Publishers Weekly
08/30/2021
Boxer and Freeman pay tribute to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s dismantling of barriers in this picture book biography of the pioneering lawmaker. Highlighting the powerful impact of her upbringing as the daughter of Baltimore’s first Italian American mayor, a young Pelosi is shown watching her mother feed and listen to hungry and marginalized citizens around their dining table. Parallel vignettes show her mother and, later, Pelosi herself carrying out behind-the-scenes political activism while raising young families. Full-color digital illustrations often depict the figure with an inclusive group of constituents in the background, while a straightforward narrative reinforces themes of service and support of underrepresented groups. This succinct biography ends suddenly with the January 2021 Capitol insurrection, but a final close-up of Pelosi in a face mask, wielding her gavel, sends a resilient message. An author’s note and an excerpt from an author interview with Pelosi conclude, along with a selected bibliography. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"Pays due homage to its subject."—Kirkus Reviews
"Sends a resilient message."—Publishers Weekly
"An accessible introduction with a focus on Pelosi’s influences and role as a woman in politics."—School Library Journal
School Library Journal
10/01/2021
Gr 1–4—Growing up as the daughter of Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro of Baltimore, Nancy Pelosi witnessed political life up close. Every week her father's constituents were welcomed into the family home to air their concerns. When the mayor "went off to city hall," it was her mother who "made them finally feel heard," and connected community members with the services they needed. Boxer briefly notes Pelosi's other influences as well as her campaign work while raising five children, her election to Congress, and her rise to become the first female Speaker of the House. The author focuses on the subject's struggle to gain a "seat at the table" as a woman in politics, and how once she did, she used her influence to support other female candidates. Causes Pelosi has championed throughout her career are mentioned, but the few specifics are relegated to an author's note and time line. Quotes throughout support a picture of a determined woman for whom public service is a "noble calling." This title ends with the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob stormed Congress, "shattering" items in the Speaker's office but "not her strength" as later that day she called lawmakers back into session to confirm the vote of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Broad strokes characterize Freeman's lackluster illustrations, which often feature a large generalized portrait in the foreground with several separate, smaller scenes enacted in the background. VERDICT An accessible introduction with a focus on Pelosi's influences and role as a woman in politics.—Daryl Grabarek, formerly at School Library Journal
Kirkus Reviews
2021-06-29
Nancy Pelosi has broken through ceiling after ceiling to ensure everyone has a seat at the table.
Born Nancy D’Alesandro, Nancy Pelosi grew up watching her father, the first Italian American mayor of Baltimore, host constituents at their home to hear their stories and let them voice their concerns. While he was working, Nancy’s mother gave them her ear, fed them, and helped as she could. Nancy also watched her mother work, unpaid, to help Nancy’s father get reelected; Nancy always knew the hard work that goes into being a public servant, and that it involves the entire family. After moving to San Francisco and years of organizing and doing community work herself, Nancy was asked to run in a special election to fill her ailing friend Rep. Sala Burton’s seat. Boxer writes how Nancy jumped wholeheartedly into her campaign, and in 1987, she was elected to Congress. It’s a frankly admiring account, highlighting Speaker Pelosi’s many achievements and how she travels the country helping to inspire women to run for government office. The book is current enough to record how, in early 2020, rioters mobbed the U.S. Capitol and stormed Pelosi’s office, stealing many items, before it closes on an inspirational note. Freeman creates images that bear an uncanny resemblance to her subjects, filling some backgrounds with images of multiracial groups of constituents and supporters to remind readers that no work is done alone. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Pays due homage to its subject. (author's note, interview, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 7-12)
