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Today marks the birthday of both Russell Freedman and Eleanor Roosevelt. Originally a West Coaster, Russell was born in San Francisco and studied at the University of California at Berkeley. Russell's long-time editor Dorothy Briley once said that he made the most perfect dinner guest she had ever encountered. He could make intelligent conversation about any topic with anyone she brought to the table. Indeed, he has often been called a Renaissance man, because of the range and depth of his knowledge in a variety of topics.

Russell began writing books for young readers in the science and social studies area-books like How Animals Learn and Sharks. But when his editor Ann Troy asked him to write a biography, something he had never done, he turned to his childhood hero Abraham Lincoln and wrote Lincoln: A Photobiography. He won the Newbery Award for this book and found a new direction and purpose: writing quality, narrative nonfiction for young readers.

As Russell wrote in The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators: "Nonfiction is supposed to be utilitarian. It's expected to do its duty-to inform, instruct, enlighten. And yet a hard-working, nose-to-the grindstone nonfiction book should be just as absorbing as any imaginary story, because it is, in fact, a story, too."

Of all of Russell's biographies, I have always loved his Eleanor Roosevelt the best. Perfect for ten- to fourteen-year-olds-I needed this book as a child myself. I once made a fool of myself in class because I thought that "FDR" was a swear word-so vehemently was it used at home. Imagine my surprise to find out these initials acknowledged a president of the United States. Russell has always admitted that he loved FDR's wife a bit more than he loved the president, and the resulting tribute to her certainly shows his enthusiasm.

A shy child, with absent parents, Eleanor only began to bloom when she was sent away to London for schooling. She married her distant cousin and was given away as a bride by her uncle Theodore, the president of the United States. "Well, Franklin, there's nothing like keeping the name in the family," the president quipped.

But as Eleanor Roosevelt began to find the causes of her life-the plight of minorities, the poverty of the disadvantaged-she turned from a shy person into a firebrand, the conscience of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Russell captures this complex marriage-its betrayals and its strength. He shows the final years of Eleanor Roosevelt as she worked in the United Nations and became, as President Harry Truman called her, "the First Lady of the World."

Happy birthday, Russell. You have been just as much a crusader as Eleanor Roosevelt. You have believed in the intelligence of young readers, their ability to handle complex issues, and, like Eleanor, you have not shied away from controversy. Wherever you are going to celebrate, you will be the best conversationalist at the table-just as Dorothy always said.
Here's a page from Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery:

Also recommended: All of the books of Russell Freedman

Originally posted October 11, 2011. Updated for .

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Today marks the birthday of both Russell Freedman and Eleanor Roosevelt. Originally a West Coaster, Russell was born in San Francisco and studied at the University of California at Berkeley. Russell's long-time editor Dorothy Briley once said that he made the most perfect dinner guest she had ever encountered.

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Sometimes it just takes one wonderful book to turn a kid into a reader. Tap into what interests your child. Browse these booklists created by Maria Salvadore, our children's literature expert. These books are for kids 0-12 years old, focus on new titles, and emphasize quality and diversity. Happy Reading!

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Search through more than 5,000 books on Reading Rockets to create a custom booklist. Search by author, illustrator, age, reading level, genre, format, and topic.
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Sometimes it just takes one wonderful book to turn a kid into a reader. Tap into what interests your child. Browse these booklists created by Maria Salvadore, our children's literature expert. These books are for kids 0-12 years old, focus on new titles, and emphasize quality and diversity. Happy Reading!

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Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12

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Social Studies Literature for Primary Grades

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Social Studies Literature for Primary Grades

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Children's Literature with Social Studies Themes

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Mathematics Literature for Primary Grades

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Mathematics Literature for Primary Grades

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Math Read Alouds for introducing, or reviewing mathematical content in meaningful contexts, while simultaneously promoting high levels of student engagement.

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Children's Choices is a reading list with a twist, in which children themselves evaluate the books and vote for their favorites. Since 1974, Children's Choices has been a trusted source of book recommendations used by teachers, librarians, parents, and children themselves.

The project is cosponsored by the International Literacy Association and the Children's Book Council.

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Children's Choices is a reading list with a twist, in which children themselves evaluate the books and vote for their favorites. Since 1974, Children's Choices has been a trusted source of book recommendations used by teachers, librarians, parents, and children themselves. The project is cosponsored by the International Literacy Association and the Children's Book Council.

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When you are on vacation, running errands or just away from home, free video read alouds are a great way to fill what can be hours of waiting into a lot of fun! These are convenient stories for families on the go. View them on a computer, tablet, or phone. If you have a few minutes you have time for a story! The playlist below includes more than 100 video read alouds from old classics like Where the Wild Things Are to newer favorites like Little Jumbo. Featured readers include actors, performers, celebrities, and oftentimes the author themselves. This listening library is available all day every day (and all night!) for returning to old favorites. "Read it again!" has never been easier!

Click on a book cover to hear a story!

For more help keeping children hearing and enjoying great stories you can find even MORE Free Video Read Alouds or try IndyPL's DIY Online Storytimes at Home. Because reading aloud to kids-even after they know how to read independently-benefits kids of all ages. Video read alouds are a great tool to help create a culture of reading. They don't replace reading aloud together in-person, but they are a fun alternative and supply key early literacy benefits.

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Looking for free video read alouds of children's stories? Just click on a book cover to watch 100+ stories read aloud!

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Diverse BookFinder | Identify & Explore Multicultural Picture Books

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Are you looking for multicultural children’s books? We’ve got you covered! You can search our circulating collection of picture books (2002-present), explore our quick lists, then borrow our books from your own library through interlibrary loan. We believe that too many children are left out of main…

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Children's books for integrated curriculum

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Children's books for integrated curriculum

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Curriculum Areas from Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site

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The curriculum areas listed here each have one or more pages on this site with information such as: related children's books, activities, related professional books and links to related sites on the internet. If you don't find your subject listed here try the Other Subjects page.