PPBF: Stand Straight, Ella Kate

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Stand Straight, Ella Kate

Stand Straight, Ella Kate,The True Story of A Real Giant
Written by Kate Klise
Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
Dial, 2010

• Ages 4 - 9; level 4.6

word count 1040

Themes:
Biography, Non-fiction, Differences


Opening:
Most tall tales are made up.
But my tall tale is true.
I was a giant - a real, live giant.

Synopsis:
The Klise girls have put together a fabulous non-fiction picture book about the life of the 8'4" Ella Kate Ewing. This narrative takes Ella Kate off the side-show stage and puts her instead on a list of remarkable American women. She is an unusual example of a strong woman who made the most of her circumstances, overcoming difficulties, and carving out the life she wanted despite what society might term as her handicap.

What I Love:
       I love a book about an unsung hero. Kate Klise weaves a story of a woman who defies exploitation, carving out the life she wanted. Sarah's illustrative style is a perfect match for the content. The endpapers are fun, too. They extend the story, squeezing in a few additional facts about Ella Kate including her shoe size and a drawing of her glove -- actual size!
       In addition, I think Ella Kate's story will resonate with kids. The book opens up the topics of bullying, diversity, handicaps. Kids may see themselves in the young Ella Kate, who doesn't seem to fit in.

Ella's custom made house in Missouri

From the Downing House Museum

Bonus:

1. Read about the real Ella Kate Ewing.

Thanks to Kelly for sharing her creative ideas!

2. Dig deeper into the lives of other real-life giants of the past.
3. Take a trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. See if you measure up to the footprints of basketball stars or the figure of a sumo wrestler.
4. Watch the National Geographic video on the science of gigantism.
5. View the world from a different height. Make stilts from a This Old House pattern, or a less traditional style found on Happy Whimsical Hearts.
6. Try using Pinterest to research clothing styles, houses, travel, advertising, and entertainment of the late 1800s. But you'd better plan an entire afternoon to do it!
7. Look for these books about daring women and other related Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Clar

Reviewed by Danzel

From Sally's Bookshelf

Reviewed by Jarm

Reviewed by Wendy

Reviewed by Kristen

And one fictional heroine I couldn't resist:

From Busy Librarian

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for September 26, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.