A young Frederick Douglass narrates this handsome, moving, and authentic story of his early life as a slave, his desire to learn, and plans to escape slavery. The child who grew up to be an abolitionist, memorable writer, and orator knew that words — reading — would set him free.
Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass
Belle goes with her talented grandmother on a singing tour during a time of racial segregation in the south in the 1950s. Grandmama decides to continue performing up north “where things were a little easier for black people.” Realistic watercolors help define the setting.
When Grandmama Sings
Two children aroused by their parents join a march for equal rights. Short sentences and semi-abstract illustrations convey the children’s evolving feelings as they join scores of others in what adults recognize as an historic march for civil rights.
We March
Brief, staccato text and dark-hued, mixed-media illustrations convey the drama of enslaved people escaping on the Underground Railroad. There is limited light and grave danger until the family reaches freedom in this seemingly simple yet rich and sophisticated book.
Underground
Martin Luther King’s niece recalls how the power of her uncle’s words and his strength of conviction changed the United States. Realistic illustrations, straightforward language, and factual back matter create an accessible glimpse of the man and his place in history.
My Uncle Martin’s Words for America
Sophisticated poems, often in dialect, are accompanied by haunting paintings to chronicle a group of enslaved people escaping north to freedom. Older readers will most appreciate this sometimes (necessarily) harsh portrait of escape, slave trackers, and the trek north.
Freedom’s a-Callin Me
His unusual escape from slavery — in a box mailed to Philadelphia — is told in a conversational, folksy style illustrated with evocative illustrations. The cadence of the text calls to mind the music and song that were always important to Henry Brown.
Freedom Song! The Story of Henry “Box” Brown
Dear Primo
My Papa Diego and Me
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Their Lives and Ideas, 24 Activities
Diego: Bigger Than Life
Me, Frida
Duncan Tonatiuh introduces young readers to muralist Diego Rivera and his many sources of inspiration, such as the Cubism movement that he discovered in Paris, the ruins of ancient Mexican civilizations, and the daily lives of the Mexican people. He concludes by asking, “What would Diego Rivera paint today?” These intriguing reflections are brought to life by Tonatiuh’s compelling, playful illustrations which evoke some of Diego’s best known scenes and murals. 2012 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award.
Diego Rivera: His World and Ours
Through original artwork by the renowned artist Tomie dePaola — a longtime aficionado of Frida Kahlo’s work — as well as beautiful reproductions of Kahlo’s paintings, this latest Smart About book explores the creative, imaginative world of Mexico’s most celebrated female artist.
Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself
Diego Rivera
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo: The Artist in the Blue House
Punk Farm
Ollie the Purple Elephant
A field trip to the art museum becomes a mystery for the Breakfast Bunch to solve – perhaps without the help of Lunch Lady! Read more adventures of this unique superheroes team in Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians (opens in a new window), Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown (opens in a new window), Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta (opens in a new window), and Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit (opens in a new window).
Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco
Meet the Breakfast Bunch: three regular kids, and their not-at-all-ordinary Lunch Lady! With the help of amazing and useful kitchen gadgets, Lunch Lady defeats a plot by cyborg subs to take Teacher of the Year Award. The launch of this graphic novel series for younger readers is sure to delight with its humor and recognizable situations.