Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou

Written by: Bethany Hegedus, forward by Colin Johnson Illustrated by: Tonya Engel For ages: 7-10 years  Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Historical Figure, Writer, Activism, Activist. Summary: This is an incredible and lyrical retelling of Maya Angelou’s life, I was hooked instantly upon opening the book.  The poetic words take the reader through the life of Maya from a young…

A Place to Land

Written By: Barry Wittenstein Illustrated by: Jerry Pinkney For Ages: 7 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Modern Black Freedom Struggle, Civil Rights, Historical Figures, Black Culture & Identity, Activism, American History. Summary: This picture book, aimed at slightly older readers, covers the night before and day of the infamous ‘I Have a Dream”…

Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People who Made History

Written By: Sarah Prager Illustrated by: Sarah Papworth For Ages: 8 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Historical Figures, LGBTQ Community, Own Voices, Activism, BIPOC Narratives, Black Identity & Culture, Global Community. Summary: This book is phenomenal! I can’t explain how much the world needs this book, and especially the queer community. Flipping through…

No Voice Too Small

Edited by: Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, Jeanette Bradley Illustrated by: Jeanette Bradley For ages: 5-9 years  Language: English  Topics Covered: Activism, Youth Activists, Poetry, Own Voices, Environmental Activism, Violence, Indigenous Voices, American Citizens, LGBTQ, Education, Muslim Activist, Community.  Summary:  Y’all need to buckle up for this book.  These are the type of books I started this website for.  No Voice…

Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America

Written by: Deborah Diesen Illustrated by: Magdalena Mora For ages: 3-8 years Language: English  Topics Covered: Activism, Equality, Rights, Voting, American History, POC-Centric Narratives, Oppression, Racism, Politics.  Summary:  This rhyming book is an incredible look at the history of voting rights in America, and specifically about the activism that took place in order to ensure those rights were more evenly distributed…

Pride 1 2 3

Written by: Michael Joosten Illustrated by: Wednesday Holmes  For ages: Infants and up (board book) Language: English Topics Covered: LGBTQ, Pride, Acceptance, Math, Counting Books, Board Books, Activism.  Summary:  This is a very sweet counting book that focuses on a Pride Parade.  The illustrations are super diverse, and celebrate the intersections of identity that one can find at these events….

The Girl Who Rode A Shark

Written by: Ailsa Ross Illustrated by: Amy Blackwell For ages: 8 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: History, Historical Figures, Adventure, Global Community, Feminism, Trailblazer.  Summary:  This is a really fascinating and fantastic book that travels both the globe and history.  When going through the pages, readers are treated to a large colorful illustration that compliments a page-long summary…

Elizabeth Warren’s Big, Bold Plans [released 5/5]

Written by: Laurie Ann Thompson Illustrated by: Susanna Chapman For ages: 4-8 years  Language: English Topics Covered: Politics, Historical Figure, Biography, Women in Politics, Feminism, Activism, Education, Family, Trailblazers.  Summary:  Elizabeth Warren’s Big, Bold Plans is a lovely overview of the life of Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts senator (our first one!).  This is a book developed for children, so it doesn’t cover…

Lillian’s Right to Vote

Written by: Jonah Winter Illustrated by: Shane W. Evans For ages: 5-9 years Language: English Topics Covered: History, Voting Rights, Civil Rights, Modern Black Freedom Struggle, Black Culture & Identity, Activism, Historical Figure.  Summary:  Happy Saturday!  For this round of #sweetsandsocialjustice we decided to make a classic amaretto almond Bundt cake to go with this fantastic library book we had taken…