Category: Non-Fiction

Old Enough To Save The Planet – A Picture Book For Young Climate Change Activists

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When you hear of young climate activists, your mind may go to well known activists like Greta Thunberg. But there are children across the globe, just like our children, who are taking action against climate change.

Old Enough To Save The Planet by Loll Kirby introduces us to twelve young climate activists, and highlights the actions they are taking to make change in their community.

From New York to Australia, these young children are making huge changes like reducing the effects of traffic pollution, diverting food waste from landfills, and reducing litter pollution.

I love that Old Enough To Save The Planet gives specific examples of different elements affecting climate change, like littering and deforestation, as well as specific ways to address many of those issues. Sometimes, I feel like children’s books about climate change add anxiety for children when they describe the problems facing our planet, but this one is written with so much hope and encouragement that it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

The beautiful illustrations by Adelina Lirius capture the beauty of nature, as well as the diversity of our communities, providing a great visual of how we can all work together to save the the planet that we all share

To further assist young readers in making a difference, the back of the book has several empowering ideas, including a list of ten ways young readers can help save the planet, ten ways to make their voice heard, and resources for further reading.

Old Enough To Save The Planet officially releases in North America next week (February 9, 2021), but you can preorder it today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you. Your support is always appreciated!)

Loll Kirby is a children’s book author and former teacher based in Bristol, UK, who was inspired to write this book by her students. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at www.gatherandgrow.co.uk.

Adelina Lirius is an extremely talented illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at adelinalirius.com.

I would like to thank Abrams Young Readers and Magic Cat Publishing for providing me with a review copy of such a wonderful book.

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Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators

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Are you looking for a picture book biography about an inspiring woman serving her country during wartime?

Might I suggest Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators by Claudia Fridell?

I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of Grace Banker before I read this book, but I can’t wait to share her story with you now!

In 1917, a 25-year-old Grace Banker answered an ad seeking French-speaking telephone operators to join the Signal Corps of the United States Army. Though she couldn’t vote yet, Grace was selected as a chief operator and led a team of thirty-three operators who translated commands and transferred secret codes on the front lines during World War I.

These women were some of America’s first female soldiers and they kept communications open despite the explosions, fires, and poor weather conditions they faced. Their skill and dedication to their work played a vital role in the victory of World War I, though they remain unsung heroes today.

Working closely with Grace Banker’s family, Claudia Friedel and Elizabeth Baddeley have created a biography that feels personal. Quotes from Grace’s diaries are used throughout the book to truly highlight her voice.

The backmatter offers plenty of additional information about Grace and The Service Corps to inform young readers of the historical significance of their achievements, as well as their fight to receive veteran recognition.

Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call is available wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you. Your support is always appreciated!)

Claudia Friddell is a former elementary school teacher and the author of several non-fiction children’s books. She is passionate about sharing true stories from history, and currently lives in Baltimore with her husband. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at claudiafriddell.com.

Elizabeth Baddeley is the illustrator of many biographies and non-fiction books for children, including the New York Times bestselling I DISSENT: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes her Mark. She currently lives in in Kansas City with her husband and son. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at ebaddeley.com.

Thank you so much to Calkins Creek and Boyds Mills & Kane for providing me with a review copy of Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call. I’m so glad to be able to share such an amazing story.

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Standing On Her Shoulders – Celebrating the Women Who Came Before Us

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I’m so excited to share Standing on Her Shoulders: A Celebration of Women by Monica Clark-Robinson with you all today.

I originally thought this book was going to be a collection of biographies about women throughout history, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it’s something a little bit different.

Standing on Her Shoulders combines the elements of a love letter to our children, a tribute to our ancestors, and a biography collection, creating something altogether unique.

This book is a beautiful reminder of how strong women are when we lift one another up, how far we have come, and how far the next generation will take us. Standing on Her Shoulders is not a heavy historical text, but rather a poetic tribute to honor the legacy of women who worked to achieve the freedoms women enjoy today.

Monica Clark-Robinson’s lyrical text is paired perfectly with Laura Freeman’s illustrations, allowing us to look in on one Black family’s conversation with the next generation about the numerous women who came before them, paving the way for us all.

The back matter contains one sentence biographies of the twenty-six women featured in the illustrations (from Sacajawea to Simone Biles), opening the door to further conversations about the historic accomplishments of each woman.

My favorite part about this book however is that it doesn’t just emphasize the importance of honoring those who came before us, but also reminds young readers that someone will be standing on their shoulders someday.

Standing On Her Shoulders officially releases next week (February 2, 2021), but you can preorder today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you. Your support is always appreciated!)

Monica Clark-Robinson is an author, professional actor, and voice-over artist who is passionate about stories. She lives in Arkansas with her husband, daughters, and many cats. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at monicaclark-robinson.com.

Laura Freeman is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honoree who has illustrated over thirty books for children, including Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice and The New York Times bestseller Hidden Figures. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at lfreemanart.com.

Thank you to Orchards Books and Scholastic for sending me a copy of Standing On Her Shoulders. I can’t wait to share this inspiring book with my nieces.

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The Aquanaut – Encouraging Children To Dream Big

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As soon as I heard about The Aquanaut by Jill Heinerth and illustrated by Jaime Kim, I knew I had to have a copy!

A children’s book written by a traiblazing female cave diver and underwater explorer, illustrated by a NYT bestselling illustrator?

Yes! Sign me up.

At first glance, I thought this book would be another empowering picture book biography focusing on girl power. (Now, don’t get me wrong! This is one of my favorite types of books, but you have to admit, there are A LOT out there these days.) I was pleasantly surprised to learn that The Aquanaut is empowering in a very different way.

Instead of encouraging readers to overcome gender specific obstacles society may present them, this book gently encourages children to dream big, and to follow those dreams. Jill tells young readers about the big dreams she had as a child. Each spread detailing her dream is followed by a wordless spread with magnificent illustrations by Jaime Kim showing us an adult Jill achieving those dreams, metaphorically speaking.

The Aquanaut is the perfect pick to encourage imagination, while also reminding young readers they don’t have to wait until they’re grown to achieve all of their dreams. If they dream of helping others, they can start today!

The illustrations in this book are absolute perfection! Somehow Jaime Kim perfectly captures the comparisons of Young Jill’s dreams and Adult Jill’s achievements, while simultaneously creating the perfect calming atmosphere for young readers to reflect on their own dreams. It’s genius!

On top of being a writer, Jill Heinerth is also an award-winning cave diver, as well as an underwater explorer, photographer, and filmmaker. To learn more about her and her work, be sure to visit her website at intotheplanet.com.

Jaime Kim is an extremely talented illustrator whose debut picture book Take Heart, My Child was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. To learn more about her and her work, visit her website at jaimekim.com.

The Aquanaut officially releases next week (January 19, 2021), but you can preorder it today at Bookshop, Amazon, and anywhere else you purchase books. (Please note: These are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to earn a small commission from purchases made at no additional cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site, and continue bringing content to you.)

Many thanks to Tundra Books for providing me with a copy of The Aquanaut. I am so grateful to have had the chance to review such a brilliant book!

We Are The Supremes – A Picture Book Biography of America’s Most Successful Vocal Group

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I’m sure most of you are familiar with The Supremes, but many young readers have yet to learn much about America’s most successful vocal group.

We Are The Supremes by Zoe Tucker is a perfect introduction, while also making for a great read for children who are already fans.

Starting from Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Diana Ross’s beginnings at the Brewster-Douglass public housing project in Detroit, all the way to their global success with Motown Records, We are The Supremes tells the story of the rise of this successful music group.

This book is a celebration of the success of three Black women who became international superstars during a time when many record labels turned away Black artists. The hard work and determination these women showed make for a great example to encourage young readers to work hard at the things they love.

I think my favorite part has to be the illustrations by Salini Perera. They are absolutely fantastic! I particularly love the all the outfits. Every illustration perfectly captures the fashion from the 50’s and 60’s.

I also love that this book doesn’t shy away from some of the disagreements within the group, showing young readers that friendships often take work and encouraging them to resolve their disagreements with friends through communication.

We Are The Supremes is available in the UK, and will be released in North America next week (January 12, 2021). You can preorder it now wherever you purchase books, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you.)

To see more work from Zoe Tucker and Salini Perera, be sure to visit their websites: zoetucker.co.uk and saliniperera.com, respectively.

I also want to thank Quarto Publishing Group for generously providing me with a digital review copy for this title.

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She Persisted: Harriet Tubman

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I have to admit, I am late to the party with the She Persisted series. For those of you who missed the memo like me, She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World is a picture book that was published back in 2017, written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. With a title inspired by a feminist rally cry (accidently coined by Mitch McConnell of all people), this picture book shared inspiring stories of 13 women who continued to persist and follow their dreams to accomplish extraordinary achievements. This book was followed up by two more picture books, She Persisted Around the World (published in 2018) and She Persisted in Sports (published in 2020).

I was so excited to find this series this year, because it’s a fantastic introduction to lots of different female role models and the concept of feminism as a whole. But I was even more excited to learn that Philomel Books is continuing the series in chapter books! There will be 13 books in the series released this year, one dedicated to each woman mentioned in the original picture book She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to review the first release in the chapter book series, She Persisted: Harriet Tubman, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

I know many of us are familiar with Harriet Tubman, but this book is perfect for young readers to learn more about her story.

Starting at her birth on the Edward Brodess plantation in Dorchester, Maryland, She Persisted: Harriet Tubman follows our heroine throughout the struggles of her childhood of being “rented” to cruel people. In six chapters, we learn about how Harriet Tubman grew up and escaped slavery, and how she risked her freedom to ensure others had theirs.

This book does not shy away from the ugly truths of slavery (including the traumatic brain injury Harriet Tubman suffered, causing a lifetime of seizures and hypersomnia), but cruelty and violence is introduced in an age-appropriate manner. I really appreciate the attention to Harriet’s disability, because I feel like this fact is often left out of her story.

There is an additional chapter at the end of the book with a list of activities for young readers to honor Harriet Tubman’s bravery, which I thought was a great idea to inspire children to take their reading a step further.

I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it for any young reader in your life. I have four nieces who are reading chapter books, and I am so excited to share this one with them.

She Persisted: Harriet Tubman is officially released next week (January 5, 2021), but you can preorder it today wherever you purchase books, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links. I will receive a small commission from purchases made using these links at no additional cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you.)

Thank you so much to Philomel for providing me with the review copy and the opportunity. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

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Songs In A Rainstorm – The Story of Musical Prodigy Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins

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Songs in A Rainstorm by Glenda Armand is an amazing picture book biography of Thomas Wiggins, also known as Blind Tom.

I have to admit, I didn’t know much about Thomas Wiggins before I read this book, and I’m so disappointed in myself because his story is so incredibly inspiring!

Thomas Wiggins was born without sight to enslaved parents in 1849. Thomas was what we would today call a musical savant.

Shortly after Tom was born, his parents learned that their owner, Wiley Jones, planned to sell some of his slaves. Fearing for their son, Tom’s parents secretly reached out to General James Bethune to prearrange their sale to him, due to his reputation as a “fair man”. The family was sold together, and Jones threw Tom in for free, calling him a “useless burden”

But Jones was wrong. Tom was blind, but he was never useless.

At the age of four, General Bethune’s daughters began to teach Tom to speak, and eventually to play the piano. When Bethune heard how well Tom played and how quickly he learned, he saw a business opportunity and began to manage Tom’s career as a professional musician.

Against all odds, Thomas Wiggins followed his passion for music. Tom wowed audiences across the world and was the first African American to perform in the White House.

I absolutely love the illustrations in this book. Brittany Jackson really brought Tom and his story to life.

But my favorite part of Songs In a Rainstorm has to be the honesty. It doesn’t shy away from the ugly truths, like the reality of slavery or the fact that Bethune took the majority of the fortune Tom earned.

I would highly recommend this book, especially for any little ones who are showing an interest in music.

Songs in a Rainstorm is officially released on January 1, 2021, but you can preorder it anywhere you purchase books, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links. I will receive a small commission from purchases made using these links, at no additional cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you.)

I would like to thank Albert Whitman & Company for providing me with a review copy of Songs In a Rainstorm. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to learn more about Thomas Wiggins and his story.

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Our Era Is Now – A Diverse And Inclusive Feminist Biography Collection

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Teen author Zoe Yu hopes to inspire young girls and relay the message that women of all colors can achieve what they put their minds to. I think she has done just that with her debut Our Era Is Now.

As the title implies, Our Era is Now is a wonderful collection of mini-biographies of 14 remarkable women who “rewrote history”, paired with fun portraits of those women. Written and self-published by teen author Zoe Yu, I couldn’t help but feeling like I was reading the words of a remarkable woman in the making.

Though she’s only sixteen-years-old, Zoe saw a need for a diverse collection of strong female protagonists, so she decided to write one herself.

I have read quite a few of these feminist/girl power biography collections, but I have never seen one that provides such a diverse collection of women. From scientists and doctors to artists and singers, Zoe has highlighted powerful female stories from women across the board.

If you’re looking for a book to inspire young readers, I would definitely recommend this one. You can pick up your own copy of Our Era Is Now on Amazon. (Please note: This is an affiliate link, from which I will receive a small commission. This commission allows me to maintain this website and continue to bring content to you on a regular basis.)

Thank you to Zoe Yu for reaching out and providing me with a copy to review this book. I look forward to seeing what she writes next!

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Ways To Say I Love You – A Book About Love for the Budding Biologist

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Ways to Say I Love You by Marilyn Singer is an adorable book, perfect for young readers who are beginning to show an interest in biology or animals.

In this book, we learn of the mating rituals of certain animals and compare those behaviors to the actions humans take to say, “I love you”. There isn’t any information about reproduction; just a simple explanation of how humans and animals show love to one another. Children will see peacocks showing off their tail feathers, frogs puffing out there throats, and humans doing the waltz. The target audience for this book is 4-6 years old, so the text is a bit on the sparse side.

What Ways to Say I Love You lacks in text, it makes up for with beautiful illustrations by Alette Straathof. I also love that we have examples of both interracial and same sex couples represented in the illustrations!

I will say, I have a slight issue with the first page, which reads, “It’s the truth. There’s no debate. Every creature wants a mate”. Obviously, there are people in the world who prefer to be alone and are absolutely fulfilled human beings without a partner. Ultimately, I believe the exclusion of single people in a book about love just gives us a great opportunity to discuss self love, platonic love, and the aromantic experience.

The back of the book has an informative section with a little more detail on the courtship of all the animals mentioned, further explaining the mating habits of snakes, bowerbirds, whales, and more.

You can pick up a copy of Ways To Say I Love You anywhere books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links, from which I will receive a small commission. These links are free to use and allow you to support the blog.)

I would like to thank Quarto Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review! I’m sure this one will spark plenty of interesting conversations with my little guy when he’s a bit older.

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Nonfiction November Inspired by a Board Book

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A few weeks ago, my mother stopped by for a visit and surprised us with a board book. My mom obviously knows about my passion for building an inclusive library for my son, and likes to contribute her own picks occasionally, which I am forever grateful for. This particular book was called Little Heroes of Color: 50 Who Made a BIG Difference by David Heredia. It’s a great nonfiction selection for children highlighting lots of different POC (People of Color) who changed the world. My only real complaint about this book is that every person highlighted only has one sentence dedicated to their accomplishments. I was left wanting so much more!

So in honor of Nonfiction November, I decided to take matters into my own hands and locate children’s biographies for heroes featured in the book. These biographies are all still a bit over Sully’s head, but I definitely plan on picking them up so we can learn more about each hero’s accomplishments as he gets older.

If you’re looking to add a bit of Nonfiction to your little readers library you can pick these titles up at my Bookshop Affiliate Shop. Please know that Mutually Inclusive does receive a small commission on purchases made through this link (and the links for each title on this post). This commission allows me to purchase more books to review and share with you.

Ernie Barnes

Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace, Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Born in the Jim Crow era in Durham, North Carolina, Ernest Smalls grew up to be both a professional football player and an artist. This picture book shares with us both his struggles and his successes throughout his life. I love that this story tells children they don’t have to choose between arts and sports. They can absolutely enjoy and be successful at both!

Henry “Box” Brown

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Henry’s Freedom Box tells the story of Henry “Box” Brown, a slave who escaped slavery in a very creative way. Henry was torn from his mother at a young age. He grew up to be married and started a family of his own, only to have them sold away from him. In the end, Henry comes up with a plan to mail himself to freedom, earning him the nickname Henry “Box” Brown.

Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People by S. D. Nelson

S.D Nelson, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, brings us the story of Sitting Bull. Told through Sitting Bull’s voice, this book focuses on the injustices faced by the Lakota tribes throughout our nation’s history. Just a note: this one is recommended for a slightly older audience (middle grade) as the illustrations do depict death and violence.

Joseph Boulogne Chevalier De Saint George

Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George by Lesa Cline Ransome Illustrated by James Ransome

This book chronicles Joseph Boulogne’s life from a plantation in West Indies to studying music in Paris, and his rise to fame in Europe. Joseph overcomes great adversity and finds success as the first black composer. A great story for any music lover, and a great reminder that the classical music world isn’t as white as we’re led to believe.

Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm https://bookshop.org/a/15989/9780803730892is a Verb by Veronica Chambers, Illustrated by Rachelle Baker

Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. This picture book touches on Shirley’s early life, but it truly highlights her many accomplishments, including creating the Head Start and WIC programs, and her work to help create the Congressional Black Caucus. This is a fantastic pick to discuss determination, and speaking up for yourself. I also LOVE the illustrations in this one. They really gave Shirley a personality throughout the book.

Bessie Coleman

Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger Illustrated by Teresa Flavin

This is the picture book biography of Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman and Native American woman to receive a pilot’s license, This book chronicles the famous aviatrix’s life from her childhood in Texas all the way to her death in Jacksonville, Florida. My only complaint was that I felt the book glossed over Bessie’s Native American heritage. Her father’s “Indian” heritage is mentioned, but only in passing.

Fannie Lou Hamer

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Ekua Holmes

This stunning biography is told through a collection of poems. Written from Fannie Lou Hamer’s perspective, these poems detail her journey from a sharecropper’s daughter in Sunflower County, Mississippi to a renowned civil rights activist. This book does not shy away from the events of the Civil Rights Movement, but details the injustices that freedom fighters faced during these times. Note: There is a racial slur used in this book.

Maya Lin

Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk

This is a lovely little biography of Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. This one isn’t too heavy on history or Maya’s childhood, but reads as an inspiring story for any budding little artists or architects.

Dr. Ronald McNair

Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne Naden, Illustrated by Don Tate

Dr. Ronald McNair was a Black NASA astronaut and physicist who lost his life in the Challenger mission. This picture book relates a fictionalized version of a real-life event from Dr. McNair’s childhood in South Carolina. In this book, Ron wants to check books out from the library, which is only allowed for white children. This is a great book to engage children in conversations about civil disobedience, and help them understand that unjust “rules” can and should be challenged.

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Eric Velasquez

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg was a Black Puerto Rican historian, collector, and writer who was determined to discover and share Black history and achievements. This book contains a collection of 20 poems detailing his quest for knowledge that eventually led to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and his lifelong fight against the whitewashing of history, but it also relates much of the Black history he discovered along the way.

Sonia Sotamayor

Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor, Illustrated by Lulu Delacre

Justice Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and Latina member of the Supreme Court of The United States. This autobiography details her childhood, specifically highlighting her love of reading. Justice Sotomayor shares how her love of reading impacted her life, and lead her to her career as a lawyer, judge, and Supreme Court Justice.

Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path by Joseph Bruchac, Illustrated by S. D. Nelson

Jim Thorpe was an accomplished athlete and the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. This biographic picture book discusses his childhood on the Sac and Fox Indian Reservation , specifically focusing on how his education influenced his path to his athletic achievements. A great reminder for young readers of the importance of education.

I wish I could share biographies for all 50 heroes mentioned in Little Heroes of Color: 50 Who Made a BIG Difference but unfortunately, I couldn’t find one for everyone. There are a few others I hope to share another day, along with some other great biographies I found featuring heroes not mentioned in David Heredia’s collection. I hope you found one or two books to add to your readers’ shelves.

Have you read any of these biographies? Have you read other biographies about any of the heroes in Little Heroes of Color: 50 Who Made a BIG Difference? Be sure to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!