MOWMT 10: Writing the Unexpected with Selene Castrovilla

Writing the Unexpected: Crafting Unique Picture Book Biographies About Famous People

By Selene Castrovilla

Buy Here: https://amzn.to/4smjfob

Growing up, I always knew I was a writer. But if you’d told me I would one day write about George Washington, I would have laughed. “He’s boring,” I would’ve said.

That changed when a friend casually mentioned that Washington had been a spymaster. A spymaster? That single detail cracked open my assumptions. I began researching and quickly discovered a far more complex, human figure than the marble statue of my childhood textbooks. One story in particular captivated me: his deep bond with the teenage Marquis de Lafayette, forged as the fragile Continental Army braced for British attack near Philadelphia. That collision of affection and war—intimacy amid uncertainty—hooked me completely and led me to write Revolutionary Friends.

Today’s picture book biographies no longer span cradle to grave. They zoom in on defining moments—often the ones history overlooks. A childhood turning point. A quiet act of courage. A surprising passion. I call these “unexpected picture book biographies”, and there’s nothing like the unexpected to grab readers’ attention!

These mentor texts show how a fresh angle can bring new life to a well-known figure. Notice how each author narrows the focus and elevates a lesser-known moment or detail:

The Soldier’s Friend: Walt Whitman's Extraordinary Service in the American Civil War by Gary Golio

Best known for his poetry, Walt Whitman also served as a devoted “soldier’s friend” during the Civil War. After traveling south in 1862 to find his wounded brother, he remained in Washington, D.C., visiting hospitals, comforting injured soldiers, and tending the dying—quietly living the compassion he celebrated in verse.

Note how simply the author teaches us about the war, and relates it to Whitman’s interior, too.

Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marily Monroe

This true story reveals how the friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe helped both women confront industry prejudice and claim their power. When Ella was barred from a major nightclub and Marilyn was denied creative control, they used their influence and loyalty to lift each other toward lasting success. Beyond their bond, the story exposes the barriers creative women faced—racism, typecasting, unequal pay, limited agency, and male-dominated gatekeepers who controlled opportunity and reputation.

 Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff

Most people think of Benjamin Franklin as a patriot, printer, and inventor in early America. This book shifts the lens to a lesser-known chapter of his life in Paris, where he was serving as a diplomat. There, he confronted the sensational claims of Franz Anton Mesmer, who dazzled audiences with promises of a mysterious healing force. Rather than accept spectacle as truth, Franklin relied on observation and experimentation, helping expose illusion and reinforce the emerging principles of the scientific method.

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock

(insert Thomas Jefferson Builds cover)

This picture book traces the life of Thomas Jefferson through his lifelong devotion to books. A passionate reader from childhood, Jefferson drew on his learning to draft the Declaration of Independence and, after the Library of Congress burned in 1814, sold his personal library to help rebuild the nation’s collection.

George Washington’s Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses That Saved America by Selene Castrovilla

This picture book highlights a pivotal but often overlooked moment in the life of George Washington. After the Revolutionary War, frustrated officers considered drastic action over unpaid wages. When Washington paused mid-speech to put on his glasses, revealing his personal sacrifice, their anger dissolved and their loyalty to the young nation was restored.

I have insight (pun intended) into the creation of this book because I wrote it. More than a decade ago, I set out to write about what I thought was a poignant, simple moment that was one of Washington’s finest. The problem was that The Newburgh Conspiracy, as this historical event is called, is extremely complex due to all its players and settings. The more I tried to add context, the more complicated the story grew. In other words, I failed. One day, I chucked all my drafts and started out with just George Washington’s point of view. One other thing: I made it funny. This is a humorous mentor text about near-treason. Anything is possible!

Unexpected picture book biographies are wonderful for young readers because:

• They turn legends into people. (George Washington squinting at a letter through his spectacles is far more relatable than a marble statue.)

• They reveal hidden acts of courage. (Walt Whitman tending wounded soldiers instead of simply writing poetry.)

• They spotlight unlikely friendships that change history. (Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe quietly opening doors for each other.)

• They show science as action, not abstraction. (Benjamin Franklin calmly testing Dr. Mesmer’s “magic.”)

• They highlight the habits behind greatness. (Thomas Jefferson building a nation with books.)

Buy Here: https://amzn.to/4chXPDO

When children see the human moment behind the myth, history stops feeling distant—and starts feeling possible.

You might find yourself inspired to uncover something surprising about a historical figure you love. The key is research: uncover the untold angle, the revealing detail, the moment that reshapes how we see the legend—just as these mentor texts do.

Have a favorite mentor text about a famous person? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Author Prize: I will give a virtual picture book critique (any genre) to a winner.

Selene’s Bio: Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning children’s author known for bringing overlooked moments in American history vividly to life. Her picture book biographies, published by Astra Books for Young Readers under the Calkins Creek imprint, focus on defining turning points that reveal the humanity behind history. Selene zooms in on transformative episodes—George Washington’s vulnerable appeal to his officers, Henrietta Wood’s fight for justice, or the quiet courage that helped end slavery at Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Her books, including Twice Enslaved and Seeking Freedom: The Untold Story of Fortress Monroe and the Ending of Slavery in America, are recognized for meticulous research, emotional depth, and classroom relevance. Reviewers have praised her work for illuminating complex history with clarity and heart. A frequent speaker at schools, conferences, and historical sites, Selene champions honest storytelling that respects young readers’ intelligence and curiosity.

With more than twenty published titles across genres, Selene remains committed to uncovering the human choices, moral tensions, and acts of courage that shaped the nation—stories that invite children not just to learn history, but to see themselves within it. Visit her website to learn more, and her Linktree for her social media information and latest news!

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