By: David Elzey,
on 3/25/2011
The Life of Duke Kahanamoku by Ellie Crowe illustrations by Richard Waldrep Lee and Low 2007 A bit of bait-and-switch on this picture book biography of the father of modern surfing as it focuses more on his accomplishments as a swimmer. As a kid, "Duke" wasn't much for school, but he loved the water. He loved swimming and surfing, riding the waves at Waikiki Beach on 100-plus
By: Jill,
on 5/5/2008
Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku by Ellie Crow, illustrated by Richard Waldrep
Reading level: Grades 3-4
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (October 31, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1584302763
ISBN-13: 978-1584302766
Source of book: Review copy from publisher
Duke Kahanamoku was born in Hawaii in 1890 and learned how to swim when he was four years old. He could be found in the ocean swimming and surfing nearly every day from that point forward. Though he struggled in school, his swimming talent was extraordinary. So much so that he went onto win Olympic gold and became a hero and role model to people all over the world.
Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku chronicles Duke's story in a manner approachable to children. Through a chronological account of his life, Ellie Crow presents Duke as a talented, courageous, kind, and humble person. His courage and determination especially shine through as he is faced with racism when he travels to different US cities to qualify for the Olympics. The main focus of the book, however, celebrates the life of Duke Kahanamoku and introduces him to young readers who may have never heard of him before.
Richard Waldrep's brilliantly-colored "art-deco like" illustrations perfectly compliment the story, giving it a nostalgic feel. A time line and world map in the back highlight key events in Duke's life.
This would make a great choice for children who are interested in biographies, swimming, and surfing, and for boys who are looking for strong male role models. Social studies and language arts teachers can also use it as a supplemental resource in lessons about the Olympics, notable Asian/American figures, WWI, and discrimination.
Visit the Nonfiction Monday roundup at Picture Book of the Day.
What Other Bloggers are Saying:
Papertigers.org: "At a time in American history when racism was widely acceptable, Duke Kahanamoku overcame the dual stigmas of being both poor and dark-skinned to achieve athletic excellence and to earn the respect and admiration of people all over the world. Ellie Crowe's lovingly crafted biography should inspire many readers to follow his example." (Read more...)
BookMoot: "Duke's Creed of Aloha is a fitting ending to an excellent biography of a man who always exhibited good sportsmanship and Olympic ideals. Richard Waldrep perfectly illustrates the story with wonderous full color illustrations that evoke vintage art deco travel posters." (Read more...)
If you have a review of Surfer of the Century, leave a comment with the link, and I'll post it here.
This semi-meme-ish thingy has been going around the kidlitosphere, started by Colleen of Chasing Ray. What are you looking forward to most in 2008?
I've got a few.
Let’s just go on record as saying that I would give up my left leg for an ARC from any title on this list, shall we? It’ll save all that embarrassing begging later on. Oh, who am I kidding? I’ll embarrass myself even without the begging.
The Opposite of Invisible
Such a neat title. Such a marvy cover. Yeah, I'm that shallow. (January 8, one of the first of the Class of 2K8!)
Kamikaze Girls
The title intrigued me, and the reviews over at Amazon intrigued me more. Hmmm. (January 15)
Sweethearts
What's the premise of Sara "Story of a Girl, National Book Award Finalist" Zarr's sophomore novel? Not a clue. But I am so there. (February 1)
Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls
The queen of fun teen reads branches into the tween set. Yay! Now I have something to throw at the parents who think the Mediator series is right for their ten-year-old. (March 1)
A Curse as Dark as Gold
This is another I want purely for the title. It’s so evocative and mysterious. Also, quite a faboo cover you got there, Elizabeth C. Another Class of 2K8 graduate. (March 1)
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Remember this one? The guppy abduction? The canned beet rebellion? Yeah. Gotta read it. (March 25)
The Pigeon Wants a . . . ?
Seriously, you guys, does there need to be an explanation of my slavering desire for this book? (April 1)
Clementine's Letter
More Clementine! (April 15)
Playing With Fire
Yes! Skulduggery Pleasant is back! Yes! So is Stephanie! Yes! And there's fire! (April 22)
Suite Scarlett
MJ does NYC hotel life, large families, acting, and sundry other nuttinesses! Joy! Also included: shiny things. (May 1)
Twice Upon a Marigold
Once Upon a Marigold had a kooky, sweet-but-not-sappy, gentle charm all its own. Can Jean do it again? I think she can. (May 1)
Princess Ben
I had no idea this was coming up until I got the news from Leila. I love how the chick on the cover still looks like she can kick your tail halfway to China, even in that gorgeous dress and all the sparklies. (May 5)
Kitty Kitty
A Bad Kitty sequel? Yeah, baby. Bring it. (July 1)
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank You Notes
I just read the first Moxy Maxwell (Does Not Love Stuart Little) and was completely delighted. Review to come. Can't wait to spend another few hours with Moxy. (August 8)
A Wizard of Mars by Diane Duane
It's now been 25 years since the first Young Wizards book (So You Want to Be a Wizard, 1983) and the series is still growing and evolving. Kudos to Duane for that, and for integrating the changes in technology and the world as seamlessly as possible, considering that the kids in the book have aged about two years, max, since '83. (Hopefully autumn)
Pagan’s Daughter by Catherine Jinks
Given that we left Pagan as a monk, I’m very interested to see how he got a daughter. Jinks’ website describes her as “funny [and] feisty,” so I have high hopes for Babylonne. (Also, CJ? Love the name!) And if she’s truly his daughter, there’ll be more of that sweet, sweet snark that Pagan Kidrouk does so well. (Sometime in 2008)
Mothstorm by Philip Reeve
Holy Hannah, it’s number 3 in the Larklight series. My cup, she do runneth over. (Sometime in 2008, per Philip’s Wikipedia page, so that might not be accurate)
Gallagher Girls 3 by Ally Carter
I adored the first one, and if someone had told me about the twist in GG2, I never would have read it. But I’m glad I did, because it made me even more of an addict. I’m hoping and praying that 3 comes out sometime in 2008. Ally? Please? Whimper?
Thanks to Fuse #8, Bookshelves of Doom, Jen Robinson, and Bildungsroman for cluing me in about titles I didn't even know were coming up.
Squee! E. Lockhart has put up an excerpt from her upcoming book at her blog. Squee again!
If I wasn't already a rabid fan of E. Lockhart's, I would be forced to put the book on my list from this sentence alone:
I take full responsibility for the disruptions caused by the Order -- including the library lady, the doggies in the window, night of a thousand dogs, the canned beet rebellion and the abduction of the guppy.I have never been witness to the abduction of a guppy before. See, this is why we read: for the new experiences we can vicariously witness. The next time I need to abduct a guppy, I will know how.
I got to see Jamie Lee Curtis talk about her books and her life at the California Library Association's Annual Conference this past weekend. Now we all know how MotherReader feels about celebrity authors, and on the whole I agree with her, but I do like Jamie Lee Curtis.
The stupendous part of this piece of luck was this: she read her brand-new manuscript to us, one that's not even in the hands of the artist yet. I didn't record it or anything, which would have been unethical and plus a pain to transcribe. But it's called Big Words for Little People, and it glories in words like "Stupendous! Absurd! Intelligence! Consequences!"
I love language, especially big words, which are often expunged from children's books on the basis that they're too big. Pfft. Try singing Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious with a four-year-old and you learn that no word is too big for them to pronounce. And the beef with words being too big for them to understand . . . well, that's what context is for. Seriously, ferreting out the meaning of words from context clues is a skill they're going to need as they go into school. Let's have more big words, shall we?
Yes, the title and cover completely had me fooled! Not just in subject, but in the potential energy of words and pictures.