Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
By Helaine Becker, Illustrated by Tiemdow Phumiruk
You’ve likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home?
As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything! Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math and about the universe.
From Katherine’s early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, Counting on Katherine is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history. 5-8 years
A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon
By Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Veronica Jamison Miller
Katherine knew it was wrong that African Americans didn’t have the same rights as others–as wrong as 5+5=12. She knew it was wrong that people thought women could only be teachers or nurses–as wrong as 10-5=3. And she proved everyone wrong by zooming ahead of her classmates, starting college at fifteen, and eventually joining NASA. Her calculations helped pioneer America’s first manned flight into space, its first manned orbit of Earth, and the world’s first trip to the moon! 4-8 years
Reaching for the Moon
By Katherine Johnson
This is the autobiography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who helped launch Apollo 11.
As a young girl, Katherine Johnson showed an exceptional aptitude for math. In school she quickly skipped ahead several grades and was soon studying complex equations with the support of a professor who saw great promise in her. But ability and opportunity did not always go hand in hand. As an African American and a girl growing up in an era of brutal racism and sexism, Katherine faced daily challenges. Still, she lived her life with her father’s words in mind: “You are no better than anyone else, and nobody else is better than you.”
In the early 1950s, Katherine was thrilled to join the organization that would become NASA. She worked on many of NASA’s biggest projects including the Apollo 11 mission that landed the first men on the moon. 10 years+
One Step Further: My Story of Math, the Moon, and a Lifelong Mission
By Katherine Johnson, Illustrated by Charmella Pinkney Barlow
Johnson”s own empowering narrative is complemented by the recollections of her two daughters about their mother”s work and insights about how she illuminated their paths, including one daughter”s fight for civil rights and another”s journey to become a NASA mathematician herself. The narrative gracefully weaves together Johnson”s personal story, her influence on her daughters” formative years, her and her daughters” fight for civil rights, and her lasting impact on NASA and space exploration. Filled with personal reflections, exclusive family archival photos, and striking illustrations, readers will be immersed in this deeply personal portrayal of female empowerment, women in STEM, and the breaking down of race barriers across generations. Historical notes, photo/illustration notes, and a time line put the story into historical and modern-day context.
The inspirational tale of Johnson”s perseverance is both intimate and global, showcasing the drive of each generation to push one step further than the last. With its evocative family album-style format and novel approach to storytelling, One Step Further is sure to inspire the next generation of rising stars. 4-8 years
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race
By Margot Lee Shetterly, Illustrated by Laura Freeman
Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good. They participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes, and provided the calculations for America’s first journeys into space. Hidden Figures explores the story of four female African American mathematicians who worked at NASA as “colored computers.” This is the story of how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging career. 6-10 years
Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson NASA Mathematician
By Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrated by Raul Colón
Before John Glenn orbited the Earth or astronauts walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used their knowledge, pencils, adding machines, and writing paper to calculate the orbital mechanics needed to launch spacecraft. Katherine Johnson was one of these mathematicians who used trajectories and complex equations to chart the space program. Even as Virginia’s Jim Crow laws were in place in the early 1950s, Katherine worked analyzing data at the NACA (later NASA) Langley laboratory. 4-8 years
You Should Meet Katherine Johnson
By Thea Feldman, Illustrated by Alyssa Peterson
Get to know the woman who made many of NASA’s early missions possible in this nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read.
Meet Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician who worked at NASA in the early 1950s until retiring in 1986. Katherine’s unparalleled calculations (done by hand) helped plan the trajectories for NASA’s Mercury and Apollo missions (including the Apollo 11 moon landing.) She is said to be one of the greatest American minds of all time.
A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus inspiring careers for math lovers. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun! 6-8 years
Katherine Johnson: My Itty-Bitty Book
By Virginia Loh-Hagan Edd, Illustrated by Jeff Bane
The My Itty-Bitty Bio series are biographies for the earliest readers. This book examines the life of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson in a simple, age-appropriate way that will help children develop word recognition and reading skills.This book includes a timeline, primary sources, and other informative backmatter. 4-7 years
Katherine Johnson: Women in Science and Technology
By M.M. Eboch, Illustrated by Elena Bia
This is a biography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson for readers in grades 1-3. It covers her childhood, her work for the space program and her passion for STEM education. As a child, Katherine loved to count. She grew into a woman whose math skills helped send people into space. And her work at NASA was critical to the first space flights. Katherine’s successes will inspire children to enjoy math and science. 6-8 years
Hidden Figures, Young Readers Edition
by Margot Lee Shetterly
This edition of Margot Lee Shetterly’s acclaimed book is perfect for young readers. It is the powerful story of four African American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program.
Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets and astronauts into space.
This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden who lived through the Civil Rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country. 9-12 years
The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson
by Devika Jina
In 1969, history was made when the first humans stepped on the moon. Back on Earth, one woman was running the numbers that ensured the astronauts safe return. As a child, Katherine Johnson loved math. She became one of the most important people in the history of space travel. Discover her incredible life story in this illustrated biography with timelines and facts. 7-12 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s
In November 1960, all of America watched as a tiny six-year-old black girl, surrounded by federal marshals, walked through a mob of screaming segregationists and into her school. An icon of the civil rights movement, Ruby chronicles each dramatic step of this pivotal event in history through her own words. 8-12 years
I Am Ruby Bridges
By Ruby Bridges, Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
My work will be precious.
I will bridge the “gap” between Black & white…
…and hopefully all people!
I suppose some things in life are just meant to be.
When Ruby Bridges was six years old, she became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary in Louisiana. Based on the pivotal events that happened in 1960 and told from her point of view, this is a poetic reflection on her experience that changed the face of history and the trajectory of the Civil Rights movement. 4-8 years
This Is Your Time
By Ruby Bridges
Written as a letter from civil rights activist and icon Ruby Bridges to the reader, This Is Your Time is both a recounting of Ruby’s experience as a child who had to be escorted to class by federal marshals when she was chosen to be one of the first black students to integrate into New Orleans’ all-white public school system and an appeal to generations to come to effect change. 10-15 years
Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story
By Ruby Bridges
The extraordinary true story of Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to integrate a New Orleans school with simple text for young readers!
In 1960, six-year-old Ruby walked through an angry crowd and into a school where she changed history.
This is the true story of an extraordinary little girl who helped shape our country when she became the first African-American to attend an all-white school in New Orleans. With simple text and historical photographs, this easy reader explores an amazing moment in history and the courage of a young girl who stayed strong in the face of racism. 4-8 years
The Story of Ruby Bridges
By Robert Cole, Illustrated by George Ford
The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. A judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school. She must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her. This is Ruby’s story of courage, faith, and hope. 4-8 years
Ruby, Head High, Ruby Bridges’ First Day of School
By Irène Cohen-Janca, Illustrated by Marc Daniau
Inspired by an iconic Norman Rockwell painting and translated from an original French text, this is a story about the day a little girl held her head high and changed the world. 7-10 years
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World
By Susan Hood, Illustrated by 13 outstanding illustrators
Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist.
In this book of poems, you will find Mary Anning, who was just thirteen when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You’ll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave six year old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at twenty-one won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create.
Readers will also learn about Molly Williams, Annette Kellerman, Nellie Bly, Pura Belpré, Frida Kahlo, Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne, Frances Moore Lappé, Mae Jemison, Angela Zhang, and Malala Yousafzai. 4-8 years
Ruby Bridges: A Brave Child Who Made History
By Jeri Cipriano, Illustrated by Scott R. Brooks
Ruby Bridges just wanted to go to a good school. She did not ask to be a hero, but she knew how to be strong. Her bravery made it possible for classrooms today to be safe places for children of all races. 5-8 years
Ruby Bridges: Get to Know the Girl Who Took a Stand for Education
By Michelle Derosier
Ruby Bridges was just six years old when she was chosen to be the first and only black child in the all-white William Frantz Elementary School. At the time, Ruby was too young to understand how the simple act of attending school would change the lives of many to come. Her courageous act left the legacy that given a chance, anyone at any age can make a difference in the world. 8-10 years
Ruby Bridges
By Simone T. Ribke
Ruby Bridges grew up at a time when African-Americans were treated as second-class citizens in many parts of the United States. At just six year old, this courageous child stood up against racism and hatred to help integrate Louisiana’s school system. Her story continues to inspire people of all ages. 6-7 years
Ruby Bridges and the Desegregation of the American Schools
By Harris Duchess
In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges walked into William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. She became the first black student to attend the previously all-white school. This event paved the way for widespread school desegregation in the South. This book explores her legacy with easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter. 8-11
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children Author
Astonishing Little-Known Facts and Details About the Most Famous Ship in the World
By Joe Fullman
More than a century after it crashed into an iceberg, the Titanic remains as compelling as ever. Children can explore its beautiful sundecks, marvel at its design, and relive the tragic sinking of the world’s most famous ship. This insightful look at the unfolding disaster provides intriguing facts and real-life stories. 8 and up
If You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic
By Josh Gregory, Illustrated by Sebastia Serra
Alice Carver is traveling aboard the incredible Titanic with her mother to make a new home in the United States. Meanwhile, William Alexander III is aboard as part of a vacation with his wealthy family. Readers will explore the Titanic’s many features with these characters as they meet on the ill-fated ship. 7-9 years
What Was the Titanic?
By Stephanie Sabol, Illustrated by Gregory Copeland
For more than 100 years, people have been captivated by the disastrous sinking of the Titanic that claimed over 1,500 lives. Young readers will find out why the great ship went down and how it was discovered seventy-five years later.
At 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic, the largest passenger steamship of this time, met its catastrophic end after crashing into an iceberg. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew on board, only 705 survived. More than 100 years later, today’s readers will be intrigued by the mystery that surrounds this ship that was originally labeled “unsinkable.” 8-12 years
All Stations Distress! April 15, 1912: The Day the Titanic Sank
By Don Brown
It took 4,000 men to built it, 23 tons of animal grease to slide it into the ocean, 100,000 people to wave bon voyage, but only one wrong move to tear the Titanic apart. On a cold moonless night in April 1912, 2,000 passengers, the rich enjoying a luxury cruise and the poor hoping to find a new life in America, struggled to survive. Only 700 did. Lifeboats were launched half-full; women were forced to leave their husbands and sons behind; and even those who made it out alive were forever haunted, constantly wondering “why me?” 6-10 years
Titanic
By Melissa Stewart
For the 100th anniversary of the Olympic-class passenger liner’s ill-fated journey, this title is full of photographs and in-depth coverage including Bob Ballard’s 1985 discovery. The industrial feat of the powerful ship, the tragedy of the wreckage, and the fascinating stories of survival bring the historical significance of the Titanic to a new audience in this level 3 reader. 6-10 years
Titanic: The Story Lives On
By Laura Driscoll, Illustrated by Bob Kayganich
Discover the secrets of the Titanic 100 years after the sinking. Learn all about the search for the its wreckage in this Level 3 reader featuring photographs of the ship’s remains, as well as full-color artwork. 8-9 years
Discovering Titanic
By Ben Hubbard
Using objects recovered from the Titanic’s shipwreck, this book tells the tale of the doomed ship’s discovery, the disaster that sank her, and the human stories behind the tragedy. Focusing on Robert Ballard’s historic discovery and the expeditions that followed, this book takes children on an unforgettable journey through the remains of the sunken ship. Photography of the wreck, archival images, and modern reconstructions bring the story back to life, from the opulent liner’s construction to the night it fatally foundered. Personal artifacts recovered from the wreck introduce the passengers who sailed on this doomed voyage and offer an intimate, human view of the tragedy. 7-10 years
Titanic Sinks: Experience the Titanic’s Doomed Voyage in this Unique Presentation of Fact and Fiction
By Barry Denenberg
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, Barry Denenberg has created high-concept book that’s a unique combination of fiction and nonfiction. He uses a fictional framework to present the true story of the building and launching of the ship and to give a “you are there” feeling as it goes down. Designed with authentic period photographs and illustrations, Titanic Sinks! immerses you in the era and tells why it’s still a cultural touchstone a hundred years after its demise. 9-12 years
882 ½ Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the Titanic
By Hugh Brewster and Laurie Coulter, Illustrated by Ken Marschall
It’s all here. The financiers and founders of the White Star Line; the building and launch; the ship’s features; the crew and passengers; the fateful collision; the scramble for lifeboats; the sinking and the survivors; the high-tech discovery of the wreck; the movie…. 882 1/2 Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the Titanic is packed with all of the intriguing details and fascinating facts that tell the true story. 8-14 years
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic
By Lauren Tarshis, Illustrated by Haus Studio
George Calder must be the luckiest kid alive – he and his little sister, Phoebe, are sailing with their aunt on the Titanic, the greatest ship ever built. George can’t resist exploring every inch of the incredible boat, even if it gets him into trouble. But one night while George is off exploring, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Soon the impossible is happening: The Titanic is sinking. George has always gotten out of trouble before. Can he survive this nightmare? Graphic Novel, 8-12 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
When Sue Found Sue: Sue Hendrikson Discovers Her T-Rex
By Toni Buzzeo, Illustrated by Diana Sudyka
From a very young age, Sue Hendrickson was meant to find things: lost coins, perfume bottles, even hidden treasure. Her endless curiosity eventually led to her career in diving and paleontology, where she would continue to find things big and small. In 1990, at a dig in South Dakota, Sue made her biggest discovery to date: Sue the T. Rex, the largest and most complete T. Rex skeleton ever unearthed. Named in Sue’s honor, Sue the T. Rex would be placed on permanent exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. When Sue Found Sue inspires readers to take a closer look at the world around them and to never lose their brave, adventurous spirits. 4-8 years
Barnum Brown: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World
By Tracey Fern, Illustrated by Boris Kulikov
Barnum Brown’s parents named him after the circus icon, P.T. Barnum, hoping that he would do something extraordinary — and he did! As a paleontologist for the American Museum of Natural History, he discovered the first documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as most of the other dinosaurs on display at the museum today. A fun picture book biography, with zany illustrations by Boris Kulikov, that captures the spirit of this remarkable man. 5-9 years
Digging Up Dinosaurs
By Aliki
How did those enormous dinosaur skeletons get inside the museum? Long ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Then, suddenly, they died out. For thousands of years, no one knew these giant creatures had ever existed. Then people began finding fossils — bones and teeth and footprints that had turned to stone. Today, teams of experts work together to dig dinosaur fossils out of the ground, bone by fragile bone. Then they put the skeletons together again inside museums, to look just like the dinosaurs of millions of years ago. 4-8 years
How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum
By Jessie Hartland
Author/illustrator Jessie Hartland presents the fascinating 145-million-year journey of a dinosaur: a Diplodocus longus, from its discovery in 1923 in Utah to its arrival in the hallowed halls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. 6-9 years
Mister Bones: Dinosaur Hunter
By Jane Kurtz, Illustrated by Mary Haverfield
Barnum Brown loves to dig in the dirt. He pokes and he sifts and he picks through the dirt. What is he looking for? Not gold, but something just as valuable: Bones! Dinosaur bones! And what he finds is an amazing thing. 4-6 years
A Dinosaur Named Sue
By Faye Robinson, Illustrated by Portia Sloan
A Dinosaur Named Sue follows the amazing story of Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex fossil ever found, from her discovery in the Badlands of South Dakota in 1990, to the exciting restoration work leading up to her Spring 2000 public debut. 4-8 years
Dinosaur Hunters
By Kate McMullan, Illustrated by John R. Jones
Less than 200 years ago, nobody knew that dinosaurs had ever existed. Now, scientists who study fossils know about many kinds of dinosaurs and where they lived. The hunt is on for new information about our favorite prehistoric reptiles! 7-9 years
Dinosaur Hunters: A Big Dig Adventure
By Catherine Chambers
In DK Adventures: Dinosaur Hunters, our time travelers find themselves caught up in the rivalry between dinosaur bone hunters Othniel Marsh and Edward Cope. They have to use critical thinking and historical knowledge to decide whether to interfere with scientific discovery or leave well enough alone. 8-12 years
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins
By Barbara Kerley, Illustrated by Brian Selznick
Can you imagine a time when almost no one in the world knew what a dinosaur looked like? That was true until the mid-nineteenth century, when a Victorian artist, Waterhouse Hawkins, built the first life-size models of dinosaurs, first in his native England and later in New York City, and dazzled the world with his awe-inspiring creatures. 4-8 years
The book descriptions are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Why could Leonardo da Vinci paint the human form so accurately in all its beauty? How was he educated and trained as an artist? What inspired his most famous works, including The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa? And what fun machine did he invent? Find out about this unique artist and the many areas, from architecture to flight, he drew on and influenced.
Leonardo Beautiful Dreamer
By Robert Byrd
Famous in his time as a painter, prankster, and philosopher, Leonardo da Vinci was also a musician, sculptor, and engineer for dukes, popes, and kings. What remains of his work, from futuristic designs and scientific inquiry to artwork of ethereal beauty, reveals the ambitious, unpredictable brilliance of a visionary, and a timeless dreamer.
Who Was Leonardo da Vinci
By Roberta Edwards, Illustrated by True Kelley
Leonardo was a gifted painter, talented musician, and dedicated scientist and inventor. He designed flying machines, submarines and even helicopters. Yet, he had a hard time finishing things, a problem anyone can relate to. Only thirteen paintings are known to be his. As for the illustrated encyclopedia he intended to create, all that he left were thousands of disorganized notebook pages. Here is an accessible portrait of a fascinating man who lived at a fascinating time—Italy during the Renaissance.
The Science and Technology of Leonardo da Vinci
By Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan, Illustrated by Micah Rauch
During the Renaissance, inventors and other creative thinkers designed and constructed many new things. It was a time of discovery, wonder, and exploration. And one of the people on the forefront of that awakening was Leonardo da Vinci. Readers explore the life of one of the world’s most amazing minds. They discover what it might have been like to live in the fourteenth century, when work, entertainment, medicine, travel, and food were very different. They ponder the same kinds of questions that drove Leonardo to tinker and experiment endlessly, even while creating artwork that influenced entire generations who came after him. What is the inside of the body like? How might humans fly? How can geometry be used to design stronger buildings?
His dedication to invention, experimentation, and art, along with his insatiable curiosity, gave the world new insight into anatomy, botany, engineering, and much more. Kids gain these same insights through hands-on STEM activities, essential questions, text-to-world connections, and links to online resources, including primary sources, that encourage readers to take a closer look at the world of the Renaissance.
Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci
By Gene Barretta
In 1781, Thomas Paine came up with a model for a single-span bridge; in 1887, Adolf Eugen Fick made the first pair of contact lenses; and in 1907, Paul Cornu built the first helicopter. But Leonardo da Vinci thought of all these ideas more than five hundred years ago!
An artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist, he wrote and drew detailed descriptions of what would later become hang gliders, automobiles, robots, and much more. Gene Barretta cleverly shows how Leonardo’s ideas, many inspired by his love of nature, foreshadowed modern inventions and offered a window into the future.
I am Leonardo da Vinci
By Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
This book features Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance artist and inventor. He always followed his interests, no matter where they led! His quest to fly led him to study birds’ wings and his invention designs were the very earliest sketches of helicopters and other flying machines. His hard work and dedication to his curiosities is why we still remember him today.
The Story of Leonardo da Vinci
By Ciari O’Neal
Leonardo da Vinci was a famous artist and thinker. He created well-known paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, and even had ideas for modern-day inventions like cars and contact lenses. Before he amazed the world with his creative mind, he was a bright kid who loved asking questions.
As a teenager, he studied under an expert artist who taught him different ways to create, like painting and sculpting. Explore how Leonardo went from being a thoughtful young boy to an artistic genius whose artwork still hangs in museums all over the world.
The Story includes:
Core curriculum standards―Learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Leonardo’s life, and test your knowledge with a fun quiz.
His lasting legacy―Discover more about how Leonardo da Vinci changed the world for future generations, including you!
A visual timeline―Explore a timeline marking the major milestones of his life so you can watch him progress from a little kid to a brilliant artist.
The Genius of Leonardo Da Vinci
By Guido Visconti, Illustrated by Bimba Landmann
Artist, engineer, pacifist, inventor: Leonardo da Vinci was a genius of a very particular kind. This introduction to his life and work is vividly retold through the eyes of his young apprentice, Giacomo, making it easy for young readers to relate to his story.
Leonardo da Vinci: Extraordinary Machines
By David Hawcock
The most significant creations of the Renaissance genius, Leonardo da Vinci, come to life in the pages of this illustrated pop-up book. Published to commemorate the 500th anniversary of his death, this book reveals the intricacy and importance of his designs for robots, flying machines, and other timeless inventions. The 3-D models are based on the master’s actual drawings and are accompanied by his notes.
Leonardo da Vinci
By Diane Stanley
Born in 1452, to a peasant woman and a country gentleman, Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most amazing people who ever lived. He grew up to be a great painter, sculptor, architect, scientist, and inventor.
As a boy, he was apprenticed to a famous artist. But he quickly became more skilled than his teacher. He filled thousands of pages with plans for incredible inventions including a submarine, and air-cooling system, “glasses to see the moon large,” and even a flying machine.
Leonardo and the Flying Boy
By Laurence Anholt
Zoro is a little boy in 17th-century Italy, long before airplanes flew in the sky. But Zoro is also an apprentice to the artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci–and Leonardo is experimenting with a revolutionary flying machine!
Leonardo da Vinci for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activities
By Joan Herbert
The marriage of art and science is celebrated in this activity book. Kids will begin to understand the important discoveries that da Vinci made through inspiring activities like determining the launch angle of a catapult, sketching birds and other animals, creating a map, learning to look at a painting, and much more. Includes a glossary, bibliography, listing of pertinent museums and websites, a timeline, and many interesting sidebars.
Leonardo Da Vinci
By Mike Venezia
Clever illustrations and story lines, together with full-color reproductions of actual paintings, give children a light yet realistic overview of Leonardo DaVinci’s life and style.
The book descriptions are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
By Sarvinder Naberhaus, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
An inspiring and patriotic tribute to the beauty of the American flag, a symbol of America’s history, landscape, and people. Each spread depicts a stirring tableau, from the view of the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island, to civil rights marchers standing shoulder to shoulder, to a spacecraft at Cape Canaveral blasting off, this book is an ode to America then and now. 4-8 years
Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner
By Jessie Hartland
If you go to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, you can see a massive American flag: thirty feet tall and forty-two feet long. That’s huge! But how did it get there? And where did it come from? Well…The story of this giant flag begins in 1812 and stars a major on the eve of battle, a seamstress and her mighty helpers, and a poet named Francis Scott Key. This isn’t just the story of one flag. It’s the story of “The Star Spangled-Banner,” a poem that became our national anthem, too. 4-8 years
America’s Flag Story
By Karen S. Robbins, Illustrated by J. James
The American flag waves in reverence for many—for the immigrants who came and built a nation with hard work and ingenuity and for all who continue to defend and serve our nation. The flag represents the freedom, the endurance, and the indomitable courage that makes America the home of the free and brave. 5-8 years
F is For Flag
By Wendy Cheyette Lewison, Illustrated by Barbara Duke
June 14 is Flag Day, but with so many American flags proudly displayed, every day seems like Flag Day. F is For Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that in good times and in bad everyone in our country is part of one great big family. 3-5 years
Our American Flag
By Mary Firestone, Illustrated by Matthew Skeins
Its stars and stripes ripple and wave. It is the United States flag and Americans have flown it for more than 200 years. Join seamstress Mary Pickersgill for a trip through time to see how this symbol of freedom came to be. 5-7 years
I’m Your Flag So Please Treat Me Right
By Julia Cook
I’m Your Flag So Please Treat Me Right! is a story told by the American flag. It explains through the eyes of our flag what the red, white and blue stand for, and what the flag means to all Americans. 5-8 years
“I stand for freedom when I wave in the air,
so proud of my stars and stripes.
Red, White, and Blue: The Story of the American Flag
By John Herman, Illustrated by Robin Roraback
Some people call the American flag Stars and Stripes or Old Glory. But did you know that it hasn’t always looked the same? This Level 3 readers tells the history of the American flag. 6-8 years
Our Flag
By Carl Memling, Illustrated by Stephen Cook
The youngest readers will enjoy this concise but informative history of the American flag with beautiful and exciting illustrations of colonial life, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Fort McHenry. Included are illustrated instructions on flag etiquette, as well as the Pledge of Allegiance. 3-7 years
The Flag We Love
By Pam Munoz Ryan, Illustrated by Ralph Masiello
This spirited tribute to Old Glory will inspire readers, young and old, to take a new look at the greatest emblem of the United States of America. With patriotic verse and historical fact, The Flag We Love explores how our flag has become an enduring part of our nation’s proud history and heritage. From its earliest designs to its role in peace-time and war, the Star-Spangled Banner will take on a new meaning for all readers. 5-8 years
The Rocket’s Red Glare: Celebrating the History of the Star-Spangled Banner
By Pete Alderman, Illustrated by Bea Moritz
Join Francis Scott Key on the choppy waters of the Chesapeake Bay in this picture book that transports readers to one of the most important days in U.S. history. This book brings to life the perilous yet triumphant day during the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to America’s national anthem. 7-12 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publisher.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Vincent Can’t Sleep: Van Gogh Paints the Night Sky
By Barb Rosenstock, Illustrated by Mary Grand Pre
Vincent van Gogh often found himself unable to sleep and wandered under starlit skies. Those nighttime experiments provided the inspiration for many of his paintings, including his most famous, The Starry Night. Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime, but he continued to pursue his unique vision and ultimately became one of the most beloved artists of all time. 4-8 years
Vincent’s Colors
By Vincent van Gogh and the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Vincent van Gogh is one of the world’s most famous artists. Throughout his life, he wrote to his younger brother, Theo, about his colorful, dynamic paintings. This book pairs the artists’s paintings with his own words. Van Gogh’s descriptions, arranged as a simple rhyme, introduces young readers to all the colors of the rainbow and beyond. The descriptive words combine with spectacular reproductions of many of the artist’s most beloved and important works to create a perfect art book. 5-8 years
Katie and the Starry Night
James Mayhew, Illustrated by Lee Wildish
Join Katie as she steps into one of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure. The stars in Vincent van Gogh’s painting are so beautiful that Katie can’t resist reaching in and taking one. But what will she do when all the other stars come tumbling out of the painting, too? Will Katie be able to catch the stars before the gallery guard notices they’ve floated away? 5 and up
Van Gogh and the Sunflowers
By Laurence Anholt
Young Camille befriends a strange visitor to his small town. One day, he brings this man a gift of bright, beautiful sunflowers. The man is Vincent van Gogh and the sunflowers quickly become the subject of a magnificent painting. 6-9 years
In the Garden with Van Gogh
By Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
With a narrative that will entertain art lovers of all ages, this board book is a fun way to introduce young children to fine art. The sleepy trees, golden haystacks and juicy fruits will delight little ones. Playful rhyming text accompany the artist’s timeless paintings. 2-5 years
Portrait of an Artist Vincent van Gogh
By Lucy Brownridge, Illustrated by Edith Carron
Vincent van Gogh was born in the Netherlands and today is one of the world’s best-loved painters. But during his lifetime, Van Gogh struggled to find fame and fortune through his art, making very little money from his paintings, which now sell for millions of dollars.
This book tells the story of Van Gogh’s life through his own artworks, and shows how he came to create some of the most famous paintings in the world, including the Sunflowers and Starry Night. Learn about the importance of brotherly love, his struggle to find the right path and the lasting impact he had on the history of art in this book that brings his work to life. 5-7 years
Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers and Swirly Stars
By Brad Bucks and Joan Holob
This book explores the ups and downs of van Gogh’s life and art which features Buck’s funny cartoons alongside reproductions of van Gogh’s classic paintings like The Starry Night. 5-9 years
Vincent van Gogh
By Mike Venezia
Vincent van Gogh provides an entertaining and humorous introduction to the famous artist, Vincent van Gogh. Full-color reproductions of the actual paintings are enhanced by Venezia’s illustrations and story line. With primary sources, maps, timelines, photos and illustrations, Venzia helps students learn about this notable artist. 7-10 years
Vincent Van Gogh: He Saw the World in Vibrant Colors
By Amy Guglielmo
See the world through Vincent van Gogh’s eyes and be inspired to produce your own masterpieces. Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this illustrated series, created in full collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw, and be inspired to create your own artworks. In the pages of this book, step into Van Gogh’s life and learn what led him to paint his eye-catching self-portraits. See the landscapes that inspired his famous Wheat Fields. Have a go at painting your own sunflowers! 5-9 years
Vincent van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist
by Jan Greenberg and Sarah Jordan
Vincent van Gogh, one of the nineteenth century’s most brilliant artist will forever be remembered as the Dutchman who pioneered new techniques and styles and who, in a fit of passion, cut off his ear. Whether painting a portrait, landscape, or still life, van Gogh sought to capture the vibrant spirit of his subject. Still, fame eluded him. This lack of recognition over a career spanning a mere decade (from twenty-seven to thirty-seven) fueled his lifelong self-doubt and bitter disappointments. Today, van Gogh’s paintings are recognized as masterpieces and the artist as a giant. 10 and up
Vincent and Theo: The van Gogh Brothers
By Deborah Heilgman
The deep and enduring friendship between Vincent and Theo van Gogh shaped both brothers’ lives. Confidant, champion, sympathizer, friend, Theo supported Vincent as he struggled to find his path in life. They shared everything, successes and disappointments, dreams and ambitions. Meticulously researched, drawing on the 658 letters Vincent wrote to Theo during his lifetime, Deborah Heilgman weaves a tale of two lives intertwined and the extraordinary love of the Van Gogh brothers. Young Adult
Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists for Kids
by Carol Sabbeth
Swirling, curling brushstrokes. Vivid colors. Thick layers of paint. These are the hallmarks of a painting by Vincent van Gogh. This book reveals a complex young man who loved nature and reading, spoke four languages and worked as a gallery salesman before finding his calling as an artist. 9 and up
The book descriptions are primarily from the publisher.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
A Boy Named FDR: How Franklin D. Roosevelt Grew Up to Change America
By Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Franklin D. Roosevelt was born into one of the wealthiest families in America, yet this rich kid grew up to do more for ordinary Americans than any other president. This picture book biography shows how, from childhood on, FDR was compassionate, cheerful, determined, and enormously likable. 6-9 years
Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt
By Judith St. George
Young Franklin Roosevelt grew up knowing the finer things in life— sailing, horseback riding, and foxhunts on his family’s large estate. Growing up wealthy meant he could live a gentleman’s life, like his beloved papa. Yet gentlemen weren’t supposed to go into politics, right? But why not? As young Franklin learns from a famous uncle and a famous mentor, there is more to the world than he thought. And about politics? Well, maybe there is more to that, too. 7-10 years
Nice Work Franklin!
By Suzanne Tripp Jurman, Illustrated by Larry Day
As one of the most inspirational and determined presidents, Franklin Roosevelt overcame his disability to lead the country out of the Great Depression.
Franklin idolized his cousin Teddy Roosevelt. He wore glasses like Teddy, he spoke like Teddy and he held the same public offices as Teddy. But then one day his life changed — he developed polio and could no longer walk. Franklin had Teddy’s determination and after physical therapy and hard work he ran for governor of New York and won. Then the Great Depression spread across the country: Banks closed and thousands of people lost their jobs. So, Franklin ran for president, won the office and helped lead America out of the depression. 5-9 years
Who Was Franklin Roosevelt?
By Margaret Frith, Illustrated by John O’Brien
Although polio left him in a wheelchair, Franklin Roosevelt took office during the Great Depression and served as president during World War II. Elected four times, he spent thirteen years in the White House leading America through tremendously difficult times. 8-12 years
Diana’s White House Garden
By Elisa Carone, Illustrated by Jen Hill
World War II is in full force across the seas. It’s 1943, President Franklin Roosevelt is in office, and Diana’s father, Harry Hopkins, is his chief adviser. Diana wants to be part of the war effort. After some well-intentioned missteps, the president requests her help with his newest plan for country’s survival: Victory Gardens! This is the true story of how Diana Hopkins started her own Victory Garden on the White House lawn under the tutelage of Eleanor Roosevelt. With dedication and patience, she showed the nation that the war effort starts first on the home front. 5-8 years
First Dog Fala
By Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, Illustrated by Michael G. Montgomery
Meet the Scottish terrier who won the hearts of a United States president and the American people in 1940. Fala came to live with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the White House. The little dog played in the grass outside the Oval Office, attended important meetings with the president’s advisers, and even dined with the president. But as America was drawn into World War II, life at the White House changed. Fala accompanied the president across the country and around the world and waited with him for the return of American servicemen and an end to a terrible war. This picture book offers young readers a glimpse into American history and the life of an American president through the story of a loyal dog. 4-8 years
Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World
By Douglas Wood, Illustrated by Barry Moser
At the height of World War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill held an extraordinary month-long visit. They planned the success of the Allied powers and strategized a continuing peace for the end of the war. During the Christmas holiday, they cemented a unique bond as they decided how to confront a menace that threatened all of civilization. 6-9 years
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
By Russell Freedman
Well-known author for children, Russell Freedman, traces the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from his birth in 1882, through his youth, early political career, and presidency to his death in Warm Springs, Georgia in 1945. Young Adult
Franklin Delano Roosevelt For Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities
By Richard Panchyk
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s enduring legacy upon the history, culture, politics, and economics of the United States is introduced to children in this activity book. Kids will learn how FDR, a member of one of the founding families of America, led the nation through the darkest days of the Great Depression and World War II as president. Kids will explore Roosevelt’s entire era through such hands-on activities as staging a fireside chat, designing a WPA-style mural, sending a double encoded message, hosting a swing dance party, and participating in a political debate. 9 and up
Two Men and a Car: Franklin Roosevelt, Al Capone and a Cadillac V-8
By Michael Garland
It is December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt leads a nation in crisis. He must make a speech to a joint session of Congress that will build support for America’s entry to World War II, but to do that he needs an armored vehicle in which to make the short trip from the White House to the Capitol Building.
According to legend, the car Roosevelt rode in that day, borrowed from the FBI’s impound lot, was an armored Cadillac V-8 built for gangster Al Capone in the late 1920s to shield himself from enemies. Is the legend true, or is it an American tall tale. Either way, it’s an ideal vehicle to compare and contrast the lives of two American men who grew up within miles of one another: one a great president, the other an infamous villain. 9-12 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Though she came from a wealthy and privileged family, Eleanor Roosevelt grew up in a cheerless household that left her lonely and shy. Years passed before Eleanor began to discover in herself the qualities of intelligence, compassion, and strength that made her a remarkable woman. Barbara Cooney captures the essence of the little girl whose indomitable spirit would make her one of the greatest and most beloved first ladies of all time. 5-8 years
Eleanor, Quiet No More
By Doreen Rapport, Illustrated by Gary Kelley
Eleanor Roosevelt was raised in a privileged but stern Victorian household, with an affectionate but mostly absent father and a critical mother who made fun of her daughter’s looks. Alone and lonely for much of her childhood, Eleanor found solace in books and in the life of her lively and independent mind. Her intellectual gifts and compassionate heart won her the admiration of many friends and the love of her future husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While other young women of her class were spending time at dances and parties, Eleanor devoted her energies to teaching children in New York City’s poorest neighborhoods. Later, she became the most socially and politically active, and the most controversial first lady America had ever seen. Ambassador, activist, and champion of civil rights, Eleanor Roosevelt changed the soul of America forever. 5-8 years
Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws a Picnic
By Leslie Kimmelman, Illustrated by Victor Juhasz
In June of 1939, the United States played host to two very special guests, British King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It was the first visit ever by reigning British royalty and a chance for America to build a stronger relationship with the British, especially in those challenging times. On the domestic side, many people didn’t have jobs, housing, or enough food. Internationally, Adolph Hitler, Germany’s leader, was threatening the countries around him and war loomed on the horizon. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt saw the visit as an opportunity for America to set aside its cares for a while and extend a warm welcome and hand of friendship to the royal guests. As part of the festivities, Eleanor hosted an all-American picnic that included hot dogs, a menu item that seemed to shock some people. 8-11 years
Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?
By Gare Thompson, Illustrated by Elizabeth Wolf
For a long time, the main role of first ladies was to act as hostesses of the White House…until Eleanor Roosevelt. Born in 1884, Eleanor was not satisfied to just be a glorified hostess for her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Eleanor had a voice, and she used it to speak up against poverty and racism. She had passion, energy, and a way of speaking that made people listen. Eleanor Roosevelt changed the role of the first lady forever. 8-12 years
Eleanor Roosevelt (My Itty-Bitty Biography)
By Emma E. Haldy, Illustrated by Jeff Bane
The My Itty-Bitty Bio series are biographies for the earliest readers. This book examines the life of Eleanor Roosevelt in a simple, age-appropriate way that will help children develop word recognition and reading skills. Includes a timeline and other informative backmatter. 4-6 years
I Am Eleanor Roosevelt (Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum)
By Brooke Vitale
A leveled Reader based on an episode from the PBS KIDS animated television series Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum starring Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt helps Xavier learn to take every chance he has to help others when he gets assigned the most boring job in the museum–handing out maps. 6-8 years
Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt were birds of a feather. Not only were they two of the most admired and respected women of all time, they were also good friends. On a brisk and cloudless evening in April 1933, Amelia and Eleanor did the unprecedented, they stole away from a White House dinner, commandeered an Eastern Air Transport plane, and took off on a glorious adventure – while still dressed in their glamorous evening gowns. 7-10 years
Eleanor Everywhere
By Monica Kulling
This inspiring Step Into Reading book tells the true story of how Eleanor Roosevelt, a shy little girl was able to conquer her fears and lead a life full of adventure. From flying with Amelia Earhart and hosting her own radio show to becoming First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt did it all and became one of the most admired women in the world. 7 and up
Eleanor Roosevelt, A Photographic Story of a Life
By Kem Knapp Sawyer
DK’s biography series for young readers features one of the best-known and most inspiring women of the 20th century — Eleanor Roosevelt. This is a biography of the first lady who, despite her shyness, followed her conscience and devoted her life to helping others and working for peace. 10 and up
Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s Remarkable Life
By Candace Fleming
No matter how the question is answered, one thing is clear: there has hardly been a life in the last century that Eleanor Roosevelt has not affected. From securing safe, low-cost housing for Kentucky’s poor, to representing America as the first female delegate to the United Nations, Eleanor rarely kept a second of her life for herself — and she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Filled with photographs of everything from Eleanor’s speech at the 1940 Democratic National Convention to her high school report card, as well as fascinating stories about life in and out of the White House. Teen and YA
Eleanor Roosevelt, Fighter For Justice
By Ilene Cooper
Eleanor Roosevelt, Fighter for Justice shows young readers a different side of the former first lady. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) was a politician, activist, diplomat, and the longest-serving first lady of the United States. But she was more than that. She was a protector and advocate for those without a voice, speaking out on the labor movement and civil rights. Though now seen as a cultural icon, she was a woman who was deeply insecure about her looks and her role in the world. She recognized her own prejudices and constantly strove to overcome them. 10-14 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
By Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Kimberly Bulchen Root
East Texas, the 1930s — the Great Depression: Award-winning author Jonah Winter’s father grew up with seven siblings in a tiny house on the edge of town. Winter shares his father’s story in a lyrical text that is a celebration of family and making do with what you have. 5-9 years
Ruby’s Hope: The Story of How the Famous “Migrant Mother” Photograph Became the Face of the Great Depression
By Monica Kulling, Illustrated by Sara Dvojack
Dorothea Lange’s Depression-era “Migrant Mother” photograph is an icon of American history. Behind this renowned portrait is the story of a family struggling against all odds to survive.
Dust storms and dismal farming conditions force young Ruby’s family to leave their home in Oklahoma and travel to California to find work. As they move from camp to camp, Ruby sometimes finds it hard to hold on to hope. But on one fateful day, Dorothea Lange arrives with her camera and takes six photographs of the young family. When one of the photographs appears in the newspaper, it opens the country’s eyes to the reality of the migrant workers’ plight and inspires an outpouring of much needed support.
Children of the Great Depression
By Russell Freedman
Russell Freedman illuminates the lives of the American children affected by the economic and social changes of the Great Depression. Middle-class urban youth, migrant farm laborers, boxcar kids, children whose families found themselves struggling for survival…all Depression-era young people faced challenges like unemployed and demoralized parents, inadequate food and shelter, schools they couldn’t attend because they had to go to work, schools that simply closed their doors. Even so, life had its bright spots — like favorite games and radio shows — and many young people remained upbeat and optimistic about the future.
Drawing on memoirs, diaries, letters and other firsthand accounts, and illustrated with classic archival photographs, this book by one of the most celebrated authors of nonfiction for children places the Great Depression in context and shows young readers its human face. 10-12 years
What Was the Great Depression?
By Janet B. Pascal, Illustrated by Dede Putra
On October 29, 1929, life in the United States took a turn for the worst. The stock market — system that controls money in America — plunged to a record law. But this event was only the beginning of many bad years to come. By the early 1930s, one out of three people was not working. People lost their jobs, their houses, or both and ended up in shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” named for the president at the time of the crash. By 1933, many banks had gone under. Though the United States has seen other times of struggle, the Great Depression remains one of the hardest and most widespread tragedies in American history. 8-12 years
Dorothea Lange: The Photographer Who Found the Faces of the Depression
By Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Sarah Green
Before she raised her lens to take her most iconic photo, Dorothea Lange took photos of the downtrodden, from bankers in once-fine suits waiting in breadlines, to former slaves, to the homeless sleeping on sidewalks. A case of polio had left her with a limp and sympathetic to those less fortunate. Traveling across the United States, documenting with her camera and her fieldbook those most affected by the stock market crash, she found the face of the Great Depression. 5-8 years
Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp
By Jerry Stanley
Illustrated with photographs from the Dust Bowl era. This true story takes place at the emergency farm-labor camp immortalized in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Ostracized as “dumb Okies,” the children of Dust Bowl migrant laborers go without school — until Superintendent Leo Hart and 50 Okie kids build their own school in a nearby field. 8-12 years
Potato: A Tale From the Great Depression
By Kate Lied, Illustrated by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Kate Lied tells the story of her grandparents during the Great Depression. After her grandfather Clarence loses his job and the bank takes his house, he and his family move to Idaho to harvest potatoes. They live in a tent and earn enough money to keep the family together through hard times. 6-10 years
The Great Depression: Hardship and Hope in the 1930s
By Cheryl Mullenbach
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live during the Great Depression? Perhaps you think of the stock market crash of 1929, unemployed workers standing in breadlines, and dust storms swirling around the Great Plains. But the 1930s was also a time when neighbors helped neighbors, librarians delivered books by horseback, an army of young men rebuilt the nation’s forests, roads and parks, and Shirley Temple, the curly-haired child star asked moviegoers to “stand up and cheer” in the darkest days. Twenty-one hands on activities included. 9 and up
Out of the Dust
By Karen Hesse
“Dust piles up like snow across the prairie…
A terrible accident has transformed Billie Jo’s life, scarring her inside and out. Her mother is gone. Her father can’t talk about it. And the one thing that might make her feel better, playing the piano, is impossible with her wounded hands.
To make matters worse, dust storms are devastating the family farm and all the farms nearby. While others flee from the dust bowl, Billie Jo is left to find peace in the bleak landscape of Oklahoma and in the surprising landscape of her own heart. 8-12 years
Dust for Dinner
By Ann Turner, Illustrated by Robert Barrett
Jake and Maggy live on a farm where they love to sing and dance to mama’s radio. Then terrible dust storms come and ruin the land. The family has no choice but to auction off the farm and make the long hard journey west to California away from the dust storms, where the land is still green. Along the way, Papa tries to find work and Jake and Maggy try to help. But what if Papa can’t find work? What if California isn’t better after all. 4-8 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below! Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
