Michelle Markel Books

A child's biography of French artist Henri Rousseau, who spent his life as a toll collector, but created unheralded masterpieces in his spare time.

The true story of the young immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history. This picture book biography about Ukrainian immigrant Clara Lemlich tackles topics like activism and the U.S. garment industry. The art, by Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet, beautifully incorporates stitching and fabric. A bibliography and an author's note on the garment industry are included. When Clara arrived in America, she couldn't speak English. She didn't know that young women had to go to work, that they traded an education for long hours of labor, that she was expected to grow up fast. But that didn't stop Clara. She went to night school, spent hours studying English, and helped support her family by sewing in a shirtwaist factory. Clara never quit, and she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers the country had seen. From her short time in America, Clara learned that everyone deserved a fair chance. That you had to stand together and fight for what you wanted. And, most importantly, that you could do anything you put your mind to. This picture book biography about the plight of immigrants in America in the early 1900s and the timeless fight for equality and justice should not be missed.

Set in the 1950s, the narrative explores the societal constraints placed on girls who are expected to conform to traditional feminine roles. Despite the pressure to appear demure and submissive, many young women grapple with their inner strength, intelligence, and ambitions. The story delves into their struggles against a backdrop of gender norms, highlighting the tension between societal expectations and personal aspirations.

A lively, humorous introduction to the man for whom the Newbery Medal is named.

From the creators of The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau comes a gorgeously illustrated picture book biography of the life of surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, who created some of the most enigmatic and startling works of the last 80 years. Full color.

Award-winning author Michelle Markel’s picture book Terrific Table Manners is a mischievous modern manners primer for kids, illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard.Inspired by the classic Tiffany’s primer on manners for teens and featuring a familiar cast of characters, Terrific Table Manners is a modern take on table etiquette that follows the course of a proper dinner-party meal. Young readers will learn essential amenities such as sending the invite and RSVP, the use for all of those different forks, how to politely sip soup and engage in delightful (not dreadful) conversation, and writing thank-you notes. Sharing a meal has never been this exciting and funny.