Here’s the last installment of picture book reviews for Women’s History Month. You’ll see that they touch on events like World War II and the civil rights movement and showcase women who were dancers, urban activists, scientists, athletes, librarians, and much more. What better way to introduce children to amazing women of the twentieth century than through well written, beautifully illustrated picture books!
Elsie’s War: A Story of Courage in Nazi Germany by Frank Dabba Smith (Frances Lincoln, 2003)
This World War II picture book tells the story of Elsie Kuhn-Leitz (1903-1985) who was imprisoned by the Gestapo for attempting to help a Jewish woman escape to Switzerland. She also gave much aid to the Jewish and Ukrainian workers at her family’s camera factory. A true story of bravery, illustrated with black and white photographs. A long author’s note verifies the facts. Recommended for ages 8 to 11.
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson (Chronicle Books, 2014)
“With pizzazz and humor, Josephine danced her way out of the slums to eventually become the richest Negro woman in the world, only to lose her fortune and her home due to her characteristic generosity and flamboyance.” This biography of Josephine Baker (1906-1975) is divided into sections covering each period of her life. It has a surprising number of pages but the layout of the text and colourful acrylic illustrations help the story dance along. It ends with both author’s and illustrator’s notes, as well as suggestions for further reading. Recommended for ages 8 to 11.
Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Shane W. Evans (Shwartz & Wade, 2015)
Inspired by Lillian Allen (1908-?) who at age 100 campaigned door-to-door encouraging people to vote, Jonah Winter wrote this overview of African Americans’ struggle for voting rights. As she walks the steep hill to the polling station Lillian thinks back to her great-great-grandparents and each successive generation, explaining the obstacles they faced. This picture book covers the Fifteenth Amendment, the Nineteenth Amendment, the Selma to Montgomery marches, and more. A long author’s note provides more information. The illustrations work nicely with the text. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.
Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (HarperCollins, 2008)
This description of how Rosa Parks (1913-2005) initiated the Montgomery bus boycott hums along with the rhythm of the blues, not stopping until segregation is outlawed. The metaphor of Jim Crow as a real bird will be lost on young children, but I highly recommend this book for older kids. The illustrations pulse with black and white swirls. The author’s note explains more about the boycott, the term “Jim Crow,” and blues music. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.
Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane Jacobs by Susan Hughes, illustrated by Valerie Boivin (Kids Can Press, 2018)
The enthusiasm, beliefs, and accomplishments of urban activist Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) are covered in this biographical picture book. The topics probably won’t appeal to young children and the narrative is somewhat choppy. Nice illustrations. Author’s note is a bio of Jacobs. Recommended for ages 7 to 10. (This book is also featured in a post about Jane Jacobs.)
Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Raul Colon (Simon & Schuster, 2016)
Here’s an intriguing picture book about a scientist I had never heard of, Marie Tharp (1920-2006). Told in the first person the text covers Tharp’s life from growing up as the daughter of a mapmaker to mapping the ocean floor and championing the theory of continental drift. The story does a great job explaining Tharp’s work in an accessible way and the soft illustrations fit well. The end matter includes a one-page bio, a page of terms to know (not all used in the text), a bibliography, a list of websites, and even a page entitled “Things to Wonder About and Do.” Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens Sourcebooks, 2017)
If you’re looking for a colourful picture book to introduce the passion and determination of scientists to young children, look no further. Shark Lady begins with Eugenie Clark’s (1922-2015) childhood interest in sharks and covers her education and work (exploring, researching, and even training sharks). It ends with two pages of interesting shark facts, a timeline of Clark’s life, an author’s note, and bibliography. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.
A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David A. Adler, illustrated by Karen Ritz (Holiday House, 1993)
Like others in Adler’s series of picture book biographies, this book is a good introduction to a historical figure. It covers the short life of Anne Frank (1929-1945) and describes the secret apartment where she, her family, and four others hid from the Nazis for more than two years. Of course it’s a heartbreaking tale of the Holocaust that ends with Anne’s death in a concentration camp. An author’s note gives more info about Anne’s diary. The realistic illustrations are based on photographs. Recommended for ages 8 to 10.
The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011)
This biography of Jane Goodall (b. 1934) moves from her observant childhood to her life in Africa to her activism, emphasizing how she watched and learned. It includes some short quotations from her writings. The illustrations are simple and colourful, perfect for young children. An author’s note tells a bit more about Jane and explains that the author simplified her story by omitting “mention of her married life, her son, and her mother’s unwavering support.” The author ends by recommending Goodall’s books. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Chronicle Books, 2016)
In this story of jealousy and friendship, the spunky narrator thinks she’s the fastest runner in town… until a new girl shows up. The climax of the plot is seeing African American sprinter Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994) in a parade with her Olympic medals. The story doesn’t actually tell very much about Rudolph, but a one-page author’s note covers her challenges and successes, as well as the celebratory parade she insisted be integrated. The illustrations complement the colloquial tone. Recommended for ages 6 to 9. (This book is also featured in a blog post on picture books about running.)
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, illustrated by George Ford (Scholastic, 1995)
The Story of Ruby Bridges is a story of courage and faith. Ruby (b. 1954) was one of the first black children to attend a white school in New Orleans after the court ordered desegregation in 1960. Federal marshals accompanied her to school past angry mobs, yet the six-year-old remained unfazed and even prayed for those who persecuted her. The illustrations are soft and realistic. A one-page afterword covers what happened during the rest of that year and Ruby Bridges’ life (she remains a civil rights activist). Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter (Harcourt, 2005)
Here’s another picture book by Jeanette Winter that tells an important story with straightforward text and colourful pictures. Alia Muhammad Baker, chief librarian of Basra’s Central Library, saved all the books in the library by moving them nine days before the building burned down during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The destruction of war is depicted with planes, bombs, and fires, but bright colours and simple shapes are used rather than realistic details. An author’s note affirms the facts of the story and states the source: a story in the New York Times (July 27, 2003). Recommended for ages 5 to 8. (This book is also featured in a post about libraries around the world.)
Razia’s Ray of Hope: One Girl’s Dream of an Education by Elizabeth Suneby, illustrated by Suana Verelst (Kids Can Press, 2013)
Razia is excited when she learns that a new school for girls is being built near her home in Deh’Subz, Afghanistan. She has always dreamed of going to school, so she brings the teacher home to convince her family members to let her attend. The plot is a little contrived but the book does a good job emphasizing the importance of education for women. The illustrations use mixed media including traditional fabric and words in Dari are incorporated into the text (glossary at the end). A historical note addressed to children explains how most girls in developing countries are unable to attend school; it also tells the story of the real Razia Jan. The book includes a page of three classroom activities with discussion questions and websites. Recommended for ages 8 to 10.