ACCESS DIGITIZED EDITION
Guide/Reviews Database
BIOGRAPHIES
Hopkinson, Deborah

Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers' Rights

40 pp. | Peachtree | August, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-68263-136-2 $18.99
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kristy Caldwell. Not only was workers' rights advocate and public servant Frances Perkins (1880–1965) the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, she also improved the welfare of men, women, and children in the U.S. for generations. Over the course of her career, she fought tirelessly to increase workplace safety, reduce working hours, establish a minimum wage and unemployment insurance, and, most notably during her tenure as FDR's Secretary of Labor, institute our system of Social Security. Hopkinson uses Social Security as a framing device, beginning the text by posing two questions to modern readers ("How many years will it be until you turn sixty-two?" and "What year will that be?") and ending with a "Thanks, Frances!" In between, ­Hopkinson provides a broad overview of her subject's life, with the picture-book biography mostly highlighting a few seminal events that shaped Perkins's work ethic and determination. Caldwell's realistically drawn digital illustrations feature circular vignettes that occasionally depict additional accomplishments not covered in the text. The pastel color palette featuring teal and rose gold has an old-­fashioned vibe, enhanced by period details. Back matter includes an author's note, a reading list, a bibliography, and source notes. ­Follow up with Kathleen Krull's more thorough account for slightly older readers, The Only Woman in the Photo (rev. 3/20), illustrated by Alexandra Bye.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

RELATED 

BIOGRAPHIES

Saving American Beach
by King, Heidi Tyline
BIOGRAPHIES

Violet and Daisy
by Miller, Sarah
BIOGRAPHIES

Notes from a Young Black Chef
by , Onwuachi, Kwame & Stein, Joshua David
BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Fauci
by Messner, Kate
BIOGRAPHIES

Indelible Ann
by Browne, Meghan P.
More

Get connected. Join our global community of more than 200,000 librarians and educators.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?