Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Ordinary People Change the World: I AM LUCILLE BALL by Brad Meltzer / Book Review #OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld


By: Brad Meltzer
Illustrated by: Christopher Eliopoulos
Published by: Dial Books for Young Readers
Released on: January 1st, 2014 
Purchase from: The Author | The Publisher Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 Owlets - I Loved It

Introduce kids the creator and star of I Love Lucy with this illustrated biography of Lucille Ball, perfect for kids between five and eight years old.

"Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it," Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography for kids. Each book tells the story of one of America's icons in a vivacious, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren't quite ready for the Who Was biography series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Lucille Ball could make any situation funny. By making people around the world laugh, she proved that humor can take on anything.

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review

Back in the day when I was a kid, I remember watching Lucille Ball on tv. I was mesmerized by this women who seemed larger than life. She was hilarious, and went against the norm of what seemed to excepted of her. I loved that. I admired that she was who she was, and she didn't apologize for that. 

What I didn't realize about Lucille, until reading this book, was the stern upbringing she had, and that she really did go against the norm. She was made fun of, and she was different, but she didn't let that effect her. She had a dream, and she didn't let anything stand in the way of that. She also had a talent, and that was using humor to make other people feel better. Her talent is what lead her to do some incredible things. 

Another thing I didn't know until reading this book, is that Lucille and her husband, who stared along side her in their famous, I LOVE LUCY show, also started a studio together called Desilu, which produced shows like Star Trek and Mission: Impossible. It's amazing to think of all the incredible things Lucy did, like become the first women to run a major Hollywood studio. I also didn't know that Lucille was nominated for an Emmy Award 13 times, and won four times. 

There's a lot to be said for how incredible Lucille was and the path she paved for women. Not just in Hollywood, but every where. She didn't let what other people said she should do, or shouldn't do, or what they allowed her to do, or not do, stand in the way of the person she was, and what she wanted to do. She was who she was, and she embraced that. By doing so, she proved what an incredibly strong women she was. She never apologized for who she was. She also worked hard, and never gave up. I admire that about her. If you haven't yet watched an episode of I LOVE LUCY, I highly recommend that you do, but first, go pick up this book!

Like every book in this fabulous series, at the end of the story is a quote, along with pictures, and facts about this incredible person! This is another fantastic book to pick up and add to your personal, classroom or public library.


Ordinary People Change The World is a fantastic series for kids. Let me rephrase that, it's great for adults as well. I've enjoyed reading these books along side my children. I was thrilled to have the chance to spotlight the entire series though out the month of February, here on Mundie Kids. Check out my reviews for other books in the Ordinary People Change The World series, here. This is such a great series to pick up! You can't go wrong with reading any of these books. 

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~