'Lost Boy' and 'Driven'

[November 03, 2010]  ^"Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan," by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Steve Adams, 2010, 34 pages, ages 6 and up; and "Driven: A Photobiography of Henry Ford," by Don Mitchell, 2010, 31 pages, ages 8 and up

Review by
Louella Moreland

In the last few years a growing number of picture biographies have been written for young readers. These shorter books contain a great many facts about their subject, but they are written for a younger audience and illustrated or photographed to help these younger readers understand the people and time period when the subject lived. Jane Yolen's "Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan" and "Driven: A Photobiography of Henry Ford," by Don Mitchell, are two of the newest in this type of books.

Yolen and Adams' book "Lost Boy" about J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, is a visual delight! Filled with bright, fanciful scenes from Barrie's childhood and his imaginary stories, the pictures alone will give pleasure to those who journey into its pages. Yolen's text is a great match to the illustrations, conjuring a world that young readers will find comfortable, glossing over the more controversial aspects of Barrie's life, and explaining how this man could imagine a world that has captured the minds of children for almost a hundred years. Few children have not been introduced to Peter Pan, but this book explains how the story came to life through the life experiences of the author. Perhaps learning that Barrie wrote stories from the time he was young may inspire a new author among those who read the book. This is a very child-friendly volume!

In quite a different way, readers can experience the life of Henry Ford through Mitchell's photobiography "Driven." This volume offers the reader more advanced insight into the life and work of the subject, while still maintaining a very "readable" text. Quotes and photos enhance the book, allowing young readers a glimpse of the time period in which Ford grew up, worked and helped mold the world as we know it today. This man is credited with changing the way Americans travel and work, was a large contributor to the educational system, and was an insightful businessman. A few may be surprised by his anti-Jewish stance and his fight to keep unions from organizing in his plants. As a whole, the book gives a total picture of Henry Ford: the good, the bad and the ugly. It would be a great opportunity for parents and educators to discuss how everyone makes good and bad choices, with life being a combination of all those circumstances that make people what they are.

I would encourage young readers (and the adults who bring them to the library) to peruse the biography section for these and other offerings of interest. Whether the choice is a fanciful or practical character to read about, much can be learned from introducing young readers to picture biographies. Too often the nonfiction shelves are forgotten in the quest for interesting books. Today's selections are so incredibly stimulating to the eyes and imagination, we as adults need to be sure to offer these delights to our younger readers.

[Text from file received from Louella Moreland, Lincoln Public Library District]

(Ms. Lou's blog: lincolnpubliclibraryupdates.blogspot.com)