Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary

by Vicki Conrad, David Hohn (Illustrator)

Overview

"A celebration of Cleary, literacy, and the pursuit of ambitious dreams"
—School Library Journal

The only picture book biography of beloved children's author Beverly Cleary, creator of Ramona, Beezus, Henry, Ribsy, Ralph S. Mouse, and more! This charming book tells Beverly's own story of learning how to read and never giving up on her dreams to write stories for kids just like her.

A Junior Library Guild Selection, Just Like Beverly follows the life of Beverly Cleary from her early years in Oregon to her career as a beloved children's book author. As a young girl, Beverly Cleary struggled to learn to read and found most children's books dull and uninteresting. She often wondered if there were any books about kids just like her. With hard work, and the encouragement of her parents and a special teacher, she learned to read and at a young age discovered she had a knack for writing.

Beverly Cleary's story comes to life in this beautiful picture book as she grows to follow her dreams of writing the books she longed for as a child, becoming an award-winning writer and one of the most famous children's authors of all time.  Beautiful illustrations capture Cleary's sense of humor, struggles, and triumphs, and are filled with Easter eggs throughout for readers young and old to discover.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632172228
Publisher:	Blue Star Press
Publication date:	08/13/2019
Series:	Growing to Greatness Series
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	399,152
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	820L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

VICKI CONRAD is a teacher with a passion for literacy development and inspiring students to love reading just as much as she did as a child. Growing up, she was always found with a book in her hand, and she has stayed that way ever since. When she is not writing or teaching, she is traveling the world, growing a garden, or searching for stories. She has called Seattle her home for many years. She doesn't mind the rain, as long as she has coffee, friends, and good books for company. Just Like Beverly is her first book.

DAVID HOHN is an illustrator based in Portland, Oregon. His days are spent in the studio imagining what it would be like to be someone else, doing something else—and then he paints it.

Editorial Reviews

08/05/2019

Centenarian Cleary, who created such enduring characters as Henry Huggins and Ramona Quimby and won the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, had a lonely early childhood as an only child growing up in rural Oregon. After her family moved to Portland, the first grader struggled with reading, unable to identify with boring stories assigned by her irascible teacher and left to wonder, “Where were the books about kids like her?” Years later, working as a librarian, she listened to complaints from children asking that same question and was inspired to write stories to which contemporary kids could relate. Debut author Conrad’s storytelling is straightforward, ably conveying—in tandem with Hohn’s homespun, vintage-style illustrations—the various eras of Cleary’s life and her passion for writing and for nurturing readers. Ages 5–9. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Confession: I hugged this book before I even opened it" —Justine Kenin, All Things Considered

★ "Hohn captures her lively spirit through illustrations, reminiscent of those by Alan Tiegreen for Cleary's own books, that will keep young readers entertained. A loving and informative tribute worthy of celebrating Cleary's 103rd year of life." —Kirkus Reviews, starred

★ "Conrad writes with clarity and features significant details that bring Cleary’s experiences and personality to life for kids today. Hohn makes good use of color, light, and pattern in his imaginative illustrations, which interpret the text sensitively. The artwork looks fresh and appealing while suggesting the period, the emotional resonance, and the upbeat spirit of Cleary’s books."—Booklist, starred 

"A celebration of Cleary, literacy, and the pursuit of ambitious dreams, this charming picture book will enhance any biography collection."—School Library Journal

"Debut author Conrad’s storytelling is straightforward, ably conveying—in tandem with Hohn’s homespun, vintage-style illustrations—the various eras of Cleary’s life and her passion for writing and for nurturing readers."—Publishers Weekly

"This beautiful picture book biography of the incredible, beloved children’s author and librarian Beverly Cleary is sure to delight both longtime fans and new readers alike." —Madeline S., Powells.com


""Just Like Beverly" is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school and community library collections" —Midwest Book Review

"Hohn’s illustrations feel simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary – just like Cleary’s stories."—The Oregonian


"Vicki Conrad and David Hohn chart Cleary’s rise to authordom with thoughtful, compelling storytelling and joyous art that feels like it belongs alongside Louis Darling’s original illustrations of Cleary’s works."—PDX Parent

From the Publisher

07/01/2019

K-Gr 4—Beverly Cleary always loved stories, but she struggled to learn to read and write. This compassionate narrative nonfiction account of Cleary overcoming challenges and following her dreams is full of inspirational messages and connections to her enduring classics. Following this narrative is a more factually detailed recounting of her life written in traditional nonfiction format, including photos and a time line. Though Cleary and readers are separated by nearly a century, many parts of the iconic author's childhood will resonate with today's young people: school struggles, the joy of playing with friends, and the importance of kind and supportive adults. Using a style and dynamism reminiscent of Louis Darling's original drawings in many of Cleary's books, Hohn's depiction of the young author looks remarkably like Ramona. The setting of her childhood is fleshed out with details like horse-drawn plows and carts and historically accurate clothing and hairstyles. Observant readers will notice many subtle nods to the books starting on the title page, where Cleary's legs are seen hanging from a tree branch above evidence of Ramona's mantra that "the first bite of an apple tastes best." Many are sure to be won over by the sheer nostalgia factor, but this book also contains a powerful message for young readers and dreamers: "Try! Anyone can talk about writing, but only those who sit down and do it will succeed." VERDICT A celebration of Cleary, literacy, and the pursuit of ambitious dreams, this charming picture book will enhance any biography collection.—Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield Public Library, IL

School Library Journal

★ 2019-04-10
A picture-book biography that illustrates how Beverly Cleary created art from her life.

Beverly grew up on a farm near Yamhill, Oregon, feeding the chickens—her friends in lieu of nearby playmates. As she grew, books became her close companions, and the few she had, her mother read to her repeatedly. Beverly's hunger for new stories prompted her mother to start a children's library in town. The family moved to Portland when Beverly was 6, and there she finally had playmates. She started school at Fernwood Grammar School, but as a struggling reader and a left-handed writer, Beverly found first grade challenging and unpleasant. She fell further behind when she got smallpox and finished first grade barely able to read. But a wonderful second-grade teacher helped her learn to read and to enjoy school, which changed everything. This informative and visually appealing account of Beverly Cleary's path to children's librarian and then author includes humorous details from her childhood that found their ways into the tales of her beloved characters. Cleary was determined to pursue the profession she had dreamed of since childhood, as explained in the backmatter and timeline. Hohn captures her lively spirit through illustrations, reminiscent of those by Alan Tiegreen for Cleary's own books, that will keep young readers entertained. All characters depicted are white.

A loving and informative tribute worthy of celebrating Cleary's 103rd year of life. (Picture book/biography. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews