Gr 1–3—Most children have heard of Snoopy or seen his picture, but this picture book biography tells the story of his creator. Presented in a comic book style reminiscent of its subject's drawings, the colorful panels follow Charles "Sparky" Schulz from his birth to the syndication of Peanuts. This is the story of a boy who enjoyed life's simple pleasures and who grew into a man who captured those joys in his comics for all to share. Readers will learn where the idea of a boy and his beloved—and smart—dog originated. Wadsworth and Orback describe Schulz's lifelong love of drawing and the encouragement he received from his teachers, parents, and friends. This biography stresses that perseverance and practice were the keys to his success, with multiple submissions to publishers before he was finally offered a contract. The back matter includes a photo of Schulz at his drawing board, an author's note, a brief list of the Peanuts characters, and other helpful details. VERDICT: A wonderful homage to Schulz and a perfect first biography for young readers.
(My review was originally published in School Library Journal, September 2019, pp.141-142.)
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