Written by: Laurie Ann Thompson

Illustrated by: Susanna Chapman

For ages: 4-8 years 

Language: English

Topics Covered: Politics, Historical Figure, Biography, Women in Politics, Feminism, Activism, Education, Family, Trailblazers. 

Summary: 

Elizabeth Warren’s Big, Bold Plans is a lovely overview of the life of Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts senator (our first one!).  This is a book developed for children, so it doesn’t cover her switch from conservative to liberal politically but it gives a great many details of her drive to gain education and change the world for the better.  Starting with her love for teaching, the reader follows along while Elizabeth strives to defy parental wishes and attend college.  Elizabeth grew up relatively poor, but always wanted more.  She was eventually able to get a job as a teacher but was fired for being pregnant, so she decided to go to law school.  When she couldn’t find a job because she had two young children, she opened her own practice.  She worked extremely hard for the benefit of people who had been drawn in by shady loan practices that laws allowed banks to put forward.  With her work to change laws, she drew attention from President Obama and was convinced to run for senate.

There is no doubt that Elizabeth Warren is a trailblazer, and has changed politics for the better.  Also, once I made eye contact with her during the Boston Pride parade and it made my day.  I recognize that some individuals have their own thoughts about such matters as her Cherokee heritage claims, and her switching political parties.  But the truth of the matter is that she is a genuine trailblazer and she works for the people.  The book’s illustrations are lovely, and get more diverse throughout the book (I believe this is because her school as a child was segregated but I am not entirely sure).  I really enjoyed this book, and I’m glad that girls with political aspirations have this book as a window that their goals are achievable.  I would also absolutely love a book about Ayanna Presley!  Overall, this is a fantastic book and a wonderful addition to your shelf of girl-power classics.

This book was kindly sent to us by our friends at Simon & Schuster, but all opinions are our own.  The book is being released today!

About the Author & the Illustrator:

Laurie Ann Thompson grew up in a small town in rural northern Wisconsin. When she was a kid, Laurie loved books and animals. Not much has changed!

Laurie graduated from college with a degree in Applied Mathematics and became a software engineer. She always loved writing, though, and when Laurie had children of her own she was reminded how much she loved children’s books. It was time for a career change!

Laurie now writes for children and young adults to help readers—and herself—make better sense of the world everyone lives in so we can contribute to making it a better place. Laurie strives to write nonfiction that gives wings to active imaginations and fiction that taps into our universal human truths. Laurie believes that each of us is capable of doing amazing things once we discover our passion, talent, and purpose. Reading is a great place to start!

Susanna Chapman is an illustrator living in Nashville! She is the illustrator of The Girl Who Ran, a picture book biography of Bobbi Gibb, which received a Gold Medal from the Independent Publisher Book Award and Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Susanna lives in Nashville with her husband where she draws pictures, designs books, and paints murals.