Kathy MacMillan is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, writer, teacher, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of the board books Nita's First Signs and Nita's Day (Familius), children's nonfiction book She Spoke: 14 Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World (Familius), the young adult novels Sword and Dagger, Verse and Dagger, and Coin, and many books for parents, librarians, and educators, including Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together.

Manuela Bernardi is a film and TV writer based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she was born and raised. She has collaborated on award-winning feature films and has written on shows for TV Globo, TBS, GNT, Multishow, and the History Channel. Her screenplay for the short film The Healing Tree won USC's Peter Stark Special Project grant and went on to be selected for Cannes's Short Film Corner. With a BA in journalism from PUC-Rio, Manuela got her MFA in writing for screen and television from USC in Los Angeles, which she attended on a Fulbright/CAPES scholarship.

Becky Thorns is a talented illustrator based in Cornwall, UK, whose detailed and textured illustration focuses on narrative and adventure. After graduating from Falmouth University in 2015, she now works from her studio in Truro with international publishers and media and was shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2020.

"'Those who resist your ambition can only see what has always been instead of what can be, ' says Kamala Harris in this captivating sequel to She Spoke. MacMillan and Bernardi here highlight remarkable women and girls and share their transformative stories. Spanning generations and diverse backgrounds, these trailblazers have reshaped the world with their courage and conviction. From the passionate advocacy of Greta Thunberg, who began her crusade at just 15, to the wisdom of Gerda Weissmann Klein, who inspired until the age of 97, every voice is a testament to the power of speaking out. Thorns's vibrant illustrations, blending paint and digital art, bring these women to life, surrounded by symbols of their causes. Each profile features a poignant quote from the activist as well as a thought-provoking discussion point that encourages readers to consider their own potential impact. VERDICT This book is a vital addition to any nonfiction collection, for anyone seeking inspiration to dream bigger than they thought possible."
--Jessica Clark, School Library Journal--Jessica Clark, School Library Journal

"This picture book introduces the reader to fourteen women who learned to use their voices to improve the lives of others. Mary Harris, also known as Mother Jones, witnessed starving children in her home country of Ireland. She used her voice and actions to bring attention to the children who worked in labor camps. Gerda Weissmann survived the Holocaust in her native country of Poland. Gerta's whole family died in the camps, but Gerda used her voice to bring awareness of the danger of intolerance. The two-page spread for each woman gives the reader an illustration of the woman, with a quick fact box for personal details. The right side of the spread references ways in which readers can become involved to make their voices heard. This second volume of "She Spoke" includes the stories of fourteen more women, and the backmatter provides a list of more women to learn about, further reading recommendations, an author bio, and links to the publisher's website. An audio box is attached to the right side of the book, top to bottom. Pictured are the women in the book, speaking in their own voices. Press the button featuring each iconic woman to hear her words. The text is tiny, and the audio is not loud enough to be heard in a class setting. However, the overall content is worth the price of the book."--Children's Literature

"Kathy MacMillan has done it again! Literacy for all children is foundational! Reading for young children should involve many senses to help scaffold early literacy for Deaf and nonDeaf children. In the series about Nita and her family, the author not only fosters engagement with the book through written print, stimulating art, and kinesthetic participation cultivating learning printed English, but also supporting literacy via American Sign Language (ASL). Research has shown that children that are taught and/or exposed to ASL at a young age (both hearing and Deaf children) have higher reading and writing scores at an older age as well as having fewer tantrums, boosting vocabulary, and more. Littles who learn some ASL do not have to fully be fluent in Sign Language to reap the benefits of higher reading scores."--Dr. Lisalee D. Egbert, Professor and Coordinator for ASL & Deaf Studies

Publisher: Familius

Pub date: 2024-03-05

Length: 32 pages