2022 Texas Great Read
Indelible Ann: The Larger-Than-Life Story of Governor Ann Richards
by Meghan P. Browne and illustrated by Carlynn Whitt
Meet the Author | Meet the Illustrator | Educator's Guide
The Texas Center for the Book at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission has chosen Indelible Ann: The Larger-Than-Life Story of Governor Ann Richards by Meghan P. Browne, illustrated by Carlynn Whitt, as the Texas Great Read for 2022. Every year, the Library of Congress asks each state Center for the Book to select a title that represents the state’s literary landscape to highlight at the National Book Festival. The event showcases the importance of books and reading. The 22nd Library of Congress National Book Festival will take place on September 3 in Washington, DC, with varied offerings online. Check out the Library of Congress website for details.
Indelible Ann: The Larger-Than-Life Story of Governor Ann Richards by Meghan P. Browne, illustrated by Carlynn Whitt
A folksy, larger-than-life picture book biography about Ann Richards, the late governor of Texas who has inspired countless women in politics today.
Dorothy Ann Willis hailed from a small Texas town, but early on she found her voice and the guts to use it. During her childhood in San Diego and her high school years back in Texas (when she dropped the "Dorothy"), Ann discovered a spark and passion for civic duty. It led her all the way to Washington, DC, where she, along with other girls from around the country, learned about the business of politics.
Fast forward to Ann taking on the political boys' club: she became county commissioner, then state treasurer, and finally Governor of Texas. In this stunning picture book biography, full of vim, vigor, and folksy charm, two Texan creators take us through the life of the legendary "big mouth, big hair" governor, a woman who was inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt and in turn became an inspiration to countless others.
About the Author
Meghan P. Browne grew up in Austin during the time Governor Ann Richards was at the helm of Texas government. Meghan is also the author of Dorothy the Brave, the picture book biography of WWII Aviator Dorothy Lucas, and the forthcoming The Bees of Notre Dame. She currently lives in far south Austin with her family and their goats, chickens, honeybees, barn kitty, and blue heeler. For more information about Meghan, please visit www.meghanpbrowne.com.
About the Illustrator
Award-winning illustrator Carlynn Whitt grew up in East Texas and counts Ann Richards as the first Texas governor she remembers. A graduate of UT Austin, Harvard Divinity School, and RISD, Carlynn is the illustrator of several children’s picture books, including There’s a Baby in There! and Ballpark. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
Educator Resources
See current and past Great Read book selections from all 50 states.
Access more Indelible Ann resources, by visiting TeachingBooks/Book Connections.
These tools are available using the TexQuest (for K-12 school libraries) and TexShare (for public and academic libraries) electronic resources programs made possible by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. If you have questions regarding access please contact Liz Philippi, School Program Coordinator, at k12@tsl.texas.gov.
Past Texas "Great Read" Titles
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
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| Marfa for the Perplexed by Lonn Taylor |
Butterfly Yellow Thanhhà Lại |
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan Chris Barton, illustrated by Ekua Holmes |
Shame the Stars Guadalupe |
News of the World Paulette Jiles |
Wish Girl Nikki Loftin |
Family Pictures/ Carmen Lomas Garza |
With His Pistol In His Americo Paredes |
The Time It Elmer Kelton |
Old Yeller Fred Gipson |
2021 Texas Great Read|2020 Texas Great Read|2019 Texas Great Read|2018 Texas Great Read| 2017 Texas Great Read| 2016 Texas Great Read|