Bessie coleman books for kids
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The numerous quotations about Coleman from newspapers and literature lend veracity and depth to kids’ understandings of her and of the times she lived in. Kids can glean many important life lessons by exploring what she did and what she had to do to pursue her goals – like learning French and going to France to earn her license.
An that’s certainly a message I want my own girls to embrace.
Related: Listen now: Donzaleigh Abernathy on “Uncle Martin” and growing up in the civil rights movement
Black Inventors: 15 Inventions that Changed the World by Kathy Trusty
Compilation books are always a great way for kids to learn more about more people through history.
At least until the movie came out.
Thankfully, that’s where these children’s books come in!
At top; Hidden Figures: Young Readers’ Edition by Margot Lee Shetterly
I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite children’s books about lesser-known African-American pioneers whose stories our children may not be studying in school.
It’s my hope that these inventors, activists, innovators and leaders of all kinds become a part of my children’s history lessons — every day, and not just for one month out of the year.
This can help children understand the importance of diversity and representation in all fields.
Illustrations and Design
Visual Appeal: Select books with engaging illustrations that enhance the storytelling. And it was that determination that guided her decisions just as soon as she was old enough to make them for herself.
Coleman rose up from a childhood marked by poverty and discrimination to become the first Black female to earn a pilot’s license.
With the right choice, you can inspire a new generation of dreamers and doers, helping them understand the importance of diversity and the power of perseverance in pursuing one’s passions.
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Please try to use one of those devices when working on these activities. Her inspiring story and achievements make her an important figure in history, particularly for young readers who can learn about perseverance, courage, and breaking barriers.Future historians will want to know about the racial and gender discrimination Coleman experienced before, during, and after she received her license, including where and how her death was reported in the press.
Aviation buffs will enjoy the images of airplanes from the 1920s. Please try to use one of those devices when working on these activities.
I think kids will appreciate the unique format; it’s written as fictional prose but includes mini biographies in fold-over flaps throughout the book. Thanks! They will also enjoy exploring Coleman’s legacy through the actual words and deeds of present-day Black female pilots and flight instructors, including Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space.
Top 5 Best Bessie Coleman Books For Kids (High Value Picks)
Buying Guide for Bessie Coleman Books for Kids
Bessie Coleman was a remarkable pioneer in aviation and a trailblazer for African American women.
Like Marie Van Brittan Brown, who invited the first home security system; Lisa Gelobter, who developed GIFs (really!); Lydia Newman, who improved the hairbrush; or Benjamin Banneker who built the first wooden clock — then went on to design the city of Washington D.C.
Such a great reminder that not all pioneers who have made a difference in our lives today were space travelers or major civil rights leaders.
We like the format of this book for kids too; each spread features a portrait and a single-page story about that pioneer — similar to the Rebel Girls books — making it truly easy to digest one story at a time.
INSTRUCTIONS:
For each vocabulary word in the left column, locate its definition in the right column.
Type the number of the correct definition in the blank before the word.
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Our Vocabulary Activities work much better on a laptop or a desktop. Because you never know just which person, or which story, will inspire a child and potentially change the course of their life forever.
This post has been updated in 2025
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Related:7 outstanding children’s books Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. just for our younger children
The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist
by Cynthia Levinson, Vanessa Brantley-Newton
This inspiring picture book tells the story of one African-American pioneer your kids will definitely be able to relate to: the remarkable 9-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks, who joined other children in a Civil Rights March in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 to stand up for equality and justice.
Thanks! Ten years later, he performed one of the first successful heart operations in the United States.
7 wonderful children’s books about African-American pioneers your children may not know — yet
It’s safe to say that during Black History Month in particular, our children are learning all about our nation’s great civil rights leaders, like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and Frederick Douglass.
When selecting books, keep in mind their age appropriateness, content accuracy, themes, and engaging illustrations.
Hi! Our Vocabulary Activities work much better on a laptop or a desktop. Thanks! Look for chapter books or biographies that delve deeper into Bessie Coleman's life, her challenges, and her contributions to aviation and society.
Content and Themes
Biographical Accuracy: Ensure that the book provides factual information about Bessie Coleman's life, including her background, her journey to becoming a pilot, and her impact on aviation and civil rights.
Inspiration and Empowerment: Choose books that highlight themes such as determination, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of following one's dreams—values that align well with Bessie Coleman's legacy.
Cultural Significance: Books should reflect the historical context of her life and the barriers she overcame as an African American woman in the early 20th century.