Amazing Annie

"A remarkable woman, a remarkable achievement.

You might call Annie Kopchovsky (nee Annie Cohen, 1870-1947) free-wheeling. This young Jewish immigrant became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by bike—in only 15 months. When Annie arrived in the United States from Latvia, life seemed auspicious, but women’s lives were restricted. She wanted excitement, and the bicycle—innovative in the late 19th century—seemed ideal. Setting out from Boston in June 1894, she traveled no more than 10 miles daily; as her skirt got entangled in the wheels, she eventually eschewed “ladylike” skirts in favor of pants. When Annie couldn’t find accommodations, she slept rough—in barns, under bridges, out in the open. In November 1894, Annie sailed from New York to France and discovered her knack for spinning thrilling tales about her exploits that captivated paying audiences. (They were mostly fabrications.) Visiting Jerusalem was especially emotional; she then proceeded to Asia, still inventing escapades. She sailed from Japan to the United States, arriving in March 1895, but she still had to return to Boston, her starting point, by September. She did, to the huzzahs of her proud family, nation, and laudatory newspaper articles. Krensky has crafted an exciting read that deservedly highlights a little-known explorer; Annie’s wild tales enliven the narrative. The charming color illustrations expertly bring period and background details to life and capture Annie’s fierce determination.

An adventurer receives her due and should inspire readers to reach for their dreams." —Kirkus Review

"Born in 1870, Annie Cohen and her family immigrated to America. Annie grew up, married, and began raising children, but feeling constricted by her society, where women had few rights, she decided to become the first woman to travel around the world on a new invention: the bicycle. Her adventures were closely followed in newspapers. Although she could travel only 10 miles a day on her heavy bike, she was determined to return home within 15 months. Back in America, Annie became a popular speaker and, though she sometimes stretched the truth to make her stories more entertaining, she always stressed, “I can do anything that any man can do.” The back matter fills in more details of Annie Cohen Kopchovsky’s life and times, such as her decision to change her last name to Londonderry before her journey, due to widespread antisemitism in many countries, including her own. Well-researched and written with clarity, this picture book biography takes readers back to the late 1800s, a period vividly captured in Predoi’s handsome illustrations."—Booklist