What is a Biography?
Biographies in children's literature are books that tell the true stories of real people’s lives. These books are written to help children learn about important, inspiring, or interesting individuals—from the past or present—and how they made a difference
in the world.
They focus on real events, such as:
Big moments or contributions in history, science, sports, the arts, or activism
Children's biographies help young readers connect with real-life role models, learn about history, and see how one person can make a big impact.
Browse some of SWIC's biographies for children below.
See one you like? Request it and pick it up at the Library Front Desk. Watch a video on how to request books. You will receive an e-mail from SWIC Library in your SWIC student e-mail when it is ready for pick-up.
Agatha Christie: Detective Novelist and Playwright
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This title looks at the life, accomplishments, and legacy of author and playwright Agatha Christie. The book is complete with sidebars, more facts, a timeline, and QR codes that lead to more information, videos, and activities. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. DiscoverRoo is an imprint of Pop!, a division of ABDO.
Airborne
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This is the inspiring photobiography of Wilbur and Orville Wright, whose determination and curiosity led them to create the first working airplane. The newest edition adds common core-aligned critical thinking activities for even further learning in the classroom or at home. Packed with intriguing photos of Wilbur and Orville Wright, their family, and their many experiments, this photobiography reveals the personalities and lives of these extraordinary young men who resolved those problems of flight that stumped the experts and built the first airplane that really could fly!
Alvin Ailey
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"In their first children's book collaboration, this markedly talented husband-and-wife team offers a warm profile of dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey . . . interwining Ailey's alleged thoughts and conversations with facts about his childhood, his introduction to the world of dance . . . and his founding of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958".--Publishers Weekly, starred review. Full color.
Ansel Adams
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The renowned--and revered--photographer would have been 100 years old in 2002. To celebrate the life of Ansel Adams, this biography takes young readers through his rich life: from the earthquake that broke his nose to the valley that shaped his world, revealing the humorous, artistic, and thoughtful personality behind his legendary work.
B. Franklin Printer
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At the age of twenty-two, Benjamin Franklin wrote his own epitaph. Scientist, inventor, and statesman, and the only man who would sign the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the treaty with France that helped win the Revolutionary War, and the treaty with England that ended it, wanted to be remembered simply as "B. Franklin, printer."
Bad News for Outlaws
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Coretta Scott King Author Award Read about the fascinating life of Bass Reeves, who escaped slavery to become the first African American Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. Sitting tall in the saddle, with a wide-brimmed black hat and twin Colt pistols on his belt, Bass Reeves seemed bigger than life. Outlaws feared him. Law-abiding citizens respected him. As a peace officer, he was cunning and fearless. When a lawbreaker heard Bass Reeves had his warrant, he knew it was the end of the trail, because Bass always got his man, dead or alive. He achieved all this in spite of whites who didn't like the notion of a black lawman. Born into slavery in 1838, Bass had a hard and violent life, but he also had a strong sense of right and wrong that others admired. When Judge Isaac Parker tried to bring law and order to the lawless Indian Territories, he chose Bass to be a Deputy US Marshal. Bass would quickly prove a smart choice. For three decades, Bass was the most feared and respected lawman in the territories. He made more than 3,000 arrests, and though he was a crack shot and a quick draw, he only killed fourteen men in the line of duty. The story of Bass Reeves is the story of a remarkable African American and a remarkable hero of the Old West.
Balloons over Broadway
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A Sibert Medal-winning picture book biography and perfect Thanksgiving Day read about the invention of the first balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! From Caldecott honor artist Melissa Sweet. Everyone's a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when people from every corner of the country rise early or tune in to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. In Balloons Over Broadway, Caldecott honor artist Melissa Sweet brings the inspirational story of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a wildly creative dream that invented those balloons, to life. The story takes readers through every step of Sarg's journey-- from his childhood love of creating marionettes, to the moment this brilliant idea was born in his head, all the way up to the invention of these enchanting floating balloons. Sweet brilliantly captures the essence of Sarg through her signature collage illustrations and thoughtful storytelling. Balloons over Broadway will capture the hearts of all ages sitting around the dinner table, on Thanksgiving Day and every day.
Barnum Brown
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Barnum Brown had one ambition as a child: to grow up to be a great dinosaur hunter. And that's just what he did when he was hired by the American Natural History Museum--working to build their astounding collection. Barnum had a knack for finding dinosaur bones, a skill that rivaled the paleontologists before him. His most amazing discovery was uncovering the largest carnivore that ever walked the earth: the "tyrant lizard king," Tyrannosaurus Rex! Dig into the life of the greatest dinosaur hunter of all time with this exciting biography of Barnum Brown--the best noses in the business for sniffing out dinosaur bones.
Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box
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All her life, Beatrix Potter loved to paint. From a young age, she painted the bunnies, mice, and other pets who populated her family home. These characters later populated her stories, which are beloved the whole world over. With beautiful scenes rich in detail, David McPhail transports us to the charming, English countryside and the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter.
Bigmama's
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Donald Crews, the Caldecott Honor artist and award-winning creator of Freight Train, Truck, and many other classic picture books for young children, writes of his own childhood experiences visiting his grandparents in Florida. Share this book at home or in the classroom. Everyone will enjoy the memories of a perfect day in the country, exploring and playing, and the connections among family members across generations. Four children travel with their mother, and when the train arrives in Cottondale, Florida, the summer at Bigmama's house begins! Donald Crews brilliantly evokes the sights, sounds, and emotions of a memorable childhood experience. Beautifully and richly illustrated, this is a wonderful choice for family reading and classroom sharing. "A very special book by a superb artist and storyteller."--The Horn Book A fun read-aloud, it also helps children ages 3 to 6 easily learn about how to share details of place in storytelling.
Bill Peet
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Bill Peet tells his life story, including his years with Disney, with illustrations on every page.
The Boy Who Fell off the Mayflower, or John Howland's Good Fortune
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In the first book he has both written and illustrated, master artist P.J. Lynch brings a Mayflower voyager's story to vivid life. At a young age, John Howland learned what it meant to take advantage of an opportunity. Leaving the docks of London on the Mayflower as an indentured servant to Pilgrim John Carver, John Howland little knew that he was embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. By his great good fortune, John survived falling overboard on the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, and he earned his keep ashore by helping to scout a safe harbor and landing site for his bedraggled and ill shipmates. Would his luck continue to hold amid the dangers and adversity of the Pilgrims' lives in New England? John Howland's tale is masterfully told in his own voice, bringing an immediacy and young perspective to the oft-told Pilgrims' story. P.J. Lynch captures this pivotal moment in American history in precise and exquisite detail, from the light on the froth of a breaking wave to the questioning voice of a teen in a new world.
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
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A Suquamish Indian chief describes his people's respect and love for the earth, and concern for its destruction.
Brown Girl Dreaming
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Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature A New York Times Bestseller and National Book Award Winner Jacqueline Woodson, the acclaimed author of Another Brooklyn, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse. Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child's soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson's eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become. A National Book Award Winner A Newbery Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Award Winner Praise for Jacqueline Woodson: Ms. Woodson writes with a sure understanding of the thoughts of young people, offering a poetic, eloquent narrative that is not simply a story . . . but a mature exploration of grown-up issues and self-discovery."--The New York Times Book Review
Bts : K-Pop's Biggest Headliners.
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BTS is one of the biggest boy groups in South Korea. They have seven members: Jin, SUGA, j-hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. From practicing in a small studio in Seoul, South Korea, to performing in sold-out stadiums across the world, BTS isn't just turning K-pop on its head, but the entire music industry. The group wasn't always so famous. They came from a small entertainment company, Big Hit Entertainment. Debuting had been mentally and physically challenging. Members wanted to call it quits many times. But as BTS's fanbase, ARMY, grew, so did their fans' love for them. BTS produced better music, put out more albums, and went on world tours. They won the Top Social Artist award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. They performed at the 2022 Grammy Awards. Learn more about BTS, from their music to their activism and more.
Claudette Colvin
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"When it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can't sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, 'This is not right.'" - Claudette Colvin On March 2, 1955, an impassioned teenager, fed up with the daily injustices of Jim Crow segregation, refused to give her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Instead of being celebrated as Rosa Parks would be just nine months later, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin found herself shunned by her classmates and dismissed by community leaders. Undaunted, a year later she dared to challenge segregation again as a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the landmark case that struck down the segregation laws of Montgomery and swept away the legal underpinnings of the Jim Crow South. Based on extensive interviews with Claudette Colvin and many others, Phillip Hoose presents the first in-depth account of an important yet largely unknown civil rights figure, skillfully weaving her dramatic story into the fabric of the historic Montgomery bus boycott and court case that would change the course of American history. Claudette Colvin is the National Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature, a Newbery Honor Book, A YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist, and a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book.
Dolley Madison
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"Well-behaved women seldom make history." -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Many awe-inspiring women have changed the course of history. From fighting for social justice and women's rights to discovering and shaping our amazing country, women have left an indelible mark on our past, present, and future. But it's not easy to affect change, and these women didn't always play by the rules to make a difference! Kathleen Krull blends history and humor in this accessible young biography series. Dolley Madison had a strong will and unique personality that made her one of the most memorable First Ladies. From hosting parties for Washington D.C.'s social and political elite to saving a portrait of George Washington before the British burned down the White House in the War of 1812, Dolley did it all!
Eleanor Roosevelt
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The intriguing story of Eleanor Roosevelt traces the life of the former First Lady from her early childhood through the tumultuous years in the White House to her active role in the founding of the United Nations after World War II. A Newberry Honor Book.
Fifty Cents and a Dream
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Booker dreamed of making friends with words, setting free the secrets that lived in books. Born into slavery, young Booker T. Washington could only dream of learning to read and write. After emancipation, Booker began a five-hundred-mile journey, mostly on foot, to Hampton Institute, taking his first of many steps towards a college degree. When he arrived, he had just fifty cents in his pocket and a dream about to come true. The young slave who once waited outside of the schoolhouse would one day become a legendary educator of freedmen. Award-winning artist Bryan Collier captures the hardship and the spirit of one of the most inspiring figures in American history, bringing to life Booker T. Washington's journey to learn, to read, and to realize a dream.
The Flag Maker
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Here in lyrical prose is the story of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the national anthem of the United States. This flag, which came to be known as the Star-Spangled Banner, also inspired author Susan Campbell Bartoletti, who, upon seeing it at the Smithsonian Institution, became curious about the hands that had sewn it. Here is her story of the early days of this flag as seen through the eyes of young Caroline Pickersgill, the daughter of an important flag maker, Mary Pickersgill, and the granddaughter of a flag maker for General George Washington’s Continental Army. It is also a story about how a symbol motivates action and emotion, brings people together, and inspires courage and hope.
Francis
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A biography of the wealthy young Italian who gave away all his possessions to become a wandering preacher and protector of animals.
The Giant of Seville
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In the 1870s, a circus giant named Captain Martin Van Buren Bates left the circus and set off to find a town where he and his wife (also a circus giant) could live in peace. Captain Bates happened on Seville, Ohio, a sleepy little town that charmed him from the moment he arrived and welcomed him with open arms.
Hand in Hand
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Hand in Hand presents the stories of ten men from different eras in American history, organized chronologically to provide a scope from slavery to the modern day. The stories are accessible, fully-drawn narratives offering the subjects' childhood influences, the time and place in which they lived, their accomplishments and motivations, and the legacies they left for future generations as links in the "freedom chain." This book will be the definitive family volume on the subject, punctuated with dynamic full color portraits and spot illustrations by two-time Caldecott Honor winner and multiple Coretta Scott King Book Award recipient Brian Pinkney. Backmatter includes a civil rights timeline, sources, and further reading. Profiled: Benjamin Banneker Frederick Douglass Booker T. Washington W.E.B. DuBois A. Philip Randolph Thurgood Marshall Jackie Robinson Malcolm X Martin Luther King, Jr Barack H. Obama II
Heroines of the American Revolution
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I Am Jackie Robinson
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This New York Times Bestselling picture book biography series by Brad Meltzer has an inspiring message: We can all be heroes. Jackie Robinson always loved sports, especially baseball. But he lived at a time before the Civil Rights Movement, when the rules weren't fair to African Americans. Even though Jackie was a great athlete, he wasn't allowed on the best teams just because of the color of his skin. Jackie knew that sports were best when everyone, of every color, played together. He became the first black player in Major League Baseball, and his bravery changed African-American history and led the way to equality in all sports in America. This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, providing them with the right role models, supplemementing Common Core learning in the classroom, and best of all, inspiring them to strive and dream.
If a Bus Could Talk
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If a bus could talk, it would tell the story of a young African-American girl named Rosa who had to walk miles to her one-room schoolhouse in Alabama while white children rode to their school in a bus. It would tell how the adult Rosa rode to and from work on a segregated city bus and couldn't sit in the same row as a white person. It would tell of the fateful day when Rosa refused to give up her seat to a white man and how that act of courage inspired others around the world to stand up for freedom. In this book a bus does talk, and on her way to school a girl named Marcie learns why Rosa Parks is the mother of the Civil Rights movement. At the end of Marcie's magical ride, she meets Rosa Parks herself at a birthday party with several distinguished guests. Wait until she tells her class about this!
Josephine
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Coretta Scott King Book Award, Illustrator, Honor Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award, Honor Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Nonfiction Honor Parent's Choice Award Wall Street Journal's 10 Best Children's Books of the Year List Bologna Ragazzi Nonfiction Honor 2014 In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.
Ketanji Brown Jackson: First Black Woman on the US Supreme Court
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From the time she sat coloring next to her father while he studied for law school, Ketanji Brown Jackson was interested in the US legal system. She became a star student, attended Harvard University, and chased her goal of one day getting a judicial appointment. Jackson believes the courts are a tool to further individual rights and justice for all Americans, a value she has carried across her diverse career. Learn more about Jackson's journey and how it led her to become the first Black woman justice on the US Supreme Court.
Life Doesn't Frighten Me
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Maya Angelou's brave poem is illustrated by the paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Angelou is well-known for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Biographies of the artists are included.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
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A biography of African American jazz virtuoso Melba Doretta Liston, a pioneering twentieth-century trombone player, composer, and music arranger at a time when few women, of any race, played brass instruments and were part of the jazz scene. Melba Doretta Liston loved the sounds of music from as far back as she could remember. As a child, she daydreamed about beats and lyrics, and hummed along with the music from her family's Majestic radio. At age seven, Melba fell in love with a big, shiny trombone, and soon taught herself to play the instrument. By the time she was a teenager, Melba's extraordinary gift for music led her to the world of jazz. She joined a band led by trumpet player Gerald Wilson and toured the country. Overcoming obstacles of race and gender, Melba went on to become a famed trombone player and arranger, spinning rhythms, harmonies, and melodies into gorgeous songs for all the jazz greats of the twentieth century: Randy Weston, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, and Quincy Jones, to name just a few. Brimming with ebullience and the joy of making music, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone is a fitting tribute to a trailblazing musician and a great unsung hero of jazz.
Living with the Senecas: A Story about Mary Jemison
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Mary Jemison endured many hardships, dangers, and tragedies during her life. She was born in 1743 as her parents emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania. When she was fifteen years old, a group of raiding Shawnee Indians and French soldiers captured her and her family. She was the only one to survive. For seventy-five years, she lived among the Seneca Indians who adopted her. She outlived two husbands and bore eight children. She witnessed two wars and a revolution. Even though she could have returned to the white world, she chose to remain with the Senecas and became a loyal and respected member of her tribe. Book jacket.
Madam C. J. Walker: Self-Made Millionaire
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Madam C.J. Walker was one of the first Black woman millionaires in the US. While she was a laundry worker, she started having trouble with her scalp and decided to create a solution. She developed a line of haircare and skincare products. At first, Walker sold her products door-to-door in local areas. But with the help of hard work and good advertising, she soon made the brand popular far beyond her town. She was able to hire sales agents across the US, build a salon and a beauty school, and more. Walker's work and products forever changed the world of haircare and skincare. But she impacted many other communities too. She helped build schools and funded scholarships, inspired more women to start their own businesses, and fought for equal rights for Black people. By the end of her life, Walker was known for her generosity and social justice work as much as her groundbreaking business. Discover more about her life, career, and long-lasting legacy.
Make Your Mark : the empowering true story of the first known Black female tattoo artis
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A picture book biography celebrating the first known Black female tattoo artist in the U.S., Jacci Gresham, co-authored by Jacci herself, and with stylish, accessible artwork by David Wilkerson How to make your mark? Express yourself- From coloring outside the lines to creating her own clothes, expressing herself through art made Jacci Gresham feel confident. Keep an open mind- When Jacci started out, women getting tattooed was considered distasteful. Women giving tattoos was unheard of. And a Black woman tattoo artist? Jacci was the first. Practice every day- Jacci studied her craft. She developed new inking techniques for Black and brown skin. And she welcomed everyone into her New Orleans shop, including women of every color, shape, and size. Stand up for what you believe- From art class to artist, Jacci Gresham pushed boundaries, and she never took no for an answer. Jacci made her mark. How will you make yours? "Part autobiography, part advice book . . . Inspiring." -Booklist "Informative and inspirational." -Kirkus
Mamie Takes a Stand : The True Story of Mamie Tape, a Chinese American Girl's Fight for School Rights
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A 2024 EUREKA! NONFICTION CHILDREN'S BOOK GOLD AWARD WINNER Middle-grade readers will learn the little-known story of Mamie Tape, an eight-year-old Chinese American girl whose desire for knowledge and belonging led her family to fight for her right to attend public school in San Francisco. In the fall of 1884 in San Francisco, California, Mamie excitedly arrived for her first day at an American public school, only to find the principal blocking her way. Why? Because Mamie was Chinese. Thus began the Tape family's yearlong struggle to secure Mamie's right to attend public school. In the spring of 1885, Mamie's case reached the California Supreme Court, who reaffirmed a lower court's ruling that public schools should be open to children of all races. Kids will be introduced to this largely unknown tale from American history and learn to treat others with empathy and respect.
The Man Who Made Time Travel
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Who would solve one of the most perplexing scientific problems of all time? This dramatic picture-book biography brings to life - with illustrations that glow with wit and inspiration - the fascinating story of the quest to measure longitude. While the scientific establishment of the eighteenth century was certain that the answer lay in mapping the heavens, John Harrison, an obscure, uneducated clockmaker, dared to imagine a different solution: a seafaring clock. How Harrison held fast to his vision and dedicated his life to the creation of a small jewelof a timepiece that would change the world is a compelling story - as well as a memorable piece of history, science, and biography. A Junior Library Guild Selection
My Brothers' Flying Machine
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In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' flight, this story is told from the point of view of their sister, Katherine, who watched her brothers play with a toy flying machine, which was the beginning of their remarkable collaboration. Full color.
Pascual and the Kitchen Angels
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When Pascual is born, angels fly down and sing to him from the trees. When he sings to the sheep as a little boy, they sing back to him. But when Pascual joins the Franciscans, they send him to the kitchen. Pascual doesnÂ’t know how to cook even a cup of beans! ThatÂ’s when the kitchen angels fly down, and delicious dinners appear on the friarsÂ’ table night after night. Finally the friars peek in to see how Pascual does it, and what they see shows them what a blessed man is living among them.Exquisite illustrations reminiscent of Italian frescoes capture not only the beauty of the story but the warmth and humor that suffuses it. Children and cooks alike will smile as they get to know Pascual and wish they had their own kitchen angels.
A Passion for Elephants
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A science and nature biography of Cynthia Moss, the elephant expert, by the author of Caldecott Honor bookOne Cool Friend Cynthia Moss was never afraid of BIG things. As a kid, she loved to ride through the countryside on her tall horse. She loved to visit faraway places. And she especially loved to learn about nature and the world around her. So when Cynthia traveled to Africa and met the world's most ENORMOUS land animal, the African elephant, at Amboseli National Park in Kenya, she knew she had found her life's work. Cynthia has spent years learning everything she can about elephants and sharing these fascinating creatures with the world. She is a scientist, nature photographer, and animal-rights activist, fighting against the ivory poachers who kill so many elephants for their tusks. This lyrical and accessible picture book gives kids a glimpse of what scientists do in the real world and inspires them to dream of accomplishing BIG things.
Patrick
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The story of Patrick's life, from his noble birth in Britain, to his being captured and taken to Ireland by a group of bandits, to the "dreams" that led him to convert the Irish people to the Christian faith. DePaola also retells several well-known legends, including the story of how Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland.
Pride: the Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
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In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today''s world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders's stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno's evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable - and undertold - story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride. PRAISE FOR PRIDE! "Pride The Story of Harvey Milk and The Rainbow Flagbeautifully tells the history of both Uncle Harvey's dream and his collaboration with Gilbert Baker to create a global symbol of equality and inclusion. This book tells a history that all children will cherish, and will inspire the next generation of hope givers, our world's youth" - Stuart Milk, Founder and President of the Harvey Milk Foundation "Harvey Milk and Gilbert Baker showed LGBTQ people that they should be proud of who they are and who they love. That is exactly what we do at The Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth in crisis. We're thrilled that more young people will learn the story behind the original rainbow flag." - Amit Paley, Trevor Project CEO and Executive Director
The Revolutionary John Adams
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John Adams comes to vivid life for young readers in this addition to Harness's acclaimed presidential picture-biographies. Dynamic artwork and lively narrative create a warm, personable portrait of the stubborn man from Braintree, Massachusetts, whose passion for liberty spurred him on to extraordinary roles as a Founding Father, first Vice President, and second President of the United States. Through Adams's eyes, kids witness the tension-enflamed streets of Boston, the bickering Continental Congress, the complexities of waging the War for Independence, and the challenges of governing a new nation. Vivid quotes from both John and Abigail Adams provide great primary source material for school reports, and three illustrated maps show readers where key events took place.
Rosa
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She had not sought this moment but she was ready for it. When the policeman bent down to ask "Auntie, are you going to move?" all the strength of all the people through all those many years joined in her. She said, "No." An inspiring account of an event that shaped American history Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This picture- book tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed. Award-winning poet, writer, and activist Nikki Giovanni's evocative text combines with Bryan Collier's striking cut-paper images to retell the story of this historic event from a wholly unique and original perspective. Rosa is a 2006 Caldecott Honor Book and the winner of the 2006 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.
Sacagawea
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Taking a rare look beyond the myths and legends surrounding Sacagawea's life, this extraordinary illustrated history recounts the known facts about a remarkable woman and her contribution to one of America's greatest journeys of exploration. Combining beautifully wrought oil paintings, a moving true story, and a unique larger format, Sacagawea will captivate readers of all ages. Kidnapped from her Shoshone tribe when she was just eleven or twelve, Sacagawea lived with her captors for four years before being given in marriage to a French Canadian fur trapper, Toussaint Charbonneau. With him, she served as interpreter, peacemaker, and guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Northwest in 1805-1806. Braving hunger and fierce blizzards, Sacagawea traveled thousands of miles with a baby on her back. By the end of the legendary journey, Sacagawea's steadfast courage and capable guidance had ensured her place in history.
Saladin - Noble Prince of Islam
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Forty years before the boy was born, a horde of bloodthirsty barbarians thundered out of the west and conquered his native land. They had succeeded because his people, ever at war with one another, had not fought together to defend their cities. In time the boy was destined to become the very leader that was needed, a man with the courage and vision to unite his people and face the most fearsome and brilliant warrior of the age. The time was the twelfth century; the barbarian horde was the armies of the First Crusade; the great warrior was Richard the Lionhearted; and the leader was Saladin. This is more than the other side of a familiar Western story, the Crusades. It is the tale of an extraordinary man, remarkable for his generous and chivalrous ways, a warrior who longed for peace. Courageous in battle and merciful in victory, he would be revered even by his enemies as the "marvel of his time." In her vibrant narrative and magnificently detailed illustrations inspired by the Islamic art of the time, Diane Stanley presents a hero whose compassion, piety, tolerance, and wisdom made him a model for his time -- and for ours.
Sequoyah
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A 2005 Sibert Honor Book The story of Sequoyah is the tale of an ordinary man with an extraordinary idea--to create a writing system for the Cherokee Indians and turn his people into a nation of readers and writers. The task he set for himself was daunting. Sequoyah knew no English and had no idea how to capture speech on paper. But slowly and painstakingly, ignoring the hoots and jibes of his neighbors and friends, he worked out a system that surprised the Cherokee Nation--and the world of the 1820s--with its beauty and simplicity. James Rumford's Sequoyah is a poem to celebrate literacy, a song of a people's struggle to stand tall and proud.
Seven Brave Women
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Take a journey through time with seven women who left their indelible imprints on the past. Their history is a story and more. They were farmers and artists and missionaries and storytellers. They fought many battles but never in any wars. They were devout and determined and tireless and beloved. They were brave beyond compare. Betsy Hearne and Bethanne Andersen both make their picture-book debuts in this empowering, beautifully illustrated account of seven unforgettable women.
The Shape Game
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Art makes a difference! The same family that had such an enlightening experience in Anthony Browne's Zoo is now going to an art museum, Mom's choice for her birthday treat. But wisecracking Dad and their two sons are skeptical about how much fun this trip will be, and they're not quite sure what to make of the art. ("What on earth is that supposed to be?" asks Dad.) But, with Mom's help, once the boys start really looking at the paintings, they begin to find what pleasures they contain. Most of the family leave with a new appreciation of art - Dad is just never going to get it - as well as a sketchbook. On the trip home, Mom teaches the boys - and readers - a drawing game, which one of her sons (this book's author) has been playing ever since.This new book is the product of Anthony Browne's engagement as writer-and-illustrator-in-residence at the Tate Britain in London. There he worked with a thousand children from inner-city schools, teaching literature using the resources in the gallery - and playing the shape game. In his artwork for the book, he surreally transforms, in his signature style, some famous paintings in the Tate's collection.
She Loved Baseball
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"A wonderful picture book biography. Little girls will be inspired."* This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It's a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children. Effa always loved baseball. As a young woman, she would go to Yankee Stadium just to see Babe Ruth's mighty swing. But she never dreamed she would someday own a baseball team. Or be the first--and only--woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. From her childhood in Philadelphia to her groundbreaking role as business manager and owner of the Newark Eagles, Effa Manley always fought for what was right. And she always swung for the fences. From author Audrey Vernick and illustrator Don Tate comes the remarkable story of an all-star of a woman. *Brightly.com
She Persisted
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Chelsea Clinton introduces tiny feminists, mini activists and little kids who are ready to take on the world to thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted. Throughout American history, there have always been women who have spoken out for what's right, even when they have to fight to be heard. In early 2017, Senator Elizabeth Warren's refusal to be silenced in the Senate inspired a spontaneous celebration of women who persevered in the face of adversity. In this book, Chelsea Clinton celebrates thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity, sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. They all certainly persisted. She Persisted is for everyone who has ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who has ever tried to reach for the stars but was told to sit down, and for everyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy or unimportant or small. With vivid, compelling art by Alexandra Boiger, this book shows readers that no matter what obstacles may be in their paths, they shouldn't give up on their dreams. Persistence is power. This book features: Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, Sonia Sotomayor--and one special cameo. Praise for She Persisted: "[A] lovely, moving work of children's literature [and a] polished introduction to a diverse and accomplished group of women." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "Exemplary . . . This well-curated list will show children that women's voices have made themselves emphatically heard." --Booklist "[She Persisted] will remind little girls that they can achieve their goals if they don't let obstacles get in the way." --Family Circle "We can't wait to grab a copy for some of the awesome kids in our lives . . . and maybe some of the grown-ups, too." --Bustle "A message we all need to hear." --Scary Mommy "This will be a great read for kids (especially young girls)." --Romper "We cannot wait for the launch of Smart Girl Chelsea Clinton's new book to help remind kids everywhere that the fearlessness that characterizes the thirteen women in the book is what has emboldened us to constantly strive for progress and justice." --Amy Poehler's Smart Girls
Simone Biles : Greatest of All Time
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Simone Biles discovered gymnastics on a chance day-care trip to a gym when she was six years old. Ten years later, she became the first Black woman to win the all-around world championship title. A two-time Olympian, Biles has won more world championship medals than any gymnast before her and has four official skills named after her. But Biles's fans celebrate her courage as much as her gravity-defying moves. She's spoken out about her abuse by USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, having ADHD, and her struggles with mental health leading up to and during the 2021 Olympics. Learn more about Biles's life and career, and discover how she became one of gymnastics' most accomplished and celebrated athletes of all time.
Snowflake Bentley
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Winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal "Of all the forms of water the tiny six-pointed crystals of ice called snow are incomparably the most beautiful and varied." -- Wilson Bentley (1865-1931) From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature. Snowflake Bentley won the 1999 Caldecott Medal.
Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride
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Born into slavery, Belle had to endure the cruelty of several masters before she escaped to freedom. But she knew she wouldn't really be free unless she was helping to end injustice. That's when she changed her name to Sojourner and began traveling across the country, demanding equal rights for black people and for women. Many people weren't ready for her message, but Sojourner was brave, and her truth was powerful. And slowly, but surely as Sojourner's step-stomp stride, America began to change.
A Splash of Red
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As a child in the late 1800s, Horace Pippin loved to draw- He loved the feel of the charcoal as it slid across the floor. He loved looking at something in the room and making it come alive again in front of him. He drew pictures for his sisters, his classmates, his co-workers. Even during W.W.I, Horace filled his notebooks with drawings from the trenches . . . until he was shot. Upon his return home, Horace couldn't lift his right arm, and couldn't make any art. Slowly, with lots of practice, he regained use of his arm, until once again, he was able to paint--and paint, and paint! Soon, people--including the famous painter N. C. Wyeth--started noticing Horace's art, and before long, his paintings were displayed in galleries and museums across the country. Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet team up once again to share this inspiring story of a self-taught painter from humble beginnings who despite many obstacles, was ultimately able to do what he loved, and be recognized for who he was- an artist.
A Strong Right Arm
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Mamie Johnson looks the batter in the eye. Sizes him up for a curve- or a fastball. Stretches her 5'2" frame. And pops a surefire, windup, coming-right-at-ya pitch smack dab over the plate. One that lets the batter know that this "peanut of a girl" means business. Fueled by her passion for the game and buoyed by the inspiration of Jackie Robinson, Mamie Johnson is determined to be a professional baseball pitcher. From the time she insists on trying out for the all-male all-white Police Athletic League team until she becomes one of only three women to play in the Negro Leagues, this biography of Mamie Johnson's life shows that courage-and a fierce curveball-can make a childhood dream come true. Illustrated with nineteen black-and-white photographs.
Taylor Swift : Iconic Music Industry Trailblazer
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Beginning readers can delve into the life of their favorite musician and businesswoman, Taylor Swift. Readers will learn about Swift's early years and career, as well as her amazing accomplishments, and what makes her a leader. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Abdo Kids Jumbo is an imprint of Abdo Kids, a division of ABDO.
Through Georgia's Eyes
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A gorgeous, evocative biography of one of America's most beloved artists. Georgia O'Keeffe saw the world differently from most people. As a child she roamed the prairie with a sketch pad in her hand, struggling to capture on paper what she saw all around her. At art school she learned to speak in paint on canvas. But Georgia felt confined by city life. She longed for vast expanses of space, and she found it in the red hills and silent deserts of New Mexico. Lyrical and vivid, this is a portrait of an exceptional artist, a woman whose eyes were open to the wideness and wonder of the world. Through Georgia's Eyes is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Tom Holland: Acting Superstar
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This title explores the life and career of Tom Holland. Learn about Holland's childhood, family, and career, including how he got his start and his rise to fame. Dynamic photos give readers a behind-the-scenes look at this popular actor. Other features include a table of contents, fun facts, enlightening quotations, a timeline, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Big Buddy Books is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
To the Rescue!
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Working alone, Garrett Morgan invented a safety hood for firefighters. Little did he know that most people wouldn't be interested in his safety hood - a device that would literally save lives - once they discovered its inventor was black. Following an explosion that trapped workers in a tunnel under Lake Erie, Garrett pleaded for his hoods to be taken to the scene; they were and hundreds lived. Developed further, Garrett's hoods came to save thousands of soldiers in World War I. This gorgeous picture book introduces Garrett's story to young children for the first time.
Track and Field's G.O.A.T. : Usain Bolt, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and More
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On your mark! Get ready to sprint, jump, and throw alongside the fiercest competitors in track and field history. Discover amazing stats, thrilling comebacks, and athletes who shattered barriers. Vault into this list of the best track-and-field athletes and see who comes out on top. These sports stars have propelled themselves to new heights, raced over hurdles, and made jaw-dropping throws. Then join the fun by researching your own list of the all-time greats. Make your case for who should take home the gold!
Traveling Man
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Ibn Battuta was the traveler of his age--the fourteenth century, a time before Columbus when many believed the world to be flat. Like Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta left behind an account of his own incredible journey from Morocco to China, from the steppes of Russia to the shores of Tanzania, some seventy-five thousand miles in all. James Rumford has retold Ibn Battuta's story in words and pictures, adding the element of ancient Arab maps--maps as colorful and as evocative as a Persian miniature, as intricate and mysterious as a tiled Moroccan wall. Into this arabesque of pictures and maps, James Rumford has woven the story not just of a traveler in a world long gone but of a man on his journey through life.
Trombone Shorty
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A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. Along with esteemed illustrator Bryan Collier, Andrews has created a lively picture book autobiography about how he followed his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds, until he reached international stardom. Trombone Shorty is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music.
Wangari's Trees of Peace
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As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something--and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. . . . This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman's passion, vision, and determination inspired great change. Includes an author's note. This book was printed on 100% recycled paper with 50% postconsumer waste.
When Esther Morris Headed West
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A biography of the first female judge in the United States tells the remarkable tale of how, back in 1869, she fought for a women's right to vote and she believed that a woman could hold a public office.
When the Beat Was Born
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A John Steptoe New Talent Award Winner Before there was hip hop, there was DJ Kool Herc. On a hot day at the end of summer in 1973 Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-school party at a park in the South Bronx. Her brother, Clive Campbell, spun the records. He had a new way of playing the music to make the breaks--the musical interludes between verses--longer for dancing. He called himself DJ Kool Herc and this isWhen the Beat Was Born. From his childhood in Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx, Laban Carrick Hill's book tells how Kool Herc came to be a DJ, how kids in gangs stopped fighting in order to breakdance, and how the music he invented went on to define a culture and transform the world.
Wilma Unlimited
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Before Wilma Rudolph was five years old, polio had paralyzed her left leg. Everyone said she would never walk again. But Wilma refused to believe it. Not only would she walk again, she vowed, she'd run. And she did run--all the way to the Olympics, where she became the first American woman to earn three gold medals in a single olympiad. This dramatic and inspiring true story is illustrated in bold watercolor and acrylic paintings by Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Diaz.
Young Abe Lincoln
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Ten score years ago, a remarkable boy was born into a remarkable country. Young Abe Lincoln tells the story of that boy, who went on to play an historic role in the shaping of his country. Written and illustrated by Cheryl Harness, this classic picture biography is now being reissued with a bold new paperback cover to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. With vibrant artwork and carefully crafted text, Young Abe Lincoln is an appealing, insightful biography of Lincoln's early life. With fun illustrations and a chatty narrative style, Cheryl Harness brings to life the experiences that sparked Abe to seek public office, and vividly captures the spirit of the times. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
Zuriel Oduwole
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American teenager Zuriel Oduwole tries to live by the quote: "If your dreams don't scare you, then they're not big enough." A filmmaker, public speaker, and writer, Zuriel has interviewed dozens of world leaders and pushed them to promote the education of girls around the world. Founder of the Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up organization, Zuriel teaches citizen filmmaking to kids around the world, speaks out on gender equality at major world forums, and makes world leaders accountable for supporting girls' education initiatives.