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Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congreswoman by Sharice Davids & Nancy K. Mays, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

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Sharice Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk nation, became one of the first female Native American representatives in the U.S. Congress. In this memoir picture book, Davids describes her path growing up as a person who always looked for ways to serve others. After a time where she studied martial arts, worked in customer service and gave back to her community, she went to law school, eventually deciding to run for congress in the state of Kansas. Ages 5 and up.

Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Arigon Starr

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In the 1911 World Series, John Meyers and Charles Bender, two Native American baseball players were on opposing teams. They grew up in different communities and worked hard to overcome the obstacles that stood in their way on the road to professional sports. The media of the day tried to make them out to be rivals, but they were not. Sorell's informative and engaging biography is a must read for any sports fan!

MORE: Native American Picture Books by Native Authors

Freddie the Flyer by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and Fred Carmichael, illustrated by Audrea Loreen-Wulf

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Most of us "Lower 48" residents are unaware how much northern communities rely on small planes and private flights to connect them with supplies, medicine, and other necessities. This biography of Fred Carmichael, a resident of Aklavik, Northwest Territories (Canada) illustrates how important men like Carmichael are to their communities. The story starts with Freddie's dream as a young boy of becoming a pilot and his journey to the present day as a professional aviator. Some words also appear in Indigenous languages.

The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist, by Deidre Havrelock, illustrated by Aphelandra

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Carol Powder learned the art of drumming from her grandfather who told her she would be a leader in bringing women back to the drumming circle. He told her that influence of outside patriarchal societies had pushed indigenous women away from the drum. Growing up, Carol continued to teach other women, forming her own drumming circle known as Chubby Cree. A powerful testament to the resilience and determination of indigenous women. The text includes Cree words.

The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson

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Native American communities were the first to recognize what humans were doing to the planet and have always played a crucial role in raising awareness about the environment. Every morning an Ojibwe grandmother greets nibi (water) with gratitude. Knowing that unpolluted water will soon be a scarcity, she and a group of women start to walk around the Great Lakes in order to draw attention to the importance of clean water. It takes them seven years to walk around the lakes, but they do not give up. Both the text and the illustrations add sweet humor to this important story. Ages 3 and up.

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineerby Traci Sorell, illustrated by Natasha Donovan

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Guided by her Cherokee heritage and principles, Mary Golda Ross spent her life striving to excel. In school, she was the only female in her math class, which simply spurred her on even more. During WWII she worked on aircraft design and afterwards she was instrumental in developing secret projects at Lockeed. I hope this children's biography of Mary Golda Ross becomes part of every classroom's STEM curriculum! Ages 6 and up.

MORE: Historical and Contemporary Middle Grade Books by Native American Authors

Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano Julio C. Tello/ Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

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Tello was a part of a Quechua-speaking Indigenous people community in Peru and the first first Indigenous archaeologist in the Americas. He started off in medical school and developed an intense curiosity of skulls. Using his skills to improve the lives of Peru's Indigenous people, he was tireless in working to preserve Indigenous history and culture. Ages 6 and up. Note: Publisher Lee and Low has a teacher's guide here.

MORE: Latin American Folktales for Kids

Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud, illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller

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Ria Thundercloud (Ho-Chunk Nation and Sandia Pueblo) narrates her autobiographical journey though the world of dance. As a young girl she enthusiastically joined in the jingle dance in the special dress her mother made. Thundercloud recalls the loneliness she felt as the only Indigenous girl in her class at school, as well as how others always mispronounced her name, Wakąja haja pįįwįga. Thundercloud goes on to learn multiple styles of dance, indigenous and western, forging a career path that also lifts up her culture. Vibrant illustrations make this a great Native American biography to read aloud. Ages 5 and up.

Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina by Maria Tallchief and Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Gary Kelley

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Maria Tallchief narrates her own story. She begins by describing her childhood on the Osage reservation. With the encouragement of her mother, Maria grew up with a fierce love of music and dance and the family moved to Los Angeles so she could continue her training. This biography focuses on Maria's formative years and the book ends when she joins the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo at the age of 17. Ages 6 and up.

MORE: Native (North) American Folktales for Kids

Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Linda Kukuk

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Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation grew up in rural Oklahoma, where her Cherokee heritage instilled in her the importance of helping one another and supporting Native communities. A misguided government policy relocates Mankiller's family to San Francisco. In California she fostered a connection with her Cherokee roots at the local Indian Center, eventually returning to Oklahoma. Ages 6 and up.

Rock & Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story by Sebastian Robertson, illustrated by Adam Gustavson

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Robertson's son penned this upbeat picture book biography of his father, the son of a Mohawk mother and Jewish father. Robbie Robertson was a Canadian songwriter and guitarist in the musical group, the Band. The book traces Robertson's childhood and rise as a musician, as well as mentioning his work with other musical artists. Ages 6 and up.

Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa Native American Author, Musician, and Activist by Gina Capaldi and Q. L. Pearce, illustrated by Gina Capaldi. Zitkala-Sa

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Zitkala-Sa left her home on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota to go to school in Indiana where she found solace in music. This biography tells her story from her struggles due to being separated from her traditional culture and discovering her love of music as a child, to her activism on behalf of Native Americans, as an adult. Ages 7 and up.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women Musicians

Mission to Space by John Harrington

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Astronaut John Harrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, narrates a journey to space. He introduces us to the basics of NASA astronaut training, what astronauts get up to in space and takes readers on a spacewalk. This is an exceptionally fun read aloud and includes some wonderful photographs of Harrington's experience. Ages 3 and up.

Shaped by Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzales, illustrated by Aphelandra

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Luminous illustrations bring to life the work of Tewa potter, Maria Martinez. Born Maria Povika, she grew up in San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, learning pottery as a child from her aunt. She became well-known for a particular firing technique that turned pots a shiny black, as well as her focus on drawing upon her cultural heritage to make her amazing pottery. Ages 4 and up.

Jim Thorpe's Bright Path by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by S.D. Nelson

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Thorpe had a difficult childhood. His parents and brother died and he was sent to an Indian boarding school. These boarding schools were meant to strip Native Americans of their cultural identity and the students were expected to enter society as servants and manual laborers. Thorpe avoided this bleak prospect to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. Publisher Lee and Low has an excellent teacher's guide to go along with the book. Ages 7 and up.

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes

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Chester Nez was a Navajo Code Talker during WWII, helping the US government defeat the Japanese by using the Navajo language to evade the enemy. As a child, Nez was taken from his family and placed in a missionary boarding school, where authorities aimed at assimilating children into the colonizing culture and separating them from their indigenous heritage and language. After the war, Nez's life wasn't rosy either, and Bruchac allows us to see Nez in all his humanity. Ages 6 and up. Note: Find a teacher's guide here.

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer by Bill Wise, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth

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Sockalexis, a member of the Penobscot tribe, experienced discrimination in the late 19th century as he struggled to be accepted as a professional baseball player. This biography follows his childhood and his career. Get the teacher's guide for the book here. Ages 7 and up.

MORE: Baseball Picture Books

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General Nonfiction

FACTopia (series) by Kate Hale. The outstanding FACTopia series includes several themed volumes. The short and fascinating details of outrageous facts peak in these books peak kids' curiosity. What I love about FACTopia! is that it takes readers on a journey rather like a game, in which the reader is led down a trail of information which is all somehow connected, but still distinct. Think of it as "400 degrees of Kevin Bacon."

MORE: If your child never tires of facts choose books from our list of Fact Books for Kids.

How to Be a Genius: Your Brain and How to Train It from DK Publishers. Wouldn't we all love to know the answer to that question!!! My older son also loves the companion book, How to Be a Math Genius. The book explains the facts behind how the human brain processes and stores information, as well as including a plethora of puzzles, brain teasers and activities to keep growing minds busy (and learning).

MORE: Books about the Brain!

Engineering and Science

Built to Last by David Macaulay is a hugely long book that may indeed keep your kids busy all summer. Lots of detail, intricate illustrations and lengthly explanations of structures will suck kids in. Kids who like to build and engineer stuff will be fascinated. Younger kids who may be daunted by the length and depth of the book will enjoy Macaulay's My Readers Series. Each of these books looks at a single machine, such as the jet engine, the eye, or the toilet (that's right).

To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space by Dave Williams and Loredana Cunti. It's a legitimate question! Do astronauts burp in space? Kids love knowing about the logistics of being in a gravity-free environment. This book will tell them all the details!

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca is a lovely, oversized book about the historic 1969 adventure to the moon. Floca's illustrations bring the wonder and drama of the flight to children, to whom a space adventure now seems commonplace.

MORE: Space Books to Turn Your Kids into Astronauts!

Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle by Richard Platt and Stephen Biesty. This book is just what the title suggests, an examination of 14th century castle life with illustrations depicting cross-sections of castles. Tons of information about the construction of castles and medieval life lie within.

MORE: Fiction and Nonfiction about Castles

Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea, and Air by Stewart Ross. Kids will love the fold out illustrations and the detailed drawings in this book. It is absolutely chock full of information. Ross includes fourteen different explorations and looks at the persons, equipment, and geography involved, answering every kid's persistent desire to know how the explorers accomplished such dangerous feats!

Nature and Biology

Eye to Eye: How Animals See The World. If your child enjoys books about animals, I highly recommend searching out Steve Jenkins' books. He has written many fascinating picture books at different reading levels and they all include his stellar cut paper collage illustrations.

MORE: Nonfiction Books about Animals

Dear Wandering Wildebeest: And Other Poems from the Watering Hole by Irene Latham, illustrated by Anna Wadham. Wildebeest is such a fun animal name, but it's not the only animal kids will love to read about! How about the oxpecker, the impala or the ever popular dung beetle? With some entrancing onomatopoeia and informative side notes about the animals and their habitat, kids will keep coming back to this collection of nonfiction poetry again and again.

MORE: Nonfiction Poetry for Kids

The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O'Connell and Donna M. Jackson. Scientist Caitlin O'Connell studied elephants in Africa and made important discoveries about their behavior and how they communicate with each other. This is actually a really fascinating book, full of information not just about O'Connell, but about elephants and their habitat.  Adults will enjoy reading it just as much as the kids.

Human Body Theater: A Non-Fiction Revue by Maris Wicks. A tour through the human body, graphic novel style? Yes, please! This nonfiction graphic novel teaches kids about every inch of the body and how it works. This is an excellent choice for kids who may be reluctant readers, but who love facts and informational books. It's also really fun!

MORE: Books about the Human Body

Poop Happened!: A History of the World from the Bottom Up by Sarah Albee. This book declares it is the "number one book on number two." There is a ton of information about waste, sewage systems, excrement and their place in history and culture in this book.

MORE: Books about Poop!!

History and Social Sciences

Can You Believe It? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts by Joyce Grant, illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte. Grant's book aims to teach kids media literacy so they are able to separate fact from fiction. Six chapters take kids through a fairly comprehensive process wherein they learn about responsible journalism, research techniques, locating quality sources, the perils of errors in the internet age and more. Page layouts, with informative sidebars and illustrations, will appeal to young readers.

MORE: Books about Censorship and Media Literacy

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson. What would summer be without a baseball book? This book is a fascinating narration of the history of the Negro League, its talented players, the struggle of the teams' owners and the important role the League played in the history of the sport in America. Kadir's text is engaging, and as always, his illustrations will amaze you and draw you into the emotional life of this historical period. A must read for all baseball lovers.

MORE: Books about African American History

It's Up to You, Abe Lincoln by Leila and Tom Hirschfeld. Are your kids tired of the same old nonfiction format? Try this title on for size! 10 chapters cover ten important moments from Lincoln's life and his decisions surrounding each one. Each chapter is written as if the narrator is speaking directly to Honest Abe. The chapters discuss Lincoln's tough decisions and their repercussions with humor. But despite the seeming irreverence, the reader comes away with a wealth of knowledge about the serious and complex issues Lincoln faced. Highly recommended.

Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History by Lois Miner Huey. I've never met child who didn't love to hear about gross stuff! So while they are "eew-iing" and "yuck-ing" and "gross-ing" sneak in a bit of history, too.

Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith. Yes, indeed, there were many Black heroes in the Wild West and they led fascinating lives, as this graphic novel will show you. Smith shares the tales of Mary Fields, aka “Stagecoach Mary,” Bass Reeves, the first black Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi, and Bob Lemmons, a talented horseman. The stories are fascinating, and Smith shares interesting historical facts and background in extensive endnotes.

MORE: Nonfiction Graphic Novels

Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith Jr. is a picture book that will get your kids thinking about the White House in an entirely new light. This is a fascinating book for adults, too and we will all do well to remember that slaves were a large part of the work force that hauled the bricks and erected one of our nation's most famous symbols of freedom. Smith uses poetry to tell the story of the slaves, their labor and how many of them went on to purchase their freedom. (Side note: I love when non-fiction books are written as poems.) Cooper's illustrations capture the faces of history.

Arts

Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan. This picture book will inspire your children to look at the process that goes into art. It takes upper elementary kids along on Pollock's journey while creating a single work of art, "Number 1, 1950."

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Horace Pippin was a self-taught painter. He was shot in the arm during WWI, but he worked steadily to learn how to use his arm again to create art. Readers come away with a strong sense of how Pippin used art to interpret the world. Pippin suffered from poverty, the psychological and physical costs of war, but still, his talent propelled him to create. Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award.

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For books with Asian and Asian-American protagonists for older readers see our list of Asian American History Month books for middle grade readers.

The authors on this list primarily represent East Asian and Pacific-Islander heritage. You can find South Asian books here: South Asian and Indian Characters in Children's Books.

Fiction Picture Books

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua

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This darling story about a girl hoping to figure out how to make the perfect bao is a testament to creative problem solving! Amy's parents and grandma all seem to be adept at making the delicious treats but Amy struggles and is determined not to give up. I love that Zhang included Amy's dad as part of the bao-making, intergenerational kitchen brigade. So often "cooking with family" books only include the women. Ages 4 and up.

'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak

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Loomis's cumulative rhyme wraps you in a warm embrace as she and illustrator, Pak, lovingly guide you through the experience of a multi-generational family preparing poi for a family gathering. The book celebrates Hawaiian traditions that bond family together, including the food and the land. The rhythm of the words is just divine. An endnote gives further information and a glossary.

MORE: Books about all kinds of families

A Map Into the World by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Seo Kim

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This lovely, tender story about a Hmong-American girl is a delight. Paj Ntaub moves into a new house, hangs a traditional Hmong story cloth with her grandparent, meets the neighbors and watches the seasons change. Along the way, twin brothers are born, and one of her elderly neighbors passes away. Paj, using her thoughtful observation skills, creates a "map into the world" to comfort him. Ages 5 and up.

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Doug Ho

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It would be enough to pick up this title just for Doug Ho's splendid illustrations, but pair them with Joanna Ho's heartwarming story about a girl recognizing the beauty of her eyes and their connection to her heritage, and you have a real winner of a book. A young girl beautifully describes her eyes, those of her mother and grandmother, and relates how they convey emotions and thoughts. Ho's illustrations connect the present with Chinese culture. A rich and splendid book. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Picture books that teach inclusion

Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin

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When a Chinese-American family pulls over to the side of the road to gather watercress, a young girl is embarrassed and wishes her family could be more "normal." However, as the family gathers the watercress and sits down to dinner the stories come out, the girl learns of the connection with memory, her Chinese heritage and her family's experience with famine. There is a lovely weight to Wang's prose (or free verse) that captures the deep emotional resonance of the experiences. One of my favorite lines is "My mom's eyes are as sharp as a dragon's claw." An author's end note explains the autobiographical nature of the story. Ages 5 and up.

Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner

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What better adventure is there than getting lost in a book? On a winter day, in an attempt to shake off cabin fever, Alice (one cannot help but wonder if she was named after a certain Wonderland lass) opens a book. Immediately, she and is sucked inside on an adventure. With each turning of the page, the adventure continues until she returns to her family. Readers will love examining the illustrations to see how the pages of Alice's book form the backdrops of her adventure. Simply delightful.

MORE: Metafiction in Children's Literature

Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Genevieve Simms

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Mayumi learns how to care for and appreciate a garden from her grandfather. Mayumi's grandfather lives in Japan and his garden is not filled with flowers, but with stones. When grandfather becomes too elderly to continue to live alone he must leave his house and garden and Mayumi channels her sadness over the loss by creating a small, mobile stone garden that her grandfather can always have with him. Ages 5 and up.

MORE: Books that instill a love of nature

Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Nat Iwata

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A fun, positive story about a boy who must learn how to balance his love of sumo wrestling with being a good big brother. I love how Japanese terms are seamlessly woven into the story. A great way to introduce kids to the sport, but still a lovely story about a sibling relationship.

Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Sousa

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This fascinating tale is a must read. Four healing stones, called Kapaemahu, sit on Waikiki Beach. An Indigenous Hawaiian legend tells of four individuals who traveled to Hawai'i from Tahiti. These individuals were spirits, or mahu, each with a different gift of healing. The islanders brought the stones on the beach, and the mahu transferred their healing powers to the stones. Bilingual text in Olelo Niihau and English. Ages 5 and up.

The Red Tree by Shaun Tan

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Tan's spare text and highly imaginative paintings address the darker side of loneliness. A lonely girl wakes up, feeling the sometimes surreal sensation of being alone, waiting for something to happen, wandering in a confusing and vast world. When she returns to her room, she finds a red leaf springing up from the middle of the floor and as it turns into a tall red tree, it lifts the girl's spirits. Sure to spark some interesting conversations! Ages 5 and up.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

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Unhei has just moved to America from Korea. She loves her name but when the other kids can’t pronounce it, she worries about fitting in. She decides she should choose a new American name. Her classmates fill up a jar with potential new names but with the support of others, Unhei decides she wants to keep her Korean name. This anti-bias book is so important, especially in classrooms in which children may have names that are difficult for native-English speakers to say. Names are a big part of a person’s identity and we serve children well by valuing them. Ages 4 and up.

A Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu, illustrated by Christina Forshay

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Mindfulness doesn't have to take place in solitude! I adore this book about how a girl connects with her grandfather over the practice of Tai Chi. Mei Mei joins her grandpa in the morning for his daily ritual but while he is smooth and graceful, Mei Mei puts her own spin on things, reminding us that mindfulness need not always be practiced in the stillness. A wonderful story. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Wonderful picture books about grandparents

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat

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This is an absolutely gorgeous book with a lovely intergenerational message. A boy and his grandfather are visiting each other, but they have trouble communicating through a language barrier. The key, however, is art. By drawing together, they learn to understand each other. Ages 4 and up.

Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Qin Leng

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Even though she is just a beginner, Hana signs up to play the violin in her school talent show, but her brothers tell her she isn't good enough. Hana won't let that discourage her, and inspired by her grandfather, she sets out to practice, practice, practice. As with most things in life, it is not all smooth sailing when she begins to doubt herself, but that's where the growth mindset comes in. Hana does not give up and her performance surprises even her! Ages 4 and up.

Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade

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I love this book and have recommended it so many times over the years. After a mom puts her baby to sleep in a hammock she has to hush the sounds around her. Author Minfong Ho writes each animal's onomatopoetic sound and I like that they are unusual to English speakers. For example, the lizard says "tuk-ghaa", the pig says, "uut-uut." The gentle, rhythmic text creates such a lovely lullaby. All ages.

MORE: The best bedtime picture books

When Spring Comes to the DMZ by Uk-Bae Lee

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This gorgeously illustrated picture book introduces readers to a unique landscape with which most western children are not familiar. Uk-Bae Lee takes readers on a journey through the seasons in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, describing the abundance of flora and fauna that inhabit the landscape. Each season a grandfather climbs to a lookout point to observe the natural phenomena. At the end of the book the final pages show a gate and the pages fold out to display a wonderful landscape waiting to be explored. At several points in the story, the author reminds us that the DMZ is also a place where soldiers train and takes note of the barbed wire surrounding the area. A really wonderful book that will inspire a lot of conversations with your kids! Ages 4 and up.

The Green Frogs: A Korean Tale by Yumi Heo

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This Korean folk tale explains why frogs croak loudly near water. Two young frogs never listen to their mother! They love to do exactly the opposite of what she says. When their mother dies, they bury her by the stream and croak loudly so she is not washed away and forgotten. Ages 3 and up.

MORE: Korean folktales

The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by

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In 19th century Korea, Sang-hee is the son of the village firekeeper. The firekeeper is an important position because if the fire goes out, the king will assume there is trouble. One night Sang-hee's father falls ill and the task falls to him; he struggles with his desire to see the soldiers and the responsibility of making sure the signal fire is lit. Ages 5 and up.

Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

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Sam is excited to be able to spend his lucky New Year money. He has four dollars and his mom has told him he can buy anything he wants. On their trip through the neighborhood Sam notices a homeless man with bare feet. As he contemplates how to spend his money he feels frustrated that the four dollars is never enough to buy what he wants. His mother reminds him to appreciate what he has. During a second encounter with the homeless man, Sam understands how he can best spend his money. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Books about Lunar New Year

Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan, illustrated by Lillian Hsu

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Marisa Yang lives in a multicultural household in Hawai'i. Marisa is going to help make the dumplings for the New Year celebration but she worries that hers won't be as perfect as everyone else's. I love this joyful book and its portrayal of a large, loving family and the fun they have getting ready for the festivities. Ages 4 and up.

Nonfiction

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

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All of Chin's books are spectacular and this book which investigates the geology of the Grand Canyon is no exception. The story follows a child and an adult on a walk through the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, detailing how the layers were formed, the plants and wildlife that live in the basin. There is so much information here that you and your children will want to read it over and over and then will immediately start planning your next vacation! Be sure to look for Jason Chin's other books on the nonfiction shelf! Ages 3 and up.

Biographies & History

Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Lin Wang

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Anna May Wong grew up helping her parents in their laundry business but dreamed of becoming a film actress. When she started getting film work she was frustrated that the only roles she could get were Chinese stereotypes, so she moved to Europe. Upon her return to the States, nothing had changed and she set to work to combat those stereotypes in film. What a fascinating and important story. Ages 6 and up.

Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee

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During World War II, the United States government imprisoned people of Japanese descent in internment camps. Shorty and his father build a baseball diamond in the dusty field of the camp. Shorty uses the game to build his self-confidence and channel his anger at the guards. Be sure to discuss this book critically with kids: Did baseball actually save the boys? Was using their anger a productive way to approach their situation? Should assimilation actually be the real goal? Ages 6 and up.

Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee

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This is an amazing, true story. The narrator is a boy whose father is the Japanese ambassador in Lithuania during World War II. One day, hundreds of Jewish refugees start showing up at the embassy asking for visas to Japan so they can escape the Nazis. They hope to get to Japan so they could move on to another country safely. Three times, the boy's father asks permission from Japan to issue the visas, and three times the answer is, "No." However, the father decides to do the right thing. I particularly like how the boy's father includes him in the events, "My father always took the time to explain everything to me." Don't miss the afterward, describing what happened in later years. Ages 7 and up.

MORE: Picture books about refugees

Dia's Story Cloth: The Hmong People's Journey of Freedom by Dia Cha, illustrated by Nhia Thao Cha

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A traditional Hmong story cloth tells the author's story her family's experience with the war in Laos during the mid 20th century. Her father was killed in the war and she and her mother travelled to a refugee camp in Thailand, where they lived for four years before emigrating to the United States. The quilt depicted in the book is gorgeous and parents and educators can connect it to the tradition of telling family history through quilting in America. Ages 8 and up.

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung, illustrated by Chris Sasaki

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This is the moving and fascinating story of Wong Geng Yeo, later known as Tyrus Wong (a name given to him by his school teachers), who grew up to be an animator on Disney's Bambi. Leung begins the story with Wong's immigration and his interrogation by officials at Angel Island. Leung and Sasaki paint a loving portrait of a son, boy and man who learned positive values from his father and works hard while practicing his art. Ages 6 and up.

The post Children's Picture Books by Asian and Asian-American Authors appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

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MORE: Big List of Picture Book Biographies of Women Who Changed History: scientists, performers, writers and more! Read these books during Women's History Month, and all year long.

Picture Books about Women's Suffrage

Learn about the women who fought for the right to vote.

Miss Paul and the President: The Creative Campaign for Women's Right to Vote by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Nancy Zhang. Alice Paul, a suffragette and activist organized a protest outside the White House during Wilson's administration. She led parades, went to jail and even met with the president himself. Her creative tactics helped pave the way for the 19th amendment.

I Could Do That!: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda Arms White, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Introduce your daughters and sons to the spunky Esther Morris, who from her childhood never forgot that "she could do that, too." Not a lot is known about the personal life of Morris, who was an important figure in Wyoming suffrage politics and eventually became a judge, but this picture book gives an entertaining take on what it might be like to be an outspoken female in the 19th century.

Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Hadley Hooper. A fun picture book about two women, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke, who travelled across the country with a kitten, and a typewriter to spread the message that women should have the right to vote.

Elizabeth Started All the Trouble by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. The book starts with a sort of prologue starring Abigail Adams who issues a warning to her husband that if women were not included in the new laws for the United States they would start their own revolution. The story then skips ahead to 1840 when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott start that very revolution.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women Performers

Picture Books about Women Activists

These tireless women could not tolerate sitting idly by in the face of injustice. They are roll models any child can look up to.

Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist by Philip Dray, illustrated Stephen Alcorn. In post-Civil War America, anti-lynching activist Wells was one of the first successful Black Americans to win a legal battle in court. She wrote tirelessly against Jim Crow laws and refused to back down, even in the face of threats to her life.

The Mother of a Movement by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Sam Kalda. Jeanne Manford was a true mama bear! In 1972, after her son was beaten by police for handing out leaflets calling for gay rights, Manford wrote a letter to the New York Times professing unconditional support for her child. She organized a march and founded PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) to help motivate others to support the LGBTQ community.

MORE: Picture Books about LGBTQ History

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua Holmes. Poems tell the story of Fannie Lou Hamer's life, from her childhood as a sharecropper to her life as an activist. The text is emotional and doesn't gloss over Fannie's hardships; the collage illustrations are stunning.

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior With Words by Karen Leggett Abouraya, illustrated by L. C. Wheatley is a biography of the young Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Malala has become an inspiring voice for peace and education and even though her story is frightening at times, this is a good, age appropriate picture book.

Malala is one of the fearless women on our printable women card coloring pages. Check out all 8 of our featured women cards!

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Clara comes to NYC dirt poor but full of grit. She works a miserable, backbreaking job at a garment factory. An extraordinary individual, she taught herself to read and led the largest walkout of women workers in U.S. History, despite being beaten and jailed for participating in labor strikes. Markel tells a valuable story of the history of women workers and the importance of fair labor practices, a story which still resonates today.

MORE: Picture Books about Protest and Civil Disobedience

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Here is a wonderful, lyrical recounting of the civil rights leader and wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shange's words remind the reader of Scott's individuality, and the addition of Kadir Nelson's illustrations bring the story to life. An important addition to any classroom study of King.

MORE: Books about the Civil Rights Movement

Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers by Sarah Warren, illustrated by Robert Casilla. Warren portrays Huerta in her many roles as teacher, parent, protester and more. Her strength and determination to help the farmworkers led her to help organize a strike so they could achieve better working conditions and fair treatment under the law. The book includes great supplemental information in the afterward.

MORE: Books about the History of Labor

Stand as Tall as the Trees, Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau, illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo. As a child, co-author Patricia Gualinga lived in Sarayaku, inside the Ecuadorian rainforest. Her mother taught her that humans are connected to nature and to the forest. She describes how, as an adult, she and members of the Indigenous Kichwa went to the Court of Human Rights as part of their campaign to stop oil companies from taking over parts of the rainforest. Spoiler alert: they win. This is a gorgeous, well-written book about a crucial and timely issue.

MORE: Picture Books about the Environment

Write On, Mercy!: The Secret Life of Mercy Otis Warren by Gretchen Woelfle, illustrated by Alexandra Wallner. I love the story of Mercy because not only did she become an accomplished writer and political thinker before, during and after the American Revolution, she was surrounded by men who encouraged and valued her contributions, despite the prevalent belief that woman's role was to cook and sew.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women Writers

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills by Renée Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson is the story of singer Florence Mills, who used her fame to fight for civil rights in the 1920s. She was well-known for her compassion for the less fortunate and for helping to advance the careers other African-American performers who faced profound racism.

Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist by Q. L. Pearce, illustrated by Gina Capaldi. Zitkala-Sa, left her home on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota to go to school in Indiana where she found solace in music. This picture book biography tells her story from her struggles due to being separated from her traditional culture, discovering her love of music as a child, to her activism on behalf of Native Americans.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women Musicians

Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter by Aida Salazar, illustrated Molly Mendoza. Growing up in rural Mexico in the 1910s, Jovita hated being forced to wear big skirts. So she fashioned her skirts into a pair of pants and went exploring with her brothers. When her father and brothers joined the Cristeros as part of the Mexican revolution, Jovita longed to join them. She eventually becomes involved, but the revolution brings tragedy to Jovita's family. Jovita does not back down, dressing "as Juan" and leading an army of peasants against the government. Back matter includes a lengthy and informative author's note.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Hispanic and Latino Luminaries

Aani and the Tree Huggers by Jeannine Atkins, illustrated by Venantius J Pinto. Atkins was inspired to write this book by events that took place in 1970, in India. Villagers protested the cutting down of their venerated trees by holding on to them. In this story, Aani, a young girl, leads the fight to protect the trees from tree-cutters who have official orders to cut them down. The trees are a source of food, shelter and comfort for the villagers. This is an interesting book to talk to kids about the many forms of protest. It's not always a march or a strike. It could be—literally—tree-hugging.

Picture Books about First Ladies

First ladies of the United States did not sit idly by while their husbands conducted business. Whether their contributions were political, social or cultural, many first ladies expressed a fierce devotion to making their country better for everyone.

Kids' Guide to America's First Ladies by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Anna DiVito. This is not a picture book, but I found it an excellent resource and goes beyond the dry facts of each women's life as first lady. Each woman's section can be read with your child as a discreet unit if you prefer. Includes first ladies through 2017.

Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick. I love this book which captures Eleanor Roosevelt's adventurous, convention-defying spirit. In 1933, two risk-loving women sneak away from a stuffy dinner party and go for the ride in the sky! Brian Selznick's black and white pencil illustrations capture the era perfectly.

Dolley Madison Saves George Washington  by Don Brown. Dolley was a popular first lady, whom many underestimated and lazily wrote off as a "socialite." It was Dolley, however, who stepped up to the plate as the soldiers fled the White House during the War of 1812 and rescued valuable state papers from the mansion, as well as the now-famous portrait of the first Commander-in-Chief. This book is great fun but also a serious look at the importance of courage.

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein. A picture book biography of Lady Bird Johnson's life and dedication to bringing the beauty of nature to America, including her role in the Highway Beautification Act.

When Jackie Saved Grand Central: The True Story of Jacqueline Kennedy's Fight for an American Icon by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. Jackie Kennedy may have been a style icon, but she had grit and determination to make the world beautiful. This biography focuses onJackie Kennedy Onassis' role in the campaign to keep Grand Central from going the way of Penn Station.

Picture Books about Women Candidates and Legislators

Women run for office, serve the public as representatives and senators. This sampling of biographies tell the stories of these trailblazing politicians.

She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Russell-Brown's engaging biography of Chisholm narrates her journey from a young child with a talent for leadership to her life in politics. Readers will learn about how her experiences growing up in Barbados and New York influenced her desire to make change and fight on behalf of others. With the growing diversity in high political offices, this is an important read for children to learn about the long trajectory of the fight for representation and justice.

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls are Born to Lead by Michelle Markel, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. There are several picture book biographies about Hillary Clinton, I like this one as it offers an inspiring and positive message in the way it focuses on Hillary's journey in leadership, service and activism as a girl, young adult and grown woman in education, the law and politics. I also love Pham's appealing illustrations, especially the final pages which show Hillary in a group of her fellow inspiring female leaders.

Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman's Race for the Presidency by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, illustrated by Courtney Martin. A fun biography of a woman who ran for president in 1884. Belva Lockwood was a determined woman. When her law degree was denied she appealed directly to President Grant and won. She argued a case before the Supreme Court, and she had the audacity to run for the highest office at a time when women couldn't even vote.

Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman by Sharice Davids & Nancy K. Mays, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Sharice Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk nation, became one of the first female Native American representatives in the U.S. Congress. In this memoir picture book, Davids describes her path growing up as a person who always looked for ways to serve others. After a time where she studied martial arts, worked in customer service and gave back to her community, she went to law school, eventually deciding to run for congress in the state of Kansas.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Native Americans

Phemonenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Loris Lora. While she may be a lighting rod for political arguments with your neighbor, this thoughtful and inspiring biography of Ocasio-Cortez, or "AOC" brings her humanity to the foreground. Growing up in suburban New York, AOC quickly noticed how few people in the community looked like her family, and that there were strong disparities of resources between neighborhoods, depending on the wealth of their inhabitants. She worked hard to succeed in school, got involved in activism and politics, and eventually became the youngest elected member of the House of Representatives.

Madam President: Five Women Who Paved the Way by Nichola D. Gutgold, and Abigail S. Kennedy, illustrated by Jane Ramsey. The book includes the stories of Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm, Patricia Schroeder, Elizabeth Dole, and Hillary Clinton.

Picture Books about Women Lawyers and Judges

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. I love this charming book about how Ginsburg never stopped disagreeing with ideas that put women and other underprivileged persons at a disadvantage.

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que crecio en el Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's story will inspire everyone. The book follows Sonia as she grows up in poverty in the Bronx and gets an education. The book has a great, positive message and emphasizes how important it is to be surrounded by supportive friends and family.

When Esther Morris Headed West, Women, Wyoming and the Right to Vote by Connie Nordhielm Woldridge, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. If you made it to the end of this list congratulations, you probably noticed this is the second book about Ester Morris. I didn't know if I should include her under suffragettes or judges (women never stay in pat little boxes, do they?) so I thought what the heck, I'll just do both. This book focuses more on Morris in Wyoming rather than her childhood, but both books are worth reading.

The post Children's Books about Women in Politics and Women Activists appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

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MORE: Big List of Picture Book Biographies for Women's History Month - includes biographies of women in the arts, social sciences and more!

Natural Scientists and Biologists

Read and learn about women trailblazers who worked as doctors, naturalists, oceanographers, environmentalists and biologists.

The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated y Daniel Rieley. This is a wonderful biography Dr. Bath, who made significant contributions to medicine, including a treatment for blindness. Written in rhyme, the narrative flows well and the illustrations are engaging. End material, including a letter from Dr. Bath, photographs, a timeline and further details about Dr. Bath's life and work make this biography extra special.

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. This fun picture biography brings to life a woman who persistently followed her goals and broke 19th century barriers to be allowed into medical school, faced the rejection of her fellow students and then her colleagues, all the while proving she was smarter than they were. I love the vibrant, energetic illustrations.

Just Wild Enough: Mireya Mayor, Primatologist by Marta Magellan, illustrated by Clémentine Rocheron. Cuban-American Mireya Mayor grew up in Miami with a passion for animals and dance. Eventually becoming a primatologist, she struggled to be taken seriously when others judged her based on her appearance. She became the first woman wildlife TV reporter for National Geographic and discovered a new species of lemur in Madagascar. I particularly loved how this biography emphasized that scientists can have lots of different interests.

MORE: Biographies of Latinx and Hispanic Luminaries

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola. This book starts out with the quiet "investigations" of a girl watching a pond. When her family moves to Florida, Slyvia Earle starts her investigations of the Gulf of Mexico. Earle's love for the ocean and its life drift off the page, and this is a surprisingly moving book with lovely detailed illustrations that invite explore. It's a wonderful book to start a conversation with your kids, not only about the importance of ocean life to the planet, but how one's own interest can lead to a greater purpose.

MORE: Nonfiction Books about the Ocean and Marine Life

The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter. Winter's picture book biographies, with her spare but deliberate illustrative style, are very readable. Winter describes the out-of-the-box research and life of Jane Goodall and kids will come away with a richer understanding of what being a primatologist (and "a watcher") really is. For another Goodall biography, read Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell.

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry. In 1881, Katherine Olivia Sessions was the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in natural science. After moving to a nearly tree-less city in San Diego, she advocated and spearheaded a campaign that transformed the area to a lush green land. I hope Sessions's story inspires other kids to make a difference in their community.

MORE: Books about Women in Politics and Women Activists

Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Julie Paschkis. One of the first known female naturalists, 13-year-old Maria has to catch and study insects in secret otherwise her 17th Century neighbors will accuse her of witchcraft. The metamorphosis of butterflies and moths, or “summer birds,” was not well-understood at the time and such creatures were considered “beasts of the devil.”

Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World by Laurie Lawlor, illustrated by Laura Beingessner. Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book, Silent Spring, was a wake up call about the impact our use of chemicals has on the environment. Lawlor's biography looks at Carson's life from the beginning through the publication of her iconic work.

MORE: Books to Inspire Care for the Environment

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. In 2004, Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition for her work restoring trees to Kenya. Maathai’s story emphasizes the importance and cooperation of an extended community of women, and will make kids aware of the power of individuals to bring positive, long-lasting global change. As always, Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are stunning.

Wangari is one of the fearless women on our women cards coloring page! Click here to print the women cards coloring page for free!

The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O'Connell and Donna M. Jackson, photography by Caitlin O'Connell and Timothy Rodwell. This book is a text-heavy book suitable for kids 8 and up, or for younger kids who may have an intense interest in elephants. Scientist Caitlin O'Connell studied elephants in Africa and made important discoveries about their behavior and how they communicate with each other. This is actually a really fascinating book, full of information not just about O'Connell, but about elephants and their habitat.  Adults will enjoy reading it just as much as the kids.

MORE: Middle Grade Books for Women's History Month

Women Inventors and Engineers

In addition to the selected books below, view our full list of biographies of women inventors, and inspire your kids with these fiction picture books about little inventors.

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Natasha Donovan. Guided by her Cherokee heritage and principles, Mary Golda Ross spent her life striving to excel. In school, she was the only female in her math class, which simply spurred her on even more. During WWII she worked on aircraft design and afterwards she was instrumental in developing secret projects at Lockheed. I hope this children's biography of Mary Golda Ross becomes part of every classroom's STEM curriculum!

The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter. Born in Iraq, and educated in London, Hadid designed intriguing buildings around the world. As a Muslim woman, the road was not easy and she had to overcome the hurdle of prejudice. This biography is written simply, making it a great choice for the early elementary set. Make sure to look at photographs of Hadid's beautiful buildings, too.

Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrator Dow Phumiruk. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of Chinese-American Maya Lin, the architect and artist who created the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It traces her journey from a girl who was fascinated by nature, building and learning about the art of structures to the college student who enters a contest to design the Memorial. An author's note gives further information.

Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor by Emily Arnold McCully. Mattie started inventing things when she was just a girl. She figured out how to make faster sleds, better kites and when she was twelve, she invented a device to protect loom workers. She also invented a machine to manufacture paper bags. The illustrations in this book are wonderful, flowing watercolors are accompanied by blueprint like drawings of Mattie's inventions.

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Melissa Sweet is actually not a 32 page picture book biography but I am sneaking it onto the list anyway. This book is a collection of stories about fascinating women and their inventions. Ages 8 and up.

Women Mathematicians, Physicists and Chemists

Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain by Cheryl Bardoe, illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Despite the efforts of others, Sophie Germain was determined to pursue her interest in mathematics. Nothing, not even the French Revolution, could stop her. Her resilience and perseverance paid off and her work led to predicting vibration patterns, used later in architectural design.

Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars by Jodie Parachini, illustrated by Alexandra Badiu. This lyrical biography of Irish astrophysicist tells the story of how Burnell fought back against educators who insisted women couldn't study physics and went on to a successful career, leading to her discovery of how pulsing sound wave comes from a neutron star.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, illustrated by Laura Freeman. This is the story of four amazing mathematicians, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, who contributed to NASA's success by providing important calculations. But it wasn't easy and they had to overcome strong racial and gender barriers to succeed.

How to Hear the Universe by Patricia Valdez, illustrated by Sara Palacios. This is a fun biography about Gabby González that also introduces young kids to Albert Einstein’s theory about ripples in space-time (bet you didn't see that coming)! Decades after Einstein, González immigrated to the U.S. from Argentina, became fascinated by Einstein's theory, and set out to prove it.

Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Raúl Colón. This book focuses on the intellectual life of woman who is now considered one of the most important astronomers. After she graduated, she got a job at Harvard Observatory, where–with other women–she counted stars for the male astronomers. However, Leavitt made discoveries about star brightness and distance calculations that made the other astronomers realize her value. Colon's illustrations are top notch, as usual.

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by April Chu. I love this illustrated biography of a woman who has recently been "discovered" as the first computer programmer. The daughter of the notorious poet, Lord Byron, Ada's math-loving mother raised her away from her. Ada has an inquisitive, curious mind and when she meets Charles Babbage (who invented the first mechanical computer), it is Ada who figures out how to program it. A fascinating and gorgeous book with fun details that will fascinate children.

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu. From and early age, Hopper loved to figure out how things worked. Encouraged by her parents to study math and science, despite the domination of the field by men, Hopper's curious mind helped her persevere and her strength of mind led her to enlist in WAVES, the women’s division of the Naval Reserve, during WWII. Hopper remained in the Navy until she was 80 (!) solving incredibly complex computer programming problems.

Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Lucy Knisley. Margaret Hamilton grew up from being a curious girl who loved to solve problems to an MIT graduate who worked for NASA. She wrote a computer code that could solve any problem a spacecraft would encounter (which sounds like an impossible feat to me!)

MORE: Books about the Moon Landing

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington. Not as text heavy as many picture book biographies, this is a wonderful book about the first African-American in space, Mae Jemison. The narrative focuses on the young Mae and her dreams to see the earth from space. When she learns she needs to be an astronaut to go into space, she learns as much as she can about the stars and what it takes to be an astronaut. Her parents encourage her to dream big, even in the face of others' skepticism.

MORE: Nonfiction Books about Space

Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia by D. Anne Love, illustrated by Pam Paparone. In the 4th century Egypt, Hypatia, the daughter of a mathematician, received the kind of education most women were denied. The story follows Hypatia from childhood as her father dedicates himself to teaching her everything he knows, from activities like fishing, to the importance of grammar. When she grew up, men and women alike sought her advice on many topics. Fortunately, Hypatia's death at the hands of a mob is relegated to the author's note so that kids can focus on her learning and accomplishments.

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We March by Shane W. Evans

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

We March is one of my favorite book on this list. The spare text and brilliant illustrations make this a wonderful book for children as young as 3 years old. The light, first person narrative tells the story of a family getting ready to march in the historic event. Illustrations depict crowds of people from all walks of life and celebrate the excitement the event generated and the power of peaceful protest.

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Eric Velazquez

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A young girl, with her red-ribboned teddy bear, describes her experience as she and her sister slip out of their house to join a freedom march. The focus is very much on the sensory experience. They stand, "waist high" in the "bright light", "clapping in time with [their] feet." There's no mention about which march it is, but we know it takes place under Dr. King's leadership. This is another lovely book that emphases how children were an integral part in the fight for freedom and readers can pick out the plucky protagonist in the illustrations by her bear's ribbon, which matches the stripes in the flag.

MORE: Picture books by Black authors

Elementary School (and up)

Share these fantastically illustrated books about Martin Luther King, Jr with children ages 5 to 105.

I Have a Dream, speech by Martin Luther King, Jr, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

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Kadir Nelson's gorgeous illustrations accompany an excerpt from Dr. King's most famous speech. The paintings cover a broad range of images–from close ups of clasped hands, to views of the national landscape, to the crowd at the Washington Monument. The hardcover book includes a CD of the official recording and the entire speech is included at the end of the book. I find it impossible to listen to the speech without weeping; it's an essential experience for everyone.

MORE: Big List of African American History Books for Kids

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier

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This is an excellent beginner's guide to MLK. It's informative, but not overly long as some picture book biographies can be. It gives a solid introduction to King's life and work, and is beautifully illustrated. This is a great choice for a kindergarten or first grade classroom.

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

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Here is a wonderful, lyrical recounting of the civil rights leader and wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although Shange's words remind the reader of Scott's individuality, the addition of Kadir Nelson's illustrations bring the story to life. An important addition to any classroom study of King.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of African-American Women

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

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Written in free verse, Wittenstein and Pinkney's gorgeous book tells the backstory of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech. It's a fascinating look at the behind the scenes story and helps kids understand the work that goes into creating historical moments.

As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King, Jr., and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March toward Freedom by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Raul Colón

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King experienced racism in the American South; Heschel endured antisemitism in Poland and Germany. Heschel was able to escape the tragic fate of family by immigrating to American. Witnessing racism in America reminded Heschel of antisemitism, spurred him to join the fight for equal rights, and he and King walked alongside one another. This is an excellent addition to your reading, and teaches kids about some of the allies that Black Americans had during the civil rights movement.

MORE: Picture books about Peace and Peacemakers

Middle School (and up)

The following titles are a selection of picture books, a graphic novel and biographies. With guidance, they can also be used for upper elementary students.

Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

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This is a moving portrait of King told in a series of poems. Pinkney focuses on the last few months of King's life and readers will get a sense of the civil rights leader as a complex individual. I highly recommend reading the verse out loud. Includes extensive notes, timelines and sources at the end of the book.

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968 by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

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In early 1968, two black sanitation workers were killed as a result of faulty machinery, leading to labor strikes. Several months later, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came on to the scene to help, and on April 3 delivered his last notable speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop." Duncan narrates the story through the voice of a 9-year-old girl, with the text alternating between verse and prose. Historical details and sources are included.

March On! the Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris, illustrated by London Ladd

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Christine King Farris recounts her memories surrounding the March on Washington and listening to her brother's "I Have a Dream" speech. Reading Farris' narrative gives children an intimate and emotional look at the writing and delivering of King's speech. Ladd's bold illustrations reflect both the seriousness and the excitement of the time.

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood,illustrated by Steffi Walthall

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I've always loved verse memoirs! Kirkwood describes her journey as an activist to her push to secure Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday as a recognized, national holiday. Her story will inspire kids to pursue their own passions and fight for what is right.

March (trilogy) by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

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John Lewis, the congressman from Georgia is one of our greatest civil rights heroes. This graphic novel trilogy is Lewis' first hand account of his experiences during the civil rights movement and the "good trouble" he got up to. Lewis provides many personal details and focuses on the non-violent philosophy of the movement. Readers will be inspired to, in the words of Lewis, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something."

Martin and Bobby: A Journey Toward Justice by Claire Rudolf Murphy

Find it: Amazon

Murphy's fascinating double biography is told in two parts. Part one looks at the events of April 1968 and part two looks at the years 1925-1967, focusing on the events that led the two men to shape their philosophies, and their growth as leaders. Readers will come away with a richer understanding, not just of the two men, but as to how their lives were deeply interwoven with each other and 20th century events.

MORE: President Books for Middle School

The post Martin Luther King, Jr. Books for Kids appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

We love these books for classroom use because each of them uses a unique approach to teaching kids about the presidents. Some of them take a wide-angle approach to the leader, but some zoom in on a particular aspect with illuminates the kind of person they were.

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For older children: Presidential biographies for middle school that teach critical thinking

George Washington

Action Presidents: George Washington by Fred Van Lente, illustrated by Ryan Dunlavey. For kids who love to get their facts and stories in a comic book format, the Action Presidents series is a good place to start. Lente and Dunlavely fit a surprising amount of information and juicy tidbits in an amusing and entertaining package. (So far there are also Action President books about Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and JFK)

Dear Mr. Washington by Lynn Cullen, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. This is a funny picture book about the children of George Stuart, George Washington's portraitist. The story contains fun details about the life in the 18th century as described in the epistolary narrative by Charlotte Stuart.

John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith. Yes, I do realize that John and Paul were never president. This book is best appreciated by kids who already know their history, and also by adults. I always appreciate a children's book with jokes adults will find humorous. The book takes well-known characteristics about the men (Hancock's signature, Washington and the cherry tree, etc.) and turns them into a witty joke. Notes at the end of the book separate fact from fiction.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kaiman. I like Kaiman's balanced look at Jefferson. She discusses his intellectual life, friendships with the other "Founding Fathers," as well as contradictions such as the disconnect between his views on slavery and his actual practices. Kaiman's whimsical, colorful illustrations take readers on a journey through Jefferson's life that, unlike many picture book presidential biographies is not overwritten.

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by John O'Brien. This presidential biography celebrates Jefferson's intense love of books. It traces his life as it relates to books and his love of reading, from his origins and a book-loving kids to a father who insisted his kids read, to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, his Presidency and the founding of the Library of Congress. This is a lively discussion and portrait and includes an author's note with more detailed information.

MORE: Civics and government books for middle schoolers

John Quincy Adams

Dangerous Crossing: The Revolutionary Voyage of John Quincy Adams by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Greg Harlin. Here's a presidential adventure tale! This book tells the story of how, in 1778, John Adams took his son on a secret mission to France. I found this to be a fascinating and engaging tale about an event I knew nothing about. Vivid and detailed text describes the hardships as well as excitement of the voyage and the atmospheric illustrations add to the experience.

James Madison

Dolley Madison Saves George Washington is a nice change from the usual presidential biography. Life in politics is not all about making laws and fighting with Congress. Dolley was a popular first lady, whom many underestimated and wrote off as a "socialite." It was Dolley, however, who stepped up to the plate as the soldiers fled the White House during the War of 1812 and rescued valuable state papers from the mansion, as well as the now-famous portrait of the first Commander-in-Chief. Great fun but also a serious look at the importance of courage.

Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (and the Country) by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer, illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Not only is this a clever and quirky approach to a biography of the 19th century's greatest president, but it suggests that we all might approach life with a little humor.

Abe Lincoln's Dream. I'm a big fan of Lane Smith's illustrations, although I sometimes think as an author he doesn't quite hit the mark. However, I really enjoyed his unique take on Lincoln's story. A young African-American girl meets Lincoln's ghost on a White House tour. The two of them go flying across the country and share their dreams, both large and small, while also telling jokes. Quincy (the girl) fills Abe in on some of the progress the country has made, while also suggesting more progress is necessary.

MORE: Big list of books about African-American history

The Roosevelts

Teedie: The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt by Don Brown tells the story of Teddy as frail but intelligent boy who relied on his strong mind to overcome the shortcomings of his health. (He was asthmatic and didn't even know how nearsighted he was until the age of 13!) The focus is on Teddy's youth, but the book covers his rise as a child of one of New York's wealthiest families (I dislike when books gloss over the privileged background of many of the country's leaders; thankfully this book did not do that.) all the way through to his becoming a leading political figure and eventually the president.

The Camping Trip that Changed America by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mordecai Gerstein. After reading a book by naturalist John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt sought out the man to show him the wilderness. The two men went on a solo camping trip in Yosemite Valley (a gorgeous place I highly recommend visiting) and Muir regaled Roosevelt with stories of his experience as well as discussing the importance of protecting the land from development. The result of the trip was that Roosevelt went back to Washington and started a campaign to preserve the wilderness.  Gerstein's illustrations are full of movement that mirrors the exuberant, boyish fun the two men have on their adventure.

Amelia And Eleanor Go For A Ride. by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick. You would be hard pressed to discuss the years of FDR without mentioning his formidable wife. I love this book which captures Eleanor Roosevelt's adventurous, convention-defying spirit. In 1933, two convention-defying, risk-loving women sneak away from a stuffy dinner party and go for the ride in the sky! Brian Selznick's black and white pencil illustrations capture the era perfectly.

MORE: Picture book biographies of women in politics

John F. Kennedy

Kennedy Through the Lens: How Photography and Television Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Leader by Martin W. Sandler. This is a text heavy book that is geared for middle school kids and up but I found it fascinating and my kids enjoyed looking at the photos and we used them to discuss Kennedy's legacy as a President and the big role the visual media plays in current presidential life. My astute 10 year old drew parallels between JFK's children and the Obama girls. It's also a gorgeous book.

MORE: Books about the Civil Rights Movement

Barack Obama

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier. Acclaimed poet Nikki Grimes penned this biography within the framework of a mother and son watching Obama on the television, and the mother then telling the story of Obama's youth. The story focuses on Obama's childhood experiences in Hawaii, Indonesia, his relationship with his father and his search for a way to try and bring people together. A great talking point with your kids after reading this book would be how they view their own community, and what kind of leadership role they can take in it.

Books about All the Presidents

Yo Millard Fillmore!: (And all those other Presidents you don't know) by Will Cleveland and Mark Alvarez, illustrated by Tate Nation. This is not actually a picture book, yet my older son did enjoy looking through it even though he describes himself as "not that into history." Lots of random facts about each man and a clever way for remembering everyone's names keeps kids interested.

Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems About Our Presidents by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by John Hendrix. This look at the presidents through poetry is a fun addition to your President's Day reading. I don't really recommend reading them all at once; it can be a bit overwhelming, but use the book as a supplement or read a few poems each day. Since we incorporate poetry in our daily life, this was a fun book for us. An author's note includes a very brief biography of each man.

MORE: Books about elections and voting

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Check out these fascinating fact books on all kinds of subjects. You're sure to find just the right book to mesmerize your little knowledge-seeker. And don't forget, you can find even more topics in the index of all our kids book lists.

(Note: this post contains affiliate links that earn from qualifying purchases.)

Fact Books for Pre-K and Lower Elementary Kids

These first fact books are excellent choices to spark the curiosity of 4-7 year olds, but the information will astound even the oldest among us!

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why by Amy Shields. What kid doesn't ask a ton of why questions! I adore this series from National Geographic. The large hardcover books are easy to hold in a lap and full of gorgeous photos. The why answers in this book cover everything from the human body to space. Plus! My favorite part is that the book encourages kids to apply the knowledge with easy to do activity suggestions.

Fact Books for Upper Elementary and Middle School

The complexity and subject matter of these fact books are great for kids ages 8 through middle school, although even high schoolers may enjoy the secrets that hide between the covers!

FACTopia (series) by Kate Hale. The outstanding FACTopia series includes several themed volumes. The short and fascinating details of outrageous facts peak in these books peak kids' curiosity. What I love about FACTopia! is that it takes readers on a journey rather like a game, in which the readers is led down a trail of information which is all somehow connected, but still distinct. Think of it as "400 degrees of Kevin Bacon."

5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) from National Geographic Kids. I believe we had this book checked out of the library for six months! My kids could not get enough of it. My older son, especially, LOVED it and seemed remembered every detail!

MORE: These nonfiction books about the ocean will enchant sea-loving kids

Ultimate Weird but True: 1,000 Wild & Wacky Facts and Photos from National Geographic Kids. Who doesn't like random and totally bizarre facts? There are several compact versions of Weird but True books, perfect for traveling, with 300 facts each, including my favorite one focusing on history: Ye Olde Weird but True: 300 Outrageous Facts from History.

Quiz Whiz: 1,000 Super Fun, Mind-bending, Totally Awesome Trivia Questions. At the risk of sounding like a National Geographic advertisement, I will recommend yet ANOTHER book series from them. What can I say, the NG people really know their stuff. Be prepared, however, to be the recipient of many quizzes after you put this book in the hands of your child.

The Way Science Works by Robin Kerrod. DK Publishing has loads of these large, illustrated, encyclopedia type books. The format includes copious photographs and explanations that kids can delve into.

How to Be a Genius: Your Brain and How to Train It from DK Publishers. Wouldn't we all love to know the answer to that question!!! My older son also loves the companion book, How to Be a Math Genius. The book explains the facts behind how the human brain processes and stores information, as well as including a plethora of puzzles, brain teasers and activities to keep growing minds busy (and learning).

MORE: Lots more math facts in these fun math reference books for upper elementary kids

G Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book and Q Is for Quark: A Science Alphabet Book, by David M. Schwartz. Don't be fooled by the "alphabet book" style of these books. They are not books for preschoolers! From A is for Algebra to Z is for Zzzzzz (I'm not giving that one away!), there are some intensive, yet approachable explanations for kids who love their S.T.E.M subjects.

MORE: 55 Science picture books for kids

National Geographic Kids World Atlas. If your kids love geography and maps be sure to have a good atlas! I like this one because not only does it include loads of facts, but there are games and puzzles to help kids learn and retain the information. Be sure to check you are getting the most recent edition!

MORE: Books for kids who love geography

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This list includes nonfiction and fiction books. Both types of stories offer viewpoints that help readers gain perspective about historical events and experiences, as well as how they affect policies and attitudes of present day Americans.

(Note: this post contains affiliate links that earn from qualifying purchases.)

Nonfiction

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, as told to Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley, illustrated by PJ Loughran. This book is an appealing, conversation-style first person narrative by the youngest person to march all the way from Selma to Montgomery. Lowery describes her experience being jailed nine times (all before the age of 15) and beaten on Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama in a way that speaks directly to children and tells them they have a voice and can be history makers, too.

MORE: Civil Rights Picture Books for Kids

28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith, Jr., illustrated by Shane W. Evans. For each day in February, the book introduces readers to a different African-American who made an impact. Three Supreme Court decisions and a constitutional amendment are also included. Although the format of the book does not support in-depth biographies, the book is chock full of interesting and important information that will inspire kids to seek out further resources.

The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights by Steve Sheinkin is about a little known event in 1944 in which war and civil rights collided. 244 African-American soldiers refused to follow a command which they felt would have put them at unnecessary risk. For their stand, they were charged with mutiny. Sheinkin's book looks at the event, what led up to the mutiny and how differently the armed services treated its white and black soldiers. Fascinating.

Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington’s Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away (Young Readers Edition) by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve. Dunbar and Van Cleve have written an extremely readable biography detailing what Ona Judge’s life would have been like, how the Washingtons viewed slavery, how they treated their slaves, and crucially, how they pursued Judge after she escaped. This book is an eye-opener for children whose views of Washington were formed around the cherry tree myth. Did you know Washington attempted to break his own fugitive law in order to capture Judge? Not exactly the picture of a fair and just leader. That said, even though the author’s sympathies clearly lie with Judge, the book does not demonize the president.

MORE: Biographies of African-American Women

Fiction

The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton. Celebrated children’s author, Virginia Hamilton, wrote this wonderful collection of Black American folktales. There are several categories of tales ranging from animal trickster legends, stories of the supernatural and tales of freedom. At the end of each short story, Hamilton includes her notes on the origin of the tale and its dialect.

Treasure Island by Jewell Parker Rhodes. For kids who want to learn history but in a contemporary setting, this is a delightful reworking of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure tale! After a mysterious captain at his mom's boarding house makes predictions that come true, Zane and his friends head to Manhattan to find treasure. On their skateboards, they follow clues on a map that take them to important historical sites. Their journey is filled with pirates, rival skateboards, riddles and danger! Ages 8 and up.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. Published in 1976, (and on my list of must read books from the 1970s) this is the story of how Cassie and her family are deeply affected by racism during the 1930s in rural Mississippi. The novel touches on the importance of land ownership for Black Americans.

MORE: African-American History Books for Kids

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine, is set during the 1958 Little Rock school closures. Marlee makes friends with Liz, the new girl, but when Liz suddenly leaves school Marlee discovers Liz was "passing." The two continue the friendship in secret while Marlee joins a group that works to reopen the schools. Marlee faces the typical social challenges of being 13 but also sees the ugliness of institutionalized racism and how frightening and dangerous it can be.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis. In the 1860s Elijah becomes the first free child born to runaway slaves in a colony in Canada. His family sees him as "fragile", crying too easily or getting scared or hurt. The first part of the book is filled with humorous antics surrounding the community of Buxton. Later, Elijah makes the decision to travel to America to help a friend recover money that was stolen from him and the nature of freedom stares him straight in the eye.

The Way to Stay in Destiny by Augusta Scattergood. Just after the war, Theo lives with his uncle, a Vietnam vet, in a boarding house. While he tries to solve a local mystery involving a famous baseball player, Theo makes friends with the proprietor of the dancing school, who lets him play the piano.

MORE: Middle Grade Books by Black Authors

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. It's 1968 when 11-year-old Delphine and her sisters travel from New York to Oakland to stay with the mother who abandoned them seven years earlier.  Their mother enrolls them in a day care run by the Black Panthers. Williams-Garcia's writing is splendid, with interesting characters. It was a hard-to-put-down kind of book and an great story to show kids how politics infuses daily regular life.

The Harlem Charade by Natasha Harpley. Good deeds bring Jin and Alex together. When they meet the homeless Elvin, he tells his new friends about a mystery surrounding his grandfather, who was just attacked and is now in a coma. Rare paintings by a mysterious artist of the 1960s is at the heart of it all. Harpley has deftly woven past and present in this spirited tale in which the culture and vibrancy of Harlem are center stage.

MORE: Anti-Bias Middle Grade Books

Chains (series) by Laurie Halse Anderson. A compelling trilogy of slavery in the North. During the American Revolution a 13-year-old slave belonging to a ruthless Loyalist family, Isabel, yearns for freedom. She meets Curzon who encourages her to spy for the Rebels. The second book, Forge, is told from Curzon's, point of view. in the final book, Ashes, Curzon and Isabel seek to free Isabel's sister, Ruth, who is enslaved in the South.

The post Middle Grade Books for Black History Month (Ages 8-13) appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Use these children's books and picture book biographies to start a conversation with your children, helping them find their passions, and overcome obstacles, whether perceived or real. Talk about the steps the books' characters took that helped them achieve their goals.

Your reward will be the joy you see in your children's faces as they take a leap towards fulfilling their dreams!

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

Fiction

Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Gracey Zhang

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Nigel loves to look at the moon and imagine the person he could become, but he fears that he might not be able to achieve all that he hopes. With career day on the horizon, Nigel worries that his parents' jobs aren't glamorous enough. However, he is pleasantly surprised when his classmates show a keen interest in his parents' jobs and Nigel gains the confidence to share his own dreams with others. A wonderful, wonderful book! Ages 4 and up.

The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz

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Isaac has a dream that he should go and look for treasure under the bridge by the Royal Palace. He feels quite foolish doing so, but cannot ignore the command. The poor, elderly man sets off on the journey only to find a heavily guarded bridge and a guard with his own dream. Isaac's reverse journey has an interesting narrative repetition. The overall story is different than the others on this list, and I encourage you to spend time talking about it with your children. It's a rather quiet tale of trust and faith, with the message "sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near." Ages 5 and up.

The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

As a parent or educator, you may be familiar with the advice to teach kids the power of "yet." The Magical Yet encourages children who might be struggling to find motivation to achieve a goal. They might feel they can't do something. Add a single word, "yet," to an "I can't" sentence and they can transform their attitude and try new things! I love the vivid illustrations and the optimistic, bouncy rhythm of the text. Ages 4 and up.

A Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman, illustrated by Peggy Collins

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Aria, who lives in Afghanistan, has a prosthetic leg which prohibits her from sitting with her peers. But she is determined not to let that stop her from joining school lessons. A bench would allow her to sit comfortably, but since there is no money to purchase a bench, Aria must come up with a creative solution. A wonderful book about having a dream to get an education, and working within the constraints of hardships, community support and perseverance. Ages 4 and up.

Biographies

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Qualls

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Emmanuel was born in Ghana with only one leg. Most children with disabilities didn’t go to school, but Emanuel was determined and hopped two miles each way to attend school. After his mother died, he decided to honor her last words by proving “that being disabled does not mean being unable.” He completed the astounding feat of bicycling 400 miles in 10 days. An author’s note describes his continuing work and successes on behalf of disabled persons in Ghana. Ages 5 and up.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López

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This wonderful picture book is inspired by the life of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl. Millo bucked Cuba's taboo against female drummers and became a famous musician, even playing the bongos at a birthday celebration for FDR. The book is a poem, following a girl's longing to beat on all sorts of drums: congas, bongos, and timbales. She practices secretly until finally she is allowed to share her gift with the world. Rafael López's illustrations are absolutely stunning. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Biographies of Hispanic and Latine Luminaries

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet 

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Horace Pippin was a self-taught painter. After being shot in the arm during WWI, he worked steadily to learn how to use his arm again to create art. There are so many things I love about this book, and you come away from it with a strong sense of how Pippin used art to interpret the world. Pippin suffered from poverty, the psychological and physical costs of war, but still, his talent propelled him to create. Ages 5 and up.

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington

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Not as text heavy as many picture book biographies, this is a wonderful book about the first African-American in space, Mae Jemison. The narrative focuses on the young Mae and her dreams to see the earth from space. When she learns she needs to be an astronaut to go into space, she learns as much as she can about the stars and what it takes to be an astronaut. Her supportive parents encourage her to dream big, even in the face of others' skepticism. Ages 4 and up.

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

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This entertaining book brings to life the story of a woman who persistently followed her goals and broke 19th century barriers. Elizabeth Blackwell refused to be defeated by social definitions, attended medical school, faced the rejection of her fellow students and then her colleagues, all the while proving she was smarter than they were. Ages 5 and up.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women Who Changed the World

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

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John James could do a lot of things, but what he loved to do best was watch birds from morning till night. Born in France, his father sent him to America when he was eighteen, where–predictably–he obsessed over birds. Davies describes how Audubon relentlessly observed the habits of birds, making important discoveries about migration. Kids can learn a lot from Audubon's patience, determination and passion for learning. Ages 6 and up.

Dare the Wind by Tracey Fern

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In the 19th century, women did not navigate ships, but Ellen's father saw his daughter's love of the sea and nurtured it. She grew up, married a sea captain and accompanied him on his merchant voyages. In 1851 the Flying Cloud, in large part due to the navigational skills of Ellen, sailed around Cape Horn from New York to San Francisco in a record-breaking 89 days, 21 hours. Both the text and the illustrations will make your child feel as though he is on the sea, with Ellen and the clipper. Ages 5 and up.

MORE: Books about Explorers and Adventurers

Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Bryan Collier

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Asim tells Washington's story in beautiful free verse. Born a slave, Washington was determined to get an education. After Emancipation, he walked 500 miles with a dream of earning a college degree. Washington's persistence is inspiring and doubly so when considering the hardships, hate and obstacles he faced. Collier's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Biographies of Lesser Known Black Heroes

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

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When someone says "inspiring people" you might not immediately think of Peter Roget (or at all), but the boy who loved to make lists and had a passion for words grew up to be not just an accomplished doctor, but an inventor and the man whose name now graces the shelves of every serious wordsmith. The book shows us that you can be a quiet person, but with passion and a love for learning, thinking and tinkering, you can follow your dreams and achieve much. Lovely, lovely artwork by Melissa Sweet and an interesting historical note make this a must read book. Ages 6 and up.

Jim Thorpe's Bright Path by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by S.D. Nelson

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Thorpe had a traumatic childhood. His parents and brother died, and he was sent to an Indian boarding school. These boarding schools were designed to strip Native Americans of their cultural identity, and the students were expected to enter society as servants and manual laborers. Thorpe avoided this bleak prospect to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. Publisher Lee and Low has an excellent teacher's guide to go along with the book. Ages 7 and up.

MORE: Native American and Indigenous Biographies in Picture Books

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que crecio en el Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez

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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's story will inspire everyone. The book follows Sonia as she grows up in poverty in the Bronx and gets an education. The book has a great, positive message and emphasizes how important it is to be surrounded by supportive friends and family. (Bilingual) ages 4 and up.

MORE: Biographies of Women Activists

Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell

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Jane Goodall's childhood is full of dreams. She spends her days out in the natural world and dreams of helping and living with animals. As she grows up she moves from butterflies to small animals and finally to the chimps for which she is so famous. I particularly like the way McDonnell juxtaposes photographs of Jane Goodall with his illustrations, capturing Jane's hopes in both her childhood dreams and her eventual realization of those dreams. Ages 3 and up.

Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by David Diaz

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Wilma grew from a 4 pound baby to be one of the fastest women in the world and competing at the Olympics. This is amazing, considering that after a childhood bout with polio, doctors thought her leg was permanently damaged. Wilma worked through her injury as a young girl, earned an athletic scholarship and won three Olympic gold medals. My kids were fascinated with the idea that she won her medals even though she had a twisted ankle! Ages 6 and up.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women in Sports

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier

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Troy Andrews wrote this autobiographical picture book about how he grew up in a music-rich environment. When he found a broken instrument he started playing the trombone, he earned the nickname, Trombone Shorty. He played and practiced hard and grew up to be a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist. Ages 4 and up.

The post Best Books to Inspire Kids to Follow Their Dreams appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.