Rourke Educational Media Gabby Douglas, Leaders Like Us Series, Guided Reading Level R Reader

Rourke Educational Media Gabby Douglas, Leaders Like Us Series, Guided Reading Level R Reader

Introduce your child to one of the most decorated Olympic gymnasts in history with the children’s book Gabby Douglas, part of the Leaders Like Us series. Who is Gabby Douglas? Children will flip for this engaging biography that explores Gabby’s early life, her career as an Olympic gymnast, and all of her accomplishments. Fun Storybook Features: This children’s book features a timeline, post-reading questions, and an interactive activity to develop reading comprehension skills. - 24 pages of vibrant illustrations About Rourke Educational Media: We proudly publish respectful and relevant nonfiction and fiction titles that represent our diverse readers, and are designed to support reading on a level that has no limits! Gr 1-4–Lesser known but important people are featured in this eclectic mix of biographies. Readers learn of Alvin Ailey who overcame prejudice against his color and homosexuality to become the head of a dance theater and achieve a Kennedy ­Center honor. Pauli Murray was an activist for feminism and civil rights who eventually became an Episcopalian priest. Sally Ride achieved a degree in physics and became the first American woman in space. Sylvia Rivera was an early LGBTQ activist who fought for the inclusion of transgender people within the gay community and Gabby Douglas became the first American woman gymnast to win the Olympic gold medal in all around and individual events. The narratives are simple and straightforward. ­LGBTQ subjects are treated with sensitivity although the harsher circumstances of some lives, particularly Ailey, Murray, and Rivera, are omitted (appropriately for the intended audience). The accompanying pictures are serviceable if not outstanding. While there are other titles available on Ride and ­Douglas, little is out there about Ailey, ­Murray, and Rivera, thus these volumes will be of value. ­VERDICT These biographies introduce young readers to important but ­little-known leaders and should be considered for inclusion in school and public libraries. -School Library Journal Gabrielle Christina Douglas is an American icon. At age sixteen she tumbled and flipped her way onto the Olympic stage during the 2012 London Summer Games and became the first US Gymnast to win team and individual all-around gold. The tiny girl with the big smile was only the second African American woman to make the national women’s team. David Wilkerson is a Black American illustrator who was born in Denver, Colorado, and is currently based in Maryland. He believes that there is healing in storytelling, and that it is the job of creatives to contribute to that cause. His career began in the animation industry, working as a character designer, prop designer, and background designer. He’s worked as a designer on various projects for clients such as Hulu, Cartoon Network, Springhill Company, FOX Sports, and FUSE. David developed a love for illustration during his time at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition to music, he was heavily influenced by illustrators like Ronald Wimberly, Justin Bua, Joe Madureira, Kevin Dart, Gyimah Gariba, and Scott Wills. David believes that creation itself is what we live in, and he’s spent the last 20+ years creating the most authentic version of himself possible.?