cover image Her Name Was Mary Katharine: The Only Woman Whose Name Is on the Declaration of Independence

Her Name Was Mary Katharine: The Only Woman Whose Name Is on the Declaration of Independence

Ella Schwartz, illus. by Dow Phumiruk. Little, Brown/Ottaviano, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-31629-83-22

This picture book spotlights a mostly unsung Revolutionary War figure, pioneering newspaperwoman, political activist, and the first woman postmaster in the 13 U.S. colonies, Mary Katherine Goddard (1738–1816), the only woman whose name is on official copies of the Declaration of Independence. Schwartz’s straightforward narration positions the Connecticut-born woman as hardworking and loyal—the steady hand that keeps her fickle brother’s printing and newspaper ventures afloat (“composing pages, setting type, and operating the press”). Vignettes of Goddard brim with newsprint motifs as backdrops or borders, while the titular refrain highlights her work, leading up to the design and printing of the historic document. Phumiruk skillfully employs design principles in colorful digital spreads, sustaining visual interest. A brief glossary and source list conclude. Ages 5–9. (Jan.)