Powerful Picture Book Biographies

From heroes who fought against oppression to brilliant artists and storytellers, these picture books tell the true stories of amazing individuals. We're thrilled to host Newbery Honor winner LESA CLINE-RANSOME and JAMES CLINE-RANSOME, author and illustrator of Freedom to Read: The Story of Teacher Mary Peake and One Mighty Oak Tree, ANNE LAMBELET, author-illustrator of Beatrix and Her Friends, and DEBBIE ZAPATA, author of A Taxi for Everyone: How Roy Velásquez Fought for Equality. Join us in-store as we celebrate their wonderful books!

About the books:

Freedom to Read: The Story of Teacher Mary Peake and One Mighty Oak Tree written by LESA CLINE-RANSOME and illustrated by JAMES CLINE-RANSOME

Mary Peake was born free in 1823 in Norfolk, Virginia, and from a young age she hungered for learning. When lawmakers outlawed education for colored students, she opened up her home as a secret school, risking punishment in order to teach. When the Civil War broke out, Mary and her community found refuge in a Union camp, and she set up a new schoolhouse under the branches of a proud oak tree. Shoulder to shoulder, students of all ages gathered to hear Mary teach.

Her story is a celebration of one woman’s sacrifices for the freedom to read.

Beatrix and Her Friends written and illustrated by ANNE LAMBELET

Beatrix Potter remains one of the most beloved creators of children’s books, beginning with The Tale of Peter Rabbit and continuing through 23 more Little Tale titles. But Potter was more than a children’s author: she was also an accomplished artist, a forward-looking farmer, and a committed preservationist. 

This picture book recounts her life with a focus on the joy and comfort she found in her animals—both real and imagined. 

A Taxi for Everyone: How Roy Velásquez Fought for Equality written by DEBBIE ZAPATA

Roy Velásquez was the son of Mexican immigrants, living in Austin, Texas, at the height of segregation. This compelling biography tells the story of how he built a community fighting against discrimination by starting a thriving taxi company for those not being served by the city's institutions.

Sunday, August 2rd at 2pm at Our 17th St Store!