African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History
​by Tracey Baptiste art by Hillary D. Wilson

"the history of Africa is...the longest of anywhere on Earth." Baptiste is a master storyteller with a solid background as the author of numerous informational books for young readers. All her skills come into play with African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History, the collected biographies of individuals who had a significant impact on African and the world civilization. ​Each featured person is introduced with a brief description of geography and setting, followed by a full-page portrait with a name pronunciation guide. These segments neatly segue the biographical profiles from one time period to a succeeding moment in history. ​Some of the featured individuals: Imhotep, Aesop, and Hannibal Barca are familiar historical figures. Others are less well known. Information is presented in such vibrant detail that the narrative takes on a multidimensional quality.

Meet the Creators

Code Breaker, Spy Hunter:
​How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars
by Laurie Wallmark art by Brooke Smart narrated by Romy Nordlinger

Wallmark’s thoroughly researched picture book biography Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizabeth Friendman Changed the Course of Two World Wars, spotlights the achievements of one woman in the evolving science of cryptography. Elizebeth began her work during World War I as a cryptanalyst for the Army Signal Corps. In addition to decoding wartime communications, she and her husband developed the first government unit devoted to cryptology. She also worked for the Army, Coast Guard, FBI, and the Office of Strategic Services, later to become the CIA. Her expertise resulted in the conviction of thirty-three German spies during World War II. Elizebeth identified the woman responsible for the secret “doll” messages that revealed the location of wartime ships She and her team also cracked the Enigma Code developed by Germany.

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More True Stories of Amazing Women

Hurricane: My Story of Resilience I Witness, #2
​by Salvador Gómez-Colón

An intriguing new nonfiction series, I Witness features first person accounts of young people “ordinary kids and teens who have faced extraordinary challenges.” In an introduction to the series, editors speak directly to readers, encouraging them to find ways to make a difference in their communities and throughout the world. Salvador Gómez-Colón had just turned fifteen when Maria, a Category 4 hurricane struck Puerto Rico. Its aftermath and devastation were unlike anything he had experienced. “It was a storm without mercy.” Inspired by his mother and a former teacher, Salvador decided that he wanted to help those suffering from the damage caused by Hurricane Maria. As he observed the conditions of his neighbors, an idea for a project began to form. “Light and Hope” would distribute solar lamps and hand-powered washing machines to members of his community.

Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars
She Made History Series
by Jodie Parachini art by Alexandra Badiu

From her childhood, Jocelyn was particularly interested in the stars. By the time that she was fifteen she had set her sights on becoming an astronomer. As a graduate student she helped construct the first radio telescope and went on to identify the first four neutron stars. The 1974 Noble Prize awarded for this discovery mentioned only two men. She was not included as a prize recipient. Parachini emphasizes the numerous contributions Bell Burnell has made to astrophysics and of her efforts to support women pursuing scientific research. In 2018 Jocelyn used her three-million-dollar Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics to create a fund for young women to study astronomy.

Women Who Changed Our World

William Still and His Freedom Stories:
​The Father of the Underground Railroad
by Don Tate

Born in New Jersey in1821, Still was the youngest child of his formerly enslaved parents. A pivotal moment for young William came when he helped a freedom-seeking neighbor escape a brutal assault. At age twenty-three he left home and moved to Philadelphia. Still found work with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. His skills were recognized by his employer and he eventually became the society’s manager. ​During this time, William’s Philapelphia home became an Underground Railroad “station, ” where he assisted numerous individuals seeking freedom. He was astonished to learn that one of those he helped was his older brother.

Underground Railroad Heroes

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons
​by James Otis Smith

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons is the comic we’ve all been longing for. Meet historical Black figures who come to life in an action-packed graphic novel. This trio of biographical vignettes features fascinating stories from the American west. Though all were born enslaved, each legendary Black adventurer left southern roots and moved west to freedom in Montana, Arkansas, or Texas. Their stories are true tales of hard work, courage, resourcefulness, and grit. Nevertheless, he injects humor and intrigue into the narrative. Smith has done his homework, creating back matter that is chock full of information, period photographs, primary sources, timelines, and other informational graphics. The color palette is predominantly earth tones, evoking the western setting. Each chapter begins with a full-page photo of the chapter’s subject. Includes an introduction by Kadir Nelson. ​

Stagecoach Mary

Mary Fields was a large, no-nonsense woman, packing an impressively fearsome rifle. Opening panels tell the well-known, almost mythical saga of one frigid Montana night in 1898 when mail clerk Mary Fields fought off a pack of vicious wolves.

Bob Lemmons

Herds of wild mustangs, comprised of up to forty females and led by one stallion, roamed over a vast expanse of the Texas plains. They were fearless. The prevailing method to control the herd was to kill the stallion and force the females on long marches. ​​Bob Lemmons had another method. To the mustangs, he was perceived as a stallion. Traveling alone with his horse Warrior, he studied a herd’s habits and recognized individual mustangs by scent and scant. Bob never changed his clothes and waited to eat until his food had lost all human smell. He moved deliberately and cautiously until he was accepted as the leader of these wild horses. Only then would he lead this herd to a ranch. There the mustangs would follow him into a corral. ​He eventually established his own ranch. This Texas legend lived 99 years.

Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves was a clever lawman who employed unusual tactics to capture wanted felons. For example, the Clancy brothers of Arkansas were wanted criminals with a $5000 reward offered for their capture. One night a quiet hardworking Black man arrived at the Clancy homestead, offering to work for a meal. He quietly endured an evening of insults from the brothers. After dark, Bass set to work and handcuffed the outlaws while they slept. The fugitives woke the next morning in irons and under arrest. They learned that the quiet visitor was Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshall.

Additional Resources

Beatrix Potter, Scientist (She Made History)
​by Lindsay H. Metcalf ill by Junyi Wu

The connection between art and science is symbiotic. Scientists record observations with accurate representations of phenomena. Artists rely on a careful study of anatomy and physiology to inform their art. It is no surprise that artist Beatrix Potter studied her surroundings and recorded her findings with precision. What is remarkable is that her published books are not scientific treatises, but instead are delightful fantasies. Metcalf gives young readers fresh insight into the life of the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Each summer Beatrix’s family would travel to Scotland. It was there that the young girl met Charles McIntosh , the postman who encouraged her study of life forms. She was a dedicated researcher, making meticulous drawings, examining small animal skeletons, and preparing slides for microscopic observation.

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents (Presidents Book for Kids; History of United States Presidents When They Were Young)

It's difficult to write informational picture books. It's doubly difficult to create picture books on contemporary political topics that have a timeless quality, transcending the current political climate. These books can easily become outdated. Messner and Rex have brilliantly overcome this problem. How did they do it? The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents is set in the present at a museum that closely resembles the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

​Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Big Words)
by Doreen Rappaport ill by Eric Velasquez

This generously-sized picture book celebrates the life and legacy of the second woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Using her trademark format, biographical narrative interspersed with appropriate quotations,  Rappaport recounts important events in the life of this influential woman.  The U.S Constitution serves as a backdrop for the cover’s close-up portrait of the Associate Justice. Looking directly into the faces of readers, Ruth is clear-eyed and resolute. ​Opening pages feature Ruth as a young girl, her childhood filled with books and school activities, music and traditional Jewish observances.

My mother was the bravest and strongest person I have known.

Big Words: Picture Book Series

King Shaka Zulu Legend by Luke W. Molver

King Shaka: Zulu Legend continues the fascinating story of this historic figure, Introduced in Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince. As with the first volume, Molver sets the work of historical fiction within the context of a storyteller capturing the rapt attention of her audience as she continues her tale. ​This format emphasizes the importance of an oral language tradition, the epic "larger than life" stature of King Shaka, and mythological elements in this graphic novelization. With his rise to power King Shaka united many of the local clans resulting in the Zulus becoming a dominant force throughout south Africa. Shaka maintained an elaborate system of governance which provided protection and assistance while allowing local chiefs some autonomy over their own lands. ​It was during his reign that white settlers arrived on Zulu soil. Attempts to establish relationships between the Zulu and the British were difficult and less than successful.

Rich back matter enhances the work. Sections include: "The Story Continues," "How Accurate is This Story?" "The Historical Setting of King Shaka's Time," "The Challenges of Leadership," "Zulu Political Structures," "The Role of Women," "Siblings," "The Royal Homestead," "Zulu Culture and Beliefs," "Language and Naming," "Questions and Ideas for Going Deeper," "Glossary," and "Pronunciation Guide." Learn about the Shaka’s early life and his rise to power in Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince.