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Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller

An accomplished picture book biography about Helen Keller captures her vibrant spirit. The book begins with Helen’s infancy—before the illness that thrust her into a world of darkness and silence—and ends with her death at age eighty-seven, after years of being a beacon and voice for social justice on many fronts. “I love my country. But my love for America is not blind. Perhaps I am more conscious of her faults because I love her so deeply.” Doreen Rappaport incorporates quotes like this from Helen Keller into her fine narrative, which balances important details about Helen’s life and with a sense of Helen’s keen mind and endless passion--for life and learning and making a difference. It’s unfortunate that the Braille that appears on the cover is inaccurate (the spacing is wrong and the bumps are too flat), but this can’t detract from the many strengths of what’s inside. Ample end matter includes notes from both the author and illustrator, as well as a timeline of important dates, research sources, and a list of books for further reading. Highly Commended, 2013 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2013 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Illustrated by Matt Tavares

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-9
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: 19th Century 20th Century Activism and Resistance Biography Blind and Visually Impaired People Deaf and Hearing Impaired People Girls and Women History (Nonfiction)
Diversity subject: Physical Disability/Condition

Publishers: Disney, Hyperion
Publish Year: 2012
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780786808908

CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 920 Keller