10 Children’s Books Celebrating Black Women in STEAM: Trailblazers You May Not Know
By Lee Scott Contributing Writer and Goddard School Educational Advisory Board Member
Black History Month provides us with an opportunity to explore and celebrate trailblazing Black women who have impacted science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). We chose ten books that are appropriate for our youngest learners. The women featured in the books are relatively unknown, yet their stories of perseverance in the face of discrimination and inequity can encourage and bring hope to all young children.
We are fans of learning through literature and the characters within the stories. The images in picture books help children focus on the main ideas and comprehend more complex concepts. We hope you and your family enjoy the inspirational stories in these well-written and beautifully illustrated books.
Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden, Mary Kay Kroeger and Teresa Flavin
Bessie Coleman would not take no for an answer. She wanted to fly and could not find a place that let a black woman take flying lessons in the United States, so she went to France. We loved the part about Bessie checking the math of the foreman every day. She returned to the United States as an inspirational hero and demonstrated the science of flying in exhibitions across the country.
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley
Children will delight in the rhyming style of this exciting story about Dr. Bath. We found it interesting that her favorite toy was a chemistry set! Dr. Bath was a pioneer in eye surgery and invented a tool, the Laserphaco Probe, to correct cataracts. The book includes a personal note from Dr. Bath.
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed and Stasia Burrington
Almost every child dreams of traveling to space or wonders what it is like on the moon. Mae wanted to dance among the stars and planets. Through persistence and hard work, her dreams came true, and Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to travel in space.
Molly, by Golly! The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree and Kathleen Kemly
Molly was the first woman firefighter. She was an enslaved person who was brought to work as a housekeeper at a fire station in New York City. She became a firefighter out of necessity when she was the only one who could put out a threatening blaze one stormy evening. Children will also appreciate seeing the old tools and equipment they had to use compared to today’s technology.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker and Dow Phumiruk
More people have become aware of Katherine Johnson and her work as a mathematician at NASA through the movie Hidden Figures. This colorful book focuses on Katherine’s love of counting and encourages young children to count in playful ways. Katherine joined NASA as a young woman, and she calculated the course of moon landings and saved the astronauts’ lives.
Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist by Andi Diehn and Katie Mazeika
Dorothy Vaughan worked at NASA with Katherine Johnson. She was a pioneer in machine computer programming in the space program and, despite segregation and sexism, she became the supervisor of a computer division. The colorful illustrations bring Dorothy’s story to life in an engaging manner. We also like the companion book Human Computer: Mary Jackson by the same author and illustrator.
Fast Enough: Bessie Stringfield’s First Ride by Joel Christian Gill
Children will be encouraged by Bessie Springfield’s story. She didn’t listen to everyone telling her she was not enough – not tall enough, not strong enough and not fast enough. Her first motorcycle ride is in the neighborhood bike races. She was fascinated with motorcycles and the way they work, and she soon learned entertaining tricks. Bessie’s resilience helps her become the first woman to ride across the United States on a motorcycle.
Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley
We all know it is good to eat fresh foods. Edna Lewis was a pioneer in promoting healthy eating and the farm-to-table approach to cooking. The story rhythmically guides children through the seasons and the types of food that are available. You can break up the story for younger children by sharing a section at a time. You will love the child-friendly recipes to try at home!
The Girl with a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley
The story of Raye Montague is another in the series of amazing scientists. Raye was a computer scientist for the U.S. Navy. She dreamed of designing ships after seeing a submarine as a young girl. She worked hard to become a ship designer and engineer. The narrative encourages children never to give up. Break up the story into parts for younger learners.
Sweet Dreams, Sarah by Vivian Kirkfield and Chris Ewald
The story begins by educating children about slavery and freedom through Sarah’s eyes. She found hope for the future in her desire to build furniture. Sarah Goode is one of the first African American women to receive a patent. She designed a bed that fit into a cabinet to save space. The story follows Sarah as she never gives up on planning, designing and solving problems to create the bed.
