Stories to Grow By
April 2023 Special Edition #3
In this edition: we share a word from our partners about children's stories about real life heroes
5 Children's Stories About Real-Life Heroes
Children love stories, and there's no better way to inspire them than through tales of real-life heroes who have made a difference in the world. Thankfully, the world is filled with countless examples which can become shining lights for little minds ready to be inspired. These stories are lessons that will teach your little ones about courage, perseverance, and the power of kindness. And the fact that all the stories happened in real life means your child will have heroes (aside from you, the parent) to look up to. Here are five fantastic children's stories about real-life heroes.
Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb (written by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Rachelle Baker)
Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman in Congress to seek the presidential nomination for the office of the president in 1972. And the book Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb is her biography. But unlike other boring, text-only biographies, this one is also a picture book. Today, Shirley Chisholm has become one of the leading examples of heroes, one that will inspire your daughter to greatness. And this book will take your child into her early life, her time as a U.S. House of Representative member, her presidential candidacy, and her current legacy.
The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Young reader edition, by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizknik)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was raised when women were expected to be homemakers. She forged her path and became a lawyer against all odds. Despite her gender and race working against her, she never gave up on her aspirations to pursue justice, equality, and fairness in the face of injustice. Her long and illustrious career was dedicated to fighting for women's rights. This book will teach your child not to give up even when the odds are stacked against them.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba)
William Kamkwamba, a boy from Malawi, taught himself how to build a windmill out of scrap materials to provide electricity to his village. Like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, he did not allow his challenges to stop him from bridging his dream to reality. This story tells of his ingenuity in the face of extreme poverty. Despite a lack of formal education, William taught himself how to build the windmill, providing his community with electricity.
The Story of My Life ( written by Helen Keller)
The story chronicles the early years of Helen Keller, a young woman who became deaf and blind at a young age. But despite her challenges, Helen taught herself how to read and write and became a well-respected author, activist, and lecturer. Her story also highlights her eventual success in overcoming these obstacles with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan.
Dr. Seuss: The Cat Behind the Hat (written by Caroline Smith)
Theodor Seuss Geis was born on March 2nd, 1904. He was a dreamer, a poet, and a storyteller with several children's books to his name. During a period when educational books for children learning to read focused mostly on mechanics and pronunciation, Dr. Suess introduced his simple storylines, rhyme schemes, and plots. His contribution to the world of reading opened a new chapter to child education. March 2nd is now known as Dr. Suess Day and is dedicated to encouraging reading across America.