Andrea Davis Pinkney

Cass is great at math, but numbers are not the only thing on her mind. In her new neighborhood, she watches a group of kids jump rope with rhythm, speed, and confidence, and she wishes she could join in. Solo Girl is a warm story about trying something new, wanting to belong, and learning that every skill takes practice. Cass may know how to solve problems on paper, but jumping rope asks for a different kind of courage: stepping in, missing a beat, and trying again. Perfect for early elementary readers, this story connects friendship, movement, confidence, and everyday problem solving in a child’s world.

Ella Fitzgerald’s voice could swing, soar, and scat with dazzling joy. Told through the lively voice of Scat Cat Monroe, this picture book biography brings young readers into the world of one of jazz’s greatest singers. From her early life to her extraordinary career, Ella’s story is presented with rhythm and energy that match the music she made famous. Readers learn about a performer whose talent, persistence, and originality helped her become a beloved figure in American music. Ella Fitzgerald is a spirited introduction to biography, jazz, and Black history for children. Its playful storytelling voice makes the book especially inviting for read-alouds, music units, and young readers curious about artists who changed how the world listens.

Before Peter stepped into the snow in his bright red snowsuit, Ezra Jack Keats was a boy with a dream of becoming an artist. A Poem for Peter tells the story of Keats, the creator of The Snowy Day, and the long path that led to one of the most beloved picture books in American children’s literature. Born into a struggling immigrant family in Brooklyn, Keats followed his talent through setbacks, jobs, and years of persistence before creating a book that brought an African American child into the center of a snowy, everyday adventure. Written in lyrical language, this biography is ideal for readers who love art, books, and stories about creative determination. It celebrates imagination, representation, and the making of a modern classic.

Bright brown babies shine, wiggle, laugh, dream, and grow in a book filled with rhythm, warmth, and love. Bright Brown Baby brings together five poems that celebrate Black and brown babies and the caring grown-ups who adore them. The language is musical and made for reading aloud, with joyful lines that honor early childhood, family closeness, and the wonder of a new life taking shape. For young readers, the poems offer a cozy, affirming experience full of sound and feeling. For families, teachers, and librarians, this picture book treasury is a loving celebration of identity, tenderness, and everyday joy shared between children and caregivers.

Duke Ellington did not just play music. He created sounds so rich and surprising that people called them beyond category. This picture book biography introduces young readers to Ellington’s life as a jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. With lively storytelling, it follows his rise and celebrates the orchestra that helped bring his music to audiences everywhere. The book captures the energy of jazz while showing how talent, imagination, and hard work can grow into something unforgettable. Duke Ellington is a strong choice for children exploring music, biography, Black history, and American culture. It invites you to listen with your imagination and discover a musician whose art changed the sound of the world.

This story walks. It walks with tired feet, determined feet, and feet that refuse to give up. Boycott Blues tells the story of the Montgomery bus boycott through rhythmic language shaped by the feeling of the blues. After Rosa Parks is arrested for keeping her seat, a community answers by refusing to ride the buses. People find new ways to travel, support one another, and keep moving toward justice. With vivid words and expressive art, this picture book introduces children to a major moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It shows how peaceful protest can require patience, courage, and teamwork, making history feel alive through sound, movement, and determination.

Alvin Ailey found a language in movement. Through dance, he told stories of memory, struggle, beauty, and Black experience. This picture book biography follows Ailey from childhood into the world of modern dance, showing how his passion grew into choreography that moved audiences. It also introduces the dance company he founded, a company created to bring powerful performances and African American cultural expression to the stage. Alvin Ailey is an engaging choice for children interested in dance, art, biography, and Black history. With warm storytelling and expressive illustrations, it helps young readers see how a person’s life, culture, and imagination can become movement that speaks to others.

Sojourner Truth did not walk quietly through history. She stepped forward with strength, stomped against injustice, and used her voice so others could hear the truth. Born into slavery, Sojourner grew into a free woman who spoke out against slavery and stood up for human rights. This picture book biography introduces young readers to her bold spirit, her powerful speeches, and her belief that freedom was worth fighting for. With lively language and a strong sense of movement, Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride helps you meet a remarkable woman whose words made people listen. It is a vivid first biography for children learning about courage, Black history, and the power of speaking up.

Four young men sit down at a lunch counter, but their quiet action speaks loudly. They are not there to cause trouble. They are there to ask for the same respect everyone deserves. Sit-In tells the story of the 1960 Woolworth lunch counter protest in Greensboro, North Carolina, a peaceful stand that helped grow the Civil Rights Movement. With rhythmic, memorable language, the book shows how courage can begin with one simple choice and spread through a community. This powerful picture book introduces young children to fairness, peaceful protest, and the real history of people who challenged segregation. It is a strong read-aloud for families, classrooms, and libraries.

One voice preached. One voice sang. Together, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahalia Jackson helped lift a movement. Martin & Mahalia follows two remarkable lives as they grow toward a historic moment in the fight for civil rights. Martin’s words called people to justice. Mahalia’s gospel music carried strength, hope, and feeling. Their gifts came together during the 1963 March on Washington, where spoken words and song helped inspire a nation. Told in poetic language, this picture book biography invites young readers to see how music, faith, courage, and leadership can work side by side. It is a thoughtful introduction to the Civil Rights Movement and to two unforgettable American voices.

Step into the incredible true story of one of America's bravest heroes! Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman dreamed of a life where she could be truly free. Guided by the light of the North Star and a fierce love for her family, she made the dangerous journey out of the South to freedom. But Harriet did not stop there. She risked her life again and again, returning to the South as a conductor on the Underground Railroad to lead hundreds of other enslaved people to safety. Her unmatched courage, quick thinking, and unstoppable determination made her a legend of the fight for freedom. Part of the She Persisted chapter book series, this gripping biography by award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney brings Harriet Tubman's historic journey to life. Featuring engaging illustrations and a special introduction by Chelsea Clinton, this book highlights the power of bravery in the face of terrible injustice. Discover how one woman's persistence and fearless heart helped change the course of American history!