Elizabeth Warren's Big, Bold Plans

May 22, 2020

Gr 1-5-Growing up in Norman, OK, young Elizabeth dreamed of becoming a teacher. Excelling at school and the debate team, she honed her skills in research and communication. Although she started college at 16 (having skipped the sixth grade), she finished her teaching degree by mail after getting married. While it seemed like things were on the right track, she lost her teaching job when her employer learned she was pregnant. She took this as an opportunity to pursue a law degree, which increased her passion to help others, especially the poor and disenfranchised. She recalled childhood memories of adversity, including when her father had a heart attack and couldn't work. Her family was able to survive, but things had changed since she was young. Warren saw the financial inequities that impacted many people and was determined to fix them. She eventually became the first female senator from Massachusetts. The narrative concludes prior to the end of Warren's presidential run and, although she did not get the nomination, the ending of the book is still hopeful and empowering. Readers are left with the feeling that improving the lives of others is the real goal and running for president is just one path to incite change. Chapman's lovely watercolor illustrations bring Warren to life throughout the decades. Fans of her beloved golden retriever will be thrilled to spot Bailey in the background. Back matter includes a time line of Warren's life and political career. VERDICT A laudatory biography of a leader in contemporary American politics.-Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State Univ., OH

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2020
Grades K-3 As a child, Elizabeth Warren planned to become a teacher. Her family faced financially difficult times after her father's heart attack, but they worked hard, and she followed her plan. Excelling on the high-school debate team, she received a college scholarship. Warren became a teacher, a lawyer, and a law professor. She remembered her family's struggles and realized times had changed, making life even tougher for families in trouble. Aware that new laws protected banks more than people, she worked to change them. After leading a new federal agency working to protect people's money, she served as a U.S. senator, and then decided to run for president. The story concludes there. Clearly organized and informative, if rather bland, the text summarizes Warren's life and portrays her as an intelligent, capable, empathetic individual working hard to help others. Thompson makes her case well, though some of the details may fly over the heads of the intended audience. Created using watercolors and Photoshop, Chapman's illustrations are light, airy, and pleasant. A picture-book biography featuring a notable contemporary woman.Women in Focus: The 19th in 2020(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

July 6, 2020
This picture book credibly depicts the life and pursuits of Elizabeth Warren, former presidential candidate and “the first woman senator for Massachusetts.” In a series of densely paragraphed pages, Thompson gives readers a glimpse into Warren’s educational background, love for law and education, and responsibilities as a parent and politician. Bold, hand-lettered-style typography punctuates certain statements for impact: “Laws should help people.” Chapman’s detailed watercolors and digital architecture stand out, and one portrait particularly succeeds in stylizing Warren as she becomes a senator. Unfortunately, America is cast through a dominant white lens—statements like “Elizabeth realized the rules had changed: Working hard wasn’t always enough anymore” may well cause rancor among marginalized folks, for whom “working hard” was never enough from the start—but fans of Warren and inspirational female figures may find the rest of the message sufficiently redemptive. Back matter includes a timeline, selected bibliography, and an author’s note. Ages 4–8.