Additional information
by Karyn W. Tunks (Author), Julie Dupre Buckner Studio (Illustrator)
Home to thousands of US sailors, the USS Alabama fought bravely in World War II, but after she finished her service, the battleship was set to be scrapped. The people of Alabama decided they had to save the ship named for their proud state. No one was more determined than Alabama's schoolchildren. Author Karyn Tunks traces the story of the children's efforts in this informative and entertaining account. Tunks reveals a wealth of detail about life at sea before the ship was decommissioned and the many challenges Alabamians faced in securing the ship's permanent home. Artist Julie Dupr Buckner captures the feeling of the era in her detailed, vivid illustrations of the ship, those who called her home, and those who saved her for future generations. Complete with a glossary, illustrated ship's diagram, and timeline, USS Alabama: Hooray for the Mighty A! offers beginning readers a glimpse of the fascinating history of the battleship and how even the smallest of actions can produce incredible results.
Author Biography
Karyn W. Tunks, PhD, is a professor of education at the University of South Alabama, where she teaches courses in literacy, early childhood education, and childrens literature. She is the author of several books for professional educators and the childrens picture book, JUBILEE! As the wife of a career Coast Guard veteran, Tunks has a deep respect for the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, and its mission to preserve history and honor veterans. She lives in the charming town of Fairhope, Alabama, with her family. Julie Dupré Buckner is an award-winning artist who specializes in painting, portrait art, illustration, and design. Buckner received a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from Louisiana Tech University and studied art in Italy. She has been honored with numerous awards including an ADDY Award, a national packaging award for Georgie's Old Fashioned Nut Cakes, and praise for her work on advertising campaigns for Rolex USA, Mikimoto, and David Yurman. Her illustrations have been displayed at the Irving Art Center Museum in Texas and Children's Museum in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and her portrait work is held in private collections through the United States. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Portrait Society of America, the American Society of Portrait Artists, and the Louisiana Art and Artists' Guild. Buckner lives in Plaquemine, Louisiana, with her husband and children.
