March is Women’s History Month, four weeks dedicated to celebrating and highlighting the accomplishments of women throughout history. Picture book biographies are an excellent way for kids to explore the impact women have had on all areas of society. These real-life stories are inspiring and eye opening; I always learn something new and hope that you will too!
Below is a list of new(er) picture book biographies about women who have made significant contributions in art, science, politics, sports, social justice and more, with their perseverance, smarts, charm, and bravery.
Check them out at your nearest Heights Libraries branch or online.
Exquisite: the Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks written by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera
The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins and Her New Deal for America written by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by
Alexandra Bye
It Began with A Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way written by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad
Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars by Jodie Parachini, illustrated by Alexandra Badui *published April 1, 2021
Mamie on the Mound: A Woman in Baseball’s Negro Leagues written by Leah Henderson, illustrated by George Doutsiopoulos
Shaped by Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez written by Anna Harber Freeman, illustrated by Barbara Gonzalez, Aphelandra
*published April 1, 2021
There Goes Patti McGee! written by Tootie Nienow, illustrated by Erika Medina
We Wait for the Sun written by Katie McCabe, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
Selena: Queen of Tejano Music written by Silvia Lopez, illustrated by Paola Escobar
Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist written by Evan Griffith, illustrated by Joanie Stone
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read written by Rita L. Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora
The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid written and illustrated by Jeannette Winter
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for American with Disabilities Changed Everything written by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
Shirley Chisholm is a Verb! written by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Rachelle Baker
Michelle’s Garden: How the First Lady Planted Seeds of Change written and illustrated by Sharee Miller
Dumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge written by Carrie Clickard, illustrated by Katy Wu
Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston written by Alicia Williams, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara
Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and her Family’s Fight for Desegregation written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Try It! How Frieda Caplan Changed the Way We Eat written by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Giselle Potter
A Computer Called Katherine written by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison
Send a Girl! The True Story of How Women Joined the FDNY written by Jessica Rinker, illustrated by Meg Hunt
R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré written by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines written by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Dow Phumirok
