I got this book Juana Martinez Neal's illustrations, totally not realizing that it was a picture book biography of Lane Bryant and how her fashions came to be! While these illustrations aren't my favorite of Juana's, I still find myself drawn to this book because of this statement

"Any work that helps another human being has dignity. The only real success comes from filling a human need."

It is very inspiring that this guided Lane's business model...and her life model. I hope we see more of that! ( )

Lena Himmelstein lived with her grandparents, who taught her to read, write, and sew. She followed her older sister to America and found a job sewing; "she worked hard and learned fast." She studied English and fashion, and married David Bryant, though he died not long after she had a baby. Lena got her own sewing machine and figured out a way to help others through her work, as her grandfather had said: she designed an elegant, comfortable gown for a pregnant woman. She opened her own business, but signing her name at the bank, she mixed up the English letters in her name and wrote "Lane" instead of "Lena."

Mara Rockliff and Juana Martinez-Neal are a dream team! The hand-textured paper that makes up the background for Martinez-Neal's pencil, pastel, acrylic, linocut, and fabric illustrations lends an old-fashioned feel.

Back matter: Author's note, selected sources

"Any work that helps another human being has dignity. The only real success comes from filling a human need." ( )