There is no shortage of inspiring icons in this world and their contribution to creating a better space will never always be remembered.
Below, we have listed a few iconic individuals who have made a significant impact in America and the world.
ONLY THE BEST
ONLY THE BEST: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe by Kate Messner and Margaret E Dowell explores the life of the first African American fashion designer, Ann Lowe.
Growing up in Alabama, Ann loved the smell of honeysuckle and the shape of the fabric, so as her grandmother stitch the dresses and fit bodices, Ann gathered scraps from the floor.
Learning from her mother, she cuts patterns and learns to make dresses.
When her mother becomes ill, it became Ann’s job to make the dresses. The memories of her mother and grandmother allowed her to persevere.
She moved to Florida and became very popular for her gowns that sparkled and shimmered. In 1917, she moved to New York for fashion school.
The school had never had a black student before, and the other students ridiculed and shamed her. However, Ann persevered.
Her dresses were nothing but the best, and she even created the dresses for Jackie Kennedy’s wedding.
This book is inspiring, motivating, innovative, and imaginative and encourages young, aspiring fashion designers to persevere, no matter the circumstances.
courage in her cleats
COURAGE IN HER CLEATS by Kim Chaffee celebrates the achievements of soccer star Abby Wambach.
It portrays her strength and resilience from childhood to becoming an Olympic champion.
She played soccer throughout her childhood, high school, and then college. Learning from every mistake and diligently persevering, she became a player on the U.S. Women’s National Team.
From there, along with her teammates, she won Olympic goals and never forgot the value of teamwork and leadership.
Her passion and dedication led to her induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame and fulfilling her dream of winning a FIFA World Cup.
The bold and vibrant illustrations by Alexandra Badiu are truly remarkable and bring this wonderful story to life.
Abby Wambach’s story is truly inspiring and will encourage children to be strong and passionate about whatever their heart desires.
PLANTING STORIES
PLANTING STORIES The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anita Aldamuy Denise is the ultimate celebration of such an iconic woman in Hispanic History.
Pura Belpré was a storyteller, puppeteer and the first Puerto Rican Librarian in New York Public Library. During her time as a bilingual assistant she campaigned for bilingual literature and today her legacy still lives on.
This book is absolutely amazing and the vivid and vibrant illustrations by Paola Escobar captures the true essence of this wonderful biography that children will absolutely love.
PLANTING STORIES is for everyone; storytellers, educators and especially librarians. Pura Belpré planted a seed as an immigrant in a new country and it blossomed and still inspires many today. This book is full of hope and life and makes a perfect addition to any home. AGE: 4-8
NIKI NAKAYAMA
NIKI NAKAYAMA: A CHEF’S TABLE IN 13 BITES by Jamie Michalak & Debbi Michiko Florence features the delicious life of renowned chef Niki Nakayama.
Niki grew up in California with her Japanese family. Her mom loved cooking both Japanese and American food, and so did Niki.
She dreamed of becoming a chef, but as a woman, that dream encountered some negative reactions from not only her family but from other chefs.
Despite many obstacles, she persevered and mastered the art of cooking Kaiseki and later opened the world-famous N/naka restaurant in California.
Each customer never experiences the same meal twice and gets to experience the rich culture of Japan but also a bit of America.
With deliciously vivid and vibrant illustrations by Yuko Jones, this book is guaranteed to tantalize taste buds but also inspire young children, especially girls, to always follow their dreams no matter the odds.
BE A KING
There have been many books about Martin Luther King Jr., but BE A KING, Dr. Martin Luther King It’s Dream for you by Carole Boston Weatherford is so delightful and delivers a beautiful message to children.
We are all kings and queens and it doesn’t matter how small or big you are, you CAN stand up for what’s right and create positive change in this world.
The illustrations by James E. Ransome are incredible and portray Martin Luther King Jr.’s life as a great civil rights leader.
Children are the future and it’s a beautiful thing to see children working together for justice. It’s powerful and a total must-have for every home.
MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD
MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD by Vivian Kirkfield celebrates the wonderful friendship between two Iconic women. Legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald and renowned actress Marilyn Monroe were complete opposites. They lived separate lives, but both struggled in their career.
Marilyn Monroe was not taken seriously in her career because she was a woman, and Ella Fitzgerald faced discrimination because of her size and the color of her skin.
Ella was Marilyn’s favorite singer, and Marilyn was Ella’s favorite actress. Together they motivated each other to create changes in their careers. Changes that they deserved.
Marilyn got inspiration for a singing role in one of her biggest movies by channeling and learning from Ella and in return Marilyn helped Ella fight discrimination by opening doors so that she can sing in famous places that wouldn’t allow black people to sing.
This book is absolutely amazing and inspires friendship and support among women.
It teaches children to persevere and fosters friendship between people who are different because inspiration comes in any form.
Women, especially black women, have always been treated unfairly and having support from other women makes a difference and will create change in the world today.
The illustrations by Alleanna Harris are absolutely magnificent and come alive on every page. It captures the essence of the entire story.
LATINITAS
Juliet Menéndez, LATINITAS, celebrates the life of over 40 influential Latinas whose perseverance and dedication changed lives and inspire generations.
From the dancing hands of Composer/Conductor Teresa Carreño to Congress-woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest member of congress in history at age 28, this book features so many Latinx that some of us never knew.
LATINITAS is extremely inspirational and perfect for every home and classroom. It encourages children, especially Latinx, to aspire to greatness.
The bold, vibrant illustrations are a wonderful representation of Latin culture. Absolutely beautiful. AGE 6-12
PURA’S CUENTOS
PURA’S CUENTOS by Annette Bay Pimentel celebrates the life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré.
Before Pura immigrated to New York from Puerto Rico, she loved listening to stories told by her Abuela.
Those stories inspired her to create her own stories, she shared with many children at the New York Public Library.
Told in both Spanish and English, her stories celebrated Hispanic culture and inspired many to create change in the way they read stories at the library.
Making her one of the most iconic women in Hispanic History.
This book is absolutely amazing, and the vivid and vibrant illustrations by Magaly Morales capture the true essence of this wonderful story. PUBLISHER: Abrams Books for Young Readers. Age: 3-6
CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER
CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER by Laurie Wallmark, portrays the life of Cryptanalyst Elizabeth Friedman.
From assisting the coast guard during prohibition and FBI to becoming one of the first cryptanalysts at the CIA.
Because of her skills at code-breaking, she could decipher secret messages hidden in codes and helped capture Nazi spies. Though she worked diligently and helped save many lives during World War I and II, she never received recognition because of the secrecy of her missions.
Today we celebrate Elizabeth Friedman and her many contributions to making America safer and getting the recognition she deserves.
She and so many unsung women are a true inspiration to little aspiring cryptanalysts.
The illustrations by Brooke Smart are truly amazing and engrosses the reader into the life of Elizabeth and her many adventures. Publisher: Abrams Books. Age: 6-10
GLORIA'S VOICE
GLORIA’S VOICE by Aura Lewis is another one of our favorites. It’s a wonderful picture-book biography of Gloria Steinem.
Feminist… Activist… Leader!! Growing up, Gloria wanted to help people and to create equal opportunities for women in this country and the world. She felt it unfair that women didn’t have those opportunities and made a change.
She became a journalist and gave a voice to The Women’s Liberation Movement and later created the very successful Ms. Magazine.
Ms. magazine is a magazine for women where our voices can be heard when dealing with certain issues such as inequality in the workplace.
Perfect book for young feminists who want to learn about Gloria Steinem and her many achievements in the past and present.
It’s insightful, hopeful and inspiring. The illustrations are mind-blowing and absolutely beautiful.
FLYING PAINTINGS
FLYING PAINTINGS by Amy Alznauer features the lives of famous painters ShanZou and DaHuang Zhou.
They grew up in Wuming, China with their grandmother Po Po, and loved hearing her stories of flying paintings in the mountain Cliff. She taught them that to be an artist, you must possess the highest spirits.
They longed to make their own art that flew like the stories PoPo told them. Through much turmoil in their country, the boys found solace in their art, persevered through tough times, and created the most beautiful paintings together.
Though initially, they dreaded painting together, their magnificent and majestic artwork came alive and inspired many around the world.
There are so many reasons to love this book. It encourages children to explore their creativity, to rise above difficult times by being yourself, and it encourages children to express themselves genuinely through art.
THE POWER OF HER PEN
THE POWER OF HER PEN by Lesa Cline-Ransome tells the story of groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne. Young Ethel had been collecting stories since she was a child and though it was tough growing up in Chicago, she wrote stories in her English class and read them aloud at home for her family.
As she grew older, she fought against racism and injustice, traveled outside the country to report on important affairs around the world. She went to Japan and fought for the rights of black American soldiers over there by writing stories and sending them back to Chicago.
When she returned to the U.S, she became a journalist for the Chicago Defender and was one of three black journalists invited to the White House.
She asked questions about segregation and education to the presidents and later earned the title of First Lady of the black press.
She became the voice of those who had none; she wrote stories that mainstream media refused to and her efforts made people and leaders pay attention to the plight of African-Americans.
The illustrations by John Parra are vibrant and perfect for aspiring journalists.
She is such a monumental part of black history and all should celebrate her legacy.
FLYING HIGH
FLYING HIGH by Michelle Meadows portrays the life of gymnastics champion Simone Biles.
From her early years in foster care to soaring above high-bars and balance beams, this book is an excellent source of inspiration for little gymnasts. Especially little black children.
Through defeats and triumphs, sacrifices and determination, Simone persevered and worked hard towards her goals. Characteristics of hers that children can emulate for success.
Simone’s story is a story of strength and grace, and she was the first woman gymnast to win three World all-around titles consecutively in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
With vibrant and vivid illustrations by Ebony Glenn, this book soars to great heights and will definitely captivate readers both young and old.
THE WATER PRINCESS
THE WATER PRINCESS by Susan Verde is based on the childhood of supermodel Georgie Badiel.
It features young, happy Gie Gie who is a princess of her own little kingdom.
She tames the dogs with her songs, make the tall grass dance and make the wind play hide-and-seek. However, she can’t make the water come closer. Every morning Gie Gie and her mother travel very far just to collect water. Though the journey is long, it becomes a journey of song and dance. The water is dirty, but it is much need to make food and wash their clothes and to keep them clean.
Gie Gie dreams of one day having clean water for everyone in her village so no one will ever have to journey far away for water again.
Wonderfully illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators Peter Reynolds, this book teaches children the value of perseverance and hope.
In reality, Gie Gie grows up and starts the #georgiebadielfoundation committed to providing clean water to the people of Burkina Faso and other places in Africa. AGE:4-8
GRANDAD MANDELA
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in South Africa on 18 July 1918. He was an anti-apartheid activist, politician, and philanthropist who became South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999.
Nelson Mandela married his second wife Winnie Madikizela in 1958 and they had two daughters, Zenani and Zindziswa (the youngest of the two and author of the children’s book GRANDAD MANDELA.
Following in the footsteps of her father, Zindzi Mandela is a political and social activist, philanthropist, author, and South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark. She had four children and six grandchildren.
One day, her grandchildren, Zazi and Ziwelene, visited and found a photo of their great-grandfather, Nelson Mandela. They soon asked questions about him, which she happily and candidly answers.
Why did grandad go to jail? Because he was fighting against Apartheid. Apartheid is a system of segregation or discrimination on the grounds of race. “It separated black people from white people and said that white people were better,” she explains.
Were the people happy when grandad was released from prison? What is justice? What did he do when he became President and why did the government make grandad stay in prison so long, these were among the 15 questions asked and answered.
I love everything about this book and it’s a magnificent way to teach children about Nelson Mandela. It’s important to know and learn what he stood for and against. Grandparents are just the best at sharing their wisdom and knowledge, and Zindzi Mandela did just that.
It’s Absolutely Amazing and children will just love the wonderful and vivid illustrations of Sean Qualls. His signature illustrations are so very distinctive, I just love them.
DANCING HANDS
DANCING HANDS by Margarita Engle features the life of Teresa Carreno and her love for the piano.
Teresa grew up in Venezuela in a house full of music. There were singing and dancing and her tiny, dancing hands played the piano. War brew in the country and Teresa and her family fled to America.
On her arrival in this strange country, young Teresa played her piano and everyone came to her home to see.
During the turmoil of the American Civil War, news traveled of Teresa’s gift, and President Abraham Lincoln invited her to play for his family. He had just lost a son and her fingers danced along her piano, providing solace to a grieving family.
This book, its message, and Teresa’s story came to life because of the bright and vibrant illustrations by Raphael Lopez.
Teresa Carreno is forever remembered for her contribution to music as the Valkyrie of the piano and her legacy still lives on. AGE 4-10
EMMANUEL'S DREAM
EMMANUEL’S DREAM by Laurie Ann Thompson is the story of Ghanaian cyclist Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah.
Emmanuel was born with one deformed leg but it didn’t stop him from going to school and playing soccer with his friends or even riding a bike.
Though he had a rough childhood, his mother taught him to always reach for his dreams. He loved cycling and in 2001 decided to ride four hundred miles across Ghana in just 10 days, proving that you can still achieve your dreams even if you have disabilities.
Omg the illustrations by Sean Qualls are bright and realistic and the book is perfect for any child and sends a powerful message to children that one person is enough to make a difference and change the world. AGE:6-10
EXQUISITE
EXQUISITE by Suzanna Slade celebrates the life and poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks.
Gwendolyn grew up in Chicago and loved writing poems. She sat on her back porch and drew inspiration from colorful clouds and from the people in her neighborhood.
After many magazines rejected her poems, Gwendolyn persevered and never stopped writing inspiration poetry.
She wrote poems of the war, the civil rights movement, entertainers, and shared important stories about her life growing.
Gwendolyn later won the Pulitzer Prize and became the first African-American to do so.
Gwendolyn Brooks is an icon and her books and poems still live on today and it’s truly an inspiration for young poets worldwide. I couldn’t get enough of the vibrant, canvas-like illustrations by Cozbi A. Cabrera.
BOX
BOX, Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford celebrates the life of an enslaved Henry Brown and his escape to freedom by hiding in a box and mailing himself to Philadelphia.
The book features poems of his childhood and life on the plantation as a slave. Each poem portrays gripping and heartfelt details that inspire and educate.
The intricate illustrations by Michele Wood are brilliant and capture the essence of each poem through the pages.
BOX makes a perfect addition to black history books for middle graders and a must-have for teachers and educators.
SANCTUARY
SANCTUARY by Christine McDonnell is an amazing book that celebrates the life and legacy of Kip Tiernan.
Harnessing inspiration from the generosity of her grandmother, Kip grew into a philanthropist who helped pave the way for young women around the world.
Noticing the amount of homelessness among women, she created change by speaking up against the way they are treated in society.
Her resilience and perseverance allowed her to open the first shelter in the country just for women.
In the sanctuary called Rosie’s Place, women received a safe space where they weren’t criticized or ridiculed but received free meals, clothes, and even a listening ear.
We are blown away by the vivid and bold illustrations of Victoria Tentler-Krylov.
It captures the essence and message in this book and will definitely inspire and motivate others to create change where it’s needed.
THE BOY WHO DREAMED OF INFINITY
I first learned about world-renowned Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan when I saw the movie “The Man Who Knew Infinity” starring Dev Patel and loved every minute. (Check it out)
Amy Alznauer’s THE BOY WHO DREAMED OF INFINITY features his life as a child growing up in South India. Born in 1887, as a child he never talked much, but he had a passion for numbers which often got him in trouble. He wanted to understand how many numbers made a single number by understanding how they work.
Deemed unteachable by several teachers, Ramanujan left school and studied math on his own, using college math books. He studied math every chance he got and discovered intricate formulas and patterns. Will an endless list of tiny numbers add up to one or infinity?
Soon Ramanujan’s ideas on infinity were admired all over the world. He was a genius at Mathematics, and like most child geniuses, often misunderstood.
With exquisite and vibrant illustrations by Daniel Miyares, this book is perfect for young aspiring Mathematicians. It’s very inspirational and encourages children to embrace their differences and to never be afraid to explore their curiosity. Thank you to our bookish besties @candlewickpress for sending us this gem. Perfect for middle graders♾.
STANDING ON HER SHOULDERS
STANDING ON HER SHOULDERS by Monica Clark-Robinson celebrates women from all walks.
It features mothers, grandmothers, and trailblazing women who helped shape our future and pays homage to their strength and courage.
From activist and abolitionist Sojourner Truth to professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe, these women inspire women to dream big and create positive change for women in the world.
We proudly stand on their shoulders and inspire future generations to stand on our shoulders.
The magnificently vivid illustrations by Laura Freeman are absolutely delightful.
SARAH AND THE BIG WAVE
SARAH AND THE BIG WAVE by Bonnie Tsui portrays the true story of Sarah Gerthartd.
She was the first woman to surf Mavericks, and today we celebrate her perseverance, strength, and courage.
She faced many challenges, since men dominated surfing, so they made surf suits and boards mostly for men. Sarah Gerhardt defied those odds.
Mavericks were big-wave surf breaks, sometimes 50 feet tall, that were very intimidating to surfers, but Sarah Gerhardt dominated them.
The vibrant oceanic hues by Sophie Diao are absolutely amazing, and intriguingly captures Sarah’s story so that every little reader can enjoy.
Sarah Gerhardt is a true inspiration to little surfers everywhere.
AGE 4-8, PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Co.
COLORS OF AWESOME
COLORS OF AWESOME by Eva Chen celebrates 24 bold women who inspired the world.
Every color represents a special meaning, and each page features specific colors that match the resilience and strength of famous icon women in the past and present.
From Vice-President Kamala Harris to renowned author Alice Walker, these women are beacons for young women everywhere and should always be celebrated.
With bold, vibrant illustrations by Derek Desierto, this book inspires and motivates women to be strong and brave and to be themselves.
THE OLDEST STUDENT
THE OLDEST STUDENT, How Mary Walker Learned To Read is such an inspiration new release by Rita Lorraine Hubbard.
It features Mary Walker, who learned to read at 116 years old. She was born a slave in Alabama, and she dreamed of reading. However, slaves weren’t allowed to read or write.
After being freed, she worked many jobs for long hours to take care of her family, so there was no time for reading, but she vowed to learn to read one day.
She could only see squiggles but her children, and would always read to her. That was, until she outlived her entire family and took the time to learn. She persevered and became the oldest student in her class, and received recognition all around the country.
This book is truly an inspiration and provides hope to everyone. It proves that you are never too old to learn if you set your mind to it. The beautiful and distinctive illustrations by Oge Mora could not have been more magnificent.
Reading is freedom and Mary Walker felt free.
THE SEED OF COMPASSION
THE SEED OF COMPASSION by His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivers a valuable lesson in Compassion.
It features his life as a boy in Tibet and the lessons his mother taught him.
She taught him the importance of sharing and showing compassion to everyone around them. She raised him on a diet of love and always give to those less fortunate.
It shows his life as a Buddhist and the many lessons that the monks taught him. No matter how many lessons he learned, he always remembered the seed of compassion that his mother planted in him as a child.
The Dalai Lama has done many remarkable things, and we see his compassion throughout the world. This book is amazing and is a perfect example of what we need in the world today.
Anyone can learn to be compassionate, and this book teaches children that Compassion isn’t just giving goods but it’s also giving a genuine smile with a genuine heart.
The illustrations by Bao Luu are so realistic. It vibrant and sets the scene for the entire book. AGE: 6-12
IDA B. WELLS, VOICE OF TRUTH
IDA B. WELLS, VOICE OF TRUTH by Michelle Duster celebrates the life and legacy of one of the most influential and iconic women in black history and her great grandmother.
Ida B. Wells was not only a journalist, feminist, and suffragist, she was also a civil rights activist and was one of the founders of the NAACP.
Born into slavery in 1862, she fought for inequality in the U. S and internationally and wrote articles of the truth in her very own newspaper that broke barriers and created change for black people and women.
With vivid and bold illustrations by Laura Freeman, this masterpiece is the perfect representation of strength and perseverance. It’s an inspiration to young readers and provides hope for a better future.
SULWE
In Academy Award Winner Lupita Nyongo’s debut children’s book called SULWE, she provides a memoir of her childhood and her experiences dealing with colorism.
In this powerful book, Sulwe has a darker complexion than everyone in her family and some kids at her school. Her sister has caramel skin and is called names like Sunshine and Beauty. Whereas, Sulwe is called names like Blackie, Darky and Night. This made Sulwe very sad because she felt secluded and alone.
Sulwe is one of those children’s books that every home should have, whether you’ve experienced colorism or not. What we love most about this book, is that it makes it easier to speak to children about issues such as these. Children learn from what they hear and see and having a relatable story when explaining self-love and acceptance is absolutely necessary, especially when dealing with colorism.
Apart from the absolutely breathtaking illustrations by renowned illustrator Vashti Harrison, Sulwe encourages children to love themselves and to be happy in their own skin. Publisher: Simon & Schuster. Age: 4-8
WATCH ME
WATCH ME by Doyin Richards is a wonderful inspirational story of hope and resilience.
Joe immigrated from Sierra Leone to America to fulfill his dreams. He persevered through many challenging times, including hateful situation and discouragement from his peers.
He thrived and succeeded through it all, and his story and the story of many others like him inspire other immigrants seeking a better life.
This book is for anyone who feels ridiculed for their will to succeed. People may doubt you, but as long as you don’t doubt yourself and work hard, then that’s all that matters.
It’s perfect for children adjusting to a new country, and the bright, vibrant acrylic illustrations by Joe Cepeda captures the entire essence of this book. Publisher: Feiwel & Friends AGE 4-8.
DIGGING FOR WORDS
DIGGING FOR WORDS by Angela Burke Kunkel celebrates the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez by introducing us to another boy named José who lived in the same neighborhood and how their lives intertwined.
They lived in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, and though they lived separate lives, they had one thing in common, they both loved books.
Señor José drove a garbage truck and on his route, he collected and read used books the neighbors discarded.
Through the years he collected lots of books and invited the children in his neighborhood to read. Little José was one of those children and while there he delved into the books and escaped to wonderful places.
Paola Escobar’s vivid and vibrant illustrations eloquently capture the essence of the message in this book.
José Alberto Gutiérrez built a library, and his love for sharing books inspired many around the world. We celebrate him today and his magnificent contribution to the Hispanic culture. AGE 4-10
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
If you’re a fan of Mr. Rogers or even Daniel Tiger, then this book is definitely one to get.
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is such a sweet book that we will treasure forever. It contains the poems and songs of the legendary tv host, musician, and puppeteer Mr. Fred Rogers.
Every heartfelt poem and song takes you back to those magical and memorable moments on the show that helped millions of adults and children around the world.
He helped to transform lives through imagination and creativity while promoting inclusivity and self-acceptance. Coupled with warm and vibrant illustrations by Luke Flowers, this book is a total gem that everyone should cherish. AGE: 4-10
JUST ASK!
JUST ASK! by Sonia Sotomayor is by far the most INCLUSIVE book ever written. It’s a celebration of each child’s unique difference and how by simply asking questions one can make the world a better place.
In the book, Sonia and her friends are planting a garden and like in a garden, every flower and fruit are different, so is every child. It is extremely hard to read this book without crying because it features children from all walks of life.
The book celebrates the beauty of being different, and how being different can change how people view the world. This book is extremely important and should be in EVERY SINGLE HOME, whether you have children or not. Apart from the vibrant, exuberant and vivid illustrations by Rafael Lopez, there are so many things to love about this book. It encourages children, and people in general, to embrace diversity and individuality. I love that it portrayed and highlighted the strength of the children who some people might think are weak. I absolutely love that. THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF BEING DIFFERENT.
JUST ASK is the perfect book for teachers, educators and a great addition to our favorite book-list. Diversity makes the world interesting and fun. JUST ASK! AGE: 4-8
SELENA: QUEEN OF TEJANO MUSIC
SELENA: QUEEN OF TEJANO MUSIC by Silvia López celebrates the life of renowned Tejano musician Selena Quintanilla.
Selena grew up in Texas to a family of musicians, so there was always singing and dancing in her home. Her father had a Tejano band where Selena sang the lead when she was just 9 years old.
She later formed her band called Selena y Los Dinos and won many awards, including a Grammy, and inspired many around the world.
This book is so beautiful and the vibrant illustrations by Paola Escobar help to capture the essence of Mexican culture throughout the entire book.
Selena Quintanilla excelled in a male-dominated industry and helped to bring change to the platform. Her legacy still lives on. Perfect for little middle-grade musicians and also available in Spanish. Link in bio to get this and more of our favorites. AGE 6-10
BLACK WOMEN IN SCIENCE
BLACK WOMEN IN SCIENCE by Kimberly brown Pellum, Ph.D. introduces readers to 15 iconic Black Women in Science.
From May Carol Jemison to Bessie Coleman, their stories inspire children to dream big. It also features amazing women that some people may not have known, like Gladys West and Patricia Bath.
These are all women in history, but the illustrations are vivid and futuristic, making it perfect for middle grade.
