Books tell inspiring tales

By Kendal Rautzhan

May 23, 2009 Last Updated: May 23, 2009 12:49 PM Community

"Mozart: The Wonder Child," written and illustrated by Diane Stanley, tells the story of this prolific composer who wrote more than 600 works. By the age of 6, Mozart was the toast of Europe, composing and performing for royal courts all over the continent.

People who do great things are an inspiration for everyone. Well-written children's nonfiction books supply the mind with knowledge, ideas, and perhaps, ultimately, the very catalyst that propels an individual to seek out their own strengths and gifts.

The books reviewed today focus on just that — people worth learning about.

There are countless more such books worthy of your time and attention. Just ask your local librarian and book seller for further suggestions. After all, inspiration is a very good thing.

The following book is available at many public libraries."The Endurance: Shackleton's Perilous Expedition in Antarctica" by Meredith Hooper, illustrated by M. P. Robertson, Abbeville Kids, 28 pages; read aloud: age 6 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.In August 1914, Ernest Shackleton and his crew sailed their ship, Endurance, from England to Antarctica. On Jan. 18, 1915, the Endurance was frozen in the pack ice, stuck fast like glue.The ice drifted, carrying Endurance and her crew with it. They were powerless to go where they wanted.When the ice finally crushed the ship to splinters, the men were forced to camp on drifting ice floes for almost six months. Finally being able to launch their lifeboats into the water hardly meant they were out of danger. The ocean was a much more perilous enemy.Miraculously, all three boats landed on solid ground: uninhabited Elephant Island.Shackleton knew their only hope for survival was to try and reach South Georgia — another island that lay 800 miles away across the world's stormiest, wildest ocean.Determined to save his men, Shackleton and two crew members set out in a 23-foot, open wooden lifeboat, leaving the others behind to wait and hope for rescue.Against all odds and looking death square in the eye every moment, Ernest Shackleton saved all of Endurance's men on Aug. 30, 1916. His courage and the courage of his crew is not just an astonishing story, but one of the greatest survival stories of all time.

Library: Mars Area Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., MarsLibrary Director: Mary Jo SimonsChildren's Librarian: Joyce PappertChoices this week: "Welcome to Molly's World, 1944" by Catherine Gourley; "Fire Trucks and Rescue Vehicles" by Jean Coppendale; "Fred Stays with Me" by Nancy Coffelt

The following books are available at favorite bookstores."Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize" by Kathy-Jo Wargin, illustrated by Zachary Pullen, Sleeping Bear Press, 2009, 32 pages, $17.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.When Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, his intent was to safely advance road and bridge construction. In this, he succeeded.But to Nobel's great sorrow, dynamite was also used in the development of military weaponry. He realized that his legacy would be as the man who invented ways to injure and kill.This recognition prompted Nobel to establish a way for humankind to strive for peace and other valuable contributions to the world.When Nobel died, he was one of the wealthiest men in all of Europe. In his will he left the vast majority of his estate to create yearly prizes "for those who have rendered the greatest services to humankind" through the Nobel Prizes.Beautifully written and illustrated, this thought-provoking and inspirational story is certain to appeal to young and old alike."Mozart: The Wonder Child" written and illustrated by Diane Stanley, HarperCollins, 2009, 48 pages, $17.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 to 12; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.As a very small child, Mozart was accustomed to hearing a constant flow of music from his father, a musician.When Mozart was 3, he toddled over to the clavier and tried a few notes on the keyboard, and within the year he was reading and writing music. At the age of 6, Mozart was the toast of Europe, composing and performing for royal courts all over the continent.Mozart's remarkable childhood and brief adult life were both extraordinary and sometimes difficult. His was the work of true genius, giving the world some of the greatest and most beloved music of all time.Celebrated author and illustrator Diane Stanley was inspired by famous Salzburg Marionettes and tells Mozart's engaging story as a puppet play in three acts.Rich, well-researched, and beautifully illustrated, Stanley provides a vivid and fascinating look at one of the world's greatest composers whose music lives on, more than 200 years after it was written.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.