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Staff Pick
How did a young girl who had trouble reading grow up to be the beloved writer Beverly Cleary? With beautifully rendered illustrations that pay homage to Cleary’s books, Just Like Beverly paints a detailed picture of the spirit, ambition, and downright genuineness of one of our best-known children’s writers. Recommended By Gigi L., Powells.com
This beautiful picture book biography of the incredible, beloved children’s author and librarian Beverly Cleary is sure to delight both longtime fans and new readers alike. David Hohn’s joyful art feels like it belongs alongside Louis Darling’s original cover illustrations of the Klickitat Street crew, and author Vicki Conrad has clearly done her homework; the main narrative is perfect for the intended audience (ages 5-9), and the back matter provides extra info and insights to older readers. Recommended By Madeline S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Junior Library Guild Selection
Just Like Beverly follows the life of beloved children's author Beverly Cleary from her early years in Oregon to her career as a successful writer who wrote stories, including the wildly popular Ramona and Henry Huggins series, for kids just like her.
As a young girl, Beverly Cleary struggled to learn to read and found most children's books dull and uninteresting. She often wondered if there were any books about kids just like her. With hard work, and the encouragement of her parents and a special teacher, she learned to read and at a young age discovered she had a knack for writing.
Beverly Cleary's story comes to life in this narrative nonfiction picture book as she grows to follow her dreams of writing the books she longed for as a child, becoming an award-winning writer and one of the most famous children's authors of all time.
Beautiful illustrations capture Cleary's sense of humor, struggles, and triumphs, and are filled with Easter eggs throughout for fans to discover.
Review
"A celebration of Cleary, literacy, and the pursuit of ambitious dreams, this charming picture book will enhance any biography collection." School Library Journal
Review
"Conrad writes with clarity and features significant details that bring Cleary's experiences and personality to life for kids today. Hohn makes good use of color, light, and pattern in his imaginative illustrations, which interpret the text sensitively. The artwork looks fresh and appealing while suggesting the period, the emotional resonance, and the upbeat spirit of Cleary's books." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"Hohn captures her lively spirit through illustrations, reminiscent of those by Alan Tiegreen for Cleary's own books, that will keep young readers entertained. A loving and informative tribute worthy of celebrating Cleary's 103rd year of life." Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
About the Author
VICKI CONRAD is a teacher with a passion for literacy development and inspiring students to love reading just as much as she did as a child. Growing up, she was always found with a book in her hand, and she has stayed that way ever since. When she is not writing or teaching, she is traveling the world, growing a garden, or searching for stories. She has called Seattle her home for many years. She doesn't mind the rain, as long as she has coffee, friends, and good books for company. Just Like Beverly is her first book.
DAVID HOHN is an illustrator based in Portland, Oregon. His days are spent in the studio imagining what it would be like to be someone else, doing something else — and then he paints it.