A Mighty Girl's top picks of picture books about trailblazing girls and women throughout history.
If you flip through a typical history book, you might think, as historian Gerda Lerner once wrote, that "ostensibly one-half the human race is doing everything significant and the other half doesn’t exist." Far too often, women's contributions have been neglected in history books and school curriculums — fortunately, there are growing numbers of wonderful books being published for young readers about girls and women who made their mark on history. And, there's no better time to share these stories and make sure that the next generation — girls and boys alike — appreciates the important and diverse roles that women have played in history!
In this blog post, we've collected the best picture book on remarkable girls and women throughout history, ranging from new releases to long-time favorites. These books feature girls and women who excelled in science, politics, the arts, athletics, and other fields. And, they serve as an excellent reminder that girls and women's stories deserve to be told — all year round.
For more inspiring books about real-life girls and women for all ages, visit our Biography & History Collection.
Picture Books About Mighty Girls & Women in History
Me...Jane
Me...Jane
Who knew that the young girl who carried a stuffed chimpanzee around with her would redefine the meaning of human? In this charming story of Jane Goodall's childhood, readers learn how she first developed her interest in the natural world — as well as her patience when observing animals in their own environment, which she practiced on her family's chickens! This inspirational picture book biography focuses on Goodall's childhood, but includes a picture of Goodall with the chimps at Gombe to show how she realized her dreams. Fans of Goodall will also want to check out The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps for ages 4 to 8, as well as our Jane Goodall Collection with many titles for all ages.
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles
Like many young girls of her time, Joan Procter hosted pretend tea parties... but unlike the other girls, she invited lizards, snakes, and other reptiles to her table! Joan loved all reptiles, and she became famous for carrying her favorite lizard everywhere she went, and even bringing a crocodile to school! When Joan grew up, she found her place: Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum, and the designer of the Reptile House at the London Zoo, where she once again hosted children's tea parties — this time with her pet komodo dragon! This lively biography of a groundbreaking, lizard-loving scientist is sure to delight young readers.
The Fastest Girl on Earth! Meet Kitty O'Neil, Daredevil Driver!
The Fastest Girl on Earth! Meet Kitty O'Neil, Daredevil Driver!
Kitty O'Neil loved sports as a child, even after becoming deaf from a fever at the age of 2 — and nothing was going to stop her from pursuing her passions. She learned to read lips and to communicate with sign language, and she also learned to jump, run, race, and swim. She set speed records in water skiing and boating, and became a stuntwoman on films like Wonder Woman, but she still wanted more. So she decided to become a racecar driver, which took even more time and training as she learned to control her rocket-powered vehicle Motivator. And in 1976, she raced at over 600 miles per hour, breaking the land speed record! This high-powered picture book biography, which includes back matter about O'Neil's Cherokee heritage, the Motivator, and other speed records, is sure to inspire would-be daredevils.
Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart
Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart
When Esther Howland was growing up, Americans thought Valentine's Day was just a waste of time. But when she saw one of the cards her father brought home from England, she was captivated! She thought the fancy design and poem inside were the perfect way to show your love. So Howland decided to start her own business, making handmade cards with personalized notes. Her cards became a huge success, particularly during the Civil War when women loved sending them to loved ones on the front lines. Before long, she had turned her cottage business into an assembly line — one which gave other women the chance to work outside the home. In this intriguing picture book biography, Nancy Churnin introduces kids to one of America's first professional women — one who helped establish a tradition we still follow today.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
From the moment she saw a shark at the New York Aquarium, Eugenie Clark was fascinated, but the rest of the world thought that sharks were mindless eating machines — and that girls couldn't be scientists. Clark devoted her life to learning about sharks, and proved that sharks weren't as dangerous as people feared — they could even learn! She also built public support for the protection of her beloved sharks and the ocean in which they lived. This picture book biography of the "Shark Lady" is a celebration of the wonder of nature and of a daring woman who changed the way the world saw the ocean. For another biography about Clark, check out Swimming With Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark.
Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic
Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic
Amelia Earhart was already a record-breaking aviator when she set her sights on another first: becoming the first woman (and only the second person) to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Why? Because "women must try to do things as men have tried." So in 1932, she took off from Newfoundland for an airstrip in Ireland — and hoped that the obstacles she might face along the way wouldn't bring her plane down. Told in an immediate style that emphasizes the loneliness and quiet of a solo flight, this book about one of Earhart's most famous flights will have kids full of suspense during the telling and inspired at the end. For more stories about this trailblazing pilot, visit our Amelia Earhart Collection.
Alice Waters Cooks Up a Food Revolution
Alice Waters Cooks Up a Food Revolution
As a child, Alice Waters loved the taste of fresh food from her family's garden in the summer and dreaded the winter full of convenience foods, which may have been "modern" and "easy" but certainly didn't taste as wonderful! As an adult, she realized that the secret of these delicious flavors was fresh, local food — so she opened a restaurant devoted to purchasing from small farmers and designing seasonal menus that took advantage of the foods that were in their prime. In this lively picture book from the team behind the acclaimed Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science, kids will learn about Waters' zest for food and cooking, and how she helped kickstart the organic food movement.
I Am Sacagawea
I Am Sacagawea
When Sacagawea left with Lewis and Clark on their mission to explore the West, from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, nobody thought a woman — particularly a Native American woman like her — could contribute much. But as a translator, Sacagawea was able to help the expedition communicate with the tribes they met on their travels, and as a guide, she ensured they found their way. Her quick thinking even saved critical supplies that got washed off their canoes — while the men on the expedition were busy panicking. This new entry in the Ordinary People Change the World biography series captures Sacagawea's determination and courage; it's an excellent way to introduce kids to this literal trailblazer.
Just Being Jackie
Just Being Jackie
Jackie Kennedy is an American icon, but in addition to being stylish and elegant, she was determined and tireless. She was a talented journalist, an avid preservationist, and a diligent editor. As the First Lady, her cleverness and grace won the respect of people across the country and around the world when they realized that she was much more than a pretty face! In this vibrant picture book by the author and illustrator pair behind Just Being Audrey, kids will get a deeper picture of the life and gifts of this famous woman.
Frida
Frida
From a young age, Frida Kahlo found an escape from the troubles of her life by painting. Her father's lessons in brushwork proved invaluable, first when polio left her bedridden for nine months and then again when a bus accident left her in constant, severe pain. But in her art, with its vivid colors and folk icon inspiration, she found freedom and joy. This poetic tribute to Kahlo from author Jonah Winter is accompanied by stunning illustrations from artist Ana Juan. For more picture books about Kahlo, check out Viva Frida for ages 4 to 8; Me, Frida for ages 4 to 8; and Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself for ages 6 to 11. For more resources about her, visit our Frida Kahlo Collection.
Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How A First Lady Changed America
Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How A First Lady Changed America
Lady Bird Johnson brought her own mission to the White House: flung into service for a grieving nation after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Ms. Johnson turned to how she had coped with grief in her own youth upon the death of her mother. The wildflowers of East Texas gave her solace, and her goal was to share their beauty with all Americans with the launch of the Highway Beautification Act, which was informally known as Lady Bird's Bill. This gorgeous book celebrates the unexpected way this First Lady served her country. An endnote describes the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and provides a guide to wildflowers that kids can use to name the flower in the book — or in their own backyards.
Just Being Audrey
Just Being Audrey
She was a child in Nazi-occupied Europe, then a movie star and a fashion icon. But most importantly, Audrey Hepburn had a spirit of kindness and compassion that shone through everything she did. In this picture book biography, kids will learn a new side to the glamorous star they may recognize from pictures: both the would-be dancer who was told she was too tall, and the UNICEF Ambassador who used her celebrity to help children around the world. Margaret Cardillo captures a complex portrait of this remarkable woman, which is perfectly accented by Julia Denos' illustrations.
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music
On an island filled with music, one taboo still ruled: girls could not be drummers. That is, until the day that a girl appears who dreams of drums all day and all night. She didn't dare let people see and hear her desire for music, even as she heard rhythms in every sound and every moment. But after years of secret practice, the drum dream girl's music was enough to convince everyone that boys and girls should be allowed to play. Inspired by the story of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, the Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's taboo against women drummers, this book captures the power of a dream to change others' lives as well as your own.
Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian
Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian
In the Middle Ages, people believed that caterpillars were spontaneously generated from muck and mud, but even as a child, Maria Merian disagreed! As a young woman naturalist and artist, she watched and illustrated as caterpillars spun their cocoons, rested within, and emerged as "summer birds" — moths and butterflies. Her remarkable illustrations proved an astounding natural process: metamorphosis. This joyful and vibrant picture book biography aptly captures the passion Merian had for the beauties and wonders of the natural world. For older readers, Merian's story also appears in the novel in verse Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science for ages 9 to 14.
Mae Among The Stars
Mae Among The Stars
Mae Jemison famously became the first African American woman in space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992 but years before that historic journey, she was a little girl who dreamed of dancing in space. Her mother told her, "If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible." Little Mae's curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA. This inspirational introduction to a trailblazing astronaut will encourage children to reach for the stars and never give up on their dreams.
Here Come The Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
Here Come The Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
Juliette Gordon Low — also known as Daisy to her friends and family — defied attitudes about "proper" Victorian girls. Daisy loved the outdoors, and she knew that there were lots of other girls, just like her, who wanted to be pathfinders, pioneers, and adventurers. When she combined her daring spirit with a dedication to service and a firm belief that girls could take on any challenge, she came up with an idea that would change the lives of millions of girls: the Girl Scouts. This fascinating story about the founder of the Girl Scouts celebrates Low's spirit and vision, and shows how one hundred years later, her Scouts continue to have adventures, do good deeds, and make a difference! For more books about Low, visit our Juliette Gordon Low Collection.
Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell
Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell
Elizabeth Blackwell didn’t want to be a wife, or a teacher, or a seamstress, but a doctor! But in the 1830s, that just wasn't something women did. Elizabeth wasn't swayed, though: when people told her she wasn’t smart enough, or strong enough, she knew better. She fought her way past detractors and skeptics to attend medical school, and not only was she the first woman to graduate from a medical degree in the US, she became the first woman to join the UK Medical Register. Her brilliant career would become an inspiration for generations of women after her. With its colorful art and inspiring tone, this is sure to be a favorite for would-be doctors everywhere.
I Am Rosa Parks
I Am Rosa Parks
When Rosa Parks was arrested for refused to stand up on a segregated bus to give up her seat to a white person, she became the catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment from the Civil Rights Movement in the US. In this picture book biography from the Ordinary People Change The World series, author Brad Meltzer shows how Parks dared to stand up for rights by sitting down — a simple act that shows that anyone can become a hero if they defend what is right. The fun, conversational, first-person text and the illustrations depicting child-like characters reinforce to young readers that every hero was a person just like them. For more books about Parks' life and activism, visit our Rosa Parks Collection.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909
Clara Lemlich arrived in the US expecting opportunities for a better future; she didn’t know that future meant long hours of labor, low pay, and no education. But she was undeterred, and spent hours studying English and taking night classes. And when she got fed up with how she and her fellow laborers were treated, she organized the largest walkout of female workers in the country’s history. This inspiring picture book biography of the Ukrainian immigrant who refused to give up on the American dream includes a bibliography and more details about the garment industry.
Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que creció en el Bronx
Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que creció en el Bronx
From a young age, Sonia Sotomayor wanted to be a lawyer... but that was a big dream for a young Latinx girl in the Bronx. In this bilingual picture book, kids follow her as her mother's love, a desire to learn, and the willpower and bravery to defy all the naysayers, led Sotomayor to overcome obstacles like poverty, juvenile diabetes, and the death of her father in order to achieve a seat on the Supreme Court of the United States. Vibrant artwork makes Sotomayor's childhood come alive, while a detailed author's note provides plenty of additional information about her life and career. Older kids can read about Sotomayor in Sonia Sotomayor: I'll Be The Judge Of That! for ages 7 to 10 and Who Is Sonia Sotomayor? for ages 8 to 12.
Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer
Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer
When Henrietta Swan Leavitt was hired by the Harvard College Observatory, it wasn't to observe the skies herself: instead, she was hired as a human "computer," and set to studying photographic plates that male colleagues had taken at the telescope. She spent years measuring star positions and sizes and, over time, discovered that certain stars had a fixed pattern to their changes — a discovery that allowed astronomers to understand the true size of the universe and brought Leavitt recognition as a pioneer of astronomical science. Award-winning artist Raul Colon's illustrations particularly shine in this appealing picture book biography.
The Story of Ruby Bridges
The Story of Ruby Bridges
To kids today, the idea of a child having to be escorted to school by armed guards to protect her from an angry mob is shocking, but 6-year-old Ruby Bridges faced exactly that in 1960. After a judge ordered that Ruby should attend the previously all-white William Frantz Elementary School, parents withdrew their children and held angry protests in front of the school. This compelling depiction of the child who became a civil rights hero just by attending first grade is now available in a special anniversary edition. For more books about Bridges, visit our Ruby Bridges Collection.
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle
As a young girl swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, Sylvia Earle developed a passion for the sea and the life within it. As an adult, she dove even deeper into the subject — literally! From designing new submersibles to swimming with the whales to deep-water walks in special dive suits, Earle has explored one of the most mysterious places still left on Earth; our vast oceans. And as Time Magazine's first Hero for the Planet — who is affectionately referred to as the Sturgeon General by colleagues — she is one of the most passionate voices for protecting what she calls "the blue heart of the planet." With its vibrant illustrations of Earle's beloved underwater world, this book will fill kids with wonder.
I Am Lucille Ball
I Am Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball could famously make any situation funny and her comedic genius made the world laugh. But she was also a trailblazer in other ways — her business acumen allowed her to break new ground as the first woman to run a television studio. This picture book biography, part of the Ordinary People Change The World series, will show your kids that anything — even a great sense of humor — can be the jumping off point for a career that changes the world. Older kids can read more about this groundbreaking entertainer in Who Was Lucille Ball? for ages 8 to 12.
Hillary
Hillary
Growing up in the 1950s, Clinton lived in a world where women weren't supposed to be smart, ambitious, or outspoken — and she didn't care one bit! In this beautiful, empowering picture book biography, author Jonah Winter follows Clinton from her time as an outspoken student at Wellesley College and Yale Law School to her bid for the 2016 Democratic nomination. Winter's author's note captures the importance of her story: that she shows "that a girl can grow up to be the most powerful person in the world." This quietly inspirational portrait of one of America's most well-known female politicians celebrates a woman who was determined to take the lead. For another picture book about Clinton, check out Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born To Lead for ages 4 to 8.
My Name Is Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral / Me llamo Gabriela: la vida de Gabriela Mistral
My Name Is Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral / Me llamo Gabriela: la vida de Gabriela Mistral
Gabriela was born in Chile, and grew up loving words: both their sounds and the amazing stories they could create. As a child, she gave herself her own name, and taught herself how to read before she started school. When she grew up, she was a teacher, inspiring children in her classes, and a poet, inspiring people around the world with her own beautiful words. Author Monica Brown's deft telling of the story has the rhythm of a poem and reads equally well in both English and Spanish. This lyrical bilingual biography of the first Latinx woman to win the Nobel Prize celebrates the joy and power of words and the importance of following your dreams.
Coretta Scott
Coretta Scott
Many people know her only as Coretta Scott King, but she holds her own place in Civil Rights history for her work both before and after her husband's death. In this poetic picture book, Ntozake Shange captures her childhood — including defining moments like walking five miles to the colored school while the white kids' bus showered her with dust — to the marches at Selma and Washington, and ends with stirring images of protesters set to lines from the gospel song "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round." This evocative book is a powerful way to introduce this key figure of history. Kids can learn more in Coretta Scott King: I Kept On Marching (ages 7 to 10). For more books about King, visit our Coretta Scott King Collection.
Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina
Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina
Although Osage tradition does not allow girls and women to dance, Maria Tallchief showed gifts for dance and music at an early age. Her parents allowed her to break the rule, and fostered her talents with lessons and practice. After choosing to focus on ballet, she attracted the attention of choreographer George Balanchine, and with the help of Balanchine and her supportive family, she would eventually reach the top of her art form; in fact, Balanchine’s famous choreography for The Firebird was created for her. Tallchief would become America's first major prima ballerina and the first Native American prima ballerina, providing inspiration to generations of girls. This captivating picture book will intrigue both general readers and ballet fans. Older readers can learn more about Tallchief in Who Is Maria Tallchief? for ages 8 to 12.
Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen
Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen
Not many girls in history had the chance to play baseball with icons like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig — but one young woman not only played against them, she struck them both out! Jackie Mitchell was signed to a minor league baseball team, Chattanooga Lookouts, in 1931. She was a seventeen-year-old with a wicked dropping curve ball that stymied her fellow minor league players. But when the New York Yankees stopped by for an exhibition game, no one expected the girl pitcher to defeat two of baseball's greats. This fascinating true story from baseball's history will thrill young fans of the game.
Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Generations of Mighty Girls have read the Little House book series, and this picture book biography will teach them all about the real-life little girl — and adult woman — behind these beloved books! Author William Anderson focuses on key details of Wilder's life, from daily chores to plagues of grasshoppers to her married life with Almanzo, and then finishes with a description of her life as an author many years after the events of her writings. This unique look at "Half-Pint" Laura and the woman she would grow up to be is sure to delight fans of her work. For more books about and by this well-known author, visit our Laura Ingalls Collection.
Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor
Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor
As a child, Margaret E. Knight carried a sketchbook labelled "My Inventions" and used her father's tools to make almost anything she wanted — and by the age of 12, she had invented a special metal shield to protect workers on textile looms from being injured by flying shuttles. As an adult, one of her most well-known inventions was a machine that made square-bottomed paper bags...but before she could patent it, a man tried to claim that he was the actual inventor. In court, though, his claim at a woman "could not possibly understand the mechanical complexities" was proven completely false! Knight would become the first woman to receive a U.S. Patent. This fascinating story of the prolific female inventor will particularly intrigue young tinkerers!
Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson
Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson
Everyone she knows, from her parents to her teachers to the police officer on the local beat, agrees that Althea Gibson is nothing but trouble. But when Buddy Walker, the play leader on Althea's street in Harlem, sees her play paddle tennis, he sees something else: talent. Buddy bought Althea her first stringed tennis racket, and soon, she was rocketing through the tennis ranks! Gibson would become the first African American ever to compete in and win the Wimbledon Cup — and a role model for black children everywhere. This exuberant biography captures Gibson's spirit and energy, the same traits that both made her "nothing but trouble" and also pushed her to the top of her game.
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
When Harriet Tubman was a slave, her faith convinced her that she was meant to be free, and she risked tremendous danger to escape. But how could she leave others in the same bondage she had left behind? So Tubman became one of the most famous Underground Railroad conductors, leading hundreds of others to freedom. This poetic book compares the Biblical story of Moses to Tubman's story, reinforcing why she was known as Moses to so many. Poetic language and dark, dramatic artwork make this a stand out title for teaching African American history. For more books for all ages about Tubman, visit our Harriet Tubman Collection.
Emily
Emily
When this little girl’s mother is invited to play the piano for her neighbor — who hasn’t left her house for twenty years and runs away when strangers come to the door — she bring her daughter along. And the little girl, who creeps up the neighbor’s stairs to investigate, discovers someone brilliant: poet Emily Dickinson. She exchanges a small gift for a poem, and while the pair may not spend much time together, they discover an unexpected kinship. Author Michael Bedard’s writing echoes Dickinson’s, while Barbara Cooney’s oils capture the shifting moods of the story. An authentic poem by Dickinson is included in the book. For more books about this groundbreaking poet, visit our Emily Dickinson Collection.
The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos
The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos
This beautiful book shows the influence of a famous real-life librarian: Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican woman hired by the New York Public Library system. Hildamar and Santiago have just arrived in New York, and find their new home cold and unwelcoming. Their beloved Three Kings Day holiday is approaching, but how can they celebrate it here? But when Belpré comes to their classroom, she shows them that libraries are open to young and old, English- and Spanish-speakers alike. Soon, the library is not just a place of learning for Hildamar and her cousin, but also a place of community and friendship. This lovely story celebrates Belpré's vision and dedication, as well as the power of libraries to bring people together. For another picture book about Belpré, check out Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré.
Through Georgia's Eyes
Through Georgia's Eyes
A young Georgia O'Keeffe used to roam the prairie with her sketchbook, but she couldn't quite manage to capture the scenery the way she saw it in her head. When she went to art school, she learned the techniques of paint and canvas, but city life seemed sterile and confining. But when she moved to the deserts of New Mexico, her artistic gifts truly blossomed, and she created stunning works of art that capture all the wonder in the world around us. In this lyrical telling of O'Keeffe's life and work, author Rachel Victoria Rodriguez creates a vivid portrait of O'Keeffe and the world as she saw it. For more picture book biographies of O'Keeffe, check out Georgia's Bones, Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O'Keeffe Painted What She Pleased, and My Name Is Georgia, all for ages 5 to 8.
Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon
Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon
Over two hundred years ago, a teenager in England who gathered seashells to supplement her family's income made an astounding discovery! Mary Anning, the discoverer of the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton, would become famous not only for her incredible luck — she also found two complete plesiosaur skeletons, the first pterosaur skeleton outside of Germany, and many important fossils of fish — but also for her observations that changed the way people thought about prehistoric life. This picture book biography captures Anning's determination, intelligence, and patience at a time when no women could fully participate in the scientific world. For two more picture books about Anning, check out Stone Girl, Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning for ages 5 to 8 and The Fossil Girl: Mary Anning's Dinosaur Discovery for ages 5 to 9.
Leave It To Abigail: The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams
Leave It To Abigail: The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams
When Abigail was born, girls were supposed to be meek and quiet — but she refused. She asked questions, and she married who she pleased: a country lawyer named John Adams. When the Revolutionary war broke out, she managed his farm and demanded that John and his fellow Founding Fathers "remember the ladies." And when it was time to represent their new country to the nobility of Europe, she didn't flinch from standing shoulder to shoulder with kings and queens! This exuberant tribute to a forward-thinking and independent-minded woman from early American history, filled with bold, energetic artwork, has plenty of verve — just like its subject.
Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird
Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird
Nelle Harper was not like the other girls of Monroeville, Alabama, preferring overalls to dresses and climbing trees to tea parties. She also loved watching her father's work as a lawyer and spending time writing tales with her best friend, 'Tru' (the future famous writer Truman Capote). When she was older, Nelle went to New York City, and spent every spare moment at her typewriter. The story she was born to tell finally came to her and her groundbreaking book, To Kill A Mockingbird, went on to sell forty million copies! This picture book biography of Harper Lee celebrates a woman who "carved out a life of her own design."
The Girl With A Mind For Math: The Story of Raye Montague
The Girl With A Mind For Math: The Story of Raye Montague
As a 7-year-old during WWII, Raye Montague toured a captured German submarine and immediately set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know that sexism and racism would challenge her dream every step of the way. Raye ended up working at the US Navy as a typist, studying engineering at night. One day, when all the engineers were sick with the flu, she astonished everyone by completing all of their work. She went on to become the first person to design a ship on a computer and the Navy's first female ship designer. This inspiring picture book from the Amazing Scientists series celebrates a pioneer who changed ship design forever.
Kate's Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse
Kate's Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse
When Kate Kaird met John walker, the keeper of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, she wasn't sure if the life of an assistant lighthouse keeper would be for her; she didn't even unpack her trunks at first. But she grew to love the isolated but beautiful Robbins Reef. Several years later, her husband died, and his last words to her were, "Mind the light, Kate." And she was determined to do just that, fighting with the Lighthouse Board until she was allowed to keep her position. And for 34 more years, she tended the light, saving more than 50 people. This gorgeous picture book, full of atmospheric watercolor and ink illustrations that capture the majesty and ferocity of the sea, is a unique introduction to one of the first women on the Eastern seaboard to be put in charge of an offshore lighthouse.
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines
As a child, Maya Lin loved studying the world around her — or rather, the space around her. She explored the nearby forest, and built little towns out of scrap paper in her home. She was still an art student when she submitted a design for the proposed Vietnam Veterans Memorial: an angled expanse of glossy black stone, with names carved in seemingly endless lines. Her design was controversial at the time, but today it's hailed for its simple emotional power. This celebration of Lin's artistry and love of light and space will encourage kids to see the world a little differently.
Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World
Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World
As a shy young woman, Rachel Carson found joy and purpose in studying the creatures all around her. Her articles and books about marine life made her a best-selling author, but it was her groundbreaking book Silent Spring, about the effects of the pesticide DDT on wild animals and birds, that turned her into a household name. Along the way, she would help found the modern environmental movement. Written for the fiftieth anniversary of Silent Spring's publication, this thoughtful picture book shows how a quiet and dedicated scientist changed the way people thought of their effects on the Earth. For more books on Carson, visit our Rachel Carson Collection.
A Book, Too, Can Be a Star: The Story of Madeleine L'Engle and the Making of A Wrinkle in Time
A Book, Too, Can Be a Star: The Story of Madeleine L'Engle and the Making of A Wrinkle in Time
As a child, Madeleine L'Engle looked to the stars for company when she couldn't sleep. They made her feel like she was part of something much bigger than herself, even when she was alone. And they made her ask questions: why are we here? Where did she belong? Those questions would help her imagination soar. When she got a bit older, she found that books were much the same as those stars: they made her ask questions and encouraged her to suggest answers. And she wanted to write her own books to share with the world. Although publishers didn't appreciate her writing at first, finally, she got her first break... and published A Wrinkle in Time. Engle's granddaughter Charlotte Jones Voiklis and bestselling picture book author Jennifer Adams have penned a gorgeous tribute to a trailblazing creator that also celebrates the joy of a life full of creativity and curiosity.
Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge
Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge
As a girl, Emily Roebling was an eager learner — but girls didn't need to know math and science, and certainly not engineering. As an adult, her husband had an ambitious plan for a bridge that would "link Manhattan and Brooklyn," and when construction began, Roebling insisted on learning more about it. And when her husband fell ill, she stepped in, supervising every aspect of the project, and ensuring that the Brooklyn Bridge, one of New York's most iconic landmarks, was finished. This picture book biography celebrates the secret engineer who refused to give up on an architectural wonder.
Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane Jacobs
Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane Jacobs
Jane Jacobs decided that a city was like an ecosystem: "It is made of different parts — sidewalks, parks, stores, neighborhoods, City Hall... and people, of course. When they all work together, the city is healthy." So when a city planner proposed highways that would smash through New York neighborhoods, she knew that would destroy the city she loved. She rallied her neighbors to stop the plans — even getting arrested — but her courage changed the way that people think about city — and human — planning. This lively picture book fictionalizes Jacobs' life to capture the spirit of this determined, innovative woman.
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code
Grace Hopper was a software tester, a creative inventor, and a top-notch mentor — but she was also a famous rule-breaker, risk-taker, and sometimes a real trouble-maker! In this riveting picture book biography of the woman nicknamed "Amazing Grace," author Laurie Wallmark captures the determination and cleverness of the woman who invented the COBOL computer language, allowing people to "talk" to computers with typed commands. Fun anecdotes — like the time she found a literal bug in the computer — provide a glimpse into the extraordinary life of this accomplished woman, who famously knew that it's always better to ask forgiveness than permission... and that quick thinking and insatiable curiosity were the key to pushing a (sometimes reluctant) world forward!
Gloria's Voice: The Story of Gloria Steinem ― Feminist, Activist, Leader
Gloria's Voice: The Story of Gloria Steinem ― Feminist, Activist, Leader
Gloria Steinem knew that girls were equal to boys, but few people seemed to agree with her at first. She wrote for newspapers and magazine, spreading the ideals of feminism, and when she co-founded Ms. Magazine, she became the voice for a movement: women across the country demanding their rights. This picture book biography follows Steinem from childhood, to her political awakening, and on to her major role in the feminist movement, and explores both her motivations for her activism and the obstacles she faced along the way. Accenting her words with brilliant watercolor illustrations, author / illustrator Aura Lewis captures Steinem's powerful personality and highlights the power of believing in yourself.
Elinor McGrath, Pet Doctor: The Story of America’s First Female Veterinarian
Elinor McGrath, Pet Doctor: The Story of America’s First Female Veterinarian
Elinor McGrath wanted to be a veterinarian — but in 1907, people did not think a woman could do the job. Was she strong enough to work with horses, cows, and other farm animals? Was she smart enough to prove to the 137 male students at her veterinary school that she could learn everything she needed to know? Elinor knew she was smart and strong enough... and she had some big ideas, too. She realized that people needed vets willing to treat companion animals like cats, dogs, and even monkeys, paving the way for the vet practices of today. With expressive illustrations and back matter that tells the story of more pioneering women in veterinary science, this is a gorgeous tribute to a pioneering animal-lover.
Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor
Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor
As a child growing up in Austria, Hedy Lamarr wanted to know how everything worked — she even took apart her toys! But she also loved acting out her favorite scenes from movies. As an adult, the world knew Hedy Lamarr as a glamorous movie star, but she had a secret: she was also an inventor. And in the middle of World War II, she created an invention for the U.S. Navy that would become the foundation for some of today's most important technologies, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS! Author / illustrator pair Laurie Wallmark and Katie Wu, creators of Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, team up once again for this compelling introduction to a little-known scientific talent.
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia
In Gambia, when people used woven baskets, they would toss them out when they broke, and the baskets would break down. But when they did the same thing with plastic bags, the bags never went away. In addition to the mess, they resulted in mosquito-borne diseases and the deaths of livestock. It was Isatou Ceesay's innovative idea to recycle the bags by crocheting them into purses, and soon, the streets were clean again. This real-life story of a clever woman's solution to both an ecological challenge and a way to find employment for local women is sure to inspire young readers.
Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton
Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton
Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton was far more than the wife of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton! From her work building schools and orphanages to raising funds for the Washington Monument, Eliza — who outlived her husband by fifty years — was a determined and resilient force for change in her time. This well-researched picture book biography is framed as a letter from Eliza to her as-yet-unborn great-granddaughter, and accented with exquisite illustrations that mirror 18th century American paintings, elegantly illuminating the life and influence of this extraordinary woman.
The Girl Who Could Fix Anything: Beatrice Shilling, World War II Engineer
The Girl Who Could Fix Anything: Beatrice Shilling, World War II Engineer
As a child, Beatrice Shilling would rather take apart machines than play with the other girls — so when she grew up, she decided to study engineering, even if she would be the only woman there. She proved her mettle more than once, but plenty of people were still skeptical about a woman engineer. When World War II broke out, though, Britain's planes needed help — and that meant new ideas. Shilling figured out a solution to a tough problem with their fuel release systems, allowing pilots to maneuver safely... and helping them win the war! This inspiring picture book biography of a engineering pioneer (who also raced motorcycles on the side!) will inspire kids to celebrate the value of individuality and persistence.
Heart On Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes for President
Heart On Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes for President
In 1872, Susan B. Anthony made history by casting an "illegal" vote in the presidential election. Anthony was prepared to argue that the 14th Amendment, which had been ratified in 1868, extended voting rights to women. In this inspiring story, kids follow Anthony as she casts her vote, and then persists in arguing for women's suffrage even as she is arrested, tried, and convicted — what she called "[t]he greatest outrage history every witnessed." The story ends with the judge's infamous fine of $100, which Anthony refused to pay. This dramatic celebration of Anthony's tireless efforts on behalf of women's suffrage will encourage kids to learn more about this critical figure from the American suffrage movement. For more books about Anthony, visit our Susan B. Anthony Collection.
When Jackie Saved Grand Central: The True Story of Jacqueline Kennedy's Fight for an American Icon
When Jackie Saved Grand Central: The True Story of Jacqueline Kennedy's Fight for an American Icon
Jackie Kennedy loved New York, the city where she grew up. She loved its beautiful parks and its elegant buildings and architecture. But in the late 1960s, one of New York's great landmarks, Grand Central Station, had seen better days...and people were proposing to tear it down to build a skyscraper above it. She knew she had to do something, and her powerful defense of the station's importance drew thousands of people to come together to protect Grand Central. They wrote letters, they marched, and they even took the case to the Supreme Court — finally protecting the building forever by having it declared a historic landmark. This vibrant telling of a little known part of New York History is sure to delight.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
Katherine Johnson loved to count, and despite the prejudices against both women and African Americans, she was determined to find a way to make her love of math into a career. As one of NASA's "human computers," Johnson hand calculated elaborate equations... including the trajectories that helped launch the Apollo 13 mission to the moon. When disaster befell the Apollo 13 mission, it was Johnson's flight-path calculations that brought the astronauts safely home. This inspiring biography of the mathematician catapulted to fame by Hidden Figures celebrates a love of math and encourages kids to follow their passions. For another picture book about Johnson and her colleagues, check out Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race.
Violet Velvet Mittens with Everything: The Fabulous Life of Diana Vreeland
Violet Velvet Mittens with Everything: The Fabulous Life of Diana Vreeland
Growing up in Paris, Diana Vreeland loved to dress up — and stand out. She learned early on that not everyone appreciated that: when she was 13, her mother got angry at her for wearing red nail polish. But she took her love of the daring and bold and used it to turn herself into a fashion icon, working for Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And one thing was certain: she was never, ever boring! This charming and airy picture book biography celebrates the "Empress of Fashion" whose determination and individuality left a legacy that still influences fashion today.
Caroline's Comets: A True Story
Caroline's Comets: A True Story
Caroline Herschel was born to a family where girls weren't expected to amount to much — especially once she ended up scarred by smallpox and stunted by typhus. Her family used her as a scullery maid, but her brother William saw her promise, so when he left for England, he took her with him. Together, the astronomy-loving brother and sister built the greatest telescope of their age, which Caroline used to discover fourteen nebulae and two galaxies. She even became the first woman to discover a comet — and the first woman officially employed as a scientist. This picture book biography of the groundbreaking astronomer will inspire kids with her spirit of curiosity and resilience.
Elizabeth Warren: Nevertheless, She Persisted
Elizabeth Warren: Nevertheless, She Persisted
Elizabeth Warren has always been a fighter, whether she was helping her struggling family make ends meet, becoming one of the few girls on the debate team, using her law degree to fight for hard-working families, or becoming the first female senator for Massachusetts. When she refused to be silent about her concerns about a nominee for attorney general, the criticism leveled against her became a feminist rallying cry: "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted!" The first-ever picture book biography about this trailblazing senator is a celebration of persistence, passion, and the power of raising your voice for yourself and others.
Trudy's Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World By Storm
Trudy's Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World By Storm
In 1926, a young woman named Gertrude Ederle stood at the edge of the English Channel. Her plan was to swim solo across the whole thing, a ridiculous notion — everyone knew a woman couldn't possibly be a strong enough swimmer to last. But with her body smeared with grease to protect her from jellyfish stings, and a pair of motorcycle goggles to protect her eyes, Ederle set out...and fourteen and a half hours later, she succeeded. Author Sue Macy and illustrator Matt Collins team up to create an inspiring account that captures Ederle's physical determination and power, as well as the worldwide sensation that her swim created, and shows how her swim became a defining moment in the history of women in sports.
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen: The Story of Six Novels, Three Notebooks, a Writing Box, and One Clever Girl
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen: The Story of Six Novels, Three Notebooks, a Writing Box, and One Clever Girl
If you met young Jane Austen, you might have barely noticed her because she was so quiet and shy, but observant Jane noticed everything around her. She also loved to read, and soon, she was writing her own stories. She didn't want to write adventures and romances, like the popular books of the day; instead, she wrote realistic stories, about the people and society around her — and often using biting irony to critique attitudes towards women, marriage, and class. In this elegant picture book biography, kids get a fitting introduction to one of the great authors of English literature: an ordinary girl who created extraordinary books. For more books about this quietly extraordinary woman, visit our Jane Austen Collection.
The Doctor With An Eye For Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath
The Doctor With An Eye For Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath
When Patricia Bath was coming of age, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. The intelligent young woman was determined to become a doctor, but she had many obstacles in her way: sexism, racism, and poverty all seemed to be working against her. Nevertheless, she continued to strive, and she broke new ground for both women and African Americans in her chosen field of ophthalmology. And when she invented the Laserphaco Probe in 1981, she created a quick and nearly painless way to treat cataracts — one which has now been used on millions of patients around the world, in some cases restoring vision to people who had been unable to see for years. This inspiring story, which includes a note from Bath herself, highlights the power of fighting for a dream.
Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine
Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine
Thanks to her mathematically talented mother, Anne Isabella Byron, young Ada had the opportunity to develop her remarkable intelligence. Years later, when she met Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, he named her the Enchantress of Numbers for her astounding mathematical skills. Little did either of them know that, when she designed an algorithm for Babbage’s Analytical Engine, she would be making history — by writing the world’s first computer program! With vivid artwork and intriguing anecdotes about Lovelace's genius, this picture book biography pays homage to a little-known but deeply influential figure in computing history. For two more picture books about this little-known figure, check out Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer for ages 5 to 9 and Ada's Ideas: The Story of Ada Lovelace, the World's First Computer Programmer for ages 6 to 9.
The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can
The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can
Years ago in Rhodesia, a child dreamed of an education that was off limits to girls like her. So while she taught herself to read and count, she reconciled herself to a life as a wife and mother only. But when she married, she followed a community tradition: she wrote her dreams down and buried them in an old can as a reminder never to give up. Years later, Dr. Tererai Trent would indeed get university degrees in America — and return to educate the children at her home. This inspiring true story of perseverance despite years of obstacles is sure to inspire young readers.
Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli
Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli
Growing up in Rome, Elsa Schiaparelli knew she was "brutta" — ugly — so she searched around her for beauty, even "planting" seeds in her ears and nose so she would be vibrant and colorful like the flower market! In the 1920s and '30s, as a single mother in Paris, she drew inspiration from her surrealist artist friends and her own vivid imagination and started creating amazing, unique designs — from a hat shaped like shoes to a dress covered in lobsters — all in bold colors, including the signature shocking pink she invented herself. With style and sophistication, this book celebrates a truly innovative designer who dared to go her own way.
Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine
Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine
Ruth Law set off on the first non-stop Chicago to New York City flight on November 19, 1916... a flight the experts thought was doomed. Exposed to the wind and cold in the seat of her little biplane — and then facing another challenge when her engine ran out of fuel — Law managed to glide safely into Hornell, New York, short of her goal but still setting a new record for cross-country flight distance. And despite the stop, she was greeted by thrilled crowds after refueling and finishing her trip to New York City. This exciting and action-packed story will leave young aviation enthusiasts fascinated, and is sure to inspire any girl who wonders what to do if she doesn't quite go the distance she'd planned.
Dr. Jo: How Sara Josephine Baker Saved the Lives of America's Children
Dr. Jo: How Sara Josephine Baker Saved the Lives of America's Children
After Sara Josephine Baker lost her brother and father to typhoid fever, she knew she wanted to be a doctor. But when she graduated in 1898, few people wanted to see a woman doctor, so Dr. Jo took a job in public health working in Hell's Kitchen, one of New York's poorest neighborhoods. She realized that, by improving the health of children, she could improve the health of a whole community. Dr. Jo assigned visiting nurses to new mothers, designed safe infant clothing, set up milk stations, and created training and licensing for midwives — and her work saved over 90,000 children. This picture book biography of a groundbreaking woman in medicine highlights how simple innovations can have an enormous impact.
The World Is Not A Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid
The World Is Not A Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid
Growing up in Baghdad, Iraq, Zaha Hadid dreamed of designing her own city, full of strange and beautiful buildings. After she studied architecture, she opened her own studio in London — but a Muslim woman architect faced many obstacles, especially when she wanted to design buildings that curved and swooped like natural objects rather than sticking to lines and columns. And even after her death, her architects continued to chase her vision, remembering her motto: "the world is not a rectangle." This poetic introduction to the life and work of Hadid from beloved author / illustrator Jeanette Winter reminds kids that a different perspective can be a powerful thing.
Seeds of Change: Wangari's Gift to the World
Seeds of Change: Wangari's Gift to the World
Young Wangari Maathai had a rare opportunity for a Kenyan girl: instead of being kept home to work, she was allowed to go to school. Then, she received an even bigger opportunity: the chance to attend university in the United States as part of the Airlift Africa program. After studying science in the US, she came home with a big plan — that started with Kenyan women and a handful of seeds. Maathai founded the Greenbelt Movement, which taught women trades that protected the environment and brought income into their families at the same time — and she would become the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Poetic text and vibrant illustrations combine to create a dynamic portrait of this remarkable woman. You can find more books about Maathai in our Wangari Maathai Collection.
Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail
Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail
Emma Gatewood had a tough life, so one day, at age 67, she decided to go for a nice long walk... and she became the first woman to through-hike the Appalachian Trail solo! She wore a pair of Keds sneakers and carried almost nothing with her, relying on her foraging skills and on the help of residents near the trail. When she finished her journey, she not only became famous across the country, she also ensured that this breathtaking trail would be preserved and protected. This inspiring story of grit and girl power will get kids imagining their own adventures! For another picture book about Gatewood, check out When Grandma Gatewood Took A Hike.
The Girl Who Thought In Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
The Girl Who Thought In Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
Temple Grandin was considered a strange girl, and doctors told her mother she'd never speak, let alone have a productive life. But her mother refused to believe it: she saw potential in her observant and creative child. As Temple grew, she started learning how to articulate how her mind worked: her astounding visual memory allowed her to draw whole blueprints from just one tour through a facility, and her empathy with animals helped her design spaces that helped them stay calm. Today, she is a powerful voice in science, advocating for autistic people like herself. This picture book biography told in rhyming text is an inspiring introduction to an important figure in scientific history. Older kids can read about Grandin's story in Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World for ages 9 to 14.
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman
Wilma Rudolph was born so tiny that no one expected her to reach her first birthday — but she did. Then, before she was five years old, her left leg was paralyzed by polio. No one expected her to walk again — but she did that too, working so hard on her leg exercises that she stopped using a leg brace before she turned twelve. And eight years later, she represented the US at the 1960 Olympiad, where she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympic Games. Kathleen Krull's telling of this piece of sports history lets Rudolph's determination and drive shine through.
Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire
Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire
Mary Blair loved color — bright, vivid, magical color! So after an imaginative and artistic childhood, she became an illustrator. Eventually, she was hired by Disney Studios as an animator. Blair contributed to classics like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, but got fed up with male executives who told her that her emerald skies and magenta horses were too wild — and who let her know in no uncertain terms that they didn't think women should be drawing for them at all. She left the studio to work on advertising, stage sets, and more...until Walt Disney himself asked her back for a very special project: a ride called "It's A Small World." Cheerful, bright, and full of life, this is a fitting tribute to one of the pioneers of illustration and animation.
Solving The Puzzle Under The Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor
Solving The Puzzle Under The Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor
Marie Tharp's father was a mapmaker, but by the the time she was grown, there wasn't much left to map... or was there? In fact, people knew almost nothing about the ocean floor, and Tharp decided that she would be the first to map the mysterious depths of the Atlantic. Although she faced many challenges — including being turned away from research ships because it was "bad luck" to have a woman on board — Tharp took bits and pieces of data from many sources to assemble the first map of the ocean floor — and discovered the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, evidence that helped prove the theory of plate tectonics. This fascinating story is sure to inspire children to seek out even more of the world's mysteries.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
Melba Doretta Liston loved music as far back as she could remember, but it was when she was seven years old that she fell in love with an instrument: a shiny brass trombone. She taught herself how to play, and by the time she was a teenager, she had entered the world of jazz, joining a band and touring the country. Overcoming prejudices based on both her race and her gender, she became both a renowned trombone player and a masterful arranger who worked with jazz greats like Randy Weston, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, and Quincy Jones. This exuberant biography of one of music's little-known trailblazers is bursting at the seams with the joy of music.
The House That Jane Built: A Story About Jane Addams
The House That Jane Built: A Story About Jane Addams
Jane Addams wanted to find a way to change the world, but she didn't know what that would be until she saw Toynbee Hall in London, a settlement house dedicated to social reform and working towards a future without poverty. Inspired, she returned to America and bought a run-down house in a Chicago neighborhood that became Hull House, a community center where newly arrived immigrants could find medical care, English lessons, athletic classes, and more. Her house transformed the neighborhood and, through her anti-war activism, Addams' helped transform the world — so much so that she became the second woman in history to be honored with a Nobel Peace Prize. For another picture book about Addams, check out the newly released Dangerous Jane for ages 6 to 10.
Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing
Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing
Margaret Hamilton loved numbers; as a child, she loved studying algebra and calculus and she even knew exactly how many miles to the moon and back. But the best part of math was when it could solve a problem in the real world! Her love of math took her to studies at MIT and then to a job at NASA, where they were planning a mission to the moon and computers were going to be a part of it. Hamilton hand-wrote the code for the Apollo missions — and when a last-minute problem cropped up as Apollo 11 prepared for a lunar landing, it was Hamilton's forward-thinking code that saved the day! This lively look at a pioneering of mathematics and computing is a great way to show young readers that math really can take you to the stars.
For Spacious Skies: Katharine Lee Bates and the Inspiration for "America the Beautiful"
For Spacious Skies: Katharine Lee Bates and the Inspiration for "America the Beautiful"
Katharine Lee Bates grew up during the Civil War, so she saw her country at its most divided — but even when the war was over, she knew America wasn't unified. Girls were treated differently than boys; immigrants struggled to get education and help; and while some enjoyed prosperity, others struggled to make ends meet. On an 1893 train trip, she saw some of America's greatest beauties... and turned it into a poem that expressed her vision of the country as one family, working together for the good of all. This exquisite picture book explores Bates' history as a college professor, founder of a settlement house, suffragist, and peace activist, and how her political opinions helped her forge one of the nation's most beloved songs.
Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten
Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten
When Elizabeth Cotten picked up her big brother's guitar for the first time, it was all wrong for her: it was far too big for the little girl, and it wasn't strung for a left-handed player. But she flipped it upside down and backwards and learned anyway! By the time she was eleven, she'd written one of the most famous folk songs of the twentieth century, "Freight Train"... and while her music was forgotten for a time, by the end of her life, it was famous around the world. This lyrical picture book pays tribute to a determined and talented folk musician whose innovative techniques are still used today — and whose music has delighted millions.
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children
For kids who grew up going to the children’s room at their local library, it's astounding to hear that there was a time that reading wasn’t considered important for children — and that it was a woman who created the special library spaces that they've come to love. In this picture book biography of Anne Carroll Moore, kids will learn the story of the woman who created the first children’s library. It took determination and persistence to convince people around her that children belonged in the library too, but her children’s room at the New York Public Library — with its bright colors, comfortable seating, and borrowing privileges for books written for children — would become the model for children’s library programs everywhere.
What Do You Do With A Voice Like That?
The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
What Do You Do With A Voice Like That?
The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
Even as a child, Barbara Jordan's voice made people stand up, take notice, and listen! But what do you do with a voice like that? In Jordan's case, she used it to carry her to places that African American women didn't usually go in the 1960s: to law school, to the Texas state senate, and to the United States Congress. She also used it to give voice to the marginalized people around her, fighting for civil rights and equality. This powerful picture book biography celebrates the power of raising your voice and owning your confidence.
Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics
Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics
Lucile "Ludy" Godbold was tall — six feet tall! — and skinny as a pole...and she was an athlete like nobody had seen before. In fact, her long, strong arms stunned her track team when she tried shotput at Winthrop College in South Carolina — and the ball flew. She easily qualified for the first ever Women's Olympics in Paris in 1922...but she didn't have the money to go. Fortunately, her classmates and college were determined to get Long-Armed Ludy to Paris — where she won her event by a foot! Based on a true story about a little known athlete, and full of charming, folksy language, this picture book biography will get kids cheering.
Parrots, Pugs, and Pixie Dust: A Book About Fashion Designer Judith Leiber
Parrots, Pugs, and Pixie Dust: A Book About Fashion Designer Judith Leiber
Judith Leiber grew up admiring the beautiful handbags his father brought as gifts for her mother when he traveled. As a young woman, she got a job at a handbag house; making her designs was the only thing that could take her mind off the dangers facing her Hungarian Jewish family in World War II. After the war ended, she immigrated to America, where she created fanciful, gorgeous handbags unlike anything people had seen before. This picture book celebrates Leiber's passion and drive, and encourages kids to imagine where their creativity could take them.
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald
In 1930s Yonkers, young Ella danced the Lindy Hop for pocket change, but that wasn't enough to support an orphan with ragged clothes and nowhere to spend the night. One night amateur night at the Apollo Theater, Ella let the music flow through her voice instead of her feet — and soon, she was on her way to a feature spot with Chick Webb's band and a number one radio hit, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." With rhythmic text and jazzy mixed-media illustrations, this is a fascinating introduction to Fitzgerald's life. Fans of Fitzgerald can also read Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa for ages 5 to 9.
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
The first children's picture book about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg proves that disagreeing doesn't make you disagreeable! I Dissent tells the story of Ginsburg's many disagreements: arguments against the inequality, discrimination, and unfairness that she saw all around her. Equally importantly, though, Ginsburg's life and friendship show that you can oppose someone's opinion vocally, even ferociously, while still being friends. This fun and appealing biography will encourage every child to stand up for what's right with their own dissents!
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova
As a child growing up in Russia, Anna Pavlova was captivated by the ballet dancers her mother took her to see one winter’s night. But a child like her — not only poor, but also small, thin, and frail — surely couldn’t be a ballerina. Pavlova’s determination and love of dance changed the ballet world forever, and to her dying day, she lived and breathed the graceful, exquisite Swan. This astounding picture book biography of the woman who was determined to share the art of dance with the world will delight young readers, in particular, lovers of dance.
Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and Her Star-Spangled Creation
Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and Her Star-Spangled Creation
In Baltimore, a 13-year-old named Caroline Pickersgill, who grew up in a family of flag makers, helped a group of women create a very special flag to fly over Fort McHenry. Together, they worked diligently to sew one of the largest flags they'd ever made; Mary Pickersgill, Caroline's mother, even took the surprising step of negotiating a contract for the two African-American sewists. But the real test would come when the British attacked Baltimore on September 12, 1814. Would the flag stay waving? This fascinating story about the origin of the flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner" will delight young readers.
Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride
Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride
On a spring night in 1933, two friends sneak out from a dinner party to find some excitement. Not an uncommon story — unless the friends are Amelia Earhart, pioneering female pilot, and Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the USA, and their adventure is to commandeer a plane and fly from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore! Author Pam Muñoz Ryan tells this true story of two friends defying convention on a quest for adventure, while illustrator Brian Selznik’s pencil drawings capture the feel of a vintage movie. Young readers will love this celebration of freedom and a unique relationship between two groundbreaking women. For more books about Earhart and Roosevelt, visit our Amelia Earhart Collection and our Eleanor Roosevelt Collection.
Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein
Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein
Mary was always a dreamer — dreams and stories were the only place to escape her strict father and stepmother. As a young woman, she took up a challenge from the poet Lord Byron: create the best, eeriest ghost story. And a dream about a monster coming to life became Mary Shelley's terrifying tale Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus — one of the most popular stories of all time. This atmospheric book is part picture book biography, part inspiration for young artists, writers, and dreamers. For another picture book about Shelley, check out She Made A Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein.
My Name Is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz / Me llamo Celia: la vida de Celia Cruz
My Name Is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz / Me llamo Celia: la vida de Celia Cruz
Celia grew up in Havana, Cuba; she loved to sing and she loved to dance. She built a career, entering every competition she could — even though she was barred from many because of her racial heritage. When Fidel Castro's regime drove her into exile, she moved to Miami and New York City, where she kept singing and dancing... and where she and other musicians like her created a new form of music called salsa. This lyrical bilingual picture book dances through Cruz's story with the same enthusiasm and joy that she displayed on stage. This Pura Belpré Honor-winning book is exuberant and triumphant, perfectly capturing its subject.
Catching The Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream
Catching The Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream
In 1920s, there is no girls' baseball — so Marcenia Lyle joins the boys playing on the local team. Her parents, though, wish that she would focus on appropriate careers for a girl: teaching, nursing, or being a maid. When Gabby Street, a famous baseball manager, comes to scout kids for a summer camp sponsored by the St. Louis Cardinals, Marcenia's determined effort to win that spot — despite Mr. Street's assertion that girls don't go to his camp — convinces both him and her skeptical parents that baseball is her future. This story about the girl who would grow up to be "Toni Stone," the first woman to play on a professional baseball team, is sure to delight young sports fans.
Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller
Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller
Wilma Mankiller grew up "dirt poor" in Oklahoma, but her Cherokee community practiced Gadugi, helping each other, so there was always support nearby. But when the federal government moved her family to California in 1956, they lost their sense of community. Mankiller eventually found the Indian Center in San Francisco, where she realized how important her tribe was — and that she wanted to fight for what they needed. Mankiller became an activist and a leader, overcoming resistance to female leadership and a life-threatening accident to become the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation. Inspiring and eye-opening, this book from the Big Words series will introduce kids to a groundbreaking Native American woman who transformed her people.
Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School
Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School
As an enslaved child in Kentucky, Lilly Ann Granderson learned to read from her master's children as they played school, and she passed on what she learned to others on the plantation. When she was sold to a plantation in Mississippi, she learned that it was illegal for enslaved people to learn to read and write, and the punishment was brutal: thirty-nine lashes. Granderson was still determined to teach others, however, so she formed a secret night school, despite the risks, and taught hundreds of people. This inspiring story about a little-known champion of literacy captures Granderson's unwavering belief in the power and importance of education.
Danza! Amalia Hernández and Mexico's Folkloric Ballet
Danza! Amalia Hernández and Mexico's Folkloric Ballet
Amalia dreamed of being a teacher — until the day she saw a troupe of dancers perform. Suddenly, her dreams were full of dancing. She studied many kinds of dance, like ballet and modern, under the best teachers in the world — and then she returned to Mexico and studied under the best regional dancers of her country. After years of studying and dancing, she founded a dance company, El Ballet Folklórico de México, that combined all these different kinds of dance, becoming an international sensation. Duncan Tonatiuh's distinctive and colorful Mixtec-inspired artwork adds to his inspiring text, creating a story about Hernández that seems poised to leap off the page.
Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told
Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told
Trailblazing journalist was many things: a suffragist, a Civil Rights activist, and an anti-lynching advocate. This book takes young readers through Wells' life, from her birth in slavery to her remarkable academic career, and then highlights her work as a teacher and crusader for equality on multiple fronts. Walter Dean Myers captures the determination and drive of this incredible woman, while Bonnie Christensen's historically accurate illustrations enhance the text. This book provides a great opportunity to discuss the often-overlooked role of women of color in the journey towards universal suffrage, as well as a chance to learn about a daring woman who refused to let injustice stand. For another picture book about Wells, check out Yours For Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist for ages 7 to 9.
Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story
Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story
Young Anna Comstock adored being outside: she spent her days enjoying nature and observing everything she could, from ants on the move to the constellations in the sky. And even though many people though science was only for men, she went to university and continued to study. She became famous as a nature expert and artist, creating many stunning books about nature. As a leader of the nature study movement, Comstock also believed it was important to foster children's appreciation for nature and created one of the earliest school curriculum focused on studying nature outdoors. This charming biography not only celebrates a pioneer for women in science, but also celebrates the joy of studying the great outdoors.
I Am Mozart, Too: The Lost Genius of Maria Anna Mozart
I Am Mozart, Too: The Lost Genius of Maria Anna Mozart
Maria Anna Mozart — known as Nannerl by her famous younger brother, Wolfgang Amadeus — was a prodigy in her own right. She and Wolfie loved playing harpsichord together, and they were so talented that they played concerts all over Europe. Even the Empress Maria Theresa asked to hear them play! But then Nannerl dared to start writing her own music — and Papa was furious. Girls are not supposed to be composers, and as she reached marriageable age, he didn't think she should even be performing in public any more. Nannerl had to watch from the sidelines as Wolfie became a star... but she still followed her dreams in secret. Lyrical text by Audrey Ades and vivid artwork by Adeline Lirius capture the little-known story of the other Mozart — and invite young readers to wonder what she might have created if given the chance.
Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller
Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller
In Helen Keller's time, it was considered a miracle that a girl who was both deaf and blind could learning to communicate by sign — and then she amazed the world again by learning to speak. But Keller soon realized too many people in the world only considered her an intriguing oddity. As a person with a disability, she was considered less capable than those who could see and hear, and as a woman, she was considered less capable than a man. In this book kids will learn not just Keller's inspiring childhood story, but also the amazing advocacy work she did as an adult, both for the suffrage movement and for people with disabilities. It's a fascinating portrait of a woman who used her fame to fight for those whose voices couldn't be heard. For more books about Keller, visit our Helen Keller Collection.
Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman
Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman
Bessie loved to read and to learn — but for a black girl in rural Texas at the turn of the 20th century, school was a luxury that you only had when it wasn't time to work in the fields. Then, in her early 20s, she heard returned World War I veterans talk about women pilots in France, but she couldn't find anyone to teach her to fly...until she learned French, spent all her savings, and traveled to Europe, where she became the first African-American woman to receive a pilot's license. While Bessie's life was cut tragically short, her words of encouragement to other women, especially black women, ring on: "You can be somebody. You can fly high just like me." Fans of Coleman can read more about her in Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman for ages 7 to 10 and Bessie Coleman: Daring Stunt Pilot for ages 8 to 12. For more resources about Coleman, visit our Bessie Coleman Collection.
Elizabeth Started All The Trouble
Elizabeth Started All The Trouble
This unique picture book takes readers on a journey through the seven decades of the Women's Suffrage Movement. From Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott at the Seneca Falls convention, to Alice Paul and Lucy Burns' protests that finally led to the 19th Amendment, this book presents a capsule history of the movement, its key figures, and the most important moments on the quest to get women the vote. With enough detail to satisfy a newly independent reader, but an accessible tone that creates a sense of excitement to the story, this book is sure to become a favorite resource on women's history.
Nothing Stopped Sophie
The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain
Nothing Stopped Sophie
The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain
People in the 18th century thought learning math could hurt a woman's health, so when Sophie Germain was a child, her parents even took away her candles at night so she couldn't see to study. However, she was determined to follow her dreams, and spent six years working to prove a math problem that male scholars had declared unsolvable. When she developed an equation that could predict patterns of vibrations — which laid the groundwork for much of modern architecture — she became the first woman to win a grand prize from France's Academy of Sciences. This exuberant picture book biography captures the triumphant life of a pioneering and under-recognized mathematician.
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook
Fannie Farmer grew up in the late 1800s, and she loved to cook — but in her opinion, the recipes of the day were pretty silly. How much is "a goodly amount of salt" or "a suspicion of nutmeg"? No wonder some cooks struggled while other cooks got lucky (or got good advice from their teachers.) Polio prevented Fannie from going to college, so she became a teacher at the Boston Cooking School, where she treated cooking like a science, using precide measurements and specific instructions — and funny enough, her students were successful! Her cookbook became an American classic, and proved that you didn't need "feminine instincts" to be a good cook. This cheerful picture book tells Fannie's story and even includes two of her classic recipes to try.
Anna Strong: A Spy During the American Revolution
Anna Strong: A Spy During the American Revolution
In 1778, George Washington knew that, if he was going to win the Revolutionary War, he needed information — and that meant spies. When Major Benjamin Tallmadge formed the Culper Ring, he recruited one woman: Anna Smith Strong. She had Loyalist relatives; who would believe she was a spy? The clever woman used her position to listen in on British officers, and she came up with an ingenious signalling method — using laundry on a clothesline! Strong's work helped turn the tide of the war, and the British never suspected her. This exciting story of a woman putting her ingenuity to work for her new nation even includes one of the Culper Ring's spy codes so kids can send their own coded messages!
Eleanor, Quiet No More
Eleanor, Quiet No More
Eleanor was raising in a privileged but stern Victorian household, and she was not the kind of girl they expected: her lively mind, independent spirit, and deep compassion earned her a lonely childhood. But as an adult, those same qualities won her the admiration of friends, the love of future president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and a place in history as the most socially and politically active First Lady America had ever seen. This eloquent picture book biography of Roosevelt pays homage to this inspiring woman, who found her voice and never stopped speaking up for what she believed in. For more books about Roosevelt, visit our Eleanor Roosevelt Collection.
Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers
Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers
Teacher Dolores Huerta wants to know why her students are so hungry that they can’t learn, and why many of them don’t have shoes to wear to school. When she visits their families, she learns that migrant workers picking grapes work long hours for unlivable wages, but when she confronts their bosses, they ignore her. Dolores refuses to let it go, and soon she is encouraging the workers to strike and customers to refuse to buy grapes until the workers are treated fairly. This compelling picture book biography captures the determination and courage of the woman who devoted decades of her life to fighting for workers’ rights. For another excellent picture book about Huerta, check out Side By Side / Lado a lado: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez / La historia de Dolores Huerta y Cesar Chavez for age 4 to 8.
Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois
Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois
Louise's mother wove tapestries like a spider weaves threads, and Louise grew up with her in Paris, helping her mother every step of the way. When she grew up, Louise also worked with fabric, first as a tapestry artist, and then as a sculptor — and her memories of her mother were always an inspiration. In fact, she called her 30-foot sculpture of a spider Maman! In this beautiful picture book biography, vivid language and dramatic illustrations combine to create a unique depiction of this groundbreaking artist. Nuanced and poetic, it makes a fascinating introduction to this world-renowned artist.
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation
One of the first battles for school integration was prompted by a Hispanic-American girl who just wanted to go to school. In the 1940s, Sylvia Mendez, an American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican background — who spoke and wrote perfect English — was denied enrollment in an all-white Orange County grade school. HIspanic students, her family was told, had to go to the Hispanic school; that's just how it was done. Her family organized their community and took the issue to court, and in 1947 — seven years before Brown vs. Board of Education — the state of California ended segregation in education. This thorough exploration of a little-known battle for equality includes useful back matter so kids can delve deeper into the story.
Lighter Than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the First Woman Pilot
Lighter Than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the First Woman Pilot
In 1700s France, "balloonomania" was everywhere! Everyone was fascinated by the great hot air balloons that could achieve previously unheard heights... but all of the first aeronauts were men. Sophie Blanchard was a shy girl from a seaside village, but she became captivated by the dream of flight. Blanchard went on to become the first woman to pilot her own aircraft and became such a leader in the field that she was even named Chief Air Minister of Ballooning by Napoleon himself! Author Matthew Clark Smith celebrates Blanchard's courage and determination to follow her heart, up into the air in a beautiful balloon.
Dorothea's Eyes: Dorothy Lange Photographs the Truth
Dorothea's Eyes: Dorothy Lange Photographs the Truth
Dorothea Lange's life was changed forever when polio left her with permanent effects: her limp made her want to disappear. Instead of interacting, she learned to watch people, observing details that many people didn't notice. One day, she realized that — armed with a camera — that same eye for detail could reveal incredible things. Despite her family's disapproval, Lange set out on her own and became famous for her poignant images of Depression-era families. This poetic book not only tells the facts of Lange's life story, but it also chronicles her emotional journey and her role as one of the first documentary photographers. For another picture book about Lange, check out Dorothea Lange: The Photographer Who Found the Faces of The Depression for ages 5 to 8.
Mumbet's Declaration of Independence
Mumbet's Declaration of Independence
Mumbet was a slave in Massachusetts when she heard the state constitution's provision, "All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights." If that's so, she thought, then I should be free too! With the help of a young lawyer named Theodore Sedgwick, Mumbet dared to challenge the legality of slavery under the constitution. Thanks to their work, in 1783 slavery was officially outlawed in Massachusetts — freeing 5,000 slaves in the state. This fascinating picture book biography tells Mumbet's story, accented with vivid illustrations, creating a sense of hope that all injustice can be righted with determination.
Irena's Jars of Secrets
Irena's Jars of Secrets
In Poland's Warsaw Ghetto during WWII, a young nurse and social worker went about her daily work, caring for the sick — and smuggling Jewish children out to safety. Irena Sendler knew what she was risking, but she couldn't bear to watch children suffer and do nothing. And after every child was safe — over 2,500 children in total — she meticulously recorded their name in hopes that, someday, they could be reunited with their families. This emotional picture book captures Sendler's remarkable heroism. For two more picture books about Sendler, check out Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto for ages 6 to 9 and Jars of Hope: How One Woman Helped Save 2,500 Children During The Holocaust for ages 7 to 11. For more resources about Sendler, visit our Irena Sendler Collection.
My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth
My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth
Former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into the orator Sojourner Truth, speaking out for equal rights on behalf of both the abolitionists and the women's rights movement. This beautifully illustrated picture book biography is written in the voice of Truth herself, like a monologue in dialect, giving young readers a sense of the power of the spoken word to influence people. The story begins with Truth still in slavery and follows her as she escapes, finds a new life, and then is reborn into a remarkable orator. This moving and passionate story is a fitting tribute to a dedicated and inspirational figure from American history. For more books about Truth, visit our Sojourner Truth Collection.
Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero
Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero
After escaping an abusive family life, Sarah Edmonds was in Michigan when the Civil War broke out. She wanted to help the Union side, but only boys could fight...so at 19, she disguised herself as Frank Thompson and joined the army, where she excelled as a soldier and a battlefield nurse. Her courage caught the attention of Union officers, and they offered "Frank" an even more dangerous — and important — mission: going past enemy lines to spy! This exciting picture book captures the bravery and cleverness that Edmonds had to display, both to shuttle intelligence back home and to disguise her try identity. For more books about Edmonds, check out Sarah Emma Edmonds Was A Great Pretender for ages 7 to 10; Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy for ages 10 to 14; and A Soldier's Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero for ages 12 and up.
Martina & Chrissie: The Greatest Rivalry in the History of Sports
Martina & Chrissie: The Greatest Rivalry in the History of Sports
Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert are as different as they could be: Chrissie is an all-American girl who plays with careful poise, while Martina is from communist Czechoslovakia and lets her emotions drive her to greater heights. The two things they share in common are a love of tennis and a determination to be the best in the game. It was inevitable that they would be rivals on the court, but what surprised everyone was that they became friends off of it! In this conversational dual biography of two tennis greats, kids learn how the greatest rivals in the history of sports formed a friendship that broke all the rules.
The Legendary Miss Lena Horne
The Legendary Miss Lena Horne
By the age of 2, Lena Horne was already a member of the NAACP, following her activist family. Inspired by her mother's dream, Lena became an actress — the first black actress to receive a studio contract. As her fame grew, she dared to decline the stereotypical roles that she was offered all too often and she refused to use segregated entrances. Her powerful voice became an rallying cry to many as she joined civil rights rallies and urged people to remember, "You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way." While written as a picture book, this biography of Horne's challenging themes and advanced vocabulary make it an intriguing and inspiring pick for older children.
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
She worked her way from poverty in St. Louis to the most prestigious stages of the world with her passionate singing and dancing, and all the while, she used her art to push for civil rights and equality. This free-verse biographical poem, beautifully illustrated with colorful acrylic paintings, provides a vibrant and exciting introduction to a vibrant and exciting woman! Author Patricia Hurby Powell focuses on key moments that defined Baker's life, from almost losing her leg in a childhood accident to her refusal to perform in segregated dance halls, and incorporates real quotes from Baker throughout. For another picture book biography of Baker, check out Jazz Age Josephine for ages 4 to 8.
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
One of the most important Native American reformers of the early 20th century was Gertrude Simmons, best known by her Yankton Sioux name, Zitkala-Sa. She found strength during her time at a residential school from an unexpected source: music classes. The story of how Zitkala-Sa learned new ways to sing — both through playing the violin and the piano and through her many writings and speeches in support of preserving Native American rights and culture — is sure to inspire. Older readers can learn more in Doreen Rappaport’s The Flight of Red Bird: The Life of Zitkala-Sa, which is suitable for ages 10 and up.
For The Right To Learn: Malala Yousafzai's Story
For The Right To Learn: Malala Yousafzai's Story
Malala Yousafzai grew up in a country where girls were supposed to be quiet, but with the support of her parents, she knew she had to make her voice heard. She defied the Taliban by blogging about life under their oppressive rule, insisting on the right of girls to be educated — and nearly lost her life to one of their assassins. But she survived and continued to speak out for the rights of girls in Pakistan...and around the world. This early chapter book, part of the Encounters: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books series, is a terrific way to introduce newly independent readers to Malala’s inspiring story. For another great picture book biography of Malala, check out Malala: Activist for Girls' Education for ages 6 to 9. For more books about her, visit our Malala Yousafzai Collection.
Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker
Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker
Sarah Breedlove Walker was born in 1870 to former slaves, and she was determined to become more than her family could have dreamed possible a generation earlier. In her 30s, she realized that no company was making cosmetics or hair care products for African-American women. After tinkering with formulas (and changing her name to the more French-sounding Madam C. J. Walker) she started selling door to door...but by 1912, the Mme. C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company was one of the biggest companies in America, and Walker was the first African-American woman to become a self-made millionaire. This true story of the inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who created a whole new field of beauty products is sure to fascinate readers.
Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song
Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song
The first time that Billie Holiday performed "Strange Fruit," the audience was silent — but the song would help pave the way for the Civil Rights Movement. In this in-depth picture book, author Gary Golio explores a challenging topic — a protest song against lynching, sung by a complex artist — and teaches young readers the power of the arts to transform the world around us. Golio follows Holiday's own experiences with discrimination, as well as Jewish songwriter Abel Meeropol's motivations for writing the song. Powerful and poignant, this thoughtful book provides a unique look at an influential artist and an unforgettable song.
Rebel With A Cause: The Daring Adventure of Dicey Langston, Girl Spy of the American Revolution
Rebel With A Cause: The Daring Adventure of Dicey Langston, Girl Spy of the American Revolution
When fourteen-year-old Dicey Langston overhears that the fierce Loyalist leader Bloody Bill is heading for the Patriot camp where her brothers are secretly based, she knows she needs to act. None of their Loyalist neighbors can find out that Dicey's family are Patriots, but she must warn her brothers. Discover the true story of how brave Dicey saved many lives and risked her own life for independence. This entry from the Encounter: Narrative Non-Fiction Picture Books series tells Dicey's story in gripping fashion. For two books about another Revolutionary War hero, Sybil Ludington, check out Sybil's Night Ride for ages 4 to 8 and Sybil Ludington's Midnight Ride for ages 6 to 8.
The Brontës: Children of the Moors
The Brontës: Children of the Moors
On the wild moors near his home, a little boy meets a woman in a Victorian dress — a woman with amazing stories about three sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë. Alongside their brother, Branwell, these three sisters grew and explored their world... and eventually became three great authors, whose works caused a sensation when people realized they were written by women. This detailed picture book explores how the Brontë sisters were inspired to become writers and even presents comic-strip versions of each of the sisters' greatest novels.
Helen Thayer's Arctic Adventure: A Woman and Her Dog Walk to the North Pole
Helen Thayer's Arctic Adventure: A Woman and Her Dog Walk to the North Pole
Helen Thayer wanted an adventure — and traveling on foot to the magnetic North Pole certainly fit the bill! To do it, she knew she'd face all sorts of dangers, from freezing weather to polar bears, so she thought she'd better bring a companion. Charlie the dog became her guard dog and an extra set of eyes and ears that could warn her if it was too dangerous to travel that day. This book follows Thayer's planning, training, and finally, her long trek to reach her goal. Young would-be explorers will thrill at this story of Thayer's grit and determination, and all readers will love following her and Charlie on their remarkable travels.
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
As a faithful young girl in a French village, Joan used to pray for France to win against the English. Then, one day, her prayers were answered — by an instruction to go to the court of France's king and lead his armies. The Maid of God gathered an army, pledged her loyalty to the French dauphin, Charles, and led several critical victories. The legend of her successes would only be eclipsed by her eventual fall: abandoned by Charles, captured by the English, and burned at the stake. What is truth and what is myth in Joan's story is a topic of hot debate, but one thing is certain: this young girl who defied convention changed history. Author/illustrator Demi's text and illustrations create a vivid sense of Joan's world and beliefs in this picture book for older readers.
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired", Hamer once famously proclaimed, and that sentiment drove her to be a champion of civil rights for over two decades. Her booming oratorical voice and her signature song "This Little Light of Mine" became a key part of the movement, including the Freedom Summer of 1964; her speech at the Democratic National Convention aired on national news despite interference from President Johnson and spurred people to action. Told in the first person, this book's lyrical text and collage illustrations depict the perseverance and courage of this heroic woman.