gone sun is rising. Silvery ice glitters. Snow sparkles in the hazy glow. Two polar bears stand at ice edge: mother and cub. A mother polar bear and her cub are busy searching for food, when suddenly, the ice they stand on breaks away—crack! Cut adrift, her cub is out of reach as the treacherous sea begins to carry him away. In she dives! Can they return to land safely? Simply told yet dramatic, and with realistic, exquisite illustrations and informative back matter with facts about polar bears, Ice Bears at Ice Edge immerses readers in one animal family’s story, while also highlighting the broader plight of endangered wildlife whose habitats are threatened by climate change.

Henry Holt and Co. 2012

In 1845 in Concord, Massachusetts, Henry David Thoreau began a radical experiment: he built a cabin in the woods and lived there, alone, examining the world around him. He spent his days walking the shores of Walden Pond, growing beans, observing plants and animals, and recording his reflections in his notebook. These reflections eventually became his seminal work Walden. In this lovely picture book, Robert Burleigh and Wendell Minor imagine a special day spent with the celebrated writer and naturalist through the eyes of a child. Together Thoreau and the young boy watch small but significant wonders such as swimming fish, fighting ants, and clouds in the sky. It is a day full of splendor and appreciation of the outdoor world.

Silver Whistle, San Diego : ©2002.

Describes how the Wright Brothers came to build and fly the first powered aircraft.

Orchard Books, New York : 1999.

Ben draws a train that takes him to all sorts of wonderful places before returning him to his own bed.

Describes how the twentieth-century African American poet Langston Hughes affirms his vocation as a writer through the composition of his famous 1921 poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers."

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2013.

An illustrated portrait of astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt traces the years she spent measuring stars from her position at the Harvard College Observatory and her important discoveries that enabled the scientific community to gain a fuller understanding of the universe's vast size.

Harcourt, San Diego, Calif. : 2001.

A fictionalized account of the time when, as a teen-age music student, trumpeter Miles Davis spent many hours trying to find Charlie Parker in New York City.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2000.

Calvin Curbhopper, a bicycle messenger, makes his way through the city in all kinds of conditions to make sure that his messages get delivered on time.

Abrams Books for Young Readers, published in association with the American Federation of Arts, New York : 2007.

A brief introductory biography of Napoleon.

An account of Amelia Earhart's dangerous 1932 flight across the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to Ireland, in which she survived bad weather and a malfunctioning airplane. Includes a brief biography of the aviator.

Charlesbridge 2018

Ride the rails of the night train in this beautifully rendered journey conducted by renowned artist Wendell Minor and frequent collaborator Robert Burleigh. Rhyming, lyrical text describes the sights and sounds of a nighttime journey from country to city on a passenger train in the 1940s. Largely painted in black and white, breathtaking illustrations feature pops of color as the train continues its trip until the full-color spectrum appears as dawn breaks and passengers arrive at the station. A nostalgic and innovative choice for readers fascinated by trains.

Nonfiction picture book recounts how President Abraham Lincoln inspired the poet Walt Whitman during the Civil War.

A historical account of man's first walk on the moon, this book is a tribute that transports readers to the stars, where they will experience the moon landing just as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did.

Although Pandora has a house, gardens, and numerous gifts, she is drawn to the room that holds a forbidden jar. Is her curiosity a gift or a curse?

H.N. Abrams ; New York : 2006.

Introduces the life and work of the French painter, discussing the struggles of his early life, his friendships with other artists, and his lifelong commitment to developing his own unique style. Filled with Cezanne's paintings, period photographs, and the works of his contemporaries, this picture book biography illuminates the life and art of Cezanne for youngsters everywhere. A great and difficult artist, Cezanne's life and work are easily laid out for children in this important addition to the Abrams collection of picture book biographies. Burleigh tells how Cezanne overcame his father's rejection, critics' scorn, and public indifference to create his art and follow his own inner voice. Children will find inspiration in his story to follow their own dreams and to believe in themselves-as well as learning about Cezanne's major contributions to the history of art.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Reader, New York : 2010.

Presents a story of right-handed Jorge Posada being coached by his father to bat left-handed, and how it leads right to the major leagues.

H.N. Abrams in association with the Art Institute of Chicago, New York : 2004.

An analysis of Georges Seurat's famous painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, including where and when it was made, interesting details, and the techniques used to create a sense of stillness.

Simon & Schuster 2016

"This illustrated biography shares the story of female scientist, Marie Tharp, a pioneering woman scientist and the first person to ever successfully map the ocean floor"--

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2007.

A look at the the personal life and baseball career of the legendary player, Jackie Robinson who was the first African American to play in the majors.

"The story of the legendary Shakespeare & Company bookstore and its owner Sylvia Beach and the many great writers who came to meet, read and share ideas"--

"A story of teamwork and perseverance based on the childhood of National Football League stars and twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber"--Provided by publisher.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2011.

An introduction to the life and career of American author Mark Twain told in the voice of Huckleberry Finn, one of his most enduring characters.

AntiPress, Chicago : ©2009.

Harry N. Abrams, New York, NY : ©2004.

An attention-grabbing primer on mankind's direct and indirect effects on the natural world. This important book explains how such topics as global trends, economic disparity, and invasive species, among others, have changed the world in which we live. World-renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand's spectacular photographs feature fragile environments that are at risk of being lost as well as places that have already seen the devastating effects of human behavior. A poignant overview of the state of the globe, this book encourages readers to understand what is happening in the environment and to take action. From the best-selling author and photographer of Earth from Above for Kids comes a great introduction to various developments affecting the earth on a global level-perfect for the classroom!

H.N. Abrams, New York : 2003.

Text and photographs of storms, ports, pollution, diving, rescues, surfing, lighthouses, tides, and many kinds of boats, plants, and animals reveal the world's oceans and the people who live on or near them.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2002.

As Sam and Uncle Ezra watch, the Great Houdini escapes from a trunk at the bottom of the river. Includes factual information about Houdini and his career as a magician and escape artist.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2006

Describes the first successful climb to the top of Mount Everest by the Sherpa Tenzing Norkey and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.

As autumn nears, flowers fade and insects become quiet, and Tiny Bird leaves his northern home for the long and perilous journey to lush southern forests. Includes facts about hummingbirds.

H.N. Abrams in association with the Art Institute of Chicago, New York : 2005.

A short biography of the artist and a look at the city he loved. Presents the life of the French artist, discussing how he overcame childhood injuries and went on to become one of the acknowledged masters of French painting of the nineteenth century.

H.N. Abrams, New York : 2003.

Over thirty photographs and accompanying text reveal the facts about the world's volcanoes.

Henry Holt, New York : 1997.

A collection of quotations along with the story behind the words and the people who voiced them.

"Two American icons meet in this nonfiction picture book that tells the dramatic true tale of Wilbur Wright's flight circling the Statue of Liberty"--

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2014.

From morning's joggers until night's last train, a boy notices and enjoys the many sounds made by people and things in a big city.