Biographies

Clap your hands for Viola Smith--the pioneering female drummer at the heart of this bright and rhythmic biography, who rat-tat-tat-bang-crash-clink-boomed for nearly a century. Five girls played together in the Smith Sisters Orchestra: Irene on trombone,...

On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy made a speech to the German people in Berlin. He famously said, "Ich bin ein Berliner," which translates to "I am a Berliner" (someone from Berlin). However, future sources, including newspapers, sometimes...

On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy made a speech to the German people in Berlin. He famously said, "Ich bin ein Berliner," which translates to "I am a Berliner" (someone from Berlin). However, future sources, including newspapers, sometimes...

Many people today know that the story about George Washington cutting down a cherry tree as a child is just that--a story. However, did you know that Washington was a dedicated breeder of hunting dogs? In fact, he is credited with creating the American...

Many people today know that the story about George Washington cutting down a cherry tree as a child is just that--a story. However, did you know that Washington was a dedicated breeder of hunting dogs? In fact, he is credited with creating the American...

The real-life story of a family who planted 1,000,000 trees--yes, it's true!--to fight deforestation in British Columbia. When Kristen Balouch was 10 years old, her parents made a surprising announcement: their whole family was going on a trip to plant...

"A quick but lyrical character study."--Kirkus Reviews "The sky proves no limit in Lukidis's encouraging biography of Black female astronaut Mae Jemison."--Publishers Weekly "This makes a good addition to STEAM literature." -- Booklist The true story...

A 2024 Shelf Awareness Best Picture Book of the Year New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List (2024) "Epic is an overused word--most of the time. It barely begins to explain the tremendous work and vision behind this sensational piece of...

A lyrical biography of the eccentric engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla "An elegant and enlightening look at a man who brightened the whole world." -Booklist, starred review Born at the stroke of midnight during a lightning storm, Nikola Tesla grew up to...

In the first picture book written by a DACA Dreamer, Areli Morales tells her own powerful and vibrant immigration story. When Areli was just a baby, her mama and papa moved from Mexico to New York with her brother, Alex, to make a better life for the...

Forgotten today, Annie Turnbo Malone was an influential Black business leader in the early 20th century. She turned her personally developed hair care products into a successful industry, including schools that taught the Poro method in her Poro...

Award-winning illustrator Emily Hughes offers a luminous picture book about the life of renowned Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi. Isamu Noguchi is one of the most important sculptors of all time. His Akari lamps changed the way modern buildings...

From the author of the award-winning The Youngest Marcher comes a picture book about the true story of Alfredo Lopez, an undocumented boy involved in a landmark Supreme Court case that still ensures children's right to education today. Alfredo Lopez has...

This dynamic picture book biography introduces readers of all ages to Wataru Misaka, the first non-white athlete to play in the NBA Wataru "Wat" Misaka, a Japanese American boy born to immigrant parents, liked to play basketball under the glow of stars...

From an all-star team comes a lyrical picture-book biography about a writer and master gardener who created beauty in a harsh island habitat that was visited by literary and artistic luminaries of her time. Celia Thaxter grew up on a desolate island off...

Take off with Nancy Harkness Love, first female pilot to serve in the Army Air Forces and founder of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) during World War II, in this picture book biography perfect for readers of Fly, Girl, Fly! or Fearless...

For fans of Shark Lady and from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Dr. Fauci comes the incredible true story of a girl who discovered dinosaur bones in her own backyard and, after years of persistence, helped uncover one of the most exciting...

A powerful story of hope about a woman who fought against all odds to become the first Indian American female astronaut. Kalpana Chawla set her sights on flight from an early age. She was told "no" many times in life: No, girls don't study aerospace. No,...

In the powerful, vibrant biography Game of Freedom, award-winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh sheds light on the legacy of a legendary capoeira player, Mestre Bimba, who resisted racial oppression through art and turned a marginalized practice into a global...

STARRED REVIEW! "The inspirational life of ballerina Alicia Alonso is shared with young readers in this lovingly illustrated beginning biography. The illustrations excellently depict Alicia's dedication as well as the difficulties with her eyesight and...