equal treatment. He died in September 1904, still in exile from his homeland. His doctor said he died of a broken heart.
A WARRIOR is a person who shows strength and courage during battle.
FRED ASTAIRE (1899–1987):
Fred Astaire was a famous dancer on Broadway and in Hollywood movies. When he was little, his mother brought him along for his older sister Adele’s dance lessons. Soon Fred started dancing too. They moved to New York and started performing on the traveling vaudeville routines. Fred was very dedicated to practicing his dances and inventing new moves. His sister called him “Big Brother” for making her practice too. Fred and Adele danced together for 30 years and starred in many shows on Broadway and in London. In 1932, Adele retired and Fred decided to try something new. He moved to Hollywood to dance in the movies. He loved the creativity of dancing in different spots with different objects. He danced with a golf club, a coat rack, and his most famous dance partner, Ginger Rogers. Dancing for the cameras allowed Fred to make his dances perfect and then make up something new.
A DANCER is a person who moves their body, usually with music, to tell a story or to entertain people.
JACKIE ROBINSON (1919–1972):
Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player to play in the Major Leagues after it had been segregated in 1867. He was born in Georgia and was the youngest of five children. His grandfather had been a slave and his family was very poor. When Jackie was a baby, his father left and his mother moved the family to California. As Jackie got older, he loved to play games, and he always played to win. He also began to get into trouble, so his local pastor got Jackie to focus his energy on sports.
After spending a few years in the army, Jackie played baseball in the Negro Leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs. Jackie was then scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers because the owner thought it would be good to have black players in professional baseball. Jackie was warned that it would be difficult. He would be bullied, and the owner said he needed someone with the guts not to fight back. In April 1947, Jackie joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the beginning, some of his teammates threatened to quit, fans booed him and even spit at him, and he had to stay in separate hotels when the team traveled. But Jackie remained calm and gradually gained acceptance. After that tough first season Jackie’s performance on the field earned him the record for most stolen bases and the honor of “Rookie of the Year.” Throughout his career Jackie stole 197 bases, 19 of which were home plate.
A professional BALL PLAYER is someone who plays the sport of baseball for a living.
DADDY:
Daddy was once a little boy with a big imagination and big dreams. Daddy imagined growing up to be a doctor, a robot, a sculptor, a paleontologist, a dolphin trainer, a construction worker, a jet pilot, and more. He dreamed about having wonderful children and being a fun dad. Now he is a dad and proud of his inner geek. Daddy loves his children and plays fun games with them. He is smart and funny, and he tells great stories.
A FATHER is a person who uses love and wisdom to raise children to be caring, accomplished adults.
acknowledgments
I want to thank the men who dared to do things others couldn’t or wouldn’t and everyone that dares to try something new or unexpected. To the believers, dreamers, and leaders, thank you for showing us the way. I want to thank my friends and family that believed I could do this, the great folks at Sourcebooks for finding Isabella in the first place and offering me such a great opportunity, and Mike for making such a beautiful show of it all. —JF
list of works consulted
On these and other exciting men check out the following:
Books:
Adler, David A., et al. A Picture Book of Thomas Alva Edison. New York: Holiday House, 1996.
Adler, David A. and Robert Casilla (illustrator). A Picture Book
A WARRIOR is a person who shows strength and courage during battle.
FRED ASTAIRE (1899–1987):
Fred Astaire was a famous dancer on Broadway and in Hollywood movies. When he was little, his mother brought him along for his older sister Adele’s dance lessons. Soon Fred started dancing too. They moved to New York and started performing on the traveling vaudeville routines. Fred was very dedicated to practicing his dances and inventing new moves. His sister called him “Big Brother” for making her practice too. Fred and Adele danced together for 30 years and starred in many shows on Broadway and in London. In 1932, Adele retired and Fred decided to try something new. He moved to Hollywood to dance in the movies. He loved the creativity of dancing in different spots with different objects. He danced with a golf club, a coat rack, and his most famous dance partner, Ginger Rogers. Dancing for the cameras allowed Fred to make his dances perfect and then make up something new.
A DANCER is a person who moves their body, usually with music, to tell a story or to entertain people.
JACKIE ROBINSON (1919–1972):
Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player to play in the Major Leagues after it had been segregated in 1867. He was born in Georgia and was the youngest of five children. His grandfather had been a slave and his family was very poor. When Jackie was a baby, his father left and his mother moved the family to California. As Jackie got older, he loved to play games, and he always played to win. He also began to get into trouble, so his local pastor got Jackie to focus his energy on sports.
After spending a few years in the army, Jackie played baseball in the Negro Leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs. Jackie was then scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers because the owner thought it would be good to have black players in professional baseball. Jackie was warned that it would be difficult. He would be bullied, and the owner said he needed someone with the guts not to fight back. In April 1947, Jackie joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the beginning, some of his teammates threatened to quit, fans booed him and even spit at him, and he had to stay in separate hotels when the team traveled. But Jackie remained calm and gradually gained acceptance. After that tough first season Jackie’s performance on the field earned him the record for most stolen bases and the honor of “Rookie of the Year.” Throughout his career Jackie stole 197 bases, 19 of which were home plate.
A professional BALL PLAYER is someone who plays the sport of baseball for a living.
DADDY:
Daddy was once a little boy with a big imagination and big dreams. Daddy imagined growing up to be a doctor, a robot, a sculptor, a paleontologist, a dolphin trainer, a construction worker, a jet pilot, and more. He dreamed about having wonderful children and being a fun dad. Now he is a dad and proud of his inner geek. Daddy loves his children and plays fun games with them. He is smart and funny, and he tells great stories.
A FATHER is a person who uses love and wisdom to raise children to be caring, accomplished adults.
acknowledgments
I want to thank the men who dared to do things others couldn’t or wouldn’t and everyone that dares to try something new or unexpected. To the believers, dreamers, and leaders, thank you for showing us the way. I want to thank my friends and family that believed I could do this, the great folks at Sourcebooks for finding Isabella in the first place and offering me such a great opportunity, and Mike for making such a beautiful show of it all. —JF
list of works consulted
On these and other exciting men check out the following:
Books:
Adler, David A., et al. A Picture Book of Thomas Alva Edison. New York: Holiday House, 1996.
Adler, David A. and Robert Casilla (illustrator). A Picture Book
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