Starred Review ALA Booklist (Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Starred Review This memorable picture-book biography begins with Beverly Cleary growing up on a farm. An only child, she loved stories and made up her own. After her family moved to Portland, she played with neighborhood children and looked forward to starting school. Unfortunately, her autocratic first teacher insisted that left-handed Beverly must write with her right, and she punished the child with a switch for daydreaming. The next year, a new teacher encouraged Beverly, who quickly learned to read and, within a few years, began winning prizes for her writing. As an adult, Cleary became a children's librarian and wrote books inspired by vivid memories of her youth. For somewhat older kids, an eight-page appended section offers a time line and a fuller account of her life. 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. An endearing portrayal of Cleary and a fine debut for the publisher's new Growing to Greatness series, featuring well-known people from the Pacific Northwest.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

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 (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

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)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

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.)