Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 11/01/2015 Over the summer, a reporter e-mailed to ask about Hillary Clinton books aimed at kids for an article she was writing. I replied that almost all of the titles available were in series about first ladies or famous women, but that as election time grew closer, there should be more.The election may be a year away but, to say the least, the books have begun to arrive. Jonah Winter and Raul Colón combine their talents in Hillary (2016), starring a Hillary they feel is justifiably comparable to Queen Elizabeth I and Joan of Arc. Using just two spreads to move their subject through childhood and college, and two more to get her into the White House, the book then skips over the more unseemly parts of the Clinton presidency to touch upon her run for the senate and then presidency. Winter’s focus on Clinton’s time as secretary of state, and quotes and anecdotes, especially in relation to work for women’s rights, do offer plenty of food for thought. Much of the art is portraiture, giving ample opportunity to display Hillary’s myriad hairstyles, though this may confuse readers, especially when a pageboy and a French roll appear on the same page. Still, both this visual focus and ardent text make it possible for young readers to see Clinton as a real woman who “may soon change the world.”If the last election taught us anything, it’s far too early to be fitting the Oval Office chair quite yet, but these four books make clear that, regardless of the outcome, Clinton’s place in history is already secure. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 12/01/2015 K-Gr 2—Winter opens this picture book biography of Hillary Rodham Clinton by comparing the presidential candidate to three other strong women in history, Queen Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, and Rosie the Riveter. Through straightforward text that reflects his admiration for Clinton, Winter introduces her as a "scrappy" girl who "did well in school, played sports with boys, and liked to be in charge." The author takes Clinton from an outspoken student at Wellesley College to First Lady of the United States, senator, and secretary of state, discussing her marriage to Bill Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, along the way. Colón aptly depicts these important events using mixed-media illustrations that resemble pictures in a family album. The warm tones and soft colors personalize this story of a strong, passionate woman who works hard and is driven to succeed. Winter concludes with an author's note that describes Clinton's life in more detail and expresses why he chose to honor her: "By becoming president, she would demonstrate that a girl can grow up to be the most powerful person in the world. That's the world where I want to live." VERDICT A strong addition to biography collections.—Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.