America is Under Attack: September 11, 2001 the Day the Towers Fell
By Don Brown
The events of September 11, 2001, changed the world forever. Don Brown narrates the events of the day in a way that is both accessible and understandable for young readers. Straightforward and honest, this account moves chronologically through the morning, from the terrorist plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations at the WTC site in New York City to the collapse of the buildings. Watercolor illustrations capture the emotion and pathos of the tragedy making this an important book about an unforgettable day in American history. Grades 1-4
Survivor Tree
By Marcie Colleen, Illustrated by Aaron Becker
This hopeful story of a resilient tree that grew (and still grows) at the base of the twin towers is a simple introduction for young readers to gain an understanding of September 11th and the impact it had on America.
One September day, the perfect blue sky exploded. Dust billowed. Buildings crumbled. And underneath it all, a tree sprouted green leaves in its distress. Pulled from the wreckage, the tree saw many seasons pass as it slowly recovered far away from home. Until one day, forever scarred and forever stronger, it was replanted at the 9/11 Memorial.
This story of the real Survivor Tree uses nature’s cycle of colors to reflect on the hope and healing that come after a tragedy—and assures readers of their own remarkable resilience. 4-8 years
Towers Falling
By Jewell Parker Rhodes
When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Dèja can’t help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. But just as she gets closer to answering big questions about who she is, what America means, and how communities can grow and heal, she uncovers new questions. Like, why does Pop get so angry when she brings up anything about the towers?
Jewell Parker Rhodes tells a story about young people who weren’t alive to witness this defining moment in history, but begin to realize how much it colors their every day. Grades 3-7
What Were the Twin Towers
By Jim O’Connor, Illustrated by Ted Hammond
Discover the true story of the Twin Towers—how they came to be the tallest buildings in the world and why they were destroyed.
When the Twin Towers were built in 1973, they were billed as an architectural wonder. At 1,368 feet, they clocked in as the tallest buildings in the world and changed the New York City skyline dramatically. Offices and corporations moved into the towers—also known as the World Trade Center—and the buildings were seen as the economic hub of the world. But on September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack toppled the towers and changed our nation forever. Discover the whole story of the Twin Towers—from their ambitious construction to their tragic end. Grades 3-7
National Geographic Readers: September 11
By Libby Romero
The events of September 11, 2001, changed the world forever. With photographs and sensitive, age-appropriate text, this Level 3 reader recounts the shocking attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania. This book explains who was behind the attacks, and celebrates the spirit of hope that emerged through the inspiring story of rescue and recovery and the heroes who raced to save lives. 5-8 years
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey
By Maira Kalman
The John J. Harvey fireboat was the largest, fastest, shiniest fireboat of its time, but by 1995, the city didn’t need old fireboats anymore. So the Harvey retired, until a group of friends decided to save it from the scrap heap. Then, one sunny September day in 2001, something so horrible happened that the whole world shook. A call came from the fire department, asking if the Harvey could battle the roaring flames. In this true story, Maira Kalman brings a New York City icon to life and proves that old heroes never die. Preschool – 3rd Grade
The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story
By Cheryl Somers Aubin, Illustrated by Shelia Harrington
The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story takes the reader on a journey of hope and healing that parallels our nation’s own journey following the events of September 11, 2001.
A month after the collapse of the Twin Towers, workers on the site discovered a few green leaves showing through the gray concrete and ash. Clearing the debris, they found a badly injured Callery Pear Tree. She was rescued, taken to a nursery outside the city, and put in the care of Richie, a City Parks Worker. No one was sure if she would live. But the following spring, a dove built a nest in her branches and new green buds appeared.
Over the years, the tree, although still bearing scars, grew tall and strong. She is planted in a place of honor on the 9/11 Memorial Plaza and now known as “The 9/11 Survivor Tree.” This story describes the experience, memories, and feelings of the tree throughout her healing and her eventual return home. All profits from the sale of this book go to charity. 8-12 years
September 11 Then and Now
By Peter Benoit
Discover the events of September 11th, 2001, in one of the A True Book: Natural Disasters series. This book investigates the events leading up to the disaster, explores it causes, and ponders how the events changed, or could have altered history. 8-11years
Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11
By Julie Gassman, Illustrated by Steve Moors
September 11, 2001, was a dark day in U.S. history. Amid the chaos, sea captains and crews raced by boat to the tragic Manhattan scene. Nearly 500,000 people on Manhattan Island were rescued that day in what would later be called the largest sea evacuation in history. In this story of heroism, we come to understand that in our darkest hours, people shine brightly as a beacon of hope. Grades 3-6
10 True Tales: Heroes of 9/11
By Allan Zallo
When Captain Jay Jonas of the Fire Department of New York hears an emergency radio message about the World Trade Center, he has no idea of the terrible conditions he and his team will face. Arriving at the burning building, the firefighters must summon all their courage. On the same morning, just outside Washington, D.C., a jetliner piloted by terrorists slams into the Pentagon. Can Colonel Philip McNair save lives inside the flaming building?
From the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to a hijacked plane above Pennsylvania, these ten stories of true American heroes on the day that changed America — September 11, 2001. Grades 3-7
Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story
By Nora Raleigh Baskin
Ask anyone: September 11, 2001, was serene and lovely, a perfect day—until a plane struck the World Trade Center.
But right now it is a few days earlier, and four kids in different parts of the country are going about their lives. Sergio, who lives in Brooklyn, is struggling to come to terms with the absentee father he hates and the grandmother he loves. Will’s father is gone, too, killed in a car accident that has left the family reeling. Naheed has never before felt uncomfortable about being Muslim, but at her new school she’s getting funny looks because of the head scarf she wears. Aimee is starting a new school in a new city and missing her mom, who has to fly to New York on business.
These four don’t know one another, but their lives are about to intersect in ways they never could have imagined. Nora Raleigh Baskin weaves together their stories into a novel about that seemingly perfect September day—the day our world changed forever. Grades 3-7
The books 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
Neil Armstrong become the first person to set foot on the moon. Long before that astonishing day in 1969, Armstrong was already dreaming of journeys above the clouds, visiting air shows and gaining his student pilot’s license at age sixteen. Find out how this flight-obsessed astronaut went on to take one of the most momentous steps in history. 8-10 years
Who Was the First Man on the Moon? Graphic Novel
By Nathan Page, Illustrated by Drew Shannon
From his childhood experiments to his first encounters with flight, explore the steps Neil Armstrong took in order to become the first person to land on the moon. A story of calculated risk, perseverance, and earth-defying reward, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves in the life of the famous astronaut — brought to life by gripping narrative and full-color illustrations that fly off the page. 8-12 years
When Neil Armstrong Built a Wind Tunnel
by Mark Andrew Weakland, Illustrated by Luciano Lozano
Astronaut Neil Armstrong couldn’t be held down by Earth’s gravity. As the first person to step foot on the moon, Neil took the U.S. space program to new heights. But before that, he had a humble boyhood of cutting lawns, cleaning ovens, washing airplanes and plenty of adventures, including building a wind tunnel in his parents’ basement! This playful story shows young readers that the sky’s not the limit for their own dreams. 6-8 years
One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong
By Don Brown
As a young boy, Neil Armstrong had a recurring dream in which he held his breath and floated high above the people, houses, and cars. He spent his free time reading stacks of flying magazines, building model airplanes, and staring through his homemade telescope mounted on the roof of his neighbor’s garage. As a teenager, Neil became obsessed with the idea of flight, working odd jobs to pay for flying lessons at a nearby airport. He earned his student pilot’s license on his sixteenth birthday.
Who knew that this shy boy, who also loved books and music, would become the first person to set foot on the moon. This is the inspiring story of one boy’s dream – a dream of flying that landed him more than 200,000 miles away from his home on earth. 4-7 years
Who Was Neil Armstrong?
By Roberta Edwards
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a “giant leap for mankind.” This Eagle Scout built his own model planes and grew up to become first a test pilot for experimental aircraft and then an astronaut, the first to walk on the moon. Over 80 black-and-white illustrations bring Armstrong’s story to life. 8-12 years
I am Neil Armstrong
By Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
This fun biography focuses on the traits that made Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, great — traits that kids can aspire to. I amNeil Armstrong tells the story of one of America’s icons in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that includes his childhood influences. At the back is a timeline and photos. 5-8 years
Neil Armstrong One Giant Leap for Mankind
By Tara Dixon-Engel Illustrated by Mike Jackson
Neil Armstrong was America’s rocket man, the first person to set foot on the moon and turn science fiction into amazing reality. Award-winning authors Tara Dixon-Engel and Mike Jackson tell the fascinating story of how Armstrong went where no one had gone before, leaving his mark on the powdery surface of another world.
Even at an age when other boys were just learning to drive, Neil was training to reach the skies. He went on to study aeronautical engineering, win medals as a fighter pilot, try out the X-15 experimental rocket plane, and become one of the elite few chosen to be a NASA astronaut…where he took the test pilot’s credo of “higher, faster and farther” to thrilling heights. 10 and up
Pocket Bios: Neil Armstrong
By Al Berenger
Neil Armstrong is an American astronaut most famous for being the first person to walk on the moon: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Before enrolling in the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1962, Armstrong was an officer in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War. Follow this extraordinary man’s life and accomplishments, from childhood to space and back again. 4-7 years
Take a Giant Leap Neil Armstrong
By Peter and Connie Roop
This Scholastic Chapter Book is a biography of Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon and tells what he was like as a young boy.
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
Guy Haydon raised and trained Midnight from the time she was a foal. The two had such a strong bond that when World War I broke out, Lieutenant Haydon slipped away from the frontlines of Gallipoli on an Egypt-bound ship to reunite with his horse. There, in the city of Beersheba, on October 31, 1917, two regiments of the Australian Light Horse Brigade took part in one of the last great cavalry charges in history. Among the first to leap the enemy trenches was Lieutenant Guy Haydon, riding Midnight—who succumbed to a bullet that might have otherwise killed her rider. In a new story from an award-winning duo, luminous illustrations and lyrical narration bring a sad moment in history to life. 5-9 years
Winnie’s Great War
by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Here is a heartwarming imagining of the real journey undertaken by the extraordinary bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. From her early days with her mama in the Canadian forest, to her remarkable travels with the Veterinary Corps across the country and overseas, and all the way to the London Zoo where she met Christopher Robin Milne (and inspired the creation of the world’s most famous bear,) Winnie is on a great war adventure.
This story is a blending of deep research and magnificent imagination. Infused with Sophie Blackall’s renderings of an endearing bear, the book is also woven through with entries from Captain Harry Colebourn’s real wartime diaries and contains a selection of artifacts from the Colebourn Family Archives. The result is a one-of-a-kind exploration into the realities of war, the meaning of courage, and the indelible power of friendship, all told through the historic adventures of one extraordinary bear. 8-11 years
Stubby The Dog Soldier: World War I Hero
By Blake Hoena, Illustrated by Oliver Ian Hurst
A stray dog named Stubby braves the World War I battlefields alongside Private J. Robert Conroy. See the story unfold as this brave little canine makes a big difference in the lives of many World War I soldiers. 5-7 years
Knit Your Bit! A World War I Story
By Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia
Mikey’s dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something BIG to help. When his teacher suggests that the class participate in a knitting bee in Central Park to knit clothing for the troops, Mikey and his friends roll their eyes—knitting is for girls! But when the girls turn it into a competition, the boys just have to meet the challenge.
Based on a real “Knit-In” event at Central Park in 1918, Knit Your Bit shows readers that making a lasting contribution is as easy as trying something new! 5-8 years
Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Most Famous Dog
By Ann Bausum
Move over, Rin Tin Tin. Here comes Sgt. Stubby! That German shepherd, Rin Tin Tin, star of the silver screen may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, but Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way.
Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. The Connecticut volunteer never imagined that his stray dog would become a war hero. He just liked the little guy. When Conroy’s unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. By the time Stubby encountered Conroy’s commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute. Charmed, the CO awarded Stubby mascot status and sent him along with Conroy’s unit to the Western Front. 10-13 years
DK Findout! World War I
By Brian Williams
Did you know that the Allied powers used 33,000 camels in desert warfare? Or that more than 500,000 pigeons carried messages to the war’s front lines? Find out why!
Perfect for young history buffs and fans of the Axis & Allies board games, DK findout! World War I is a highly visual world-history book sure to inspire the next amazing school project or report. Inside, author Brian Williams breaks down why the war began, how it was fought, and what brought it to an end. 6-9 years
Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood
By Nathan Hale
World War I set the tone for the 20th century and introduced a new type of warfare: global, mechanical, and brutal. Nathan Hale has gathered some of the most fascinating true-life tales from the war and given them his inimitable Hazardous Tales twist. Easy to understand, funny, informative, and lively, this series is the best way to be introduced to some of the most well-known battles (and little-known secrets) of the infamous war. 8-12
Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion
By Chris Barton, Illustrated by Victo Ngai
During World War I, British and American ships were painted with bold colors and crazy patterns from bow to stern. Why would anyone put such eye-catching designs on ships?
Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship’s speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs.
Author Chris Barton and illustrator Victo Ngai bring to life this little-known story of how the unlikely and the improbable became just plain dazzling. 7-11 years
Where Poppies Grow: A World War I Companion
By Linda Granfield
When World War I began in 1914, no one knew that millions of young people would die in the agonizing years ahead. No one imagined the effect it would have on family life, or that whole villages would disappear, or that entire nations would be changed forever. They believed their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers would be home by Christmas. They were tragically mistaken.
With photos, memorabilia, and anecdotes, Linda Granfield brings us face-to-face with people from all walks of life who risked everything for their country. These painstakingly-gathered bits and pieces are remnants of conflict on a scale never before witnessed. Hastily-penned letters, notes written in code, and prayers for deliverance form an eloquent portrait of humanity, and a startling comment on the devastation of war. 11 and up
World War I For Kids: A History with 21 Activities
By R. Kent Rasmussen
One hundred years after the start of the “Great War,” World War I for Kids provides an intriguing and comprehensive look at this defining conflict that involved all of the world’s superpowers. Why and how did the war come about? What was daily life like for soldiers in the trenches? What roles did zeppelins, barbed wire, and the passenger ship Lusitania play in the war? Who were Kaiser Wilhelm, the Red Baron, and Edith Cavell? Young history buffs will learn the answers these questions and many others, including why the western front bogged down into a long stalemate; how the war ushered in an era of rapid military, technological, and societal advances; and how the United States’ entry helped end the war.
Far from a dry catalog of names, dates, and battles, this richly illustrated book goes in depth into such fascinating topics as turn-of-the-20th-century weaponry and the important roles animals played in the war, and explains connections among events and how the war changed the course of history. Hands-on activities illuminate both the war and the times.
Kids can: Make a periscope, teach a dog to carry messages, make a parachute, learn a popular World War I song, cook Maconochie Stew and much more. 9 and up
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!
As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success. They worked with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world’s first successful airplane. This is the story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers who never lost sight of their dream: to fly, and to soar higher!
Science Comics: Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared
Benjamin A. Wilgus, Illustrated by Molly Brooks
Follow the famous aviators from their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, to the fields of North Carolina where they were to make their famous flights. In an era of dirigibles and hot air balloons, the Wright Brothers were among the first innovators of heavier than air flight.
But in the hotly competitive international race toward flight, Orville and Wilbur were up against a lot more than bad weather. Mechanical failures, lack of information, and even other aviators complicated the Wright Brothers’ journey. Though they weren’t as wealthy as their European counterparts, their impressive achievements demanded attention on the international stage. Thanks to their carefully recorded experiments and a healthy dash of bravery, the Wright Brothers’ flying machines took off. 9-13 years
Wright Brothers: Inventors Whose Ideas Really Took Flight
By Mike Venezia
Meet the Wright Brothers! Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Inventors and Scientists series combines a mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and cartoon-style illustrations. These bring to life the work and contributions of renowned scientists and inventors.
The Wright Sister: Katharine Wright and her Famous Brothers
By Richard Maurer
Not many people know that the Wright brothers had a sister, Katharine Wright. She supported her high-flying, inventor brothers through their aviation triumphs and struggles. This is her story.
On a chilly December day in 1903, a young woman came home from her teaching job in Dayton, Ohio, to find a telegram waiting for her. The woman was Katharine Wright. The telegram, from her brother Orville, announced the first successful airplane flight in history. Richard Maurer tells Katharine’s story. Smart and well-educated, she was both confidant and caregiver to her bachelor brothers. She managed many of their affairs, traveling with them on frequent trips to demonstrate and promote their invention. She cared for them when they were sick from disease and injury. In doing so, she gave up her ambitions as a teacher and her early hopes of marriage.
The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane
By Russell Freedman
This is a narrative account of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s story. They had little formal schooling but a knack for solving problems. The book chronicles their lives from their early mechanical work on toys and bicycles through the development of several flyers. The Wright Brothers follows the siblings through their achievements—not only the first powered, sustained, controlled airplane flight, but the numerous improvements and enhancements.
The Wright Brothers For Kids: They Invented the Airplane, 21 Activities Exploring Science and the History of Flight
By Mary Kay Carson
This activity book tells the true story of how two bicycle-making brothers from Ohio, with no more than high-school educations, accomplished a feat that forever changed the world. At a time when most people still hadn’t ridden in an automobile, Wilbur and Orville Wright built the first powered, heavier-than-air flying machine.
Woven throughout the story of the two brothers are activities that highlight their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities as they overcame many obstacles to achieve controlled flight.
First Flight: The Wright Brothers DK Reader
By Leslie Garrett
In this DK Level 4 Reader, follow the story of brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright as they plan and build a flying machine!
Photographs combine with illustrations and age-appropriate stories to capture a child’s interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.
The Wright Brothers First Flight: A Fly on the Wall History
By Thomas Kingsley Troupe, Illustrated by Jomike Tejido
From a sandy North Carolina dune to mid air … Two cartoon flies join readers as they follow Orville and Wilbur Wright on their quest for flight. This book provides a blend of facts and fun while telling the story of a great moment in American and aviation history.
My Brother’s Flying Machine: Wilbur, Orville and Me
By Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Jim Burke
In celebration of the Wright Brothers’ flight, this story is told from the point of view of their sister, Katharine, who watched her brothers play with a toy flying machine, which was the beginning of their remarkable collaboration.
The Story of the Wright Brothers
By Annette Whipple
The Wright brothers were the first people ever to build and fly an airplane, doing what many people at the time didn’t think was possible. Before they made history with their airplane, Wilbur and Orville were curious kids who loved learning about the world around them and how it worked. They fell in love with the idea of flying and taught themselves everything they needed to know to make their dream come true.
Explore how the Wright brothers went from young boys growing up in Ohio to world-famous inventors, aviators, and businessmen. How will their hard work and big imaginations inspire you?
The Story of the Wright Brothers includes:
Lasting change―Learn about how the Wright brothers’ inventions changed how we live today.
Helpful glossary―Find definitions for some of the more advanced words and ideas in the book.
Visual timeline―Watch the Wright brothers progress from curious kids to famous flyers.
The Wright Brothers: Nose Diving into History
By Ben Thompson
A hilarious nonfiction look at two of history’s most epic “failures”: the Wright brothers, whose countless crashes ultimately led to groundbreaking success.
Although Orville and Wilbur Wright are celebrated today as heroes for their revolutionary contributions to science and engineering―they are acknowledged as the first men to successfully achieve powered, piloted flight―their success was hard-earned. (Spoiler alert: there were a lot of nosedives involved.) In fact, it took the self-taught engineers years of work and dozens of crashes before they managed a single twelve-second flight!
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
Plagues, Pox, and Pestilence is a history of disease, and pestilence, told from the point of view of the bugs and pests that cause them. This book features case histories of epidemics and eyewitness accounts from the rats, flies, ticks and creepy-crawlies who spread diseases. There are lots of fascinating facts and figures on the biggest and worst afflictions. 7-12 years
Outbreak! Plagues That Changed History
By Bryn Barnard
Filled with fascinating, often gory details about disease and history, Outbreak! is the combination of science and history.
Did the Black Death destroy medieval Europe? Did cholera pave the way for modern Manhattan? Did yellow fever help end the slave trade? Remarkably, the answer to all of these questions is yes. Time and again, diseases have impacted the course of human history in surprisingly powerful ways. Bryn Barnard describes the symptoms and paths of the world’s worst diseases—and how the epidemics they spawned have changed history forever. 8-12 years
Epidemic, Pandemic, Should I Call the Medic?
By Baby Professor
What is the difference between epidemics and pandemics? Learn the difference and more in this biology book for kids. 6 and up
An American Plague:
The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
By Jim Murphy
In 1793, Philadelphia was the nation’s capital and the largest city in North America. It’s devastated by an apparently incurable disease, its cause unknown.
Jim Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever. It took a toll on the city’s residents. He relates the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices. Drawing on first-hand accounts, he spotlights the heroic role of Philadelphia’s free blacks in combating the epidemic. And the Constitutional crisis that President Washington faced when he was forced to leave the city while escaping the deadly contagion. The search for the fever’s causes and cure, not found for more than a century afterward, provides a suspenseful counterpoint to this story of a city under siege. 10-12 years
Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America
By Susan Campbell Bartoletti
What happens when a person’s reputation has been forever damaged? With archival photographs and text among other primary sources, this biography of Mary Mallon looks beyond the tabloid scandal of Mary’s controversial life. How she was treated by medical and legal officials reveals a lesser-known story of human and constitutional rights. It’s entangled with the science of pathology and the enduring questions about who Mary Mallon really was. How did her name become synonymous with deadly disease? And who is really responsible for the lasting legacy of Typhoid Mary? This exploration includes an author’s note, timeline, annotated source notes, and bibliography. 12 and up
Plague! Epidemics, and Scourges Through the Ages
By John Farndon, Illustrated by Venitia Dean
Being sick is horrible. But it used to be worse. Inside this book, you’ll see evidence of the plagues of the past―rotting skin, dissolving lungs, and sinister swelling all over the body. Diseases like the Black Death wiped out whole towns and villages. Tuberculosis consumed young people like a bloodsucking vampire. And Smallpox left its victims scarred for life―if they survived. At the time, no one knew where these killer diseases came from or how to treat them. But eventually doctors discovered how these diseases and others were spread. Being sick isn’t quite as sickening as it was in the past! 8-12 years
Purple Death
By David Getz
The Spanish Flu was one of the worst epidemics in this country’s history, and the search for its cause is still one of science’s most urgent quests. David Getz tells young readers the story of the mysterious flu known as the Purple Death―the virus responsible for the worst epidemic in American history.
It was 1918, the last year of World War I. Thousands of men lived in crowded army training camps that were scattered all across the United States. That spring, a strange flu struck the soldiers at a camp in the Midwest. Healthy young men went to the hospital complaining of sore throats and fevers. Within hours they had suffocated, their skin taking on a terrible purplish hue.
The devastating flu spread like wildfire across the country, infecting soldiers and civilians alike. It killed more than half a million people in a matter of months, then disappeared as suddenly as it had come.
To this day, no one knows what caused a common flu to become so deadly, but scientists are still searching for answers. What they discover could save millions of lives if another common flu virus suddenly turns into a killer. 7-10 years
Fever 1793
By Laurie Halse Anderson
An epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of Philadelphia.
During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out.
The epidemic sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie’s world upside down. At her feverish mother’s insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.
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
Ever since Barack Obama was young, hope has lived inside him. From the beaches of Hawaii to the streets of Chicago, from the jungles of Indonesia to the plains of Kenya, he has held on to hope. Even as a boy, Barack knew he wasn’t quite like anybody else, but through his journeys he found the ability to listen to hope and become what he was meant to be: a bridge to bring people together. 5-8 years
Be Bold, Baby: Michelle Obama
By Alison Oliver
Celebrate Michelle Obama’s most motivational and powerful moments, with quotes from the former First Lady and vibrant illustrations by Alison Oliver. Baby-3 years
Who Is Barack Obama?
By Roberta Edwards, Illustrated by John O’Brien
As the world now knows, Barack Obama has made history as our first African-American president. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this biography is perfect for primary graders. 8-12 years
Who Is Michelle Obama?
By Megan Stine, Illustrated by John O’Brien
Born into a close knit family in Chicago, Michelle Robinson was a star student who graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law. Then in 1992, she married another promising young lawyer and the rest, as they say, is history. It is undeniable that President Barack Obama has changed the United States. But so has Michelle Obama, the self proclaimed “Mom in Chief.” This is a compelling, easy-to-read biography. 8-12 years
Barack Obama: Out of Many, One
By Shana Corey
A Step 3 Step into Reading Biography Reader about our forty-fourth president, Barack Obama. With clear and accessible language, independent readers can learn how the lessons and love from Obama’s mother and grandparents shaped him. How the places he lived influenced him. And how he turned his childhood feeling of being an outsider into a positive driving force that propelled him into the history books. 5-8 years
Michelle Obama: First Lady, Going Higher
By Shana Corey, Illustrated by James Bernardin
Michelle Obama is a lot like you. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago with her brother, Craig. She rode her bike and played freeze tag with her friends. And she and her family ate dinner together every night.
Michelle’s parents taught her to work hard and not let anyone or anything stand in her way. That work ethic propelled her through her whole life—through her magnet high school, her college years at Princeton, and Harvard Law School. Her parents also taught her to help others once she found success. This is evident in her work as First Lady of the United States and beyond. 5-8 years
Barack
By Jonah Winter, Illustrated by AG Ford
This is a journey that began in many places.
It began in Kansas, home of Barack’s mother. It began in Africa, home of Barack’s father. It began in Hawaii one moonlit night, the night that Barack was born.
Sometimes it was a lonely journey. Sometimes it was an enchanted journey. But throughout this most unusual ride, this boy often wondered: Who am I? Where do I belong?
Jonah Winter and AG Ford re-create the extraordinary story behind the rise of the inspirational icon Barack Obama. 4-8 years
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment
By Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, Illustrated by Brittany Jackson
A visit to Washington, DC’s National Portrait Gallery forever alters Parker Curry’s young life when she views First Lady Michelle Obama’s portrait.
When Parker Curry came face-to-face with Amy Sherald’s transcendent portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery, she didn’t just see the First Lady of the United States. She saw a queen—one with dynamic self-assurance, regality, beauty, and truth who captured this young girl’s imagination. When a nearby museum-goer snapped a photo of a mesmerized Parker, it became an internet sensation. Inspired by this visit, Parker, and her mother, Jessica Curry, tell the story of a young girl and her family, whose trip to a museum becomes an extraordinary moment. 4-8 years
Barack Obama: Groundbreaking President
By Jodie Shepherd
Fact-filled Rookie Read-About Biographies introduce the youngest readers to influential women and men, both past and present. This book offers a look back at President Obama’s road to the highest office in the land and provides an overview of some of his greatest accomplishments as chief executive. 6-9 years
I Look Up to Michelle Obama
By Anna Membrino, Illustrated by Fatti Burke
It’s never too early to introduce your child to the people you admire! This board book distills Michelle Obama’s excellent qualities into illustrated little baby-sized bites, with text designed to share and read aloud.
Each spread highlights an important trait, and is enhanced by a quote from Michelle herself. Kids will grow up hearing the words of this influential woman. Preschool and up
The Story of Barack Obama: A Biography Book for New Readers
By Tonya Leslie
Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States. Before he made history fighting for the environment, health care, and civil rights, he was a smart kid who knew he wanted to help others. He worked hard to become a lawyer, a senator, and then the president, all so that he could make people’s lives better.
With this Barack Obama children’s book, you can explore how he went from being a boy growing up in Hawaii to one of the most celebrated leaders in the world. How will his extraordinary journey inspire you? 6-8 years
Michelle Obama First Lady and Superhero
By Sarah Howden, Illustrated by Nick Craine
During a special Girl Scouts trip, Darlene gets to camp out on the lawn of the White House! But how will she find the courage to show Michelle Obama her knot-tying skills? 4-8 years
The President Sang Amazing Grace
By Zoe Mulford, Illustrated by Jeff Scher
When nine people were killed in a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, the nation grieved as one, and when President Barack Obama sang “Amazing Grace” during his eulogy for Reverend Clementa Pinckney, it was acknowledged as one of the most powerful moments of his presidency. 5-7 years
Become Like Michelle Obama
By Caroline Moss, Illustrated by Sinem Erkas
Discover how Michelle became an inspirational leader, FLOTUS, lawyer, author, and role model in this true story of her life. Then, learn 10 key lessons from her work you can apply to your own life.
Michelle Obama grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a little bungalow with a close-knit family. She loved going to school, and she knew that, one day, she would use her voice to empower other young girls, just like her. Young Michelle was a brilliant student and wonderful daughter. With hard work and talent, she propelled herself into the universities of Princeton and Harvard. She qualified as a lawyer and life was going smoothly…Then she met a guy named Barack. 6-8 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
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. — American Library Association.
2022
The People’s Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art
By Cynthia Levinson, Illustrated by Evan Turk
“The first thing I can remember,” Ben said, “I drew.” As an observant child growing up in Lithuania, Ben Shahn yearns to draw everything he sees—and, after seeing his father banished by the Czar for demanding workers’ rights, he develops a keen sense of justice, too.
So when Ben and the rest of his family make their way to America, Ben brings both his sharp artistic eye and his desire to fight for what’s right. As he grows, he speaks for justice through his art—by disarming classmates who bully him because he’s Jewish, by defying his teachers’ insistence that he paint beautiful landscapes rather than true stories, by urging the US government to pass Depression-era laws to help people find food and jobs.
In this moving and timely portrait, award-winning author Cynthia Levinson and illustrator Evan Turk honor an artist, immigrant, and activist whose work still resonates today: a true painter for the people.
2021
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
By Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Eric Rohmann
A tiny honeybee emerges through the wax cap of her cell. Driven to protect and take care of her hive, she cleans the nursery and feeds the larvae and the queen. But is she strong enough to fly? Not yet!
Apis builds wax comb to store honey, and transfers pollen from other bees into the storage. She defends the hive from invaders. And finally, she begins her new life as an adventurer.
The confining walls of the hive fall away as Apis takes to the air, finally free, in a brilliant double-gatefold illustration where the clear blue sky is full of promise– and the wings of dozens of honeybees, heading out in search of nectar to bring back to the hive.
2020
Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.
Fry bread is food. It is warm and delicious, piled high on a plate.
Fry bread is time. It brings families together for meals and new memories.
Fry bread is nation. It is shared by many, from coast to coast and beyond.
Fry bread is us. It is a celebration of old and new, traditional and modern, similarity and difference.
2019
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science
By Joyce Sidman
Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be “born of mud” and to be “beasts of the devil.” Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them?
One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. In this visual nonfiction biography, richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, the Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman paints her own picture of one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects. 10-12 years
2018
Twelve Days in May: Freedom Ride 1961
By Larry Dane Brimner
On May 4, 1961, a group of thirteen black and white civil rights activists launched the Freedom Ride, aiming to challenge the practice of segregation on buses and at bus terminal facilities in the South.
The Ride would last twelve days. Despite the fact that segregation on buses crossing state lines was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1946, and segregation in interstate transportation facilities was ruled unconstitutional in 1960, these rulings were routinely ignored in the South. The thirteen Freedom Riders intended to test the laws and draw attention to the lack of enforcement with their peaceful protest. As the Riders traveled deeper into the South, they encountered increasing violence and opposition. Noted civil rights author Larry Dane Brimner relies on archival documents and rarely seen images to tell the riveting story of the little-known first days of the Freedom Ride. With author’s note, source notes, bibliography, and index. 10-12 years
2017
March: Book Three
By John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, Illustrated by Nate Powell
By the fall of 1963, the Civil Rights Movement has penetrated deep into the American consciousness, and as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, John Lewis is guiding the tip of the spear. Through relentless direct action, SNCC continues to force the nation to confront its own blatant injustice, but for every step forward, the danger grows more intense: Jim Crow strikes back through legal tricks, intimidation, violence, and death. The only hope for lasting change is to give voice to the millions of Americans silenced by voter suppression: “One Man, One Vote.”
To carry out their nonviolent revolution, Lewis and an army of young activists launch a series of innovative campaigns, including the Freedom Vote, Mississippi Freedom Summer, and an all-out battle for the soul of the Democratic Party waged live on national television. With these new struggles come new allies, new opponents, and an unpredictable new president who might be both at once. But fractureswithin the movement are deepening … even as 25-year-old John Lewis prepares to risk everything in a historic showdown high above the Alabama river, in a town called Selma. 10 and up
2016
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
By Duncan Tonatiuh
Funny Bones tells the story of how the amusing calaveras—skeletons performing various everyday or festive activities—came to be. They are the creation of Mexican artist José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada (1852–1913.) In a country that was not known for freedom of speech, he first drew political cartoons, much to the amusement of the local population but not the politicians. He continued to draw cartoons throughout much of his life, but he is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Juxtaposing his own art with that of Lupe’s, author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to light the remarkable life and work of a man whose art is beloved by many but whose name has remained in obscurity.
The book includes an author’s note, bibliography, glossary, and index. 6-10 years
2015
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus
By Jen Bryant, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions — and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.
Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget’s life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words. 7 and up
2014
Parrots Over Puerto Rico
By Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore, Illustrated by Susan L. Roth
Above the treetops of Puerto Rico flies a flock of parrots as green as their island home. . . . These are Puerto Rican parrots. They lived on this island for millions of years, and then they nearly vanished from the earth forever. Puerto Rican parrots, once abundant, came perilously close to extinction in the 1960s due to centuries of foreign exploration and occupation, development, and habitat destruction. In this compelling book, Roth and Trumbore recount the efforts of the scientists of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program to save the parrots and ensure their future. Woven into the parrots story is a brief history of Puerto Rico itself, from before the first human settlers to the present day. With striking collage illustrations, a unique format, and engaging storytelling, Parrots Over Puerto Rico invites readers to witness the amazing recovery efforts that have enabled Puerto Rican parrots to fly over their island once again.” 6-11 years
2013
Bomb: The Race to Build — and Steal — the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon
By Steve Sheinken
In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents.
In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world’s most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb. 10-14 years
2012
Balloons Over Broadway
By Melissa Sweet
Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade. 4-8 years
The book descriptions used are 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
No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by Nancy Zhang
Ruth Bader Ginsburg may be one of the most respected women in the United States, but her recognition is nothing short of hard-won. For years before becoming a justice of the Supreme Court, Ruth had to fight the notion that being female meant that she was less smart, less qualified, and less worthy of attention than her male counterparts. Throughout college, law school, and her work life, she faced discrimination—because she was a woman.
As a lawyer, it was in her fight for equality that she made an imprint on American history. She changed the way the law dealt with women’s rights and showed that unfairness to women wasn’t just a female problem, it negatively affected men and children, too.
In this picture book from award-winning author Kathleen Krull and artist Nancy Zhang, readers will learn about Ruthless Ruthie—a warrior for equality, defender of justice, and a trailblazer for girls everywhere. 4-8 years
Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Patricia Brennan DeMuth, Illustrated by Jake Murray
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is famous for her stylish collars (called jabots) and her commanding dissents. This opera-loving New Yorker has always spoken her mind. As a young lawyer, RBG advocated for gender equality and women’s rights when few others did. She gained attention for the cases she won when arguing in front of the Supreme Court, before taking her place on the bench in 1993. 8-12 years
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
By Debbie Levy, Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime arguing against inequality and unfair treatment and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book about the Notorious RBG, tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents. 4-8 years
My Little Golden Book About Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Shana Corey, Illustrated by Margeaux Lucas
Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography all about the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg! The perfect introduction to nonfiction for preschoolers!
This Little Golden Book is a compelling introduction to an inspiring woman, written for the youngest readers. From a young age, Ruth Bader Ginsburg knew that she wanted to fight for girls and women to have equal rights. She studied and worked very hard and became just the second woman–and the first Jewish woman–to be a United States Supreme Court Justice. This is a terrific read for future trailblazers and their parents! 2-5 years
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality
By Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Stacy Innerest
To become the first female Jewish Supreme Court Justice, the unsinkable Ruth Bader Ginsburg had to overcome countless injustices. Growing up in Brooklyn in the 1930s and 1940s, she was discouraged from working by her father who thought a woman’s place was in the home. Regardless, she went to Cornell University, where men outnumbered women four to one. There, she met her husband, Martin Ginsburg, and found her calling as a lawyer. Despite discrimination against Jews, females, and working mothers, Ginsburg went on to become Columbia Law School’s first tenured female professor, a judge for the US Court of Appeals, and finally, a Supreme Court Justice.
Structured as a court case in which the reader is presented with evidence of the injustice that she faced. This is the true story of how one of America’s most “notorious” women bravely persevered to become the remarkable symbol of justice she is today. 6-9 years
I Look Up To…Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Anna Membrino, Illustrated by Fatti Burke
It’s never too early to introduce childen to the people you admire! This board book distills Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s excellent qualities into illustrated little baby-sized bites, with text designed to share and read aloud.
Each spread highlights an important trait, and is enhanced by a quote from RBG herself. Kids will grow up hearing the words of this influential woman. Preschool and up.
You Should Meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Laurie Calkhoven, Illustrated by Elizabeth Vukovic
Meet Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She’s also known as the notorious RBG. Ginsburg is only the second female Supreme Court justice in American history. She has spent her entire life fighting for equal rights, especially for women. RBG is a true superhero and young readers will love getting to know her.
A special section at the back of the book includes extras like the history of the Supreme Court and how to become a lawyer. With the You Should Meet series, learning about amazing people has never been so much fun! 6-8 years
The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Big Book for New Readers
By Susan B. Katz
In this chapter book for kids ages 6-9, you’ll learn about how Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the second woman ever to serve as a judge on the Supreme Court of the United States. Before she fought for equal rights and made history, Ruth was a curious kid who loved to read about strong women who were making important changes.
In school, Ruth wished girls could have as many opportunities as boys. She soon learned that by studying and working hard, she could change her life―and the world. 6-9 years
Becoming Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice
By Debbie Levy, Illustrated by Whitney Gardner
Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a modern feminist icon. She’s a leader in the fight for equal treatment of girls and women in society and the workplace. She blazed trails to the peaks of the male-centered worlds of education and law, where women had rarely risen before.
RBG has often said that true and lasting change in society and law is accomplished slowly, one step at a time. This is how she has evolved, too. Step by step, the shy little girl became a child who questioned unfairness. She became a student who persisted despite obstacles. She became an advocate who resisted injustice and a judge who revered the rule of law. 10 and up
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Irin Carmon, Illustrated by Shana Knizhnik
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become an icon to millions. Her tireless fight for equality and women’s rights has inspired not only great strides in the workforce but has impacted the law of the land. This entertaining and insightful young readers’ edition mixes pop culture, humor, and expert analysis for a remarkable account of the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Heroine, Trailblazer and Pioneer. 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
Welcome to the White House! Go behind the scenes to get a 360-degree view of America’s most famous presidential residence, from how it was built in 1792 and the fire of 1812, to today’s state dinners, celebrations, celebrity pets, and more. Discover through fun-to-read facts what it’s like to live and work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Read about its quirky rules and how the Secret Service keeps it safe. Find out how the kids who have lived there play, watch movies, and entertain friends. With a treasure trove of material from the White House Historical Association, this book presents a fascinating story of the building and the many people who have shaped its 225-year history. 8-12 years
Exploring the White House: Inside America’s Most Famous Home
By Kate Anderson Brower
Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Sure, the president of the United States works and resides there, but do you know who helps keep this historic house running?
It’s no simple task, especially when there are important state events and foreign dignitaries—in addition to presidential pups, mischievous children, and even a couple of ghosts. And its residence workers and first ladies make sure everything is in check and running smoothly. Featuring fascinating photos, fun facts, and memorable quotes from the residents and first ladies of the White House. 8-12 years
Bones in the White House: Thomas Jefferson’s Mammoth
By Candice Ransom, Illustrated by Jamey Christoph
In the late 1700’s, America was a new nation, with a vast west that held age-old secrets: Bones! Massive tusks and enormous animal skeletons were being discovered and Thomas Jefferson – politician AND scientist – was captivated. What were these giant beasts? Did they still roam on American soil? Jefferson needed to find out.
Funding explorers, including the famed Lewis and Clark, Jefferson sought to find a complete prehistoric mastodon skeleton – one which would advance the young science of paleontology, but would also put this upstart young country on the world stage. Follow along on the incredible journey – full of triumphs and disappointments, discoveries and shipwrecks, ridicule and victory. 3-7 years
My Little Golden Book About the White House
By Jen Arena and Viviana Garofoli
Little ones will learn that George Washington himself chose the building site. And nearly every president has left his mark–from Thomas Jefferson’s introduction of “water closets”–early toilets!–to Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden. Kids will gain a clear understanding of the role the White House plays in American life and culture. Fun anecdotes about the rowdy Roosevelt children riding metal trays down the staircase, the annual Easter Egg Roll, and how cows for milk were once kept there complete this nonfiction Little Golden Book. 2-5 years
Curious About the White House
By Kate Waters
Everybody knows the building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s the White House, home to US presidents, first ladies, first children, and even first pets! But aren’t you curious: why is the house white (and how many gallons of paint keep it that way)? Who built the place? How many rooms are in there and what are they used for? Where does the president work? Where does the first family live? Is there really a bowling alley in the White House? The text and photographs in this fact-filled 8 x 8 will answer all these questions and more about daily life in the most famous house in America. 6-8 years
Where is the White House?
By Megan Stine, Illustrated by David Graff
The history of the White House, first completed in 1799, reflects the history of America itself. It was the dream of George Washington to have an elegant “presidential mansion” in the capital city that was named after him. Yet, he is the only president who never lived there. The rest have made their mark–for better or worse–on the house at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Megan Stine explains how the White House came to be and offers young readers glimpses into the lives of the First Families–from John and Abigail Adams to Barack and Michelle Obama. 8-12 years
The White House Cat
By Cylin Busby, Illustrated by Neely Daggett
You’ve heard of the President, the First Lady, and maybe even some first dogs who have lived at the White House. But what about the first cat? Follow along on this very special tour of the People’s House—you’ll see who really runs things around here. . . . With detailed illustrations and fun facts about this historic residence—and the real first cats—this picture book is the perfect way to introduce children to the White House. 4-8 years
Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out
By 108 Authors and Illustrators
Conceived and co-created by the National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance, this collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, poetry and original art offers a look at America’s history through the prism of the White House. These are a reminder that the story of the White House is the story of every American. Back matter includes source notes, notes on contributor, and an index. 10 and up
Diana’s White House Garden
By Elisa Carbone, Illustrated by Jen Hill
Diana Hopkins lived in a white house. THE White House.
World War II is in full force across the seas. It’s 1943, President Roosevelt is in office, and Diana’s father, Harry Hopkins, is his chief adviser. And Diana wants to be part of the war effort. After some missteps (her quarantine sign on her father’s office door was not well-received,) the President requests her help with his newest plan for the 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 started first on the home front. 5-8 years
The White House for Kids: A History, a House, Office, and National Symbol with 21 Activities
By Katherine L. House
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live and work in the most important house in the country? Or what it’s like to grow up there? Now, you can explore the Executive Mansion for yourself. This in-depth history of the White House explains its role as a office and a powerful symbol of the United States. It tells both famous and little-known stories about some of the surprising—and sometimes surprisingly ordinary—things that go on there.
Learn which president hosted T-ball games on the White House lawn. Which mischievous first son was scolded for shooting spitballs at a portrait of President Andrew Jackson. Which first daughter held her high school prom in the famous mansion. And which first lady hung her laundry to dry in the East Room. Cross-curricular activities allow readers to walk in the footsteps of presidents and those around them. 9 and up
White House Kids
By Joe Rhatigan, Illustrated by Jay Shin
Living in America’s most famous residence might seem glamorous at first–it’s the most fun place any kid could live! There’s a bowling alley in the basement, chefs are always available to prepare whatever you’re craving, and sometimes presidential aides will even help you with your homework! But life isn’t always easy for the youngsters who call the White House home. They’re always in the spotlight, and those pesky Secret Service agents are always around.
Filled with wacky, weird, and wonderful stories, it shows what it’s like to call the president Dad or Granddad or Uncle. Find out what schools they went to, what mischief they caused, and what pets they had. There are first-person accounts from letters and interviews, fascinating photos, original illustrations, and even a section that follows the children after they left the White House. 8-12 years
Ghosts of the White House
By Cheryl Harness
Join Sara On A Magical Tour Of The White House. The ghost of George Washington steps out of his White House portrait to introduce Sara — and the reader — to the ghosts of thirty-five other presidents. Brief biographies of all the presidents, loads of fascinating trivia, and a time line round out this unique history of the presidency. 7-10 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
Are You My Friend? The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood
By Aimee Reid, Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Mister Rogers is one of the most beloved television personalities, but before he was the man who brought us Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was just little Freddie Rogers. Though he was often sick and had trouble making friends as a child, his mom and grandfather encouraged him to ask for help and explore the world. With their support, he learned how to better say what he was feeling and see the beauty around him.
As he grew up, he realized he could spread the message of compassion, equality, and kindness through television. You Are My Friend is a gentle homage to Fred Rogers and shows how his simple message still resonates with us today: “There’s no person in the world like you, and I like you just the way you are.” The book includes a short biography of Fred’s life and a bibliography.
This is a work of fiction. This book is an expression of admiration of Fred Rogers, the man and the artist, by the author and illustrator. This book is not associated with or endorsed by The Fred Rogers Company. 5-8 years
Who Was Mr. Rogers?
By Diane Bailey, Illustrated by Dede Putra
Even though he’s best known for his successful PBS series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Fred Rogers never dreamed of working in television. In fact, he hated the very first program that he ever watched! Join author Diane Bailey as she takes readers through the journey that brought Mister Rogers into our living rooms. From his childhood interest in puppet-making and music, to his courageous visit to Russia during the Cold War, this book details Mister Rogers’s quest for kindness and his gentle appeal to be more neighborly. 8-12 years
Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers
By Laura Renauld, Illustrated by Brigette Barrajer
Fred Rogers was a quiet boy with big feelings. Sometimes, he felt scared or lonely; at other times, he was playful and joyous. But when Fred’s feelings felt too big, his Grandfather McFeely knew exactly what to say to make him feel better: I like you just the way you are.
Fred grew up and created Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the television program that would go on to warm the hearts and homes of millions of Americans. But one day, the government threatened to cut funding for public television, including Fred’s show. So, Fred stepped off the set and into a hearing on Capitol Hill to make his feelings known.
In a portrait full of warmth and feeling, Laura Renauld and award-winning illustrator Brigette Barrager tell the story of Mister Rogers: a quiet, compassionate hero whose essential message—that it is okay to have and to express feelings—still resonates today. 4-8 years Will be released on January 14, 2020.
This book is not associated with or authorized by Fred Rogers Productions.
Hello Neighbor: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers
By Matthew Cordell
How was Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood created, and who was the man that started it all? This moving and informative picture book explores the history of this acclaimed television show and its inspiring creator in an accessible way for children.
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was groundbreaking in its own quiet, generous way. It introduced art, professions, food and even highlighted difficult subjects, like losing a loved one and divorce. This information was delivered both by live performers, like Fred Rogers himself and through a lively cast of puppets who lived in the land of make believe.
Backmatter includes a short biography of Fred Rogers as well as exclusively published archival photos provided by the Mister Rogers’ Company, and an essay from the author. 4-8 years
The only authorized picture book biography of Mister Rogers, written and illustrated by 2018 Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell
The Story of Fred Rogers: A Biography Book For New Readers
By Susan B. Katz
Fred Rogers created one of the longest-running children’s TV shows ever, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Before he became famous for his puppetry and storytelling, Fred was a shy kid who couldn’t play outside because of his allergies. He found a passion for puppets, which he used to start his own TV show as an adult.
On his show, Fred helped kids make sense of both serious and silly things, talk about their feelings, and feel loved. Explore how Fred Rogers went from a young boy growing up in Pennsylvania to an award-winning TV show host and beloved role model. 6-9 years
Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Mister Rogers Neighborhood
By Melissa Wagner and Fred Rogers Productions
More than just a children’s television show host, Mister Rogers was the friend who helped us appreciate the good things in ourselves, in others, and in the world around us. As soon as he stepped through his front door to change into his cardigan and sneakers, we knew we would meet new people and discover new things. Revisit some of Mister Rogers’ greatest guidance that we learned alongside Daniel Tiger, X the Owl, King Friday the XIII, Henrietta Pussycat, and more, including:
-You are special -Be generous with your gratitude -Feed the fish -All kinds of feelings are okay -Don’t forget the fun And other caring thoughts!
For children and adults, 128 pages.
Mister’s Rogers’ Neighborhood: A Visual History
By Fred Rogers Production, Tim Lybarger and Melissa Wagner
Go behind the scenes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with this unprecedented dive into its storied history. More than fifty years ago, Fred Rogers, a modest television host, revolutionized children’s entertainment with a simple set design, quiet dialogue, and a few hand puppets playing out everyday situations. The effect was extraordinary: Mister Rogers created a relationship with millions of young viewers, each of whom felt as if they were visiting with a trusted friend. His radical kindness, acceptance, and empathy created a sacred place where everyone felt safe and valued. For children and adults
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
