You know I love to feature picture books about historical figures and events. Well, today I have three picture books that don’t fit neatly into a category, but they are all interesting stories that I think you’ll love sharing with your kids.
Free as the Wind: Saving the Horses of Sable Island by Jamie Bastedo, illustrated by Susan Tooke (Red Deer Press, 2007)
This is the fictionalized story of a campaign that happened in 1960. Children across Canada wrote to the Prime Minster to save the horses of Sable Island, which were being rounded up and sold in Halifax. It’s told in the first person by a young boy who used to live on the island. Historical info is found on the front flyleaf (so it might be difficult to read if you get the book from the library and the dust jacket is taped down!). The text isn’t particularly memorable, but I enjoyed the realistic illustrations and inspiring story. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat by Emily Jenkins (illustrated by Sophie Blackall) (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2015)
As the title says, this is the story of four families making the same dessert — blackberry fool — in 1710, 1810, 1910, and 2010. The first family is in England, the rest are in different parts of U.S. The changes over the centuries are shown in the way the dessert is prepared, such as where the berries are picked or bought, how cream is whipped, and how the fool is kept cold. You also see differences in clothes, hair, and other everyday details. I like that the story doesn’t preach but naturally provides opportunity for discussion on topics such as slavery, gender roles, and multiculturalism. The illustrations are fairly realistic and fit well with the story. The book ends with a recipe, author’s note (themes to discuss, plus historical details), illustrator’s note (very interesting to read about the research she did), and a list of six sources. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
The Boo-Boos that Changed the World: A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really!) by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Chris Hsu (Charlesburg, 2018)
This picture book is a playful look at the invention of the Band-Aid by Earle Dickson, inspired by his accident-prone wife. It shows the process from need to idea to manufacturing to marketing with fun illustrations that fit the tone of the text. The author’s note tells more about the inventor and emphasizes how much is involved in even a simple invention. The book also includes a timeline of Earle Dickson’s life, a list of other medical inventions of the 1920s and 1930s, and six suggested websites (including videos and photos). Recommended for ages 6 to 9.