![Wangari's Trees of Peace](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0152065458.jpg?itok=gQHFjFYp)
“Wangari lives under an umbrella of green trees in the shadow of Mount Kenya in Africa.” So begins this tribute to Wangari Maathai, a young woman who saw deforestation turn the lush lands of Kenya into a barren desert. Wangari began to plant seedlings and encouraged the women around her to do the same. By 2004, 30 million trees had been planted and Wangari won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Wangari’s Trees of Peace
![The Great Migration: Journey to the North](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0061259217.jpg?itok=7mGI2Ijg)
“Between 1915 and 1930, more than a million African Americans…moved to the North” including the poet’s family. Join the travelers as they seek a better life in a different part of the United States. Rhythmic but not rhyming verse is complemented by evocative illustrations.
The Great Migration: Journey to the North
![Bring on the Birds](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1561455601.jpg?itok=F1mNdsUM)
Stunning yet accurate illustrations accompany a gently rhyming, rhythmic text to introduce the behavior of a variety of birds. Brief information about the birds shown encourages young readers to want to learn more about these handsome creatures.
Bring on the Birds
![A Picture Book of Cesar Chavez](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/082342202X.jpg?itok=atMEVyep)
“The selfless struggles of labor leader Chavez are given a tempered and lucid treatment in this educational overview… The characters are drawn in an intentionally stiff style that fits with the depth-challenged folk art backgrounds, most of which are dominated by the color of sand. The text, meanwhile, is peppered with quotes from Chavez, all of which are backed up with source notes. An elegant introduction to a man who inspired thousands.”
— Daniel Kraus, Booklist
A Picture Book of Cesar Chavez
![Side by Side: The Story of Dolores Huerta and César Chávez/Lado a Lado: La Historia de Dolores Huerta y Cesar Chávez](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0061227811.jpg?itok=AzbP7BQy)
Many years ago in California, an energetic young Girl Scout named Dolores worked to raise money for soldiers fighting in World War II. A thoughtful young boy named Cesar worked in the fields to help his family put food on the table. As young adults, these two extraordinary individuals would meet and spend the rest of their lives working tirelessly on behalf of migrant workers and children through nonviolent struggle — side by side. Monica Brown and Joe Cepeda bring the story of Dolores and Cesar to life through this vibrant bilingual book, which will make an excellent addition to units on migrant farmworkers, civil rights, or women’s history.
Side by Side: The Story of Dolores Huerta and César Chávez/Lado a Lado: La Historia de Dolores Huerta y Cesar Chávez
![Tillie the Terrible Swede](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0375844422.jpg?itok=S3Ucr9es)
Tillie Anderson emigrated to the U.S. from Sweden with a sewing needle and a strong sense of what might be. During the 1890s, Tillie trained and became a winning bicycle racer — using her tailoring skills to make more suitable racing outfits! Lighthearted illustrations and informal text tell Tillie’s memorable tale.
Tillie the Terrible Swede
![Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0805089373.jpg?itok=Dzqr8rHa)
Butterflies were once thought to be “beasts of the devil.” Maria Merian, a perceptive young German naturalist, knew better. She recorded her notes and drawings on the butterflies’ transformation in secret so that she would not be accused of witchcraft and later became a famous scientist and artist who helped the rest of the world understand natural life cycles. Margarita Engle brings her extraordinary story to life, accompanied by Julie Paschkis’ gorgeous illustrations.
Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian
![Stand Straight, Ella Kate](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0803734042.jpg?itok=1fLUo2pp)
As she continued to grow (and grow), Ella Kate’s parents told her to stand straight. This gave Ella Kate the confidence to do and see things that other 19th century women could only dream of, including owning a special house to accommodate her gigantic size. Ella Kate narrates this fictionalized look at her life and travels, and her parents’ unfailing loyalty.
Stand Straight, Ella Kate
![Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0763617334.jpg?itok=anoktR58)
From a poor girl who had “a dancing beat in her feet ever since she was a bitty girl” to when she finally got a chance to perform with a professional band, Ella Fitzgerald set the world of music on its ear. Her early life is presented in energetic, downright jazzy text and richly hued illustrations.
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald
![She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0061349208.jpg?itok=Q8SUx_K0)
Effa Manley, born when jazz was new and sports were segregated, was passionate about fairness and baseball. She was to become the first woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame along with players from the Negro Baseball League. Her life is presented in stylized illustration and clear text, for an intriguing portrait of a person and a time.
She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story
![Rosa’s Bus: The Ride to Civil Rights](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1590787226.jpg?itok=YszwOdPd)
No one knew that when “Bus #2857 rolled off the assembly line in 1948…[that it] would be famous…” but it did when a woman refused to give up her seat on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks’ story of bravery is effectively told in simple text and illustration. That bus is now in Michigan’s Henry Ford Museum.
Rosa’s Bus: The Ride to Civil Rights
![Odetta: The Queen of Folk](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0439928184.jpg?itok=Z-cQRkfr)
The life and music of Odetta who became an influential folksinger and civil rights activist is revealed in lyrical, rhythmic language and evocative, swirling illustration. An affectionate afterword by the author provides factual information about the person and her influence.
Odetta: The Queen of Folk
![Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0823422518.jpg?itok=dP4PTyyT)
The story of a Polish woman who helped over 400 Jewish children escape Nazi-occupied Warsaw is presented in a sophisticated, evocative, realistically illustrated picture book format. Source notes and additional resources conclude this riveting account.
Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto
![Transformed: How Everyday Things Are Made](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1554532442.jpg?itok=Qi_EiLSa)
Look at how everything from baseballs to ice cream to peanut better are made and manufactured — perfect for sharing between an adult and a curious, sophisticated child. A bit of history (and a touch of gross) is included in this fascinating look at everyday items.
Transformed: How Everyday Things Are Made
![So You Want to Be an Inventor?](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0142404608.jpg?itok=-mbkL9Cx)
Ever wonder who invented the first dishwasher? How about Ben Franklin’s inventions? Need and inspiration seem to be the basis of all inventions, a principle used to organize this fascinating glimpse of myriad inventions and the people who invented them.
So You Want to Be an Inventor?
![Pop! A Book About Bubbles](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0064452085.jpg?itok=V_UP4DTb)
Have you ever wondered why bubbles are round? And why they pop? These and other questions are asked and answered in accessible language and crisp, full color photographs. Many easy-to-do science activities are suggested (to be done with adult help).
Pop! A Book About Bubbles
![Oscar and the Snail: A Book About Things That We Use](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0763640395.jpg?itok=eaVYajsJ)
Oscar, a curious kitten, learns more about why sticks and twigs are used by birds and other materials are used differently. As with other books in the Start with Science series, Oscar’s science explorations are just right for younger children and may launch further exploration.
Oscar and the Snail: A Book About Things That We Use
![Imaginative Inventions](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0316347256.jpg?itok=jhLZ67f3)
A lively, brief, rhyming look at various inventions and the people who created them weaves together with the author’s speculation about what might have been behind the brainchild. Fact and fancy combine to motivate a new generation of inventors!
Imaginative Inventions
![I Fall Down](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0688178421.jpg?itok=oeJK7mox)
Activities suggested are easy and engaging for young children and an adult. This title from the Science Play series — intended for the youngest budding scientist — uses conversational language and uncluttered illustrations to encourage further observation and experimentation.
I Fall Down
![How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0547245157.jpg?itok=7PrjbLka)
Unlikely animals work together to the benefit of both as do more usual pairings such as dogs and people. How and why these relationships work is detailed in brief text and handsome collage illustration.
How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships
![How a Seed Grows](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0064451070.jpg?itok=MYbVDhH8)
How a tiny seed can grow into an enormous plant (think acorn) is introduced through crisp text and effective illustrations. Suggested activities are easily doable (though adult help is required) and support concepts introduced.
How a Seed Grows
![Built to Last](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0547342403.jpg?itok=wW_kKkGl)
Three books, each a sophisticated examination at how structures were built — a cathedral, castle, and mosque — have been revised, refreshed with current information, and put in one volume. The author/illustrator’s work is complex but will intrigue young readers especially if shared with an adult.
Built to Last
![Celebrate Chinese New Year](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/1426303815.jpg?itok=P2JGnoz8)
This introduction to the Chinese New Year from National Geographic is filled with colorful photos from China and beyond, as well as informative descriptions of different New Year traditions and activities. Whether they are reading about Shanghai, Brazil, or San Francisco, readers will enjoy learning how the festivities are celebrated around the world!
Celebrate Chinese New Year
![The Story of Ruby Bridges](/sites/default/files/styles/book_cover_mobile_1x/public/book/0439472261.jpg?itok=NNHPS-hy)
This is the true story of a brave six-year-old child who found the strength to walk through protesters and enter a whites-only school in New Orleans in 1960. The sepia watercolors capture the warmth of Ruby’s family and community.