Picture Books Sharing the Lives of Historical Figures

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I always love picture books that share a bit of actual life. Today I get to share three with you!! The books look at the lives and work of four different historical figures. The books have age ranges from 4 to 12 years old. We will start with the book for the younger children. It is A Fine Little Bad Boy by Barbara Lowell and illustrated by Antonio Marinoni. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. It is about the life of Quentin Roosevelt, President Teddy Roosevelt's youngest child. 

From the Publisher:

Based on the true escapades of Quentin Roosevelt (1897–1918), this big-hearted picture book about a boy who craves his famous father’s attention resounds with the joyful mischief of childhood.

From Me:

This is a fun book that shares the mischievous behavior of President Roosevelt's youngest son, Quentin. Quentin was very much like his father. He loved to have fun and be the center of attention. The story shares some of his shenanigans that he was well known for when he lived in the White House. 

This is a fun book that shares a look inside the White House. It gives the reader a look at life in the White House and a bit about the personality of one of our Presidents as well as his son. Kids are going to love hearing all the thing Quentin did and got away with in the White House. 

Our next book shares a bit of the life of Bessie Stringfield. The book is Motorcycle Queen: The Life of Bessie Stringfield by Janie Havemeyer and illustrated by Jean Claverie. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12.

From the Publisher: 

An illustrated picture book about Bessie Stringfield, who shocked 1930s society as a woman who not only rode a motorcycle but also performed stunts and traveled solo cross-country, earning the nickname “Motorcycle Queen.”

From Me:

Bessie Stringfield was a brave Black woman who defied societal norms. In the 1930s she chose to ride a motorcycle. She even rode in the South even with the Jim Crow laws. This book shares a bit of her story and some of the amazing things she did. It records her contribution to the world as well as for women's rights. The book is based on her life or at least what is known of it. The Author's Note at the end of the book shares what details are known and what is suspected. 

Her life is interesting and definitely worth noting. It is a great book for story time at home or in public. It can lead to a discussion about women's rights, racism as well as history. I find her story very interesting especially how she was the first female dispatch rider for the U.S. Army. She is a woman who paved her own path and broke down barriers by showing what she was capable of doing. It is a story of strength as well as history.

Our final book takes a look at two different scientists: Galileo Galilei and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. It compares how they each were interested in opposite views of the world. The book is Close Up and Far Out: Seeing the World Differently by Mary Auld and illustrated by Adria Meserve. 

From the Publisher:

An illustrated picture book of early scientists Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and Galileo Galilei, who used similar observation tools but saw the world very differently, their discoveries leading to innovations in both microscopes and telescopes.

From Me:

I love how this book shares about Galileo who built telescopes and looked out into space and van Leeuwenhoek who built microscopes and search the microbes and other small things. It shares about each man and their amazing work in science. It also compares and contrasts their work. They both built instruments with curved glass to see what they wanted to see. They both made amazing discoveries for the world. Yet one was looking at things far away and the other was looking at things very close up.

This book is perfect for the classroom. It is a wonderful introduction to comparing and contrasting as well as a look at historical scientists. It shows how each person thinks differently and each way of thinking matters. It is well written and can get readers interested in space and the microscopic world.