Branching Out: Books for Fans of Little People, Big Dreams

This is an eye-catching anthology that celebrates the inspirational achievements of fifty-two trailblazing black women and men, including artists, sports legends, scientists and activists among many others. In the introduction, the author notes that “all children deserve to see themselves represented positively in stories. That’s why we’re highlighting the talent and contributions of black changemakers from around the world—for readers of all backgrounds to discover.”

Each page contains a short biography of an influential figure, perfectly accessible in language and length to suit primary-aged children. The text on each page is set against a brightly-coloured background containing a dynamic portrait of the featured individual, accentuated by colours and patterns – such as crowns and stars – that add to the celebratory feel of the book.

This fabulous and inspiring new non-fiction story is based on the life of Ulugh Beg. The author imagines the questions he asked that led him to build the great observatory in Samarkand, weaving them through a compact but vivid evocation of his childhood. The illustrations add to the atmosphere of open plains, wide skies, glorious sunsets and lush gardens.

The story honours his achievements in mathematics and astronomy, setting him in his historical place between the earlier scholars of Alexandria and the later European astronomers like Galileo. Although it stops short of documenting his downfall, it is explicit about the religious opposition he encountered (as so many scientists did). It also stresses his own deep faith and belief that learning was a sacred duty.

The author and illustrator have packed so many ideas and a lot of information into a short picture book and yet it remains coherent and easy to enjoy. I would definitely have wanted this in my classroom when I taught in Year 1 and it would be appropriate for up to early Key stage 2. A real gem – I loved this one!

Zara Rutherford’s I Flew Around the World is an incredibly inspiring true story, chronicling her astonishing journey as the youngest female pilot to fly solo around the globe. This book is an illustrated account of ambition and determination in a record-breaking aviation achievement. The story is bound to capture the interest of any junior children fascinated by flight, adventure and exploration.

This colour-illustrated information text bubbles with insights into Zara’s meticulous preparations, the various places she touched down and the various experiences she encountered.  It’s a superb resource for KS2, particularly for those keen on non-fiction or seeking a contemporary female role model in STEM, offering a real-life testament to chasing ambitions and flying high!

This short, colour-illustrated chapter book for newly independent readers is based on the true story of Lottie Dod, a talented young athlete in the late 1880s who proved that she could do whatever she set her mind to.

Lottie was born to wealthy parents in the north of England. Lottie and her siblings were tutored at home and prevented from venturing outside the family estate. When a grass tennis court was created in the grounds, just as the sport of lawn tennis was gaining popularity, Lottie discovered that she had real talent for the game. Despite her mother’s refusal to allow her out to participate in a competition, Lottie sneaked out early and travelled to Manchester to take part. This is the start of a competitive career which sees Lottie winning many tournaments, culminating in lifting the Wimbledon trophy at the age of 15!

She also discovered a talent for golf, archery and hockey, amongst other sports. She became, perhaps, the world’s first female sports superstar. There are wonderful messages about self-belief in this story, and themes of resilience, female participation in sport and determination abound.

The Fossil Hunter by Kate Winter is a gem of a book. It is a splendid addition for any child learning about Mary Anning, fossils, dinosaurs and what life was like for a working-class woman 200 years ago. The book is hardback, large and begins with a timeline of Mary Anning’s life with page numbers corresponding to different eras.

This eye-catching book is full of facts and perfect to dip into or read altogether. Topics are highlighted, such as the challenge of being a Victorian woman, where recognition for scientific discovery did not happen and the unfairness of this, and why her story is important. Every page has watercolour illustrations which can spread across whole pages, and there are beautiful panoramic fold-out pages where you find out more facts about fossils, dinosaurs or a look into Mary’s cabinet.

This great book to share with children (or any age!) about the inspirational Mary Anning is highly recommended.

The Story of Chico Mendes is a story that is perfect for children in KS2 learning about rainforests, as well as inspirational figures who have changed the world for the better.

Chico Mendes is a hero that everyone should know about. Chico was a rubber tapper who stood up for his community and the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest. Being an environmental activist, Chico worked tirelessly to help others and was recognised for his efforts by being awarded for his work towards protecting the rainforests by multiple countries. Tragically, Chico was murdered whilst working for this cause due to his efforts to support the rubber tappers, waking up the world to the plight of the rainforest destruction and protesting about the clearing of the forest.

Each page features beautiful coloured illustrations to support the text in each section. It is a recommendable book for use in sharing why it is important to protect the rainforests and also about highlighting the difference one person can make. There are plenty of interesting Amazon rainforest facts and a supporting glossary with technical language.

This is a special book to be shared with a class and an excellent addition to rainforest topic texts or classroom libraries.

This recommendable narrative non-fiction book celebrates the life of Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who played a crucial role in the smooth running of the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon.

The story emphasises Katherine’s lifelong passion for mathematics – how she loved to count as a child and how she overcame barriers of inequality and prejudice to reach her dream of using her mathematical talents while working for NASA.

A fantastic biography that celebrates mathematics, space, women in STEM and following dreams.

This book is very special, and with the foiled cover and silver edges, it truly is a beautiful book. The original book is a modern classic and a staple for many classrooms and children’s bookshelves and now it is nearing the 10th anniversary of its first release, the revised addition includes 22 new stories of women to celebrate including the scientist Katalin Karikó who made the development of a COVID-19 vaccine possible, Mikawla Shiffrin an alpine skier, activist Greta Thunberg, the mega star Taylor Swift and the acclaimed author Judy Blume.

It is a book that you can dip into and learn about the achievements and talents of women around the world. Each page begins with ‘Once upon a time’ or other story openings as if you were sharing a fairy tale, but it is a wonderful story about inspirational women. There are more than 80 female artists from all over the world who created the portraits of each woman in the book.

There is a lovely section at the back of the book for you to ‘Write your story’ and ‘Draw your portrait’ so that you can be part of the book. For those who enjoy timelines, starting from 1479 BCE and finishing in 2024, you can see where the women changed history. An inspirational text that will inspire generations to come.