One of the most powerful reasons we read is because reading can transport us out of our own experiences, thereby helping us develop greater empathy for other people and understanding of the world around us. Historical fiction picture books give us that opportunity by introducing historical events and focusing not on specific dates, but rather on human experience and the emotions that accompany that experience.
Check out some of our favorites below!
Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome
Ruth Ellen, her Mamma, and her Daddy board a train bound north for New York City. As they leave their life in North Carolina behind, Ruth Ellen watches the cotton fields disappear and reads about Frederick Douglass, who also traveled north to freedom. With its lyrical prose and vibrant illustrations, this story gives a glimpse into the Great Migration of the early 20th century, when thousands of Black families left the South in search of better jobs in Northern cities.
The Bell Rang by James E. Ransome
In this heartwrenching story of slavery and hope, Ben’s family lives by the sound of the morning bell, splitting up to work in the fields or to play with the other children. But when Ben runs away, all his Mama, Daddy, and little sister can do is work, cry, pray, and hope, even as the daily bell continues to ring.This beautiful story’s masterful storytelling and rich illustrations weave love and hope with the reality and heartbreak of slave life in America.
Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
When Delicious’s fruit-tree loving daddy packs up his family and a wagon full of fruit trees to move from Iowa to Oregon, he has one goal in mind: keep the fruit trees safe! Delicious is determined to follow her daddy’s orders, so she gets creative as she battles everything from the Platte River to the Great Plains to Jack Frost. A delightful introduction to the perils and the history of the Oregon Trail, this story (and its fun-loving illustrations) are bound to make any reader smile!
Marching with Aunt Susan by Claire Rudolf Murphy, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
After meeting Susan B. Anthony, otherwise known as Aunt Susan, Bessie is determined to help women achieve the right to vote. Together with her mother and best friend, she attends a rally, visits young girls in factories, and even joins in a march with Aunt Susan. But will all their work be enough to get women the vote? This story gives wonderful insight into the ideologies and efforts that fueled early 20th century American suffragists.
Papa Put a Man on the Moon by Kristy Dempsey, illustrated by Sarah Green
Papa says he’s just making a living, but everyone in their small mill town knows that the mill workers are now working for the President of the United States. They’re making fabric layers that will become part of the first spacesuits to visit the moon! This lyrical picture book sends readers back to the excitement of space exploration in the 1960s—even Walter Cronkite makes an appearance! It’s a great book for lovers of space and history alike.
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson, illustrated by Frank Morrison
In 1963, as the civil rights movement floundered in Birmingham, Alabama, leaders—including Martin Luther King, Jr.—called on the children to march for freedom. In this story, a brother and sister join this historic march, despite the many dangers they faced in doing so. In the spirit of nonviolent protest, they suffered hoses and even jail time for their actions. But the effects of their courage lasted generations. A beautiful tribute to the courageous children who made a lasting impact on American society, this book tells a story every child should hear.
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the narrator and his family are shuffled first to horse stalls, and then a Japanese internment camp, where tempers and the desert sun run hot. That is, of course, until Dad transforms a dusty field into a baseball diamond. Little did the narrator know, but his experiences on the camp baseball field would also help him in post-war life. This is an important glimpse into the realities of life for Japanese-Americans during WWII.
Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
During WWII, when Northern companies began hiring Black women, Ada Ruth’s mother travels North to find work and help provide for their family. She promises Ada and Ada’s grandma that she’ll be “coming on home soon.” But as time passes, Ada feels the weight of missing her. This story combines poetic language with tender illustrations to weave a beautiful story of love and sacrifice in a time of war.
Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall
In this story, a lighthouse keeper tends to his lighthouse, and the lighthouse beams its light across the water, as if saying, “Hello, hello, hello!” When the lighthouse keeper’s wife arrives, she helps with the lighthouse duties, even taking over when her husband falls sick. But advances in technology mean their work won’t last forever. With beautiful illustrations and lyrical prose, this book offers a glimpse into the historical lives and work of lighthouse keepers and their families, based on the detailed logbooks they kept. There’s even a two-page spread of in-depth information about lighthouses at the end of the book, making it a perfect choice for parents and educators alike!
Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory Christie
Every day for a slave meant more work and more chores and the never-ending despair of no end in sight. But for one afternoon each week, both slaves and free congregated in New Orleans’s Congo Square to dance, sing, and enjoy the kind of connection that every human deserves. Its vibrant illustrations and rhythmic poetry make this book a powerful reminder of the unfair reality of slave life and the incredible art and humanity that rises even from the most painful and unjust of circumstances.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our Top 10 Historical Fiction Picture Books!
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