Picture book biographies are one the best ways to help readers connect with people they might otherwise feel they have little to nothing in common with. The picture books listed here were all published in 2022 and are great introductions to the people featured in them.
This list is complete with titles, author, illustrators, and links to learn more about the books. Tap on the book cover, then swipe to scroll through these beautiful book covers! Happy reading!
BOOK TITLES AND LINKS
Maya's Song by Renee Watson, illus by Bryan Collier
I Am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges, illus by Nikkolas Smith
Going Places: Victor Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya Bolden, illus by Eric Velasquez
Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud, illus by Kalila J. Fuller
Stacey Abrams and the Fight to Vote by Traci N. Todd, illus by Laura Freeman
AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illus by Loris Lora
On Her Wings: The Story of Toni Morrison by Jerdine Nolen, illus by James E. Ransome
Mama in Congress: Rashida Tlaib's Journey to Washington by Rashida and Adam Tlaib with Miranda Paul, Illus by Olivia Aserr
Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth: Educator, Feminist, and Anti-Lynching Civil Rights Leader, illus by Laura Freeman
Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm and the Fight for Change by Tameka Fryer Brown, illus by Nina Crews
Because of You, John Lewis: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illus by Keith Henry Brown
The Faith of Elijah Cummings: The North Star of Equal Justice by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus by Laura Freeman
Marvelous Mabel by Crystal Hubbard, illus Alleanna Harris
Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country by Kelly Yang, ilus by multiple artists
Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Mara Rockliff, illus by R. Gregory Christie
Until Someone Listens: A Story about Borders, Family, and One Girl's Mission by Estela Juarez, illus by Teresa Martinez
Call Me Miss Hamilton: One Woman's Case for Equality and Respect by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus by Jeffery Boston Weatherford
Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste, illus by Tonya Engel
Curve & Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams by Andrea J Loney, illus by Keith Mallet
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmet Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Joy, Illus by Janelle Washington
Just Like Jesse Owens by Andrew Young and Paula Young Shelton, illus by Gordon C. James
Shapes, Lines, and Light: My Grandfather's American Journey by Katie Yamasaki
...and just a few more past the twenty-two
Moving Forward from Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates by Chris Barton, illus by Steffi Walthall
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illus by Loveis Wise
The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Stiefel, illus by Susan Gal
A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth by Christina Soontornvat, illus by Dow Phumiruk
Bessie the Motorcycle Queen by Jr. Charles R Smith, illus by Charlot Kristensen
Find all of these books and more in our bookshop:
VIDEO READ ALONG
Author Chris Barton reads aloud from Moving Forward, an inspiring nonfiction picture book. Meet activist Alton Yates, an Air Force veteran who dedicated his life to propelling America forward—from space travel to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.
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