Books
The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue
Illustrated by Melissa Castrillon / Published by Chronicle Books
Available everywhere now!
Everyone has heard of Schindler’s list–but few have heard of Aristides de Sousa Mendes–a Portuguese diplomat who saved the lives of thousands of fleeing refugees during World War II and whose story is only starting to be better known. This magnificently illustrated picture book biography tells the moving story that has profound resonance today.
This book tells the true and powerful story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese diplomat who, against his government’s commands, helped refugees escape the Nazis by granting visas that allowed them entry to Portugal.
In one of the greatest acts of individual rescue in World War II, Mendes saved tens of thousands of people, including the artist Salvador Dalí, and H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George. He and his family would pay dearly for it, but Aristides never regretted his actions, believing to the very end of his life that every life is worth saving.
Educator Guide: https://edelweiss-assets.abovethetreeline.com/CH/supplemental/2WorldEntire_EducatorGuide.pdf
Awards and Honors
- Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year – 2026
- 2026 Notable Social Studies Trade Book Award – National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council
- New York Public Library Best Books of 2025
- Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books – 2025
- A Publishers Weekly Best Picture Book of 2025
- Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Books of 2025
- 2026 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, Unanimous Recommendation
- 2026-2027 Maine Student Book Award Reading List
- Volunteer State Book Awards, 2026-2027, Intermediate Division, Grades 3-5 Reading List
- Beehive Award, 2026-2027, Grades 4-6 Reading List
- ★ School Library Journal, Starred Review
- ★ Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
- ★ Booklist, Starred Review
- A Junior Library Guild Selection
- Tablet’s Best Children’s Books of the Year – 2025
- 31 Days, 31 Lists of Great Books for Kids – School Library Journal: 2025 Unique Biographies for Kids – Betsy Bird
- 31 Days, 31 Lists of Great Books for Kids – School Library Journal: 2025 Nonfiction Picture Books – Betsy Bird
- The Children’s Book Review – Best Kids’ Non-Fiction Books of 2025
- Children’s Book Council: CBC Spotlight—Looking Back to Forge a Path Forward
- Children’s Book Council: Hot Off the Press
★ — “Quietly propulsive narration… sweeping compositions… convey the tide of events and the protagonist’s steadfast, heroic defiance.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“An inspiring, well-earned salute.” — Kirkus Reviews
“…meticulously researched and dramatically narrated…the text is thoroughly informative as well as immediate and suspenseful; illustrations are eye-catching and lively…appended with an extensive bibliography and detailed source notes, plus an author’s note and timeline.” —Horn Book Magazine
★ — “This thrilling picture-book biography shows how one man, armed with only a pen and a stamp pad, succeeded in saving the lives of thousands of refugees. A … wonderfully inspiring book.” — Booklist, Starred Review
★ — “…Passages rich with descriptive language paint a picture of a man who recognized the strength in a united world rather than a divided one…lyrical illustrations…Poignant and educational, this is a necessary addition to World War II literature collections for elementary school readers.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review
“The stunning illustrations and illuminating text elevate it to an example of the finest picture-book artistry. [A] highly recommended and distinguished work.” — Jewish Book Council
The Right to Play: How Jane Addams Fought for America's Playgrounds
Illustrated by Olga Lee / Published by Albert Whitman
Available Now!
This nonfiction picture book explores the history of public spaces for kids and the emergence of the Playground Movement (spearheaded by Jane Addams), and how she was able to create safe places and change the face of play for all children across the world.
“…This picture-book biography draws the blueprints for an important message: Play matters.” — Kirkus Reviews
Like a Diamond in the Sky: Jane Taylor's Beloved Poem of Wonder and the Stars
Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander / Published by Bloomsbury
In the days when most girls were brought up to run a home, Jane Taylor had a different kind of education in the English countryside, where she was inspired by nature and the stars, and dreamed of becoming a writer. But in the late 1700s, it was not considered proper for women to be writers. Jane and other female poets were shunned, unable to use their own names when published.But Jane did write, and she never forgot her love for the beauty of nature and the glow of stars, or her desire to write for children. Her published poetry became universally known for generations to come: Twinkle, twinkle little star.
This lyrical and luminous biography shines a light on the unsung poet who wrote the words of our most enduring lullaby, and features stunning artwork reflecting the world, the stars, and the story behind the poem that we all know so well.
Awards & Honors
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year – 2023
“Enhanced with homespun gouache illustrations, Brown’s luminous portrait of a literary life will inspire budding writers and encourage an appreciation of the beauty of the night sky. An appealing portrayal of a female poet, her creativity, and her time.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Richly colored gouache paintings evoke the beauty of the rural world with a suitably old-fashioned formality…This attractive book with its extensive back matter will be of most interest in collections looking for solid picture book biographies of women.” ―School Library Journal
“Gouache paintings . . . have an intricate, vintage feel, reflecting Taylor’s interest in nature with sweeping landscapes. Copious back matter, which includes an author’s note and information on stars twinkling, fleshes out this edifying picture book biography.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Elizabeth Brown and Becca Stadtlander have integrated each component together in a beautifully woven web. Like a Diamond in the Sky is a distinguished work of picture book art, and one which intuits how children learn.” ―Imaginary Elevators
“An engaging introduction to this Romantic-era poet.” ―Booklist
Dancing Through Fields of Color: The Story of Helen Frankenthaler
Illustrated by Aimee Sicuro / Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers
They said only men could paint powerful pictures, but Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) splashed her way through the modern art world. Channeling deep emotion, Helen poured paint onto her canvas and danced with the colors to make art unlike anything anyone had ever seen. She used unique tools like mops and squeegees to push the paint around, to dazzling effects. Frankenthaler became an originator of the influential “Color Field” style of abstract expressionist painting with her “soak stain” technique, and her artwork continues to electrify new generations of artists today. Dancing Through Fields of Color discusses Frankenthaler’s early life, how she used colors to express emotion, and how she overcame the male-dominated art world of the 1950s.
Awards & Honors
- New York Public Library Best Books of 2019
- A Junior Library Guild Selection
- The Society of Midland Authors 2020 Awards – Children’s Nonfiction Honoree
- A Mighty Girl 2019 Book of the Year
“The textual descriptions of Frankenthaler’s process are gorgeous . . . [and] Sicuro’s watercolor, ink, and charcoal pencil illustrations are spirited.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Sicuro’s bold illustrations are a wonderful match for a biography on an abstract artist; the saturated colors, thick lines, and rounded shapes work well with Brown’s descriptive text to immerse readers in Frankenthaler’s world . . . A pitch-perfect expression of a little-known artist in text and illustration alike, this is a top-notch example of the picture book biography.” —School Library Journal
“Brown uses lyrical text full of action words and ranges of color to describe this lesser-known yet influential abstract expressionist artist from the twentieth century . . . [Sicuro’s] loosely drawn illustrations with thick strokes of watercolor, ink, and charcoal pencil evoke both Helen’s moods and her abstract style.” —Booklist
“Brown’s debut picture-book biography limns [Frankenthaler’s] creative and imaginative childhood, dutiful art study in college, and early career in mid-twentieth-century NYC… Sicuro’s compositions—in watercolor, ink, and charcoal pencil . . . consistently reinforce the ideas of movement and color saturation.” —Horn Book Magazine
“With sweeping strokes, Sicuro conveys the young artist’s joy in the act of creation.” —Publishers Weekly