Eleanor, Quiet No More

Eleanor Roosevelt was raised in a privileged but stern Victorian household, with an affectionate but mostly absent father and a critical mother who made fun of her daughter's looks. Alone and lonely for much of her childhood, Eleanor found solace in books and in the life of her lively and independent mind. Her intellectual gifts and compassionate heart won her the admiration of many friends -- and the love of her future husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While other young women of her class were spending time at dances and parties, Eleanor devoted her energies to teaching children in New York City's poorest neighborhoods. Later, she became the most socially and politically active -- and controversial -- First Lady America had ever seen. Ambassador, activist, and champion of civil rights, Eleanor Roosevelt changed the soul of America forever.

In her eloquent prose, Doreen Rappaport captures the essence of Eleanor's character and the deep significance of her legacy. With beautiful paintings by Gary Kelley and selections from Eleanor's own writings, Eleanor's Big Words is an extraordinary tribute to an extraordinary American.

“Rappaport's picture book-biography is now a familiar one-a band of text per spread, large-type quotations from the subject, arresting artwork-but it continues to be successful. With so many young eyes now directed on a new First Lady, this look at Eleanor Roosevelt, who blazed a path for her successors to set their own public agendas, is particularly timely. Rappaport portrays Eleanor as a child who grew up in families boasting more privilege than affection, as a woman who married an appreciative husband (no mention of forthcoming marital drama, only distance) and thereby acquired a censorious mother-in-law, and as a First Lady who dedicated herself to causes of her own choosing, as well as diplomatic missions requested by husband FDR, and who continued her life of service after his death. The quotations chosen are particularly apt, revealing, as the subtitle suggests, Eleanor's growing confidence and candor over the years. The white-gowned young woman boating with her husband suitor warbles, "I am so happy in your love, dearest, that all the world has changed for me"; ten spreads later, a much steelier Eleanor opines, "Do what you feel in your heart to right-for you'll be criticized anyway." Kelley supplies more literal, softer-edged scenes for this title than the Bryan Collier and Kadir Nelson artwork in previous volumes (Martin's Big Words, BCCB 1/02; Abe's Honest Words, BCCB 10/08), but his illustrations retain something of the monumentality and all of the dignity that mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Lincoln works. Again, Rappaport furnishes useful end matter as well, including a timeline, a list of research sources, and print and online suggestions for young readers. This will serve as an exceptional step-up to Russell Freedman's Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery (BCCB 10/93).-- BCCB”

Praise for Ruth Objects:
"Insightful and fascinating." --Kirkus Reviews
"Rappaport's spare text and Kelley's handsome paintings, evocative of WPA murals, reclaim the legendary first lady's story for the younger set, revealing the person behind the icon."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An exciting introduction to a well-loved leader."--Booklist, starred review
* "Once again Rappaport celebrates a noble, heroic life in powerful, succinct prose, with prominent, well-chosen, and judiciously placed quotes that both instruct and inspire."--School Library Journal, starred review

Doreen Rappaport's nonfiction and historical fiction books have been acclaimed for their meticulous research and varied literary styles. She is the recipient of the Washington Post Children's Book Guild lifetime achievement award for the writing of nonfiction. Among her many award-winning biographies are Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, a Caldecott Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Orbis Pictus Honor Book, and a Jane Addams Children's Book Award winner; and Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, the Library of Virginia's Whitney and Scott Cardozo Award winner, a CCBC Best Book of the Year, and an IRA Teachers' Choice. Doreen lives in upstate New York. She invites you to visit her at

Gary Kelley is well-known for both his fine art and his illustration work. He has received awards from the New York Society of Illustrators (including twenty-seven gold and silver medals), American Booksellers Association, Print magazine, Los Angeles Society of Illustrators, the Bologna Book Fair, and others. His clients include the New Yorker magazine, Rolling Stone, and many major publishers and advertising agencies. Mr. Kelley lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Eleanor Roosevelt was raised in a privileged but stern Victorian household, with an affectionate but mostly absent father and a critical mother who made fun of her daughter's looks. Alone and lonely for much of her childhood, Eleanor found solace in books and in the life of her lively and independent mind. Her intellectual gifts and compassionate heart won her the admiration of many friends -- and the love of her future husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While other young women of her class were spending time at dances and parties, Eleanor devoted her energies to teaching children in New York City's poorest neighborhoods. Later, she became the most socially and politically active -- and controversial -- First Lady America had ever seen. Ambassador, activist, and champion of civil rights, Eleanor Roosevelt changed the soul of America forever.In her eloquent prose, Doreen Rappaport captures the essence of Eleanor's character and the deep significance of her legacy. With beautiful paintings by Gary Kelley and selections from Eleanor's own writings, Eleanor's Big Words is an extraordinary tribute to an extraordinary American.

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