Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - representation matters 6.20.18

Artwork by Sarah S. Brannen ©2017

Every Wednesday I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other

kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.

The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 

with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.

Something that I have been made more aware of is how important representation is in reading material.  It's definitely come up in many conversations and I've witnessed it first hand when a reader sees someone that looks like them in a book.  

A month ago, my friend, Kristen Picone (@kpteach5) had a terrific string of tweets that highlighted books that spotlighted different races, traditions, cultures and people.  Many of the books I'm spotlighting come from her collection.  Others are some new books that I've discovered.  Be sure to return on Friday when I spotlight fiction picture books.

When I look at my picture book biography collection it is overwhelmingly white.  I've started making changes and looking at gaps, especially be aware of nations and cultures that my students come from/celebrate so I can make sure I have books that represent that.  Today I'm spotlighting some picture book biographies that are about some amazing African Americans that have made a difference.


Muhammad Ali: A Champion is Born
written by Gene Barretta
illustrated by Frank Morrison
I love the way this book is organized - it starts by highlighting a few of Ali's big fights that show his prowess as a boxer, then it goes into his story explaining how his entry into the world of boxing began.  Spotlighting a few of his contributions, readers understand Ali is more than just a prize-winning boxer.  Gorgeous illustrations by Frank Morrison.


Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness
written by Donna Janell Bowman
illustrated by Daniel Minter
Loved this story about William "Doc" Key and how he showed kindness during a time that didn't always show kindness to him.  Again, not a story I had ever heard before, but it's one I want to share over and over to students.


Charlie Takes His Shot
written by Nancy Churnin
illustrated by John Joven
I always love finding stories about people who did some pretty amazing things that I had not heard of before.  Charlie Sifford broke the color barrier in the PGA - with some help and experience from his friend, Jackie Robinson.  I like that this story features the game of golf - I don't have too many books with that sport as the focus.
Be sure to visit Nancy's website and check out the teaching guide for this book (and all of her fantastic books!).


Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
written by Helaine Becker
illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
I absolutely love reading about Katherine Johnson - I'm glad to see the spotlight turn on this brave, smart women.  I think it's great that young readers get to read about this math and science-smart women who also had to persevere because of the race barriers that were in front of her.
I had not read as much about her work with Apollo 13 so I was glad to learn more about that!


Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams
written by Howard Bryant
illustrated by Floyd Cooper


Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams
written by Lesa Cline-Ransome
illustrated by James E. Ransome
publishes July 3rd

I am so excited to have 2 biographies about these amazing athletes published around the same time.  We need students reading and integrating information from multiple texts and sources.  Having multiple picture book biographies is appropriate for elementary level readers.
While both books concentrated on similar aspects of their lives (growing up, how they entered the sport, championships won, hardships faced) each had information the other did not.
In this day and age, it is so important to provide additional information in the backmatter.  We talk about showing sources, backing up facts, etc. with students.  I was saddened to see no backmatter in the Bryant biography.  The Ransome collaboration has an afterword, source notes and selected bibiography.


I hope you get a chance to add some of these books to your collections.  I think they are all important to have and share!