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LADY
LIBERTY: A BIOGRAPHY
text by Doreen Rappaport, illustrations by Matt Tavares *starred review in Horn Book *starred review in Booklist *starred review in Kirkus Reviews *starred review in School Library Journal 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award  Lady Liberty: A Biography in the blogosphere: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast The Excelsior File Booktopia YA Books Central The Reading Zone I.N.K. Just One More Book- Podcast Picture Book of the Day Into the Wardrobe Writing and Ruminating Becky's Book Reviews The Book Report- Podcast |
"Soon America will
be one hundred years old.
I share my dream of a birthday gift." It begins in 1865 as a romantic idea, but ten years later Édouard Laboulaye's dream catches fire and takes shape. Sculptor Auguste Bartholdi gives the dream the form of a lady, holding a torch to "enlighten the world." Engineers, plasterers, carpenters, coppersmiths -- many of them immigrants -- work together to turn the lady into a monument over 100 feet tall. Joseph Pulitzer calls on readers to help fund a pedestal, and hundreds send in nickels, dimes, and even roosters for the cause. Doreen Rappaport's historically accurate, poetic vignettes and Matt Tavares's magnificent images remind us of the true origins of a national symbol -- and show that it took a lot of people to make the Lady. A powerfully moving, authentic portrait of the Statue of Liberty, told through the eyes of those who created her and illustrated in glorious detail. Reviews: "Tributes to the Statue of Liberty abound, but this one stands out for its unusual approach and powerful illustrations.... Generally viewed from low angles, all of the solid, serious human figures in Tavares's three-quarter-spread paintings bulk larger than life, and lead up to a spectacular climactic foldout view of the monument towering into cloudy skies on the rainy day of her unveiling. Closing with heartfelt comments from several immigrants or their children, this adds up to a stirring reminder of what Lady Liberty stands for." *Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Large in scale and monumental in effect, the watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations, including a dramatic vertical fold-out page showing Lady Liberty at her unveiling, offer often beautiful views of her many-faceted story." *Booklist (starred review) "This handsome,
thoroughly researched picture book tells the story of the statue from
conception to dedication from the points of view of many different
players in Liberty's dramatic life... The book's unique structure
enables Rappaport to pack a wealth of background and detail into the
text in an interesting, engaging way.... Tavares's evocative paintings
bring each perspective to life, from images of an immigrant's
outstretched arms to the countless workers measuring, building, and
digging. A beautiful, innovative volume."
*School Library Journal (starred review) "Tavares's watercolor, pencil, and ink images complement each account precisely, emphasizing the intimacy of Rappaport's vignettes with either dramatic close-ups of the speaking characters or representations of smaller scenes from the text." *Horn Book Magazine (starred review) "Tavares's realistic illustrations are at their best in the sweeping, angled perspectives of the construction and easily justify the book's large trim size. The full-bleed spreads culminate in a vertical gatefold of the copper icon sans weathered patina, instantly whisking readers to the triumphant moment of Liberty's unveiling in 1886." -Publishers Weekly "There are pages full of action, introspective pages, those with one person on them, and those with hundreds.... I could look at the two-page spread of Joseph Pulitzer for hours and never grow tired of admiring Tavares's brilliant use of light, subtle blend of browns, and fine details of ordinary objects brought to life." -Julie M. Prince, YA Books Central "...a stellar collaboration from noted history writer Doreen Rappaport and acclaimed illustrator Matt Tavares.... Large and lovely watercolor and ink paintings accompany each narrative poem. The piece de resistance is a vertical gatefold of the Lady gazing through the mist of New York Harbor. Unusual format, striking design and exceptional artwork allow "Lady Liberty: A Biography" to stand out from the crowd." -Cleveland Plain Dealer "...stunningly illustrated.... The book is a reverent and passionate portrait of this great and welcoming symbol of America and a tribute to those who helped breate it." -San Francisco Chronicle "Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares invigorate a cultural icon.... New faces, great illustrations." -Chicago Tribune |
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