MOWMT March 8: Christy Mihaly Shines It

A Picture Book Biography: How to Make It Shine

by Christy Mihaly

I love reading picture book biographies, and there are so many great ones out there to learn from. I reviewed many for inspiration in writing My Little Golden Book About Mel Brooks, illustrated by Kelly Kennedy, which was released this January. 

Writing about Mel Brooks’s long life within the slim 24 pages of a Little Golden Book was a challenge. How could I make this story of a nonagenarian comic meaningful for today’s kids in so few words? Enter the mentor texts! I read a range of picture book biographies old and new. It’s difficult to select just a few, but these titles are inspirational:

Double Delights

I’m always impressed with picture books that tell multiple stories. An amazing recent example is The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of, by Kirsten Larsen, illustrated by Katherine Roy (Chronicle Books, 2023). This beautiful book tells the story of Cecilia Payne, the astronomer and astrophysicist who discovered the elements at the heart of stars, alongside a lyrical/scientific narrative of the birth of a star. The author connects incidents in Cecilia’s life to the stages in a star’s creation, and gorgeous art ties it all together. 

Some picture books knit together a pair of biographies or focus on the relationship between two people. The book Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, by Selene Castrovilla, illustrated by Drazen Kozjan (Calkins Creek, 2013), begins with the story of the young Lafayette. It focuses on his arrival as teenaged admirer of the American revolutionaries and goes on to chronicle Lafayette’s deep friendship with George Washington, his gallant actions in battle, and his indispensable support for the American cause.

In Their Own Words

I noticed something else: In Revolutionary Friends, Castrovilla enlivens her narrative with short sidebars quoting from the papers of Lafayette and Washington. These tidbits provide fascinating first-person commentary. The Fire of Stars similarly uses a quotation from Cecilia Payne to introduce the back matter. 

Some texts integrate the subject’s words into the narrative itself, like Martí’s Song for

Freedom/Martí’ y sus versos por la libertad, by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal (Lee & Low, 2017). This biography of José Martí, the poet and activist, builds upon his own poetry. In bilingual text, it tells Martí’s life story by incorporating verses from his “Versos Sencillos.” For example, the description of Martí’s exile from Cuba and his subsequent travel includes the translated verse “I come from every place, and I’m on the road to everywhere.” 

Carole Boston Weatherford also uses her subject’s words in writing Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, illustrated by Ekua Holmes (Candlewick Press, 2015). She weaves quotations from Fannie Lou Hamer into first-person free verse about Hamer’s life. Hamer’s words are italicized, with sources provided in the back. Through this technique, Weatherford channels the voice of this inspiring civil rights leader. In the book’s final poem, Hamer remembers: 

One day an old white man told me

He appreciated me doing what he was afraid to do.

Ain’t no telling how long he’d wanted change.

He could not be free until I was free.

Focus on the Meaning for Kids

So … moving from the sublime to the ridiculous … 

The dual narrative approach didn’t work for my Little Golden Book about Mel, but these and other mentor texts inspired me to concentrate on the important relationships in Mel’s life, including those with his family, his wife Anne Bancroft, and best friend Carl Reiner. I also incorporated humor, because that’s Mel’s trademark, and I used several direct quotations in the narrative. I hope these touches help readers understand what makes Mel tick: he loves to make people laugh.

PRIZE: Your choice of either a personalized, signed copy of My Little Golden Book About Mel Brooks or a quick critique of a picture book manuscript, 500 words or less.

Bio: Christy Mihaly is a RYS judge and children’s author and poet. She writes for kids because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising young people who love to read and giving them the knowledge and skills to lead. Christy has written more than 40 children's titles in the trade and educational markets, on topics from hayfields to free speech to food. A former lawyer, she is particularly passionate about engaging kids in strengthening our democracy, and has written extensively about U.S. history, civics, and government. Her book Our Congress, illustrated by Dorutina Beqiraj, is due out in the fall of 2024. 

Christy’s books have received honors including a Nautilus Book Awards Gold Medal, Bank Street Best Books, JLG Gold, ALA Rainbow Book List, and Green Earth Book Award shortlists. Christy lives in Vermont where she enjoys walking in the woods and playing the cello (though not simultaneously). 

Please visit her website, www.christymihaly.com, and say hello at Instagram (@christymihaly) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/christymihaly/). Thanks!

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