Tate, Don

"This . . . picture book biography explores how Jerry Lawson, a Black engineer, revolutionized the video game industry. Before Xbox and Playstation and Nintendo Switch, there was a tinkerer named Jerry Lawson. As a boy, Jerry loved playing with springs, sprockets, and gadgety things. When he grew up, Jerry became an engineer--a professional tinkerer! In the 1970s, Jerry decided to tinker with video games. Back then, if players wanted a new video game, they had to buy an entire new console. This made gaming very expensive. Jerry was determined to fix this problem. He hit some roadblocks along the way and had to repeat a level or two, but it was never game over for Jerry. After working hard to find a solution, he finally leveled up and built a brand new kind of video game console--one that allowed players to switch out video game cartridges! Jerry's tinkering and inventions changed the video gaming world forever"--Provided by publisher.

Chronicles the life of William Still, African American abolitionist and the father of the Underground Railroad, and details his work with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and helping enslaved people fleeing to freedom. Explains how he recorded the stories of freedom seekers that he encountered in an effort to preserve their history and help families be reunited.

"He realized how football and art were one and the same. Both required rhythm. Both required technique. Passing, pulling, breaking down the field--that was an art. Young Ernie Barnes wasn't like other boys his age. Bullied for being shy, overweight, and uninterested in sports like boys were 'supposed' to be, he instead took refuge in his sketchbook, in vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, and flowing lines. But growing up in a poor, Black neighborhood during the 1930s, opportunities to learn about art were rare, and art museums were off-limits because of segregation laws. Discouraged and tired of being teased, Ernie joined the school football team. Although reluctant at first, he would soon become a star. But art remained in Ernie's heart and followed him through high school, college, and into the NFL. Ernie saw art all around him: in the dynamic energy of the game, the precision of plays, and the nimble movement of his teammates. He poured his passion into his game and his craft, and became famous as both a professional athlete and as an artist whose paintings reflected his love of the sport and celebrated Black bodies as graceful and beautiful. He played for the Baltimore Colts (1959-60), Titans of New York (1960), San Diego Chargers (1960-62), and the Denver Broncos (1963-64). In 1965, Barnes signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canada, but fractured his right foot, which ended his professional football career. Soon after, he met New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin, who was impressed by Barnes and his art. In 1966 Barnes had a debut solo exhibition in New York City, sponsored by Werblin at the Grand Central Art Galleries; all the paintings were sold. Barnes became so well-known as an artist that one of his paintings was featured in the opening credits of the TV show Good Times, and he was commissioned to create official posters for the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics. From award-winning author and illustrator Don Tate, Pigskins to Paintbrushes is the inspiring story of Ernie Barnes, who defined himself on his own terms and pushed the boundaries of 'possible,' from the field to the canvas. The back matter includes Barnes's photograph and his official Topps trading card. Also included are an author's note, endnotes, a bibliography, and a list of websites where Barnes's work can be seen"--Provided by the publisher.

A picture book biography that looks at the life African-American abolitionist, conductor on the Underground Railroad, writer, historian and civil rights activist William Still.

Relates the story of North Carolina slave George Moses Horton, who taught himself to read, learned to write, and became a well-known, published poet in spite of his slave status.

A biography of twentieth-century African American folk artist Bill Traylor, a former slave who, at the age of eighty-five, drew pictures based on his memories and observations of life in Alabama.

Presents the biography of Victorian-era strongman and fitness promoter Eugen Sandow, known as the father of modern bodybuilding.

Little Friedrich Muller was a puny weakling who longed to be athletic and strong like the ancient Roman gladiators. Inspired by his own experiences body-building, Don Tate tells the story of how Eugen Sandow changed the way people think about strength and exercise.

Relates the story of North Carolina slave George Moses Horton, who taught himself to read, learned to write, and became a well-known, published poet in spite of his slave status.