JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Performing Arts
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Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time
A One-Man Show
Price: $18.99
Pub Date: March 27, 2024
Format: Hardcover
Newbery Honoree Carole Boston Weatherford and award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez—the team behind Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library—reunite to take full measure of an iconic performer and political activist.
Paul Robeson rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance, known for his extraordinary vocal, dramatic, and oratory skills. But he was a true Renaissance man: an accomplished athlete, a bright intellect, and a passionate supporter for humanitarian causes. He displayed his talents on many stages: the pulpit where he filled in for his minister father; on debate, football, baseball, basketball, and track teams; in college and law school classrooms; on the theatrical stage and the silver screen; and behind the podium. Paul Robeson became internationally renowned as a singer and actor, and as his fame grew, so did his unflinching activism against racial injustice. He used the power of his voice to speak out as America’s conscience, but when his nation was not yet willing to listen, he found a more-supportive reception abroad—in Africa, Great Britain, and the USSR. In this moving birth-to-death biography, Carole Boston Weatherford’s poetic first-person narrative, interlaced with excerpts from African American spirituals, pairs with dynamic illustrations by Eric Velasquez capturing Paul Robeson’s commanding presence. Back matter includes a time line, source notes, and bibliography for readers inspired to learn more.
Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: March 26, 2019
Format: Hardcover
An award-winning author and a Caldecott Medalist take a creative look at the early life of comedic genius Charlie Chaplin.
Once there was a little slip of a boy who roamed the streets of London, hungry for life (and maybe a bit of bread). His dad long gone and his actress mother ailing, five-year-old Charlie found himself onstage one day taking his mum’s place, singing and drawing laughs amid a shower of coins. There were times in the poorhouse and times spent sitting in the window at home with Mum, making up funny stories about passersby. And when Charlie described a wobbly old man he saw in baggy clothes, with turned-out feet and a crooked cane, his mother found it sad, but Charlie knew that funny and sad go hand in hand. With a lyrical text and exquisite collage imagery, Gary Golio and Ed Young interpret Charlie Chaplin’s path from his childhood through his beginnings in silent film and the creation of his iconic Little Tramp. Keen-eyed readers will notice a silhouette of the Little Tramp throughout the book that becomes animated with a flip of the pages. An afterword fills in facts about the beloved performer who became one of the most famous entertainers of all time.
Crossing Niagara
The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin
Series: Candlewick Biographies
Price: $4.99
Pub Date: October 16, 2018
Format: Paperback
“Tavares’s sweeping panoramas and direct storytelling easily transport audiences back to those suspense-filled summer days more than 150 years ago.” — Publishers Weekly
“Monsieur Blondin is to cross Niagara Falls this afternoon, or perish in the attempt.” — Troy Daily Times, June 30, 1859
When the Great Blondin announced that he was going to walk from America to Canada across the Niagara River on a rope that was more than 1,100 feet long and just 3 inches wide, hanging 160 feet above the raging river, people came from everywhere. Some came to watch him cross. Some came to watch him fall. Some thought he wouldn’t show up at all. But he did show up. And he did walk across the river. And then he did it again. Matt Tavares’s gorgeous, riveting account of the daredevil of Niagara Falls is sure to hold readers in its grip, just as Blondin's feats enthralled those spectators on the cliffs more than one hundred and fifty years ago.
Anything But Ordinary Addie
The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: April 12, 2016
Format: Hardcover
Be astonished and dazzled by the true story of Adelaide Herrmann, the Queen of Magic!
Some girls are perfectly happy never doing anything out of the ordinary. But Addie was anything but ordinary. She longed for thrills and excitement! At a time when a young lady appearing onstage was considered most unusual, Addie defied convention and became a dancer. And when she married the world-famous magician Herrmann the Great, she knew she had to be part of his show. Addie wanted to shock and dazzle! She would do anything to draw the crowds, even agree to be shot out of a cannon. But when Herrmann the Great died, Addie couldn’t disappoint her loyal fans — the show had to go on. What could she do? She would perform the show all by herself! From the creators of Mesmerized, this rollicking romp tells the true story of one fearless magician’s rise to glory, featuring exquisitely lavish illustrations by Iacopo Bruno. Extensive back matter, including instructions for performing one of Addie’s original tricks, makes this a dazzling celebration of one of the first female conjurers in show business.
Footwork
The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire
Series: Candlewick Biographies
Price: $5.99
Pub Date: March 12, 2013
Format: Paperback
"Informative, with spry visuals. . . . A class act." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
In this fascinating story of child stars who dance their way to knockout success on Broadway and beyond, Roxane Orgill and Stéphane Jorisch team up for a bravura performance, capturing the sophistication, fluidity, and grace of two of the biggest names in dance history, Fred and Adele Astaire.
Back matter includes an author’s note, suggestions for further reading, suggested resources, and an index.
Judy Moody Goes to Hollywood
Behind the Scenes with Judy Moody and Friends
Series: Judy Moody
Price: $14.99
Pub Date: June 10, 2011
Format: E-Book
A way-behind-the-scenes look at a movie set with Judy Moody and friends!
Sneak onto the set of the Judy Moody movie with Judy, Stink, Rocky, Frank Pearl, Amy Namey, even Mouse, and some new characters. They go deep underground to discover all sorts of weird, wonderful, and far-out facts about making and being in movies. Get an insider’s view of special effects, costumes, bloopers, what actors do when they’re not on set, and more. Thrill-o-rama!
Extraordinary Ordinary People
Five American Masters of Traditional Arts
Price: $22.99
Pub Date: August 1, 2006
Format: Hardcover
Through fascinating profiles of five National Heritage Fellows, folklorist Alan Govenar celebrates the cultural democracy that is America — and honors the endurance of traditional crafts and methods.
In bustling midtown Manhattan, Qi Shu Fang applies the elaborate makeup and headwear required for her role as a Chinese opera singer, an impressive art she learned in her native Beijing. Overlooking a quiet little garden in Nyssa, Oregon, Eva Castellanoz starts her day as a maker of paper-and-wax coronas, delicate tissue-paper flower wreaths she learned to make in Mexico, her childhood home. Meanwhile, Ralph W. Stanley keeps the craft of boat building alive in his coastal Maine town, and Dorothy Trumpold carries on the rug-weaving technique her grandfather taught her in Amana, Iowa. And for fifty-two years, the late Allison "Tootie" Montana designed magnificent beaded-and-feathered regalia to show off as Mardi Gras Indian suits.
Each of these artists is a recipient of a prestigious National Heritage Fellowship bestowed by the National Endowment for the Arts. And all come wonderfully alive through candid interviews with renowned folklorist Alan Govenar and captivating full-color photographs, highlighting their life stories, their art forms, their culture, their individuality, and their inspiration. These people may be ordinary in that they remind us of our neighbors, our families, or our friends. Yet all are extraordinary in their passion for their work and in their commitment to artistic excellence and to its importance in all of our lives.
Back matter includes suggestions for further reading.

Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time
A One-Man Show
Price: $18.99
Pub Date: March 27, 2024
Format: Hardcover
Newbery Honoree Carole Boston Weatherford and award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez—the team behind Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library—reunite to take full measure of an iconic performer and political activist.
Paul Robeson rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance, known for his extraordinary vocal, dramatic, and oratory skills. But he was a true Renaissance man: an accomplished athlete, a bright intellect, and a passionate supporter for humanitarian causes. He displayed his talents on many stages: the pulpit where he filled in for his minister father; on debate, football, baseball, basketball, and track teams; in college and law school classrooms; on the theatrical stage and the silver screen; and behind the podium. Paul Robeson became internationally renowned as a singer and actor, and as his fame grew, so did his unflinching activism against racial injustice. He used the power of his voice to speak out as America’s conscience, but when his nation was not yet willing to listen, he found a more-supportive reception abroad—in Africa, Great Britain, and the USSR. In this moving birth-to-death biography, Carole Boston Weatherford’s poetic first-person narrative, interlaced with excerpts from African American spirituals, pairs with dynamic illustrations by Eric Velasquez capturing Paul Robeson’s commanding presence. Back matter includes a time line, source notes, and bibliography for readers inspired to learn more.
Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: March 26, 2019
Format: Hardcover
An award-winning author and a Caldecott Medalist take a creative look at the early life of comedic genius Charlie Chaplin.
Once there was a little slip of a boy who roamed the streets of London, hungry for life (and maybe a bit of bread). His dad long gone and his actress mother ailing, five-year-old Charlie found himself onstage one day taking his mum’s place, singing and drawing laughs amid a shower of coins. There were times in the poorhouse and times spent sitting in the window at home with Mum, making up funny stories about passersby. And when Charlie described a wobbly old man he saw in baggy clothes, with turned-out feet and a crooked cane, his mother found it sad, but Charlie knew that funny and sad go hand in hand. With a lyrical text and exquisite collage imagery, Gary Golio and Ed Young interpret Charlie Chaplin’s path from his childhood through his beginnings in silent film and the creation of his iconic Little Tramp. Keen-eyed readers will notice a silhouette of the Little Tramp throughout the book that becomes animated with a flip of the pages. An afterword fills in facts about the beloved performer who became one of the most famous entertainers of all time.
Crossing Niagara
The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin
Series: Candlewick Biographies
Price: $4.99
Pub Date: October 16, 2018
Format: Paperback
“Tavares’s sweeping panoramas and direct storytelling easily transport audiences back to those suspense-filled summer days more than 150 years ago.” — Publishers Weekly
“Monsieur Blondin is to cross Niagara Falls this afternoon, or perish in the attempt.” — Troy Daily Times, June 30, 1859
When the Great Blondin announced that he was going to walk from America to Canada across the Niagara River on a rope that was more than 1,100 feet long and just 3 inches wide, hanging 160 feet above the raging river, people came from everywhere. Some came to watch him cross. Some came to watch him fall. Some thought he wouldn’t show up at all. But he did show up. And he did walk across the river. And then he did it again. Matt Tavares’s gorgeous, riveting account of the daredevil of Niagara Falls is sure to hold readers in its grip, just as Blondin's feats enthralled those spectators on the cliffs more than one hundred and fifty years ago.
Anything But Ordinary Addie
The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: April 12, 2016
Format: Hardcover
Be astonished and dazzled by the true story of Adelaide Herrmann, the Queen of Magic!
Some girls are perfectly happy never doing anything out of the ordinary. But Addie was anything but ordinary. She longed for thrills and excitement! At a time when a young lady appearing onstage was considered most unusual, Addie defied convention and became a dancer. And when she married the world-famous magician Herrmann the Great, she knew she had to be part of his show. Addie wanted to shock and dazzle! She would do anything to draw the crowds, even agree to be shot out of a cannon. But when Herrmann the Great died, Addie couldn’t disappoint her loyal fans — the show had to go on. What could she do? She would perform the show all by herself! From the creators of Mesmerized, this rollicking romp tells the true story of one fearless magician’s rise to glory, featuring exquisitely lavish illustrations by Iacopo Bruno. Extensive back matter, including instructions for performing one of Addie’s original tricks, makes this a dazzling celebration of one of the first female conjurers in show business.
Footwork
The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire
Series: Candlewick Biographies
Price: $5.99
Pub Date: March 12, 2013
Format: Paperback
"Informative, with spry visuals. . . . A class act." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
In this fascinating story of child stars who dance their way to knockout success on Broadway and beyond, Roxane Orgill and Stéphane Jorisch team up for a bravura performance, capturing the sophistication, fluidity, and grace of two of the biggest names in dance history, Fred and Adele Astaire.
Back matter includes an author’s note, suggestions for further reading, suggested resources, and an index.
Judy Moody Goes to Hollywood
Behind the Scenes with Judy Moody and Friends
Series: Judy Moody
Price: $14.99
Pub Date: June 10, 2011
Format: E-Book
A way-behind-the-scenes look at a movie set with Judy Moody and friends!
Sneak onto the set of the Judy Moody movie with Judy, Stink, Rocky, Frank Pearl, Amy Namey, even Mouse, and some new characters. They go deep underground to discover all sorts of weird, wonderful, and far-out facts about making and being in movies. Get an insider’s view of special effects, costumes, bloopers, what actors do when they’re not on set, and more. Thrill-o-rama!
Extraordinary Ordinary People
Five American Masters of Traditional Arts
Price: $22.99
Pub Date: August 1, 2006
Format: Hardcover
Through fascinating profiles of five National Heritage Fellows, folklorist Alan Govenar celebrates the cultural democracy that is America — and honors the endurance of traditional crafts and methods.
In bustling midtown Manhattan, Qi Shu Fang applies the elaborate makeup and headwear required for her role as a Chinese opera singer, an impressive art she learned in her native Beijing. Overlooking a quiet little garden in Nyssa, Oregon, Eva Castellanoz starts her day as a maker of paper-and-wax coronas, delicate tissue-paper flower wreaths she learned to make in Mexico, her childhood home. Meanwhile, Ralph W. Stanley keeps the craft of boat building alive in his coastal Maine town, and Dorothy Trumpold carries on the rug-weaving technique her grandfather taught her in Amana, Iowa. And for fifty-two years, the late Allison "Tootie" Montana designed magnificent beaded-and-feathered regalia to show off as Mardi Gras Indian suits.
Each of these artists is a recipient of a prestigious National Heritage Fellowship bestowed by the National Endowment for the Arts. And all come wonderfully alive through candid interviews with renowned folklorist Alan Govenar and captivating full-color photographs, highlighting their life stories, their art forms, their culture, their individuality, and their inspiration. These people may be ordinary in that they remind us of our neighbors, our families, or our friends. Yet all are extraordinary in their passion for their work and in their commitment to artistic excellence and to its importance in all of our lives.
Back matter includes suggestions for further reading.