Introducing Sandwina: The Strongest Woman in the World!

by Vicki Conrad (Author) Jeremy Holmes (Illustrator)

Introducing Sandwina: The Strongest Woman in the World!
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

No one believed a woman could be stronger than a man, until Katie Brumbach-also known as Sandwina--displayed her show-stopping feats as a circus strongwoman.

100 pounds . . . 200 pounds . . . 300 pounds! Katie Brumbach became the world's top strongwoman after she ousted Eugen Sandow by lifting hundreds of pounds over her head (which Sandow could barely lift to his shoulders). After that, she took the last name Sandwina and thrived in the circus world--which she had been participating in since the age of two when she first performed with her family. She grew over six feet tall as she got older, but Katie never second-guessed herself, and she trained to build her muscles, always eager to test her skills and try new feats.

After starting a family with a fellow performer, they were eventually signed to work with John Ringling of the Ringling Bros. Circus. Sandwina impressed the crowds by balancing a 1,000-pound cannon on her chest, by throwing a one-ton stone, and by having an iron slab broken on her body--she stole the show!

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Hardcover
$18.99
This title will be released on Dec. 3, 2024, midnight

Kirkus

In this dazzling introduction, an extraordinary woman takes her rightful place back in the spotlight.

Review quotes

"Though [Sandwina] wowed audiences with her astounding feats of strength, Conrad passionately emphasizes that she was celebrated for her femininity, too, mothering two sons and wearing 'bold costumes' that highlighted her muscles....What really steals the show, however, are the striking, old-timey illustrations in a primary color palette with circus-style fonts and framing...In this dazzling introduction, an extraordinary woman takes her rightful place back in the spotlight." —Kirkus Reviews

"Ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages will delight in this biographical picture book about a circus strongwoman who bucked social expectations. Evoking vintage circus posters, the illustrations apply a strict palette of golden yellow, red, and teal, tracking Katie Brumbach's journey from a child in a family of circus performers to taking on the mantle of Sandwina." —Foreword Reviews

★ "It's such a treat when a picture book's writing and illustrations are equally matched, and Conrad and Holmes pool their talents to lift Katie Brumbach, stage name Sandwina, to heights befitting her status as the world's strongest woman... Spectacular!" -Booklist, starred review

★ "In this outstanding picture book biography, well-researched text and illustrations bring to life an extraordinary performer... This factual and inspiring account will resonate with many readers, and is an especially good choice for women's history month." -School Library Journal, starred review
 

 

Vicki Conrad
VICKI CONRAD is a teacher with a passion for literacy development and inspiring students to love reading just as much as she did as a child. Growing up, she was always found with a book in her hand, and she has stayed that way ever since. When she is not writing or teaching, she is traveling the world, growing a garden, or searching for stories. She has called Seattle her home for many years. She doesn't mind the rain, as long as she has coffee, friends, and good books for company. Just Like Beverly is her first book.

DAVID HOHN is an illustrator based in Portland, Oregon. His days are spent in the studio imagining what it would be like to be someone else, doing something else--and then he paints it.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781662680151
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Calkins Creek Books
Publication date
December 03, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007060 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Performing Arts
JNF039010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Performing Arts | Circus
JNF013110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Concepts | Body
Library of Congress categories
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