If you like reading historical fiction I have some picture books you are sure to enjoy. Historical picture books are a good introduction for young readers to people and places from our past. History and heroes from history changed the world through their actions, whether big or small. We can learn so much from reading about our history and realizing that our actions can make a difference in the world.
By Lina Masto
New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book.
Zlata lives with her parents in Ukraine. Communist Russia has taken over Ukraine and the government is taking everything from the Ukrainian people for Russia. When Zlata's birthday comes, her mother manages to find material and thread to make her a beautiful shirt that she embroiders by hand. The shirt is made to help her remember her heritage and culture. Zlata isn't allowed to wear her new shirt outside of their house but she enjoys wearing it inside when she can. When Zlata's shirt is taken by the Russian soliders along with all of the food they have managed to hide, she is sad and angry. She later realizes that even though the Russians have taken their belongings they can not take away the desire for freedom in the hearts of the Ukrainian people.
Written by Shana Keller
Illustrated by Laura Freeman
New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book.
In 1865 following the American Civil War, a young girl named Lettie saves her money to put an advertisement in the paper. Her advertisement asks for help in locating her family members who were sold off into slavery before it was outlawed. A sweet fictional story about a girl's dream to find and connect with her lost family. An insightful look at the black way of life following the civil war.
Written by Jacob Sager Weinstein
Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2023. Picture Book.
It's 1938 and a young Rosa lives in Vienna, Austria with her parents and grandmother. During the day while her parents work at the family store, Rosa spends her days playing with her grandmother, reading stories, and climbing trees. When the Nazi's arrive everything in her life changes. The Nazi's new laws make it dangerous for Rosa's Jewish family to keep their store open, so Rosa and her family decide to leave Vienna. Where will her family go now and what should Rosa take with her?
A beautifully written story about the Holocaust that shows the dangers young children faced during this difficult time as well as a tender reminder that family love and creativity can help you move forward.
Written by Jairo Buitrago
Illustrated by Rafael Yockteng
Vancouver, British Columbia: Greystone Kids, 2023. Picture Book.
A long time ago people traveled, hunted for food, looked for shelter, and lived their lives the best they could. This wordless caveman picture book tells the story of a small group of people who lived millions of years ago when people were drawing pictures on cave walls and carving images onto stone. In this story you can follow a young girl as she notices things around her and begins to draw and tell the story of herself and her people as they search for a cave where they can find shelter. Once they have found shelter and their basic needs were met everything was different for them.
There is a lot about this time period that we do not understand, but the stunning images in this story tell of a life lived during the Pleistocene period. We may not understand the purpose of these drawings but it is believed that they were used for storytelling. Enjoy looking at the drawings as they tell the story of this small group of people from long ago.
Written by Jason Reynolds
Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey
New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book.
Everyone enjoys a party and back in the day a word-making man was celebrated at such a party. As you read you will learn about a famous party that was held at the New York Public Library Harlem's Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture in celebration of the grand opening of the Langston Hughes Auditorium in February of 1991. Many famous people attended this party to celebrate the literary genius of Langston Hughes and offer him their support. The story gives details about that night with stunning poetry and vibrant illustrations that flow together so effortlessly that the pictures themselves seem to bump and jump along with the text. This book celebrates not only Langston Hughes and his accomplishments, but also many of the black men and women in America who made their mark during the Harlem Renaissance.
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