Exceptional Non-Fiction Picture Books | Mid-Columbia Libraries

The eye that never sleeps : how Detective Pinkerton saved President Lincoln

Moss, Marissa, author.

From the Publisher

Everyone knows the story of Abraham Lincoln, but few know anything about the spy who saved him! Allan Pinkerton's life changed when he helped the Chicago Police Department track down a group of counterfeiters. From there, he became the first police detective in Chicago and established the country's most successful detective agency. He went on to solve more than 300 murders and recover millions of dollars in stolen money. However, his greatest contribution was protecting Abraham Lincoln on the...

My Thoughts

I love this book! The color, design, eye symbolism, and, not to mention the radical story, all make for a great lesson you're not likely to hear in history class.

Two brothers, four hands : the artists Alberto and Diego Giacometti

Greenberg, Jan, 1942- author.

From the Publisher

"The inspiring true story of the Giacometti brothers, one an artist, the other a daredevil, both devoted to their craft, but even more devoted to each other"--Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

I like Alberto Giacometti's gangly sculptures quite a lot, but I never knew about Diego Giacometti and his involvement with his brother's work or his own artwork. I wish I had been more aware of his designs for the fixtures at the Chagall Museum in Nice, France during my visit there.

Radiant child : the story of young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Steptoe, Javaka, 1971- author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

This book won the Caldecott Medal in 2017, as well as the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, and represents a terrific display of Basquiat's approach to art as well as each person's need for some mode of expression.

Maya Angelou

Kaiser, Lisbeth, author.

From the Publisher

"Maya Angelou spent much of her childhood in Stamps, Arkansas. After a traumatic event at age eight, she stopped speaking for five years. However, Maya rediscovered her voice through wonderful books, and went on to become one of the world's most beloved writers and speakers. This inspiring story of her life features a facts and photos section at the back."--Page [4] of cover.

My Thoughts

The entire "Little People, Big Dreams" series is excellent so it's hard to pick just one.

Keith Haring : the boy who just kept drawing

Haring, Kay, author.

From the Publisher

Iconic pop artist Keith Haring comes to life for young readers in this picture book biography written by his sister.

Dreamers

Morales, Yuyi, author.

From the Publisher

"An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

These words are used to describe, upon discovery, their local library: suspicious, improbable, unbelievable, surprising, and unimaginable. Quote: "Books became our language. Books became our home. Books became our lives." Perfect!

Thomas Paine and the dangerous word

Marsh, Sarah Jane, author.

From the Publisher

An introduction to the life of Thomas Paine reveals how he left behind his home in England, defying conventions in search of a more fulfilling life using his writing talents.

My Thoughts

I read this with my son and was astonished at the early struggles of Thomas Paine. Along with his "Common Sense" contribution to the American Revolution, you learn about the rough and tumble life that led to it.

I dissent : Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes her mark

Levy, Debbie, author.

From the Publisher

Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the first picture book about her life.

My Thoughts

This book helps me feel better about raising kids who are willing and capable to dissent, argue, and think for themselves. I also highly recommend the documentary "RBG" about the life and work of this amazing figure.

Free as a bird : the story of Malala

Maslo, Lina, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"When Malala Yousafzai was born, people shook their heads because girls were considered bad luck. But her father looked into her eyes and knew she could do anything. In Pakistan, people said girls should not be educated. But Malala and her father were not afraid. She secretly went to school and spoke up for education in her country. And even though an enemy tried to silence her powerful voice, she would not keep quiet. Malala traveled around the world to speak to girls and boys, to teachers,...

Chester Nez and the unbreakable code : a Navajo code talker's story

Bruchac, Joseph, 1942- author.

From the Publisher

"As a boy, Chester Nez was taught his native language and culture were useless, but he was later called on to use his Navajo language to help create an unbreakable military code during WWII"-- Provided by publisher.

A time to act : John F. Kennedy's big speech

Corey, Shana, author.

From the Publisher

""The time has come for this Nation to fulfill its promise." John F. Kennedy was born one hundred years ago. As America's thirty-fifth president, he often took bold actions: establishing a peace corps and challenging Americans to land on the moon. But on civil rights, it took the urging and the example of other courageous people--leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson, and even students and children--to help him realize that the time to act was NOW. On June 11, 1963,...

Be a king : Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream and you

Weatherford, Carole Boston, 1956- author.

From the Publisher

"Featuring a section detailing the key moments of Dr. King's life alongside a modern class as the students learn about him, Carole Weatherford's ... text encapsulates the moments that readers today can reenact in their own lives. See a class of young students as they begin a school project inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn to follow his example, as he dealt with adversity and never lost hope that a future of equality and justice would soon be a reality"-- Provided by publisher.

Marie Curie

Thomas, Isabel, 1979- author.

From the Publisher

Marie Curie was a brilliant scientist who coined the term "radioactivity," discovered polonium and radium, and helped develop treatments for cancer. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, but her dedication to physics ultimately caused her death from radiation.

The United States v. Jackie Robinson

Bardhan-Quallen, Sudipta, author.

From the Publisher

Tells the true story of Jackie Robinson's battle against prejudice while serving in the military during World War II, covering his court-martial for refusing to move to the back of an integrated bus.

Joan Procter, dragon doctor

Valdez, Patricia, author.

From the Publisher

While other girls played with dolls, young Joan Procter preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school! When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo. With a lively text and vibrant illustrations, scientist and writer Patricia Valdez and illustrator Felicita Sala bring to life Joan Procter's inspiring story of passion and...

The girl who named Pluto : the story of Venetia Burney

McGinty, Alice B., 1963- author.

From the Publisher

"An empowering, inspiring--and accessible!--nonfiction picture book about the 11-year-old girl who, in 1930, actually named the newly discovered "ninth major planet" after Pluto, the ruler of the afterlife in Roman mythology."--|cPublisher's description.

Starstruck : the cosmic journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson

Krull, Kathleen, author.

From the Publisher

"A picture-book biography on science superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson, the groundbreaking American astrophysicist whose work has inspired a generation of young scientists and astronomers to reach for the stars!"-- Provided by publisher.

Secret engineer : how Emily Roebling built the Brooklyn Bridge

Dougherty, Rachel, 1988- author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"On a warm spring day in 1883, a woman rode across the Brooklyn Bridge with a rooster on her lap. It was the first trip across an engineering marvel that had taken nearly fourteen years to construct. The woman's husband was the chief engineer, and he knew all about the dangerous new technique involved. The woman insisted she learn as well. When he fell ill mid-construction, her knowledge came in handy. She supervised every aspect of the project while he was bedridden, and she continued to...

Just like Rube Goldberg : the incredible true story of the man behind the machines

Aronson, Sarah, author.

From the Publisher

"Discover how Rube Goldberg followed his dreams to become an award-winning cartoonist, inventor, and even an adjective in the dictionary in this ... picture book"--Provided by publisher.

Agatha Christie

Sánchez Vegara, Ma Isabel (María Isabel), author.

From the Publisher

In this book from the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Agatha Christie, the most famous crime writer of all time. When Agatha was young, she read books every night, but always had her own idea for how they should end! As an adult, her crime novels, with their twists and turns and peculiar detectives, challenged the minds of millions of readers, making her the queen of mystery and the best-selling novelist of all time.

My Thoughts

Okay, one more "Little People, Big Dreams" book.