Welcome to our family’s list of favorite picture books focused on American history and geography, anatomy, chemistry, and fine arts. After investing in many books over the past several years, we’ve decided to let you in on what our favorites have been! After many hours of reading books, we’ve selected the following books as our personal family favorites because they’re beautiful and/or rich in content.
A few things to bear in mind…
- It is not necessary to correlate readings with memory work. The books listed below would be great books to read at any point with your children.
- Although our family has certain authors and series that we really love, our personal reading list includes a variety of authors and genres. For the sake of not being too repetitious with the same authors/series, we include only a few from those authors/series. (Example: You Wouldn’t Want to… series, which is a favorite of our boys!)
- I love sharing good stories with my children. Every single book on this list (aside from the toddler board books) are books our family actually owns and recommends to others. When we developed this picture book list, our children were ages 13, 11, 8, and {almost} 3. Two main criteria when choosing books for this list were: a) Does it engage our children’s interest? and b) Does it encourage or instill virtue?
- The links here are affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission from Amazon at no extra expense to you. The commissions help support the rising costs associated with maintaining this website and its resources. If you ever shop through our links, we deeply appreciate it!
- If you’re interested in a printable version of this booklist, a printable picture books list is included in our American History Reading Plans and/or the Planning Resources Packet provided in the appendix to this Planner.
- Please do not copy & paste or upload this list (or portions of this list) to other websites (including Facebook and email). To share this list with others, please send them a link to this webpage. Thank you!
With that, here are our personal picture book selections for the coming school year….
Illustrated Picture Books (with a focus on American History)
Note: We own all of the books listed below (plus a whole lot more). This list includes only the books that our family enjoys the most – the books we feel make the best library of picture books for a personal home library. If you have questions about any of the books on this list, please jump down to the comments to post your question or email me. I love talking books! We’ve also included some books in this list that relate to what we’ll be studying for science and/or Fine Arts.
Overall American History (scroll down for specific topics)
Collection of American tall tales, legends, poems, and stories:
The Children’s Treasury of Virtues is a personal favorite of our family. This illustrated book includes selections from The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories (a massive, 600-page non-illustrated book) with poems, tall tales, and historical stories related to America. Compare the price of The Children’s Treasury of Virtues to the three separate volumes that comprise it: The Children’s Book of Virtues, The Children’s Book of Heroes, The Children’s Book of America.
Read about Presidents, learn to draw, read about the states and/or American Symbols:
Don’t Know Much About the Presidents. We’ve searched through many books for concise and interesting tidbits that will engage young students. Humorous and informative, this one (and the one below) are our top picks!
Presidential Pets: The Weird, Wacky, Little, Big, Scary, Strange Animals That Have Lived In The White House. This book includes a clever poem about weird and wacky animals that have lived in the White House along with key facts for each President. Read a couple each week throughout the year!
Draw Write Now. Great series with step-by-step instructions for drawing. Books 2, 3, and 5 include instructions for drawing people, places, and things related to American history. I’ve included books corresponding to memory work in the list below.
Draw the USA. Learn to draw the USA free-hand! These books by Kristin Draeger are excellent for memorizing world geography for older elementary students (and for Challenge A students!)!
Don’t Know Much About the 50 States. Single page for each state (except New York, which has two), plus the nation’s capital. Although I’ve learned quite a bit from this book, it doesn’t go into as much detail as other state reference books, which makes it a great state book for the younger crowd. Includes year of statehood, state capital, state nickname, state flower, state bird and historical tidbits presented in an interesting format, which makes it great to use as a reference to create notebooking pages for each state.
Scrambled States of America and Scrambled States of America Talent Show. These amusing books bring personality to the states, presenting them in a comical format that our kids just love! (After reading these, our children drew their own comics of the states.)
Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America. This is a favorite not only because it includes interesting facts but also provides points of interest (historical people/places, monuments, parks, and fascinating finds), for our family’s 50 states travels. The pages look busy because there is so much information (so be sure to check out the Amazon preview!), but this really is a favorite reference and travel guide for our mission to see all 50 states before our children graduate from high school! If you’re traveling to a state (or even within your own state), this is a great book to check out!
America: A Patriotic Primer. Packed FULL of information, this book takes children (and adults!) through the A to Z of American history. Pairing this with the book below will provide a great overview of American history just by themselves. (Be sure to check out the format of the illustrations – the pages are a bit busy for some folks, but we just love this book!)
O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, Landmarks, And Important Words. Wonderful book tying in to multiple history sentences! What really happened at Plymouth Rock? What is the Liberty Bell? What’s the history behind our national anthem? What is Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty? Great book to pull out and read throughout the year.
Note: For those in Classical Conversations, corresponding week numbers are provided.
Columbus {Week 1}
Garfield Discovers America. Not only does our family enjoy Garfield’s antics (and especially, with this one, the humorous tie-ins to Columbus), but this will also be handy for studying Jim Davis later in the year during our Great Artist studies.
Maps & Globes. A great book to have for both American and world history/geography. Gives an overview of different types of maps along with the history of maps and exploration while also explaining globe markings (e.g., latitude and longitude).
You Wouldn’t Want to Sail With Christopher Columbus!: Uncharted Waters You’d Rather Not Cross. Our children absolutely love these books, so much so that they’ve requested all of them for our personal library. (We are gradually building them into our collection.) Whether you have a reluctant reader or not, these are likely to be a hit!
The Story of Columbus (DK Reader Level 2). Great engaging reader about Columbus for students who are reading sentences.
Columbus by D’aulaire. A longer illustrated book told in an engaging narrative format that may be used as a read-aloud through the week.
Ish by Peter Reynolds. Wonderful book to prevent students from feeling overwhelmed by imperfect drawing, artwork, or maps. We read it in our community at the beginning of the year.
Draw Write Now, Book 2: Christopher Columbus, Autumn Harvest, Weather (Draw-Write-Now). Learn to draw the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria (and several other things) with these simple step-by-step instructions.
Plymouth Colony {Week 2}
The Pilgrims of Plimoth (Aladdin Picture Books). I love the early colonial language provided in this account, which also includes quotes from primary source texts. Also great to pull out again to re-read at Thanksgiving.
You Wouldn’t Want to Sail on the Mayflower!: A Trip That Took Entirely Too Long Once again, a favorite in our home. Fun way to learn about American colonial history!
The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower. A riveting account of the Mayflower journey, along with the Pilgrims’ early experiences in America, told from the point of view of John Howland, the boy who was rescued when he fell off the Mayflower during a storm.
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving. A wonderful book focusing on Squanto’s life and how he impacted the lives of the Pilgrims. Pair with the Pilgrims of Plimouth for both perspectives and pull it out again at Thanksgiving.
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse. Fun book for studying mirror image drawing and how the meaning of words can change when the order is reversed.
Draw Write Now, Book 3: Native Americans, North America, Pilgrims (Draw-Write-Now). Learn to draw Pilgrims, Native Americans, and more with these step-by-step instructions.
Boston Tea Party {Week 3}
George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides. There are two sides to every story! We love this comparison between the two Georges during the American Revolution for upper elementary students.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be at the Boston Tea Party!: Wharf Water Tea You’d Rather Not Drink. Includes historical details in a great format.
Paul Revere’s Ride. The words to Longfellow’s poem with wonderful illustrations. Beautiful book! Listen to a free recording by Jim Fish on Librivox. (Download MP3 here.)
Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? This book makes us laugh out loud. A great way to introduce children to the American Revolution from the perspective of King George.
Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May? Although Jean Fritz has several books related to the American Revolution, this one and the one above are our favorites. The book makes the person of Patrick Henry and his stirring speech come to life, so much so that our children have enjoyed enacting it as a drama in our home.
The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book. Children love this book, which instills imagination and provides a look at studying letters at different angles as the reader turns the book clockwise.
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
America’s Independence {Week 4}
The Fourth of July Story. Engaging overview of the American Revolution (with tie-ins to Weeks 2 through 5), and a great book to pull out and read each year on Independence Day.
AMERICA: The Making of a Nation. There’s so much packed into the interactive pages (e.g., flaps) of this book. Instead of reading aloud, it’s more of a reference book to pour over as you dig in deep to different aspects of key history and geography facts from the American Revolution to the 21st Century. Great for upper elementary!
When Washington Crossed the Delaware. A great account of the crossing of the Delaware – a book to bring back out at Christmastime, too!
Dangerous Crossing: The Revolutionary Voyage of John Quincy Adams. Follows John Quincy Adams and his father John Adams on their voyage to France to request help during the American Revolution.
Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library. Fantastic chronicle of Thomas Jefferson’s passion and love for books (with tie-ins to Declaration of Independence). I just love this book! Well written.
Thomas Jefferson’s Feast (Step into Reading) (Step 4). Great book for children learning to read paragraphs (or for parents to read aloud to younger children), providing details about Jefferson’s extensive letter-writing and the foods he introduced to America after returning from France. Fascinating and fun!
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art. Tells the story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the first painters of abstract art. Caldecott Honor book.
The First U.S. President {Week 5}
George Washington by D’aulaire. A longer illustrated biography of Washington that may be used as a read-aloud through the week.
A Picture book of George Washington. Overview of Washington’s life for younger children. Much shorter than D’aulaire’s biography.
George Washington and the General’s Dog (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3). Great story for young readers involving George Washington returning a dog safely to the British during the American Revolution. Stories like these bring Washington to life for our children!
. . . If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution. These books offer a question-and-answer format that often helps children (and adults) to learn key facts about events in an engaging way. This is good to read during Week 5 and/or Weeks 23 and 24.
We the People: The Story of Our Constitution. Lynn Cheney has written so many great books. This is no exception!
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
Harold and the Purple Crayon.This classic includes line drawings that young students can easily imitate. Can be used as a fun exercise in drawing – from line drawings to simple perspective techniques!
Westward Exploration {Week 6}
How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark. Wonderful summary of the expedition, written from primary source texts (the journal entries and letters of Lewis, Clark and Ordway).
Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President (Step into Reading, Step 3). A fun little read for younger children.
A Picture Book of Davy Crockett. Great overview of the life of Davy Crockett. Includes quotes from his autobiography.
Davy Crockett: Life on the Frontier (Ready to Read, Level 3). We LOVE this book! Each little chapter begins with a snippet of a tall tale involving Davy Crockett, which is followed by a biographical account of his life that 1st-3rd graders can easily read. (Lends itself to reading aloud together as a family.)
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh. Born during the American Revolution, John Chapman (aka, Johnny Appleseed) is a must-read in any study of early pioneers. Pair this beautifully-illustrated poem with an apple celebration on Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26!
The Quest to Digest. A memorable and entertaining look at the digestive system. Also check out the one for the circulatory system by the same author. I only wish there were more!
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
War of 1812 {Week 7}
The Star-Spangled Banner (Reading Rainbow Books). A picture book with all the stanzas of the Star-Spangled Banner, paired with powerful illustrations from the Battle of Fort McHenry along with American monuments and symbols. Includes additional details at the back of the book, and a stunning two-page spread of flags from the American Revolution to today (including those of the U.S. Government and Armed Forces). A real treat!
The Star Spangled Banner in Translation: What It Really Means. History behind the first verse behind our national anthem and what it really means. Also includes history about the War of 1812 and about the flag.
Sisters of Scituate Light. Story of how two young ladies fooled British raiders to prevent an attack on their town during the War of 1812.
Andrew Jackson: Seventh President, 1829-1837 (Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents). Why Andrew Jackson? Here we have connections to the American Revolution, Davy Crockett, the War of 1812, and Native Americans, which can be a jumping off point for a study of American Indians (with a book like If You Lived with the Cherokee). With his comical illustrations, Mike Venezia is a favorite author in our home.
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
M is for Melody: A Music Alphabet. Great book that covers various terms from music, including concepts from music theory such as tempo and dynamics.
Life in the early 1800s {Week 8}
Ox-Cart Man. Tells of the life and work of an early 19th-century farming family in New Hampshire.
The Circulatory Story. A memorable and entertaining look at the circulatory system. Also check out the one for the digestive system by the same author. I only wish there were more!
See Week 9 for more.
Slavery & the Underground Railroad {Week 9}
Freedom Song: The Story of Henry “Box” Brown Amazing true story of a slave who shipped himself to freedom.
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom (Caldecott Honor Book). A depiction of Harriet Tubman’s courage and faith. Powerful words paired with Kadir Nelson’s stunning illustrations.
The Price of Freedom: How One Town Stood Up to Slavery. Brings to life what the Fugitive Slave Act entailed with a true story about how a town stood up to an unjust law to rescue a friend.
Amistad: The Story of a Slave Ship (Penguin Young Readers Level 4). In 1838, the slave ship Amistad sailed across the Atlantic with hundreds of kidnapped Africans. This is the story about what happened after the captives took over the ship.
Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter. A fictional story about a family’s escape to freedom highlighting the old folk song. Includes informative historical text at the beginning and end.
. . . If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad. These books offer a question-and-answer format that often helps children (and adults) to learn key facts about events in an engaging way. This one answers questions about how slaves escaped on the Underground Railroad.
Westward Expansion/Pioneers {Week 10}
If You Traveled West In A Covered Wagon. This book offers answers to the oft-asked questions about traveling along the Oregon (and other) trails.
Apples to Oregon. Delightful tall tale loosely based on the life of a real pioneer family traveling from Iowa to Oregon in the 1800s.
James K. Polk: Eleventh President 1845-1849 (Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents). Learn more about President Polk and Manifest Destiny with Mike Venezia’s comical illustrations and informative text.
Journey of a Pioneer (DK Reader, Level 2). Reader that provides details about what it was like to travel west as a pioneer.
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
Abraham Lincoln {Week 11}
Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln. Simply told biography of Lincoln’s life with his quotes interspersed throughout. Beautifully illustrated by Kadir Nelson (our favorite illustrator).
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Civil War Soldier! Great overview of the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln: Lawyer, Leader, Legend (DK Reader, Level 3). Great overview of the life of Lincoln.
Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln: The Story of the Gettysburg Address (Penguin Young Readers, Level 4). Provides greater detail about the writing of the Gettysburg Address. Excellent reader!
Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale. A wonderfully told tale of Lincoln’s childhood at his boyhood home in Kentucky.
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
Civil War {Week 12}
B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet. A great sensitive introduction to the Civil War written in poem form for younger students with an additional inset text in the margin for older students and parents to dig deeper.
A Picture Book of Robert E. Lee. Great picture book about the life of Robert E Lee.
Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women. The story behind the stories. Great to read alongside Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
The following two books complement each other nicely if you have a student interested in battles and other details about the Civil War.
Key Battles of the Civil War by Diane Smolinski
All About America: The Civil War by Sally Senzell Isaacs
Reconstruction & America’s Features {Week 13}
Wagon Wheels (Level 3, I Can Read). A true story of a black pioneering family who left the South after the Civil War to settle in Kansas. This story just brings tears to my eyes. Wonderful, all around!
America the Beautiful by Bates/Gall. Wonderful illustrations paired with the words of America the Beautiful (and not just the first verse!). Historical details for each illustration are provided at the back of the book.
Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary. Provides an overview of various land and water forms to help students better understand some of our geography memory work (physical features).
Art Fraud Detective: Spot the Difference, Solve the Crime! Our children love looking through this book in great detail to figure out which work of art is a fake.
The Periodic Table of Elements Coloring Book. Includes information about each element.
Grandma Moses (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists). Illustrations, photographs, and engaging text to learn more about this artist.
Tycoons & the Trust Buster {Week 14}
The Man Who Loved Libraries: The Story of Andrew Carnegie. This book provides a look at Andrew Carnegie’s rise from poverty as a Scottish immigrant to his philanthropic efforts as a successful businessman.
Cornelius Vanderbilt and the Railroad Industry (Great Entrepreneurs in U.S. History). Born into poverty just after the American Revolution, Vanderbilt seized opportunities available during the Industrial Revolution to rise to success as the first business tycoon. This book presents his life and subiness practices from a neutral perspective, allowing the reader to make his/her own conclusions on whether he was a robber baron. Touches on War of 1812, the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and his dealing with Rockefeller.
Industrial Giants: The 20th Century (Primary Source Readers). This book provides some interesting details and photos of Rockefeller, Carnegie, Ford, and Morgan.
Amber’s Atoms: The First Ten Elements of the Periodic Table. Simple introduction to the first ten elements of the Periodic Table for young children.
Pablo Picasso (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists). Illustrations, photographs, and engaging text to learn more about this artist. A favorite author of our children.
Theodore Roosevelt (also known as the Trust Buster) also corresponds to Week 15 4th edition.
The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks. Such a fun read about how our national parks came to be!
To Dare Mighty Things: The Life of Theodore Roosevelt. A biographical sketch of Teddy Roosevelt from childhood to Presidency, including his work as a Rough Rider and National Park conservationist.
Teedie: The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt. Great biography of Teddy Roosevelt written for capturing the interest of young children.
The Legend of the Teddy Bear (Myths, Legends, Fairy and Folktales). This book provides the story about how the Teddy Bear came into existence.
Immigration to America {Week 15}
Also corresponds to Week 16 4th edition.
The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff. A family leaves their Russian home to come to America and must pass the dreaded inspection at Ellis Island. A story that tugs at the heartstrings!
When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest. Beautiful story about a granddaughter’s journey to America and how she saves money to purchase a ticket for her grandmother to join her. A story of perseverance and love.
The Long Way to a New Land (I Can Read Level 3). A great reader that follows a Swedish family who leaves their home in Sweden to come to a land of opportunity.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909.The true story of a young Ukranian immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history.
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
882 1/2 Amazing Answers to Your Questions about Titanic. If you have a student who is interested in Titanic, this is a great book. Our oldest read it through several times throughout his elementary education.
Georgia O’Keeffe (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists). Illustrations, photographs, and engaging text to learn more about this artist.
World War I {Week 16}
Also corresponds to Week 17 4th edition.
The Extraordinary Music of Mr. Ives: The True Story of a Famous American Composer. After news of the sinking of the Lusitania, New York falls silent with shock and grief. As composer Charles Ives heads home after work, the people of the city respond to the tragedy by joining together in singing a hymn, which becomes the inspiration for a new composition, From Hanover Square North.
Ghost Liners: Exploring the World’s Greatest Lost Ships. For children who are interested in shipwrecks, this includes fascinating images and accounts of the shipwrecks Titanic, Empress of Ireland, Lusitania, Britannic, and Andrea Doria.
Disasters at Sea (DK Readers, Level 3: Reading Alone). Includes a simpler story of various sea disasters including the sinking of the Lusitania.
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. I include this story once again as a great WWI book because it brings to life the story behind Winnie-the-Pooh.
Christmas in the Trenches. A grandfather tells his grandson about an unforgettable Christmas Eve as a soldier back in 1914, when German and Allied soldiers stopped fighting to celebrate the Christmas holiday.
Norman Rockwell (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists). Illustrations, photographs, and engaging text to learn more about this artist.
Women’s Suffrage {Week 17}
If You Lived When Women Won Their Rights.Told in a question-and-answer format, this picture book includes the most thorough overview of women’s rights from the landing of the Pilgrims through the year the 19th Amendment was ratified.
Elizabeth Started All the Trouble. The story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the woman who started the woman’s suffrage movement and author of the “Declaration of Sentiments.” Incorporates trailblazers of women’s suffrage through history, starting with Abigail Adams and ending with the Nineteenth Amendment.
Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage. Inspired by the diary of the real Bessie Keith Pond, a ten-year-old girl who lived in California during the early campaigns for Women’s Suffrage.
Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass. Despite hardships and disagreements, Susan B Anthony and Frederick Douglass remained friends, working together to change America.
Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. A picture book suitable for younger children which imagines what it might have been like when Susan B Anthony and Frederick Douglass met to discuss their ideas.
I Could Do That!: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote. Learn about Esther Morris, the woman’s suffrage leader in Wyoming who became the first female judge and, thus, the first woman in the United States to hold a political office.
World War II {Week 18}
Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World. During World War II, President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill met to plan and strategize a continuing peace for when the war ended. Great for studies of world wars — and to revisit each year at Christmastime.
Christmas Tapestry. Beautiful story of a pastor and his son, and how they play a part in the reunion of two Holocaust survivors. Another Christmas favorite, too!
Pearl Harbor (Ready-to-Read, Level 3 – Reading Alone) by Stephen Krensky. Well-written reader recounting the events of Pearl Harbor attack with black-and-white illustrations. Historical tie-ins to all three Cycles of CC!
Albert Einstein: A Life of Genius. Using photos, maps, quotes, and drawings, this biography brings to life one of the most brilliant scientists who ever lived. Great tie-in to WWII, as his work led to the creation of the atomic bomb.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a World War II Pilot!: Air Battles You Might Not Survive.
The Story of the USS Arizona (Cornerstones of Freedom). Engaging read of the events leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey. A story of the escape of the authors of Curious George during WWII.
Roy Lichtenstein (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists). Illustrations, photographs, and engaging text to learn more about this artist.
Soviet Communism {Week 19}
Christmas from Heaven. Story of Gail Halvorsen, a pilot in the US Army Air Corps during the Berlin Airlift, in which US forces flew supplies into Soviet-blockaded Berlin. Includes directions for creating your own Candy Bomber parachutes.
Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot. The true story of a seven-year-old girl named Mercedes who lived in West Berlin during the Airlift and of the American who came to be known as the Chocolate Pilot (Gail Halvorsen).
The Wall: Growing Up behind the Iron Curtain. Through annotated illustrations, Peter Sís shows what life was like to be born at “the beginning of it all, on the Red side―the Communist side―of the Iron Curtain.”
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table (A Math Adventure). Sir Cumference books are a great teaching tool for math concepts. This one explains diameter, radius, and circumference in a memorable way.
The following books are great ways to introduce children to the Orchestra:
Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf: With a Fully-Orchestrated and Narrated CD
A Child’s Introduction to the Orchestra : Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music!
Can You Hear It? with CD Also includes pictures for picture study.
Civil Rights Movement {Week 20}
I Have a Dream (Book & CD). Martin Luther King, Jr.’s powerful words paired with Kadir Nelson’s stunning illustrations, this is one of my absolute favorite books related to the Civil Rights Movement. Includes a CD with MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
A Lesson for Martin Luther King Jr. (Ready-to-read Level 2). As a child, MLK embraces his father’s words that “friendship has no color.”
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges. Well-told, firsthand account of school integration (along with media quotes), for grades 3+. For younger children, use The Story of Ruby Bridges.
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
Erie Canal by Peter Spier. Text is taken from the lyrics of the old folk song, with an informative page in the back on the history of the canal.
Amazing Impossible Erie Canal
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table (A Math Adventure). Sir Cumference books are a great teaching tool for math concepts. This one explains diameter, radius, and circumference in a memorable way.
Space Race {Week 21}
Look to the Stars by Buzz Aldrin. What better way to experience the history of flight and space travel than through the eyes of a man who actually walked on the moon? Beautifully illustrated with quotes and history (Copernicus, Newton, Galileo, etc.) told in an engaging format. Includes Wright brothers, Lindbergh, Hubble, Goddard, Von Braun (World War II), and others, along with a timeline. Our favorite picture book related to the Space Race. Use it again in Cycle 2!
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11. An exciting telling of the Apollo 11 mission. Great for young readers/listeners! Includes diagrams of the Saturn 5 rocket and additional information at the end of the book for older children and parents. Use it again in Cycle 2! Fantastic book!
The Moon Book. Learn more about the moon (phases, tides, eclipses, history, and missions) with this well-illustrated picture book. Use it again in Cycle 2.
The First Moon Landing (Graphic Library). Although not highly rated on Amazon, our boys especially enjoy these comic-style books, which can sometimes spark interest in reluctant readers.
Spacebusters: The Race to the Moon (DK Reader, Level 3). Great for children to read out loud or independently, this book focuses on the events leading up to the moon landing.
Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5). A more advanced, well-written reader broken up into short chapters.
Draw Write Now Book 5: United States, From Sea to Sea, Moving Forward. Step-by-step instructions for drawing patriotic images and symbols, along with historical persons such as George Washington and Lewis & Clark, as well as wagons, astronauts, and more.
September 11, 2001 {Week 22}
The Little Chapel that Stood. Lovely poem about the historic chapel that still stands within 100 yards of where the Twin Towers fell. Remembers the events of 9/11 and how the nation responded during a time of tragedy.
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey. The true story of how a retired fireboat was used in a heroic effort to battle the flames on 9/11.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. In 1974, a French acrobat performed on a high-wire suspended between the two towers of the World Trade Center.
When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot. Fabulous book that brings the Rite of Spring to life for young children!
The Preamble {Week 23}
. . . If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution. These books offer a question-and-answer format that often helps children (and adults) to learn key facts about events in an engaging way. This is good to read during Week 5 and/or Weeks 23 and 24.
Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution. For older elementary students, an informative and readable account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Includes the text of the U.S. Constitution.
We the People: The Story of Our Constitution. Lynn Cheney has written so many great books. This is no exception!
The Bill of Rights {Week 24}
The Bill of Rights: Protecting Our Freedom Then and Now. Simple overview of the Bill of Rights.
So You Want to Be President? I don’t see an updated version yet available, but this picture book still remains one of our favorites about the U.S. Presidents.
Don’t Know Much About the Presidents. We’ve searched through many books for concise and interesting tidbits that will engage young students. Humorous and informative, this one (and the one below) are our top picks!
Presidential Pets: The Weird, Wacky, Little, Big, Scary, Strange Animals That Have Lived In The White House. This book includes a clever poem about weird and wacky animals that have lived in the White House along with key facts for each President. Read a couple each week throughout the year!
A printable Cycle 3 Picture Books list is included in our CC Cycle 3 Planner with Planning Resources packet and/or our American History Reading Plans.
Toddler Board Books
If you have young children (ages 1-4), check out these toddler board books related to American history:
Readers & Early Chapter Books (for grades K-4)
Check out our list of American History Leveled Readers. Because our upcoming third grader enjoys Adventures in Odyssey: Imagination Station and the Magic Tree House series, those are our first pick for books for his independent reading. In addition to his favorite series, we have several leveled readers or short chapter books on hand (to read after we’ve finished Magic Tree House – not correlating them with any particular week, and probably not at all making it through all of the ones listed before the end of the school year). If you’re interested in the Magic Tree House, visit our Magic Tree House (and Imagination Station) post. If you’re interested in the Who Was… series click here.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of finding books that your child enjoys reading. If their favorite books don’t line up with memory work, that’s fine! What’s important is that they grow in their love for reading. So let them read Hank the Cowdog if that’s what they enjoy. (After all, those are great books!) If you aren’t to a point of enjoying reading yet with your children, it’s okay. Starting out, just aim to read out loud to your children 10 minutes every day. I truly believe it will grow into something much greater if you select topics that interest them.
Our second son taught me tons about letting go and letting God guide us instead of sticking to my plans. Four years ago, that child told me how much he hated reading. Now, he picks up unabridged classics as an 11-year-old and reads them in his spare time because he enjoys it. He is the one who asks me to read more every time I read out loud. (He can spend an hour or more listening to me read non-stop – until my voice gives out.) And he requests more and more audiobooks to listen to in the car.
The longer I homeschool, the more I see God’s power and grace in my life and in our home. The fact remains, I fail all the time. But He blesses our homeschool in spite of me.
Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow!
Other related posts:
Our American History Reading Plans {Cycle 3}from 3 years ago
Our American History {Cycle 3} Booklist
Our American History Leveled Readers Booklist