Books
Books
The Top 100 Children's
Books:
Social Studies
The Top 100 Children's
Books:
Social Studies
Biographies
Adler, David A. A Picture Book
of Benjamin Franklin. Holiday House, 1990.
Frank, Anne. The Diary of Anne
Frank.
Taking refuge in an attic hideaway for two years, Anne Frank
and her family attempt to escape Nazi
persecution.
Taking refuge in an attic hideaway for two years, Anne Frank and her family attempt to escape Nazi
persecution.
Freedman, Russell. Lincoln:
A Photobiography. Clarion, 1987.
This story about the 16th President is a Newbery winner. Other
Freedman biographies include: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor
Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery, and Children of the Wild West.
This story about the 16th President is a Newbery winner. Other Freedman biographies include: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery, and Children of the Wild West.
Hurwitz, Johanna. Anne Frank:
Life in Hiding. Beech Tree, 1988.
A nonfiction introduction for children to the Holocaust.
A nonfiction introduction for children to the Holocaust.
Winter, Jeanette. Diego. Alfred
A. Knopf, 1991.
This is the story of the life of Diego Rivera, a great muralist
of Mexico, beautifully told through pictures and simple text.
Diego was a boy who loved to draw and he grew up to use his talent
to celebrate and tell the story of the Mexican people. Includes "A Note About Diego Rivera" at
the back of the book.
This is the story of the life of Diego Rivera, a great muralist of Mexico, beautifully told through pictures and simple text. Diego was a boy who loved to draw and he grew up to use his talent to celebrate and tell the story of the Mexican people. Includes "A Note About Diego Rivera" at the back of the book.
Explorers
Adler, David A. A Picture Book
of Christopher Columbus
Bourne, Russell. The Big Golden
Book of Christopher Columbus and Other Early Adventures
De Kay, James T. and Edens,
John. Meet Christopher Columbus
Fritz, Jean. Around the World
in a Hundred Years: From Henry the Navigator to Magellan
Fritz, Jean. Brendan the Navigator:
A History Mystery About the Discovery of America
Fritz, Jean. Where Do You Think
You're Going Christopher Columbus?
Gleiter, Jan and Thompson,
Kathleen. Christopher Columbus
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth.
Paul Revere's Ride. Dutton Childrens Books, 1990.
Mason, Antony. The Children's
Atlas of Exploration: Follow in the Footsteps of the Great Explorers
Geography
Bates, Katherine Lee. America
the Beautiful.
In this book the words to "America the Beautiful" are
illustrated with drawings of some of the most
beautiful places around the U.S.A. The music for the song is
also included along with brief descriptions of each of the monuments
used in the book.
In this book the words to "America the Beautiful" are illustrated with drawings of some of the most
beautiful places around the U.S.A. The music for the song is also included along with brief descriptions of each of the monuments used in the book.
Clouse, Nancy. Puzzle Maps
USA. Henry Holt, 1990.
Goodman, Beth. A Picture Book
of the USA. Scholastic, 1991.
Take a pictorial trip across the USA in this informative book;
each section includes outline maps of various regions.
Take a pictorial trip across the USA in this informative book; each section includes outline maps of various regions.
Houston, Gloria. My Great Aunt
Arizona. Harpercollins, 1992.
This is a touching story of Arizona, a wonderful woman who devoted
her life to teaching children in a one-room schoolhouse in the
Blue Ridge Mountains; Arizona dreams of travel.
This is a touching story of Arizona, a wonderful woman who devoted her life to teaching children in a one-room schoolhouse in the Blue Ridge Mountains; Arizona dreams of travel.
Mitsumasa, Anno. Anno's USA.
Philomel, 1983.
Seibert, Diane. Heartland.
Thomas Y. Crowell, 1989.
Through poetic text and realistic paintings, this book tells
of the Midwest. It is a joyful celebration of
America's heartland.
Through poetic text and realistic paintings, this book tells of the Midwest. It is a joyful celebration of
America's heartland.
History General
Precek, Katherine. Penny in
the Road. Macmillan, 1989.
World Cultures
Spier, Peter. People. Doubleday,
1980.
There are over 4 billion people on earth, and they are all different.
This book describes the
differences among people and how those differences contribute
to an interesting world.
There are over 4 billion people on earth, and they are all different. This book describes the
differences among people and how those differences contribute to an interesting world.
Nonfictional Books About Countries
Count Your Way Through...the
Arab World, China, Japan, Mexico.
Author: Jim Haskins
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, 1987, 1987, 1989, 1991
Summary: This series of books for various countries uses the
numerals one through ten to introduce
concepts about that country and its culture.
Author: Jim Haskins
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, 1987, 1987, 1989, 1991
Summary: This series of books for various countries uses the numerals one through ten to introduce
concepts about that country and its culture.
China
Behrens, June. Gung Hay Fat
Choy Happy New Year. Children's Press, 1982.
Brown, Tricia. Chinese New
Year. Henry Holt and Co., 1987.
Japan
Greene, Carol. Enchantment
of the World: Japan. Children's Press, 1983.
Mexico
Bulmer-Thomas, Barbara. Journey
Through Mexico. Troll Associates, 1991.
Marcus, Rebecca B. and Judith.
Fiesta Time in Mexico. Garrard Publishing, 1974.
Reilly, Mary Jo. Cultures of
the World: Mexico. Marshall Cavendish Corp., 1991.
Picture Books and Novels That
Take Place in Other Lands
Dayrell, Elphinstone. Why the
Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky. Houghton Mifflin, 1968.
Country: Africa
Sun and Moon build a very large house for their friend, Water,
to come and visit with all his people.
However, Water's people were so numerous that they took up all
the space and forced Sun and Moon into the sky, where they have
remained ever since.
Country: Africa
Sun and Moon build a very large house for their friend, Water, to come and visit with all his people.
However, Water's people were so numerous that they took up all the space and forced Sun and Moon into the sky, where they have remained ever since.
de Paola, Tomie. The Lady of
Guadalupe. Holiday House, 1980.
Country: Mexico
This book tells of how the Lady of Guadalupe appeared to an Aztec
Indian farmer, Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. This appearance
led to the building of a church at the foot of the hill called
Tepeyac. Her image still remains on the original cloth tilma
that belonged to Juan Diego and hangs in that church.
Country: Mexico
This book tells of how the Lady of Guadalupe appeared to an Aztec Indian farmer, Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. This appearance led to the building of a church at the foot of the hill called Tepeyac. Her image still remains on the original cloth tilma that belonged to Juan Diego and hangs in that church.
Ginsburg, Mirra. The Chinese
Mirror. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988.
Country: Korea
The Chinese Mirror is an old folktale in which a Korean traveler
brings a mirror from China. Since
mirrors were unknown to his people at that time, it causes much
misunderstanding and humorous reactions.
Country: Korea
The Chinese Mirror is an old folktale in which a Korean traveler brings a mirror from China. Since
mirrors were unknown to his people at that time, it causes much misunderstanding and humorous reactions.
Heide, Florence Parry and Judith
Heide Gilliland. The Day of Ahmed's Secret. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1990.
Audience: Primary (Picture Book)
Country: Egypt
Ahmed is a young boy who lives in Cairo. On this special day
of Ahmed's secret, we follow him through the sights and sounds
of his city until he reveals his wonderful secret.
Audience: Primary (Picture Book)
Country: Egypt
Ahmed is a young boy who lives in Cairo. On this special day of Ahmed's secret, we follow him through the sights and sounds of his city until he reveals his wonderful secret.
Leaf, Margaret. Eyes of the
Dragon. Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books, 1987.
Country: China
Ch'en Jung, a great dragon painter, has been asked to paint a
dragon on the wall surrounding a little Chinese village. He stipulates
that the people must accept the dragon as he paints him and that
he is to receive payment for his work to be donated to the Taoist
temple. However, the magistrate of the village breaks his promise
and demands that Ch'en Jung add eyes to the dragon before payment.
Although Ch'en Jung reluctantly agrees, it turns out to be a
terrible mistake.
Country: China
Ch'en Jung, a great dragon painter, has been asked to paint a dragon on the wall surrounding a little Chinese village. He stipulates that the people must accept the dragon as he paints him and that he is to receive payment for his work to be donated to the Taoist temple. However, the magistrate of the village breaks his promise and demands that Ch'en Jung add eyes to the dragon before payment. Although Ch'en Jung reluctantly agrees, it turns out to be a terrible mistake.
Lee, Jeanne M. Ba-Nam. Holt,
1987.
Audience: Primary (Picture Book)
Country: Vietnam
Thanh-Minh Day in Vietnam is a special day set aside for honoring
one's ancestors. This year, Nan is old enough to go with the
family to the graveyard to present offerings and meet with relatives.
When they arrive, Nan is frightened by the appearance of Ba-Nam,
the old woman graveskeeper. However, she learns that one cannot
always judge people by their outward appearance.
Audience: Primary (Picture Book)
Country: Vietnam
Thanh-Minh Day in Vietnam is a special day set aside for honoring one's ancestors. This year, Nan is old enough to go with the family to the graveyard to present offerings and meet with relatives. When they arrive, Nan is frightened by the appearance of Ba-Nam, the old woman graveskeeper. However, she learns that one cannot always judge people by their outward appearance.
Lewis, Thomas P. Hill of Fire.
Harper & Row, 1971.
Audience: 2-4
Country: Mexico
Hill of Fire is the true story of the eruption of Paricutin volcano
in Mexico which occured in 1943. It is a unique story about a
farmer who was unhappy because nothing exciting ever happened
in his life. One day, everything changed when the ground opened
up and a volcano started right in the middle of his cornfield.
His home and the small, quiet village were soon covered by the
lava and ash. Luckily, everyone had enough time to reach safety.
The people built a new village and made new homes at safe distances
from the volcano, and the farmer was quite content with his life
from then on.
Audience: 2-4
Country: Mexico
Hill of Fire is the true story of the eruption of Paricutin volcano in Mexico which occured in 1943. It is a unique story about a farmer who was unhappy because nothing exciting ever happened in his life. One day, everything changed when the ground opened up and a volcano started right in the middle of his cornfield. His home and the small, quiet village were soon covered by the lava and ash. Luckily, everyone had enough time to reach safety. The people built a new village and made new homes at safe distances from the volcano, and the farmer was quite content with his life from then on.
Morimoto, Junko. The Inch Boy.
Puffin Books, 1988.
Country: Japan
The Little Inch Boy's dream is to become a great Samurai warrior.
He uses his sewing needle sword to protect the princess from
the giant Red Demon. Because he is able to defeat the Red Demon,
he is magically changed into General Horikawa, a great Samurai
warrior and marries the princess.
Country: Japan
The Little Inch Boy's dream is to become a great Samurai warrior. He uses his sewing needle sword to protect the princess from the giant Red Demon. Because he is able to defeat the Red Demon, he is magically changed into General Horikawa, a great Samurai warrior and marries the princess.
Morimoto, Junko. Kenju's Forest.
Collins Publishers Australia, 1989.
Audience: 2-6 (Picture Book)
Country: Japan
Kenju, a young Japanese boy, finds such happiness in nature that
he wants to plant and grow his own field of trees. He diligently
and lovingly cares for his seedlings, and they grow into a fine
forest, in spite of the disapproval and teasing of the villagers.
The children of the village discover Kenju's forest and the trees
become a playground for them. Their laughter and singing bring
even greater joy to Kenju. Unfortunately, sickness takes Kenju's
life early, but his trees remain to bring happiness to generations
of children just as they did for Kenju.
Audience: 2-6 (Picture Book)
Country: Japan
Kenju, a young Japanese boy, finds such happiness in nature that he wants to plant and grow his own field of trees. He diligently and lovingly cares for his seedlings, and they grow into a fine forest, in spite of the disapproval and teasing of the villagers. The children of the village discover Kenju's forest and the trees become a playground for them. Their laughter and singing bring even greater joy to Kenju. Unfortunately, sickness takes Kenju's life early, but his trees remain to bring happiness to generations of children just as they did for Kenju.
Sonneborn, Ruth A. Friday Night
is Papa Night. Puffin Books, 1970.
Audience: Primary (Picture Book)
Country: Puerto Rico
Every Friday night Papa comes home from work and Pedro and his
family eagerly await his arrival. This night when Papa finally
arrives much later than expected, the family makes the homecoming
a warm and wonderful event.
Audience: Primary (Picture Book)
Country: Puerto Rico
Every Friday night Papa comes home from work and Pedro and his family eagerly await his arrival. This night when Papa finally arrives much later than expected, the family makes the homecoming a warm and wonderful event.
Wyndham, Robert. Chinese Mother
Goose Rhymes. Passport Books, 1987.
Country: China
Traditional rhymes and riddles for young children to enjoy. A
simple and delightful introduction to the Chinese culture.
Country: China
Traditional rhymes and riddles for young children to enjoy. A simple and delightful introduction to the Chinese culture.
Yashima, Taro. Crow Boy. Puffin
Books, 1983.
Audience: K-6 (Picture Book)
Country: Japan
A small, shy boy who was nicknamed Chibi, Tiny Boy, was always
ignored throughout hos early school years because he was afraid
and the other children did not understand him. Finally, in the
sixth grade, a teacher, Mr. Isobe, takes time to get to know
him and learn about his talents. Mr. Isobe helps everyone else
to understand Chibi, and Chibi earns their respect.
Visit the The
Children's Literature Nook, which compiled this list
Audience: K-6 (Picture Book)
Country: Japan
A small, shy boy who was nicknamed Chibi, Tiny Boy, was always ignored throughout hos early school years because he was afraid and the other children did not understand him. Finally, in the sixth grade, a teacher, Mr. Isobe, takes time to get to know him and learn about his talents. Mr. Isobe helps everyone else to understand Chibi, and Chibi earns their respect.
Visit the The Children's Literature Nook, which compiled this list