That's Betty!: The Story of Betty White

Description

With the longest television career of all time, Betty White is an icon with fans across generations, having starred on some of the most loved TV shows in history and winning numerous awards along the way. She is also a pioneer: She was the first woman to produce a national TV show and the first producer to hire a female director. Beyond that, Betty is lauded for her work off the set: fighting for equal rights for women, advocating for the fair treatment of animals, campaigning to end bullying, and standing up for the LGBTQIA+ community. Debut author Gregory Bonsignore's playful text, brought to life by Jennifer Potter's art, follows a young boy who is doing a class presentation about Betty White. . . with a little help from Betty herself! Timed to publish just ahead of Betty's 100th birthday, the book is a celebration of a life well-lived. A Who Did It First? Book

Gregory Bonsignore is an award-winning playwright, director, actor, comedian, and writer. His work has been featured on and produced for television and the stage. He grew up in Houston, has a degree in Storytelling from NYU, trained at the BBC in London, and is a graduate of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. That's Betty! is his debut picture book. gregorybonsignore.com Jennifer M. Potter is an illustrator who lives in San Francisco. When she's not busy drawing, she volunteers at the local animal shelter. She lives with her husband, several attention-starved plants, and a concerning number of watercolor palettes. She is the illustrator of Voices of Justice, A Songbird Dreams of Singing, and Claude. jennifermpotter.com

Cleverly written from a child's perspective, this biography will have readers loving Betty White more and more with each turn of the page. . .[T]his is a must-have for all library shelves. --School Library Journal, Starred Review In this awed tribute, a young fan assigned to do a class presentation on a "trailblazing woman" braves the skepticism of their teacher and their dads to gain. . .a high-spots overview of White's multi-decade career. Readers, too, will come away wowed. --Booklist, Starred Review A playful tour of Betty White's life. . . [T]his LGBTQ+-friendly selection offers a mirror to children intent on being themselves and focusing on their unique interests, gender-typical or not. Lively illustrations feature a diverse cast. A well-intentioned biographical selection about Betty White that is consciously inclusive and diverse. --Kirkus Reviews Readers unfamiliar with [Betty] White will find something to admire in her pioneering gumption and willingness to stand up for what's right. Bonsignore handles all the details of White's long life with elan. . .in this irrepressible picture book debut. --Publishers Weekly