In celebration of Women’s History Month here are twelve more picture books about fascinating women from history, starting with botanist Kate Sessions (1857-1940) and ending with artist Maud Lewis (1903-1970).

Next week I’ll have one more post focusing on twentieth century women. (And here’s part one of the series, in case you missed it.)

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry (Beach Lane Books, 2013)

This is the story of Kate Sessions (1857-1940), who earned a degree in science when it was rare for women. After she moved to San Diego she began planting trees that would thrive in the desert climate; she became the Mother of Balboa Park by filling it with trees to shade visitors to the Panama-California Exposition in 1915. The text is not too long and the writing has a nice rhythm with the refrain, “But Kate did.” I love the illustrations and the simple message of passion and persistence. (I’m also fond of it because I’ve been to Balboa Park myself. You’ll find posts about my trip to San Diego here and here.) An author’s note gives more info about Kate’s life. Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

Here Come the Girl Scouts: The Amazing All-true Story of Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure by Shana Corey, illustrated by Hadley Hooper (Scholastic, 2012)

Juliette Gordon Low (1860-1927) led an adventurous life (she rode elephants, forged an iron gate, flew in a monoplane). When she decided to do something useful, she founded the Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia in 1912. The text of this book is written in short paragraphs and the bold illustrations incorporate short quotations, where Low shares her message that girls can do anything and can change the world for the better. An author’s note gives a more detailed look at the history of the Girl Scouts and their Law and Promise, plus a portrait of Daisy and a photo of the Savannah Girl Scouts. A list of sources includes primary ones. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Beatrix Potter and the Unfortunate Tale of a Borrowed Guinea Pig by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Charlotte Voake (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2016)

Since I admire Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) it pains me to say that the content of this picture book is grim. In a conversational tone it describes the young Beatrix’s life and disasters involving her many pets. The focus of the book is the story of her borrowing a neighbour’s guinea pig to paint it; unfortunately it ate paper and paste and died during the night! The illustrations are informal pictures in water colour and pen. A two-page author’s note gives biographical info and inspiration for the story, plus drawings and photographs; there also suggested resources and photograph and art credits. If only the author could have chosen a more positive event to write about! Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Manya’s Dream: A Story of Marie Curie by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Jacques Lamontagne (Maple Tree Press, 2003)

This long picture book is a detailed biography of Marie Curie
(1867-1934), including her childhood, studies, marriage, and scientific research. It begins with a one-page intro “Who Was Marie Curie?”, then a frame narrative of a Polish immigrant struggling in school; her mom tells her the story of Marie Curie to encourage her. This is another example of a historical figure who worked hard and overcame obstacles to achieve something important. The illustrations are realistic but not particularly appealing. A timeline of Curie’s life appears at the end. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Childrenby Jan Pinborough, illustrated by Debby Atwell (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013)

Annie Carroll Moore (1871-1961) grew up in Limerick, Maine in the 1870s. She never wanted to do what other girls did; instead of getting married she became a librarian and moved to NYC. Eventually she was put in charge of planning and running the new Central Children’s Room; she organized reading clubs and invited musicians and special guests, including Dr. Seuss. The king and queen of Belgium even visited! Miss Moore influenced libraries across the U.S. and around the world. Historical notes describe other trailblazing librarians and give biographical info as well as a list of sources. The illustrations are vibrant folk art paintings. Recommended for ages 6 to 9. (See reviews of other picture books about libraries here, here, here, and here.)

When Emily Carr Met Woo by Monica Kulling, illustrated by Dean Griffiths (Pajama Press, 2014)

This is the story of one period in Emily Carr’s life, before people appreciated her art, and she had to rent rooms, hook rugs, and make pottery to pay the bills, with many pets to keep her company. The focus is on her monkey Woo and the story ends with Emily and Woo painting in the forest, feeling free and peaceful. The illustrations are colourful, realistic, and simple. A six-paragraph bio provides more info, and it’s nice to see a photo of her with friends and pets outside her trailer. Recommended for ages 4 to 7. (Later this year I’ll be posting reviews to more picture books featuring Emily Carr. You can sign up for my newsletter to keep in the loop.)

Eleanor by Barbara Cooney (Viking, 1996)

A detailed look at the childhood of Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), including difficulties like family deaths and being teased, this story has a happy ending. Eleanor goes to boarding school where she finds a mentor in Mlle. Souvestre: “Mlle. Souvestre had opened the world to Eleanor.” A one-page afterword explores Eleanor’s adult life and accomplishments. The illustrations are soft, colourful paintings (you may know Cooney’s style from her lovely picture book Miss Rumphius). Recommended for ages 7 to 11

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Balzer & Bray, 2013)

Nothing could stop Clara Lemlich (1886-1982) as she stood up against the terrible working conditions of garment workers in NYC, starting the biggest walkout of women workers in U.S. history. This picture book describes the working conditions and opposition Clara faced (she was beaten and arrested repeatedly) but is uplifting because Clara is indomitable. It’s a well-written story that moves along quickly, almost like a pep talk. The illustrations are water colour and mixed media. A two-page author’s note tells more about the garment industry; the bibliography lists about fifteen sources. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

My Name is Georgia by Jeanette Winter (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1998)

Jeanette Winter has a gift for conveying someone’s life and personality in few words. In this book she covers the whole life of Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) with just a short sentence or two on each page beneath a simple colourful illustration. The text is written from Georgia’s perspective with some short quotes in italics, and shows how she was different from other people and eager to portray her view point in her art. A very brief author’s note explains that many of O’Keeffe’s images are depicted in Winter’s illustrations. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger, illustrated by Teresa Flavin (Simon & Schuster, 2004)

Here is another inspiring biography. It describes how Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) achieved her dreams of flying an airplane even though she was a black woman from a poor family; she was determined and hardworking and she spread her message in schools and churches. Sadly she died in a plane crash at age 34. This picture book is well-written with pleasing repetition and attractive illustrations. An author’s note provides more information about Coleman. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Amelia Earhart by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Mariadiamantes (Frances Lincoln, 2016)

This is a brief recounting of Amelia Earhart’s life (1897-1937?). I appreciate that it is condensed for children but it felt too short and the end was cryptic, rather than clearly stating that her plane disappeared and she was never found. I like that the simplicity of the illustrations will appeal to young children without being cartoonish. Recommended for ages 4 to 6.

Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Mark Lang (Tundra Books, 2002)

The fairly long text of this picture book covers Maud Lewis’s life (1903-1970) and describes her paintings. Despite being poor (not even having electricity or indoor plumbing) and having birth defects and arthritis, she kept painting and became very popular. The illustrations are black and white drawings, alternating with full-colour reproductions of her paintings. It’s a good intro to the life and paintings of this Canadian folk artist, though chronological order would be easier for children to follow. An afterword explains that her house was preserved and now stands in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

I hope you are inspired to read some of these. Be sure to let me know if you have a favourite historical picture book!