Author/illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer, who writes books about American history's greatest adventures and tallest tales, can't seem to sit still. That's why she has had a few adventures of her own. This nationally ranked Master's swimmer and avid photographer has swum with sharks in Belize and kayaked with whales in Alaska, Canada, and Mexico. She has hiked the Andes, fished for piranhas, and explored ancient Incan ruins in Peru and Bolivia. And she has rafted through whitewater in the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, tasted tamarinds is the remote dry forests of Ecuador, photographed the fabled golden temples of Thailand, and helped to sail a world-famous racing boat from Bermuda to Boston via the Bermuda Triangle.
For years, Schanzer painted the pictures for literally hundreds of books, magazine articles, posters, and games for children, but they were all written by other people. Finally, she decided to try a new kind of adventure; if she wanted to do paint the kinds of things she loved the best, she would have to start writing a few books herself. So back in 1994, she began to write and illustrate the first of many highly acclaimed books about famous adventurers from American history.
The writing has turned out to be more fun (and more challenging) than Schanzer ever imagined. How could she tempt readers to step into the past? First she became a detective. Her job was to ferret out highly accurate and unusual research that few people have found before. That way she could offer peeks at the juiciest journals, letters, and songs of real people who lived through wild adventures long ago. And she could mix heroic deeds with funny stories and small everyday events so that the stars of her books weren't just wooden statues. One time, she wrote a hilarious tall tale to introduce a southern superhero, and another time, she uncovered a more serious saga from her very own ancestors that told about their escape from war-torn Poland in 1921. In a couple of early books, she even invited kids to step directly into the pictures in her stories. How? By daring them to solve colorful, rollicking picture mazes that wound through the scenery from days of yore. (The dead ends were truly perilous!)
Besides adventures, what does Rosalyn Schanzer like best? Eating chocolate. Watching pictures fall out of her fingers. Being a detective who finds true stories from history that hardly anybody has ever heard. And living with her amazing husband Steve in Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Selected Reviews of Rosalyn Schanzer's Books
George vs. George: the American Revolution as seen from both sides
Rosalyn Schanzer
With deft pen and paint brush, acclaimed author/illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer has created a nuanced look at the personalities and times of two great adversaries: George Washington and King George III of England. Lively and accurate, George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides is sure to engage young readers with intriguing accounts of the Boston Tea Party, key battles at Trenton and Yorktown and new American government. Schanzer handles her scrupulous research with wit and grace. Speech balloons throughout contain real quotes from actual people. History is brought to life when youngsters hear Washington's despairing words--"I am wearied almost to death"--during the bitter winter of 1776. Perfect for President's Day, this book helps show the real Father of Our Country behind the iconic mask. 2004, National Geographic, $16.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning
Rosalyn Schanzer
This is a charming biography of the man who invented the lightning rod and other practical things we use every day. Many of his contributions to society are mentioned--a hospital, a free academy and a fire department, along with the post office and the first lending library. Wonderfully illustrated in bright colors with a cartoon style, this book has many details for a child to investigate and enough words on each page to give a lot of information and time for children to discover the humor in each picture. Franklin's lesser known legacies are identified, such as a library chair and the first clock with a second hand. "A Note from the Author" explains more. The end papers show some of Franklin's original drawings of electrical experiments along with our cheerful hero. This book is a wonderful combination of information and engaging artwork. It will be very useful in primary classrooms and public libraries. 2003, HarperCollins Publishers, $16.99. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Candace Deisley (Children's Literature)
John Smith Escapes Again!
Rosalyn Schanzer
A very attractive format invites the reader to discover why John Smith was "probably the greatest escape artist on the planet" during the early 17th century. Best known for being saved by Pocahontas, there is so much more to this man's life. Through maps, small panels that provide many fascinating facts about his life, and longer sections accompanied by larger illustrations, the reader learns some details about his childhood, how he lost his money and became a pirate, how he escaped from slavery and journeyed to America, how he dealt with the Indians, became president of the Jamestown colony, and traveled to Plymouth Colony. The small frames, with dates, a brief amount of text, and an illustration with a great deal of research behind it will help readers remember the facts. The lively tone of the well-focused, succinct text will have the readers eager to turn the pages. The action-packed illustrations are bright and cleanly drawn and provide a sense of time, place, and the culture of the region. The map on the end papers is significant to the text and will be a problem for libraries that cover the book jackets and tape them to the book. Part of the map will be covered. Perhaps another way can be found to attach the jacket. There are smaller, more detailed maps within the pages of the book. A note from the author includes information on her research for both the text and illustrations in this 64 page biography. There is a bibliography and an index in the back. It is immensely informative, inviting, and inspirational. 2006, National Geographic Society, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature)
Rosalyn Schanzer is available for presentations to groups ages 5-adult; any size group. She speaks nationwide and internationally at schools (usually grades K-8), universities, seminars, conferences, panel discussions, workshops, etc. All presentations are customized to meet your needs and can include any combination of the following:
- CD Shows: Gloriously illustrated, fast-paced, informative, and humorous. Great choice for all ages and every show. (A CD projector, laptop for the CD, projector table, and screen must be provided by the school or institution.)
- Storytelling in costume with props and sound effects: Rollicking, riveting shows for grades K-3 featuring volunteers from the audience and plenty of interaction! Includes the song The Old Chisholm Trail and the tall tale Davy Crockett Saves the World
- Absolutely True Stories from History: Presented in an exciting way to directly coordinate with your school's own curriculum. Most talks feature one book per session. Examples include amazing tales about John Smith's greatest escapes (can also be geared toward Colonial Jamestown); the many inventions of Benjamin Franklin; what both George Washington and King George III really believed during the Revolutionary War; the daring exploits of Lewis and Clark; the incredible California Gold Rush; how my own family escaped to America; and much more. All talks are guaranteed to appeal to the age level of your group or classes.
- Writing Workshops and/or Illustration Workshops: A few examples include writing a tall tale; writing your own autobiography; writing an amazing journal about a not-very-amazing day; how to write about history by becoming a detective; and some fun ways to illustrate all of the above.
- Adult presentations: How teachers can make history spring to life; the scoop on combining illustration with writing; finding great research for just about any topic; how my books were written; and practically anything else you can come up with.
Autographing sessions and lunches with students: Can be added to each day's presentations.
FEES: Up to 3 presentations per day, $1,500. Overnight trips or trips over 50 miles away, $1,650 per day plus all travel expenses. Discounts are available for multiple-day events.
To learn more about Rosalyn and her publications please visit www.rosalynschanzer.com.
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