Bridget Biddy Mason, an African American philanthropist, healer, and midwife who was born into slavery. When Biddy arrived in California, where slavery was technically illegal, she was kept captive by her owners and forced to work without pay. But when Biddy learned that she was going to be taken to a slave state, she launched a plan to win her freedom. She refused to be defined by her enslavement, and coauthors Arisa White and Laura Atkins devote much of their narrative to Biddy Mason's later life as a business and civic leader in the fledgling city of Los Angeles.
Activism / Social Justice
by Arisa White, Laura Atkins
9781597144032
2019
by Innosanto Nagara
1609806328
2015
Counting up from one stuffed piñata to ten hefty hens--and always counting on each other--children are encouraged to recognize the value of their community, the joys inherent in healthy eco-friendly activities, and the agency they posses to make change. A broad and inspiring vision of diversity is told through stories in words and pictures. And of course, there is a duck to find on every page of this sturdy board book!
by Sarah Warren, illustrated by Robert Casilla
9780761461074
2012
An illustrated look at the life and accomplishments of Dolores Huerta, who fought to ensure fair and safe work places for migrant workers. Includes a timeline and resources for teachers.
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Eric-Shabazz Larkin
0983661537
2013
The story of former basketball star and current urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, whose vision of gardening from abandoned urban sites has led to powerful grassroots organizations in Milwaukee and Chicago.
by Ann Bausum
0792241738
Freedom Riders compares and contrasts the childhoods of John Lewis and James Zwerg in a way that helps young readers understand the segregated experience of our nation's past. It shows how a common interest in justice created the convergent path that enabled these young men to meet as Freedom Riders on a bus journey south. Recommended for late elementary and middle grade readers.
by Nancy Lambert, illustrated by Anne Passchier
9780062971197
2020
A fun, sturdy novelty board book with 13 sliding doors! Toddlers will love casting their vote as they "slide-and-vote" in everyday situations like striped or polka dot socks in the morning, vanilla or chocolate ice cream at snack time, and many more exciting choices every kid faces throughout the day. This sturdy board book is a great way to encourage toddlers to always cast their votes, despite how ordinary or tiny the decision may seem!
by Susan Verde, illustrated by John Parra
9781481453134
2018
Armed with pencils, paints, dreams, and Grandma Addy's memories of how beautiful the neighborhood once was, Angel and others paint the big wall that had been cold, empty, and cheerless.
written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara
160980693X
2013
The bestselling ABC book for families who want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that we believe in and fight for.
by Karen English
9780544839571
2017
In the summer of 1965, Sophie's family becomes the first African Americans to move into their upper middle-class neighborhood in Los Angeles. When riots erupt in nearby Watts, she learns that life and her own place in it are a lot more complicated than they had seemed.
ed. by Lindsey H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson and Jeanette Bradly, illustrated by Jeanette Bradley
9781623541316
2020
Each profile features a fantastic poem by a different author who also has something in common with the young activist. Different types of poems (hello, curriculum!) and a succinct truth bomb about activism on each page ("In your city or state, who has the power to make things change? Write them a letter and ask for what you need.") drive home the message that all voices are powerful and unique, and that even the youngest voices can make a big difference!
by Candy Cooper, Marc Aronson
9781547602322
2020
Poisoned Water shows not just how the crisis unfolded in 2014, but also the history of racism and segregation that led up to it, the beliefs and attitudes that fueled it, and how the people of Flint fought-and are still fighting-for clean water and healthy lives.
by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, Ann Hazards, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
9781433828546
2018
After discussing the police shooting of a local Black man with their families, Emma and Josh know how to treat a new student who looks and speaks differently than his classmates. Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers that provides general guidance about addressing racism with children, child-friendly vocabulary definitions, conversation guides, and a link to additional online resources for parents and teachers.
by Rob Sanders
9781524719524
2019
Describes the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969, which sparked the gay liberation movement in the United States, and details the history of LGBTQ rights since the riots.
by Mona Damluji, illustrated by Innosanto Nagara
9781644210840
2021
A poem about the transformational change that happens when people stop acting alone and start doing things together
by Carole Lindstrom
9781250203557
2020
Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all... When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth and poison her people's water, one young water protector takes a stand to defend Earth's most sacred resource. Inspired by the many indigenous-led movements across North America, this bold and lyrical picture book issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth's water from harm and corruption.
Cheryl Willis Hudson, Wade Hudson, Ashley Bryan
9780525580423
2018
What do we tell our children when the world seems bleak, and prejudice and racism run rampant? With 96 lavishly designed pages of original art and prose, fifty diverse creators lend voice to young activists.
by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, Oliva Gatwood, Taylor Theodore
9781250311207
2020
Woke is a collection of poems by women of color that reflects the joy and passion in the fight for social justice, tackling topics from discrimination to empathy, and acceptance to speaking out. This will inspire kids to stay woke and become a new generation of activists.
by Aslan Tudor & Kelly Tudor
9781723305689
2018
8-year-old Aslan arrived in North Dakota to help stop a pipeline. Read about his inspiring experiences in the Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock. Learn about what exactly happened there, and why.
by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
9781481400701
2017
The story of how nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks became the youngest known child to be arrested for picketing against Birmingham segregation practices in 1963.