Eve Nadel Catarevas

Eve Nadel Catarevas always loved to write. There was her newsletter for the kids in her Connecticut neighborhood when she was eight, featuring the “Best Backyards for Sledding” report, tips on houses to avoid on Halloween (pencils, popcorn balls, APPLES!), which raspberry patches were surrounded by poison ivy, and updates on how many more Bazooka Joe bubble gum comics she needed for that itty-bitty, fits-in-the-palm-of your-hand spy camera.

Junior high was about helping with “Dear Prudence,” her sister’s advice-to-the-lovelorn column for the school newspaper.

Later, it was poetry she knew better than to tell anyone about (until now). After college, she actually got paid to write ads for a pharmaceutical company about everything from aspirin and moisturizer to sunscreen and deodorant

But it wasn’t until she began writing about little-known historical figures that she truly found her sweet spot. Discovering them, dusting them off and sharing their achievements with others was a turning point. They’ve been educational for her as well, and she’s planning to continue bringing their inspirational stories to light.

Eve lives in Westport Connecticut with two-and four-legged family members. Her newest non-fiction picture books, Queen of Judo and Wonderful Hair have been enthusiastically received. Wonderful Hair has been listed as a Bank Street 2023 Best Children’s Book of the Year.

Reviews

Wonderful Hair

This lovely picture book biography covers this story with beautiful representations of Black women to help readers fully understand the journey of this entrepreneur and her message. …Readers will enjoy learning about the creativity and persistence of this early 20th-century businesswoman, who not only trained Madame C.J. Walker, another self-made millionaire, but made her money first. VERDICT Gorgeous paintings of industry and determination, set to a story of a practical young woman who wanted people to feel good about themselves and was a pioneer of natural Black hair care products, this is a good choice for the elementary biography section. (School Library Journal, 11/22)

Having a particular appeal to African-American children this picture book biography of Annie Malone by the team of author Eve Nadel Catarevas and artist/illustrator Felicia Marshall is a truly extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, Kindergarten, and community library and Women Biographies and Multicultural Biographies collections. (Midwest Book Review, 7/22)

Catarevas weaves a lifetime of events—Malone’s early years, her evolution to business owner, and the development of a successful business strategy during a time when career options for Black women were limited—into a well-paced, engrossing narrative that will have readers rooting for Annie. Marshall’s illustrations, a mosaic of rich colors, skillfully complement the text and convey the feel of the period while capturing Annie’s passion and the dignity of the women depicted. A rousing blueprint for economic self-determination and success. (author’s note, timeline, bibliography) (Picture-book biography. 5-9) Kirkus 11/22

Queen of Judo

A welcome addition to the growing canon of picture-book biographies amplifying lesser-known women, with added sports appeal. (The Horn Book, Picture Book Non-fiction, December 2022)

Catarevas presents the tale in clear, concise prose, with careful attention to the facts, and, with a sense of admiration, emphasizes Rusty’s determination and strength. Peluso’s mostly earth-toned illustrations are well matched to time periods, locations, and events, with stylized characters that display their personalities, reactions, and emotions via spot-on facial expressions and body language.

A worthy homage to a fascinating woman who was a force for change in a man’s world. (author’s note, photos) (Picture-book biography. 7-10) Kirkus 1/22

…Impressively illustrated by the artistry of Martina Peluso, in support of biographer Eve Nadel Catarevas’s text, “Rena Glickman, Queen of Judo” is an engaging, entertaining and informative read throughout. –Midwest Book Review, 4/22