October 19, 2015
Winter (The Founding Fathers!) kicks off his enthusiastic profile of 2016 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton by ranking her as the modern-day successor to Queen Elizabeth, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter. He traces the roots of Clinton’s intellect and ambition to her childhood as a take-charge tomboy and excellent student. Readers learn how her outspoken nature, drive to excel, and growing passion for public service fueled her rise to academic heights in college and a successful law career, as well as advocacy for women and children. Winter focuses on Clinton’s professional achievements (“But why stop at the Senate? Hillary was the first First Lady to run for president!”) and resilience rather than a precise time line, though he includes several significant dates and expresses support for Clinton’s current run for the presidency in an author’s note. Much of Colón’s mixed-media artwork takes its inspiration from familiar photographs of Clinton on the job and in the spotlight. But he also captures several private moments (Bill and Hillary welcoming baby Chelsea, Hillary working alone at her desk) in what feel more like personal family photos. Ages 4–8.
November 15, 2015
She is a powerful force in current American politics and immediately identifiable by her first name. Veteran picture-book biographer Winter pulls out all the stops in his very laudatory overview of the life of a fighter for women's rights and health care. Placing her directly in line with Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter, he flies through her childhood, college years, and marriage, followed by her time as first lady, New York senator, secretary of state, and presidential hopeful. Colon's signature, textured artwork--made with watercolor, colored pencils, and lithograph crayons--features Clinton in action on the podium, writing, and speaking. A final double-page spread borders on the hagiographic, with a silhouetted face in the foreground and golden rays of sun radiating across the pages. All in all, this is presented as an inspirational title about a woman who "may soon change the world--into a place where a girl can dream of growing up to be president, a place where men and women are equal." Hillary Rodham Clinton's serious and stylish face fills the jacket cover, the Capitol Dome in the background, inevitably prompting readers to imagine the White House in the forefront. This book's audience will select itself; red staters will avoid it, but Clinton's fans will love it. (author's note) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)
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December 1, 2015
K-Gr 2-Winter opens this picture book biography of Hillary Rodham Clinton by comparing the presidential candidate to three other strong women in history, Queen Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter. Through straightforward text that reflects his admiration for Clinton, Winter introduces her as a "scrappy" girl who "did well in school, played sports with boys, and liked to be in charge." The author takes Clinton from an outspoken student at Wellesley College to First Lady of the United States, senator, and secretary of state, discussing her marriage to Bill Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, along the way. Colon aptly depicts these important events using mixed-media illustrations that resemble pictures in a family album. The warm tones and soft colors personalize this story of a strong, passionate woman who works hard and is driven to succeed. Winter concludes with an author's note that describes Clinton's life in more detail and expresses why he chose to honor her: "By becoming president, she would demonstrate that a girl can grow up to be the most powerful person in the world. That's the world where I want to live." VERDICT A strong addition to biography collections.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2015
Over the summer, a reporter e-mailed to ask about Hillary Clinton books aimed at kids for an article she was writing. I replied that almost all of the titles available were in series about first ladies or famous women, but that as election time grew closer, there should be more.The election may be a year away but, to say the least, the books have begun to arrive. Jonah Winter and Raul Colon combine their talents in Hillary (2016), starring a Hillary they feel is justifiably comparable to Queen Elizabeth I and Joan of Arc. Using just two spreads to move their subject through childhood and college, and two more to get her into the White House, the book then skips over the more unseemly parts of the Clinton presidency to touch upon her run for the senate and then presidency. Winter's focus on Clinton's time as secretary of state, and quotes and anecdotes, especially in relation to work for women's rights, do offer plenty of food for thought. Much of the art is portraiture, giving ample opportunity to display Hillary's myriad hairstyles, though this may confuse readers, especially when a pageboy and a French roll appear on the same page. Still, both this visual focus and ardent text make it possible for young readers to see Clinton as a real woman who may soon change the world. If the last election taught us anything, it's far too early to be fitting the Oval Office chair quite yet, but these four books make clear that, regardless of the outcome, Clinton's place in history is already secure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2016
Beginning with Queen Elizabeth, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter, Winter positions Clinton among powerful women in history--then backs up his assertion with information about Clinton's life, from childhood to Secretary of State (the appended author's note hints at her presidential run). The tone is admiring and hopeful. Colsn's illustrations, in his recognizable mixed-media style, are warm and varied.
(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)