It’s Women’s History Month again and thankfully I am not out of picture book biographies to review — and more books about amazing historical figures are published every year. Once again, I’m excited to share beautiful books about a wide range of women, including an astronaut, astronomer, aviator, and artist.

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2019)

Teresa Carreño (1853-1917) was a Venezuelan piano prodigy who began composing at age six and published her first composition at age ten, the same year she played at the White House. I loved the exuberant illustrations of this picture book that juxtaposes the harsh realities of revolution and war with the joy and comfort of music. The book ends with a historical note. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Jessica Lanan (Sleeping Bear Press, 2017)

It was a lovely surprise to find this picture book about Anna Botsford Comstock (1854-1930), who wrote the Handbook of Nature Study that we use for school. Her love for nature and passion for teaching are infectious. This book has gorgeous watercolour illustrations too. Quotes from Comstock are included, as well as a two-page biography at the end. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Raúl Colón (Simon & Schuster, 2013)

This picture book about Henrietta Leavitt (1868-1921) does a great job explaining a difficult concept in a way that children (and laypeople like me!) can understand. Leavitt was working as a human “computer” in an observatory when she made a discovery about measuring distances that helped us understand the vast size of the universe. The resources at the end of the book include quotations about the stars, further explanation of Leavitt’s discovery, a glossary, and lists of internet and print resources. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Orchard Books, 2002)

I’ve never read a picture book structured this way. The story of Bessie Coleman’s (1892-1926) life is told by a cast of characters reminiscing after her death, including her parents, siblings, teachers, and news reporters. The book begins by describing the historical context and also makes clear that the story has been fictionalized. Then we read the different perspectives on the life of a brave and determined woman who was the first African American woman to hold a pilot’s license. Lewis’s paintings are the perfect accompaniment to the text. Biographical info and lists of sources are found at then end of the book. Recommended for ages 8 to 11.

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad (Tundra Books, 2019)

It was a pleasure to read this picture book about Gyo Fujikawa (1908-1998), an artist I had not heard of before. In 1963 she published Babies, the first picture book to show black, white, and Asian babies all together. It Began with a Page shows her determination to change the publishing industry, but also her childhood and long career, as well as historical context like the heartbreaking internment of Japanese Americans. I found the illustrations charming. The book ends with a detailed timeline of Fujikawa’s life, a note from the author and illustrator, photographs, a selected bibliography, and a list of sources. Now I’m looking forward to getting my copy of Babies through interlibrary loan! Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by John Parra (Simon & Schuster, 2020)

This straightforward biography of the “First Lady of the Black Press” is not written in the most engaging style, but it does convey the grit and accomplishments of Ethel L. Payne (1911-1991). “For nearly five decades, Ethel fought long and hard to bring attention to the issues that mattered most to her community and became the voice of those who had none.” The illustrations are fun and colourful and the book ends with an author’s note, selected bibliography, and suggestions for further reading. Recommended for ages 7 to 9.

The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burney by Alice B. McGinty, illsutrated by Elizabeth Haidle (Schwart & Wade, 2019)

Here’s a fun story about the only child who has named a planet. When Venetia Burney (1918-2019) was eleven years old her grandfather told her that a new planet had been discovered. She suggested the name Pluto and her grandfather wrote a letter to the Royal Astronomical Society… as we know they chose her suggestion. The illustrations are quite subdued, but I liked the emphasis on curiosity and hands-on learning. Author’s note and selected bibliography are included. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington (Harper, 2018)

A short picture book about following your dreams, Mae Among the Stars describes how Mae Jemison’s (b. 1956) parents encouraged her wish to become an astronaut even when her teacher did not. Many years later she became the first African American woman in space. The playful illustrations are fitting for a young audience. A one page biography will be of interest to parents. Recommended for ages 4 to 6.

Have you read any of these books?