Author: Brad Meltzer
Illustrator: Christopher Eliopoulos
© Date: 2017
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Pages: 40
Chapters: No
Illustrations/Photographs: Yes, every page
Publisher Recommended Age: 5-9 years
Bonus Activities at End of Book: Not really, a timeline and photos from Jim Henson’s life are at the end, but also in the author/illustrator notes, you will find that a caricature of the author and twin sons of the illustrator are somewhere in every book.
Summary from Book: What makes a hero?
Jim Henson was a born performer with a terrific sense of humor. He adored kooky words and wild stories, and he believed in the power of imagination. Inspired by the comedy and puppet shows he loved to watch, he knew from a young age that he wanted a career in TV. Before long, but after a whole lot of work and practice, Jim’s dream came true. He helped create two of the most beloved programs in television history: The Muppet Show and Sesame Street. Through his Muppets, Jim showed the world that there’s nothing more beautiful than imagination, especially when it’s accompanied by laughter and kindness.
This lively, New York Times bestselling biography series inspires kids to dream big, one great role model at a time. You’ll want to collect each book.
Page Pig Thoughts: When thinking about people who change the world, Albert Einstein and Rosa Parks are people that might usually come to mind. I particularly love that this Ordinary People Changing the World series includes those types of people and other amazing people, like Jim Henson and Lucille Ball. I have read several of these books and enjoyed every one. The focal person for the story is followed from their childhood into adulthood while highlighting things that make that person unique. I really do want to collect each book.
In Jim Henson’s story, his love of imagining, creating, and laughter drive his career. If only all of us could see our lives in the big picture to see what things could really drive us to success… Until then, maybe like Jim Henson, we can be mindful of the goodness in everyone.
Page Pup read I am George Washington and gives it a thumb up.
Family Unit: Jim Henson’s mother, father, brother, and grandparents are mentioned
Conflict/Social Issues:
- At thirteen years old, the new television technology changed his life. His parents did not want to buy one.
- At sixteen years old, Jim Henson went looking for work at TV stations and they all said no.
- His first television show was cancelled.
Positive Items:
- Jim Henson stuck with his dream of working for a television station by learning how to be a puppeteer.
- What made Jim and his team’s work stand out? Practice, a lot of practice.
- Jim believed in kindness and being a do-gooder.
Items of Interest:
- After their first show was cancelled, Jim and his partner continued creating new characters called Muppets.
- At eighteen years old, Jim created a new character named Kermit. Kermit did change some over the years.
- Jim kept inventing new characters and finding new facial expressions that they could make.
- Jim eventually gets a big break by being offered a new show called Sesame Street.
Other Books in Series (At Time of Posting):
- The Ordinary People Change the World series seems to have over 30 books
