This is the true story of Edwin Binney and his team at Crayola who, in 1902, loved nature's vibrant colors so much that he found a way to bring the outside world to children... with the invention of crayons!

Farmhouse tells the story of a dilapidated farmhouse that watched a family with 12 children grow into adulthood. The entire book is written in one long sentence.

Out of the Woods tells the fascinating true story of a forest fire in Canada in which all the animals from the forest join the humans in Gowganda Lake.

Based on the life of Alice Rumphius, Miss Rumphius tells the timeless story of a woman who spreads beauty (and lupines) wherever she goes.

Did you know that there was a point in history when umbrellas weren't popular in London? Jonas Hanway is credited with bringing the idea of an umbrella to rainy London after traveling the world and seeing how effective they could be at keeping people dry. This is well written, historical and would be delightful for a rainy day!

Tricking the Tallyman is a true story of a small town in Vermont that did not want to be counted for a census. They tried to trick a visiting tallyman by claiming one lone resident (to avoid taxation or a military draft), then tried to trick him a second time by claiming there were many more people in the town (to have more representation in government). Ultimately, this story shows the value of being truthful. The townspeople ultimately agree to be counted fairly when they realize it's for everyone's benefit.

This tells the true story of an unexpected and heartfelt gift from the Maasai people to the United States during a time of grief and uncertainty. It emphasizes kindness and empathy in the aftermath of 9/11.

Set in the late 1800s in Australia, Bob the Railway Dog is the true story about a dog who loved to hop on different trains and travel the continent. The story is light and fun and has an interesting historical end note and photo of the real Bob at the end of the book.

There is little left in Katje's town of Olst in Holland from the ravages of World War II. One spring morning, a mysterious box from America arrives bearing gifts. This begins a powerful exchange between two young girls that impacts lives on both sides of the ocean. This story shows even young children that they can make a difference in the lives of others.

Flight for Freedom tells the true story of a family who constructed a hot air balloon in order to escape East Germany and get to the other side of the Berlin Wall to freedom. It's a perfect introduction to the Cold War era. Even though it's an intense story, it's told in an appropriate way for children ages 5+.

The Wild Boy is the true story of a boy who was discovered living alone in a forest in France, and the compassionate doctor and his maid who decide to help him when no one else is willing.

This is the inspiring story of an Indian man who planted trees and cared for them, which completely changed the landscape and habitat of an entire island.

Inky the Octopus is based on the true story of an octopus who successfully escapes from a New Zealand aquarium and is never seen again! The story rhymes and is perfectly fascinating for young readers, with interesting stories of other clever octopi in the back of the book.

The best way for kids to learn about artists and composers is through engaging, living picture books about their lives, then to look at their art or listen to their music. This book is the true story of Paul Cezanne's difficult path to becoming a successful artist and his parrot who was along for the ride.

James Herriot's Treasury for Children is a collection of true stories of a veterinarian in rural England and the animals he helps. The pictures and stories are so lovely and engaging, it's a treasury we come back to again and again!

Ada's Violin is the story of a Paraguayan children's orchestra with instruments made from recycled trash from their impoverished neighborhood. It's hopeful and inspiring!

Gino Bartali was a talented cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1938 and became an international sports hero. But once World War II began, everything changed. During the war, Gino secretly worked with Italian resistance to save hundreds of Jewish men, women, and children... and never told a soul. 

The Oldest Student is the incredible true story of a woman born into slavery who doesn't learn to read until she's 116 years old. You'll be inspired by Mary Walker's endurance and grateful for the gift of reading and education.

The author's father was an avid, passionate collector of rocks. But no one thought his passion about amount to anything, and many accused him of having "rocks in his head." That all changed when a local science museum realized that a person with "rocks in his head" was exactly what they needed.

The John J. Harvey - a former fireboat in NYC - had been retired for 6 years. But on September 11, a call came from the fire department, asking if the Harvey could battle the roaring flames. This is a fascinating story of real life heroes. 

Eugenie Clark loved sharks from the moment she first saw them. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie earned the nickname "Shark Lady," teaching the world that sharks are to be admired rather than feared.

Rescue & Jessica is the heartwarming story of a girl who has to have her legs amputated, and the dog (named Rescue) who is trained to help her. It's a beautiful story of friendship and courage.

If you're a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia or C.S. Lewis, this is a beautiful picture book introduction to the story of his life and the origins of Narnia.

This is the story of a man people called "Snowflake Bentley" because he was insatiably passionate about snowflakes and, in the early 1900s, connected a large camera to a microscope to photograph the intricacies of snowflakes.

This is the true story of Winnie, the real bear that inspired the story of Winnie-the-Pooh. You'll follow Winnie from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to a World War I army base in England... and finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie meets a new friend: a boy named Christopher Robin. This is a remarkable, heartwarming story that will endear you even more to Winnie-the-Pooh.

This is the captivating picture book biography of beloved author J. R. R. Tolkein, a boy who imagined a world full of dragons. For fans of Middle Earth and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, this is a wonderful introduction!

Sergeant Reckless is the story of an unlikely little horse that becomes a hero in the Korean War. The war depictions are not graphic, and the story is peppered with humor (so it's not all heavy).

Did you know that a little girl is responsible for naming Pluto? This is a wonderful true story that would be especially delightful for children who love studying space!

This is the true story about an ancient banyan tree in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that is ravaged by a hurricane in 2017 and is later able to grow again. It's historical and hopeful and incorporates bits of Puerto Rico's rich culture and language.

Susan, the queen's beloved Corgi, lived to see so many changes in the royal family over the years. At the back of the book, there is a chart that shows Susan's geneology (as well as the queen's). This book is incredibly heartwarming, especially for dog lovers!

This is the story about the resourceful women of Gambia who began weaving plastic bags into beautiful purses to both curb pollution and make a living.

Did you know that before 1972, running marathons was illegal for women (because doctors thought women's bodies were physiologically unable to run those distances)? Bobbi Gibb had a passion for distance running and snuck into the Boston Marathon, even though her application had been denied. This ended up paving the way for women to participate in marathons.

Kentucky John was the youngest recruit in the Pacific during World War II. During the war, he meets a little girl in the jungle who helps soothe his bug bites, and despite their language barrier, they become dear friends. Many years later, the two meet again in this true story of kindness.

This is the heartwarming story of a seven-year-old girl named Mercedes who lived in West Berlin during World War II and of the American who came to be known as the Chocolate Pilot.

This book tells the interesting story of chef George Crum and the unlikely origin of potato chips! (Hint: It was a happy accident.)

The Mystery of the Monarchs tells the true story of two scientists who spent years trying to track monarch butterflies to find where they ended up.

In the 1930s, two courageous men successfully combined their skills and experience to build a "Bathysphere" and traveled deeper in the ocean than anyone had ever gone. This is their story.

This tells the true story about the friendship between two daring women, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. Specifically, it recounts the night they decided (while eating dinner at the White House) to fly to Baltimore and back. The illustrations are all in black and white and tell the story beautifully.

Evelyn Glennie is a Grammy-winning percussionist who is Deaf. She chose not to wear her hearing aids and instead learned to feel the rhythm and master her craft despite so many reasons to give up.

This is the fascinating account of just how many English words (many of which we still use today) originated with William Shakespeare! In short, William Shakespeare changed the English language forever. The backmatter of the book includes a helpful timeline and author's note about Shakespeare if you'd like to learn more!

This is the remarkable story of a boy named Emmanuel who was born with one deformed leg and dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. Eventually, Emmanuel becomes a cyclist, riding over 400 miles across Ghana in 2001 and spreading a powerful message that disability is not inability. Note to sensitive readers: Emmanuel's mother dies near the beginning of the story. 

When a big truck and its load get stuck on a narrow road, traffic on a little island comes to a halt. This story is inspired by a true event in Vinalhaven, Maine, and teaches about resourcefulness and the power of community through clever rhymes and whimsical illustrations.

A mother and her eight children must start over after her husband passes away. They move into a tiny cabin in the woods and work hard to make it a home. This true story of resourcefulness and the power of a positive perspective–always finding ways to have fun and experience joy together—is heartwarming.

As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And that is only the beginning. This story shows how Wangari's passion inspires great change!

There are many picture book biographies surrounding Abe Lincoln's life, but this one that revolves around his love of books is especially inspiring for young children. The thesis of the book is that Abe loved books, they changed his life, and he changed the world. 

Queen Victoria loves to swim, but can't figure out how to get into the water without the public catching a glimpse of her in her bathing suit (which would be very improper!). Fortunately, her husband Prince Albert comes to the rescue with a clever invention fit for a queen!