ELEANOR MAKES HER MARK: How Eleanor Roosevelt Reached Out, Spoke Up, and Changed the World written by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham is a well told and beautifully designed picture book.
Eleanor lost her parents by the time she was 10 years old. She was raised by a strict Grandmother who did not see women as activists. She sent Eleanor to a girl’s school in England. There, however, she was encouraged to engage social issues.
The illustration of Eleanor’s joy at being given permission to speak out is uplifting----her eyes twinkling and wearing a bright red skirt the figure of Eleanor nearly jumps off the page in her eagerness.
After graduating she came home to New York and began her activism by investigating working conditions in the garment factories and teaching children in settlement houses. As a New York debutant she also went to dances and other gatherings where she met Franklin Roosevelt. Eventually they married and raised a family.
When Roosevelt became President, she became active like no other First Lady had ever been. During the Great Depression she put forth her belief that people need to help each other. She encouraged people to write to her about their hardships. During World War II she toured military hospitals in the South Pacific. When Roosevelt died Vice President Truman appointed her as a delegate to the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to work on world peace.
The book’s Back Material is well stocked with photographs. There is also a page full of ideas and prompts for young readers entitled How Will You Leave Your Mark Upon the World?
ELEANOR MAKES HER MARK: How Eleanor Roosevelt Reached Out, Spoke Up, and Changed the World designed for children 7-10 years of age is an interesting look at a tireless woman and unique First Lady (Scholastic Press/ and imprint of Scholastic, 2020).
Activity Questions for ELEANOR MAKES HER MARK
There are many fine photographs at the back of this book of Eleanor working to help others. Take a look at the picture of her at the United Nations General Assembly. She was very proud of her contribution to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Older readers may want to look up this declaration on the internet (there are also kid friendly versions) and give it a read through. Is there any of the 30 points that stands out for you? Why?
How did Eleanor Roosevelt help the poor? Look back through this book’s fine illustrations and make a list of her contributions in this area. Select one example and draw your own illustration of that example. Use colored pencils, watercolor or cut and paste techniques. Have Fun!
On the back cover of this book there appears a quotation by Eleanor Roosevelt-- “It is quite possible that the future of the world and of life on the planet depends on our ability to master the technique of getting along with the many different peoples who inhabit this globe.” What do you think this quotation means? What would be some of your techniques for getting along with others on this planet? Your ideas can be as simple as learning to speak another language.
