"Though [Sandwina] wowed audiences with her astounding feats of strength, Conrad passionately emphasizes that she was celebrated for her femininity, too, mothering two sons and wearing 'bold costumes' that highlighted her muscles....What really steals the show, however, are the striking, old-timey illustrations in a primary color palette with circus-style fonts and framing...In this dazzling introduction, an extraordinary woman takes her rightful place back in the spotlight." —Kirkus Reviews

"Ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages will delight in this biographical picture book about a circus strongwoman who bucked social expectations. Evoking vintage circus posters, the illustrations apply a strict palette of golden yellow,red, and teal, tracking Katie Brumbach’s journey from a child in a family of circus performers to taking on the mantle of Sandwina." —Foreword Reviews

★ “It’s such a treat when a picture book’s writing and illustrations are equally matched, and Conrad and Holmes pool their talents to lift Katie Brumbach, stage name Sandwina, to heights befitting her status as the world’s strongest woman… Spectacular!” –Booklist, starred review

★ “In this outstanding picture book biography, well-researched text and illustrations bring to life an extraordinary performer… This factual and inspiring account will resonate with many readers, and is an especially good choice for women’s history month.” –School Library Journal, starred review

2024-09-14
Meet pioneering strongwoman Katie Sandwina.

Opening on a daring (but possibly apocryphal) tale of Katie outlifting strongman Eugen Sandow, the narrative quickly immerses readers in this female athlete’s life. Born in 1884 to a performing family in Essen, Germany, Katie staged her “first hefty stunt” at only 2: “a perfect handstand on Papa’s outstretched palm!” She grew into a teenager with “legs as thick as tree trunks.” Katie performed tirelessly until she attained her big break, headlining the Ringling Big Top Circus. Though she wowed audiences with her astounding feats of strength, Conrad passionately emphasizes that she was celebrated for her femininity, too, mothering two sons and wearing “bold costumes” that highlighted her muscles. Lengthy, somewhat sprawling backmatter (including photos, an author’s note, a bibliography, a timeline, and mini-biographies of other strongwomen) helps establish Katie’s enduring legacy. What really steals the show, however, are the striking, old-timey illustrations in a primary color palette with circus-style fonts and framing. Grainy lithograph-inspired images of vintage travel posters, ostentatious newspaper headlines, and bursts of oversize, colorfully garish text create the feeling of spectacle. Images meld perfectly with text, including on a dynamic page showing Katie juggling cannonballs, depicting symbols of her desires for domestic life and showbiz success.

In this dazzling introduction, an extraordinary woman takes her rightful place back in the spotlight.(Picture-book biography. 7-11)