10 Inspiring Picture Books for Young Readers Interested in Social Justice

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote, by Tanya Lee Stone
Even when Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a young girl, she started to notice that girls didn’t have the same rights as boys. Instead of accepting her “lesser status”, she fought against it, proving she could do anything a man could do. When she went to college, she joined a group of women who fought for a woman’s right to vote. This is a powerful story about a young girl who never took “no” for an answer, stood up for what she believed in, and grew up to help make history.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, by Laurie Ann Thompson
Born with one deformed leg, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah was never deterred by his disability and, instead, hopped to school two miles each way, learned to play soccer, and eventually became a cyclist. He rode 400 miles across his native Ghana in 2001 to spread a message of hope and encouragement: disability is not inability. Through lyrical prose and bold illustrations, kids will be inspired by Emmanuel’s big and bold actions and heart.

A is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara
For the youngest picture book readers, this board book is the perfect introduction to teaching community, equality, and justice. With colorful illustrations and rhymes, it follows the ABCs, promoting activism, civil rights, and more.

Ruby’s Wish, by Shirin Yim Bridges
Inspired by the author’s grandmother, this understated and engaging tale shares the story of young Ruby, a girl who wishes to study and attend university in China, like her brothers, rather than meeting her family’s expectations of finding a husband and starting a family. With rich color illustrations, Ruby’s ambition, courage, and determination is on beautiful display in this moving portrait.

Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down, by Andrea Davis Pinkney
This informative, poetic, and beautifully illustrated picture book is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the day a group of college students staged a peaceful protest at the Woolworth’s lunch counter to fight for integration and civil rights. The expressive and emotional paintings exemplify hope and determination for young readers. Not only will they learn about this period in history, they’ll be inspired to stand up for their own rights and beliefs.

Drum Dream Girl, by Margarita Engel
Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba’s traditional taboo against female drummers, this moving tale tells the story of a young drummer whose dreams of playing music will not be deterred. She persists in secret, practices hard, and when she is finally in the spotlight, she convinces her native island that both boys and girls should be free to drum.

One, by Kathryn Otoshi
This sparse and subtle little book about colors, numbers, and counting, is really a celebration of standing up together, celebrating and accepting one another’s differences, and proving the power of a single voice.

Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal, a Brave Boy from Pakistan: Two Stories of Bravery, by Jeanette Winter
This non-fiction picture book shares two stories of Pakistani youth who stood up for freedom and education in Pakistan. Iqbal Masih spoke out against child slavery in the carpet trade. Malala Yousafzai stood up for the rights of young girls to go to school and later won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts. Both of these inspiring stories prove that you’re never too young to speak out and make a difference.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark, by Debbie Levy
This lively, playful, and inspiring picture book about the second female justice to serve on the Supreme Court is about Ginsberg’s determination and her ability to resist and persist when she disagreed with inequality and unfair treatment. The “Notorious RBG” shows young readers that respectful disagreement and dissent is important to making a difference in the world.

The Sweet Smell of Roses, by Angela Johnson
When two young sisters sneak out of the house to participate in a civil rights march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., they learn the sweet smell of freedom. With spare poetic prose and understated charcoal illustrations, this moving picture book pays homage to the many young people who could not resist the winds of change and took a stand during this important time in history.