Quite Contrary Man: True American: A True American Tale - Hardcover

Hyatt, Patricia Rusch

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810940655 ISBN 13: 9780810940659

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011

Synopsis

In early-nineteenth-century New England, folks considered a clean chin a sign of godliness. Born into this buttoned-up, strict society, Joseph Palmer stood out from childhood as someone who liked to do things his own way. A friend to Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Alcotts, Palmer lived by his own code and grew a belly-flowing beard that made his neighbors so crazy that they tried forcibly to shave him. He fought back and ended up in prison for a year. His cause became a local sensation, and a few short decades later a president of the United States―Abraham Lincoln―would wear a beard. Narrated with the charm of a tall tale, this true story celebrates the long American history of nonconformity and encourages children to question social rules they may take for granted.Praise for Quite Contrary Man“She [Hyatt] cleanly lays out a morality tale that could prompt a healthy civics lesson. Brown's arch illustrations, in watercolor with pen and ink, nicely capture 19th-century New England.” –Kirkus Reviews “Brown’s warmhued watercolors reiterate the folk yarn feel with rustic touches. A spirited introduction to an iconoclastic 19th-century activist.” –Publishers Weekly

About this title

About the Author

Patricia Rusch Hyatt is the author of Coast to Coast with Alice, about the first woman to drive across the United States in 1909. Kathryn Brown has written and illustrated several children's books, including Muledred, and Eeny Meeny, Miney Mole by Jane Yolen.

From the Back Cover

Joseph "Beard" Palmer was alive in a time when beards were not only unpopular and unstylish, but also illegal in some places. Joseph grew his beard long and full, not just to be contrary, but to demonstrate his non-conformists beliefs. Because of the simple action of growing a thick beard, he was taunted and even was jailed. But Beard Palmer was not easily intimidated. He maintained his right to have a beard through good humoured protests. This is ultimately a triumphant story that teaches children to not only follow their own paths, but to stick up for what they believe in, no matter what the consequences.

Edition details

• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0810940655
• ISBN 13: 9780810940659
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Brown Kathryn
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32