Only Margaret: A Story About Margaret Wise Brown (Incredible Lives for Young Readers)

Margaret Wise Brown’s singular mind and flair for the extravagant are expressed in this picture book biography. When little Margaret gets the neighbor’s dogs to haul her sled, her family marvels, “Only Margaret would think of that.” When she grows up and decides that she’ll be a writer of books for children, her friends say, “Only Margaret would make up her own job.” Ransom waxes eloquent: “Stories scrolled from her typewriter. Poems flowed from her pen.” Soon, the figure produces a picture book; with the money, she buys out a flower merchant’s entire inventory: “Only Margaret!” Unlined digital spreads by Lawson have the feel of old cartoon stills; if the prose and art feel discordant with the creator’s own work, this profile may nevertheless pique young readers’ interest in it. Back matter includes an author’s note and timeline. Ages 5–9. (Oct.)