Please welcome my guest author, Ronni Diamondstein. I met her at the Chappaqua Book Festival this past year through my agent. We have the same agent!
Jackie and the Books She Loved by Ronni Diamonstein, illustrated by Bats Langley
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis might be best known as First Lady to President John F. Kennedy, but she also had a bookish side to her. She was a talented editor who brought nearly 100 books to life. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Thanks to the generosity of Sky Pony Press/Skyhorse Publishing, one lucky reader of the Pragmatic Mom can win their own signed copy of my picture book biography about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jackie and the Books She Loved. (US only)
To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
p.s. Related posts:
Resources to Celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth
Celebrating Asian Americans for #WomensHistoryMonth
Suffragist Lost to History: Lucy Stone
My Favorite 33 #WomensHistoryMonth Books for Kids
March is Women’s History Month Picture Book of the Day
Women’s History Month with Anna May Wong
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March is Women’s History Month, a time to acknowledge the accomplishments of women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who is the star of my picture book biography Jackie and the Books She Loved. To celebrate this year, I’ve put together a list of some of the other new picture biographies about women who dreamed big and made a difference in the world, often making it a better place.
Their fascinating stories give children— girls and boys alike — a more subtle and complete understanding of history, while also providing role models to inspire the next generation of young women to be groundbreakers. From entertainers and scientists to activists and inventors, extraordinary women have helped change almost every aspect of modern life.
Here are ten amazing picture books of women who like Jackie have carved their own path.
10 Picture Book Biographies to Celebrate Women’s History Month
Fire of the Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of by Kirsten W. Larson and illustrated by Katherine Roy
In this lyrically written STEM story, English Astronomer Celia Payne is a curious little girl who despite many obstacles follows her dream to be a scientist and ultimately discover what is at the heart of every star. What I especially love about this book is the poetic text that parallels the formation of a star with Celia’s groundbreaking journey of discovery. Gorgeous illustrations make it a must-read! [picture book biography, ages 6 and up]
Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes by Traci N. Todd and illustrated by Shannon White
Spunky and talented, Jackie Ormes was the first Black woman to be a nationally syndicated cartoonist, but she was so much more! I love all the “Jackie Joy” in this inspirational story of this artist who was also a journalist, fashionista, and civil rights activist in this extraordinary book. [picture book biography, ages 7 and up]
Journey to the Stars: Kalpana Chawla, Astronaut by Laurie Wallmark and Raakhee Mirchandani and illustrated by Maitreyi Ghosh
This spirited STEM story about Kalapana Chawla, the first Indian American woman astronaut will launch young readers on their own path to follow their dreams as Kalpana did from an early age when she aspired to fly. I love how she persevered overcoming challenges and savored her triumphs on her journey into space. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Kati’s Tiny Messenger: Dr. Katalin Karikó and the Battle Against COVID-19 by Mega Hoyt and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger
If you’re curious about how rapidly scientists developed the coronavirus vaccine in 2020 this engaging STEM story of Katalin Karikó will have the answers for you! I love how determined at a young age to be a scientist, Kati overcame many challenges from immigration obstacles and lack of research funding to follow her dream from Hungary to the USA to become a doctor. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World by Vivian Kirkfield and illustrated by Alison Jay
The lyrical title and that same refrain throughout the book got me curious about Annie’s 19th-century adventure in this heartwarming story. I love this book because Annie surmounted unbelievable obstacles—thieves, injuries, and getting lost—and yet she triumphed in the end creating her own path biking around the world. With whimsical illustrations, this is truly an inspirational story of a tenacious and determined woman. [picture book biography, ages 7 and up]
Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund, illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati
This is a lyrical and little-known story of beloved singer, actress, and author Julie Andrews and the struggles she faced in her early life that led her to her extraordinary career. What I love about this book is how Andrews, a musical icon found her voice during her life. The author’s note sharing her connection to this story is a lovely touch to this beautifully illustrated book. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
A Take-Charge Girl Blazes a Trail to Congress: The Story of Jeannette Rankin by Gretchen Woelfle and illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon
Jeannette Rankin’s independent spirit and can-do attitude are on full display in this rousing tale of how Rankin was elected the first US Congresswoman in 1916. What I love about this book is how Rankin follows an unexpected journey from charitable work and women’s suffrage to Washington, D.C. Sprinkled with inspirational quotes, this delightfully illustrated book is sure to engage and inspire! [picture book biography, ages 7 and up]
To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights by Angela Dalton, illustrated by Lauren Semmer
Nichelle Nichols was an empowering black woman who broke ground to advance black representation on television with her role of Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek. I love that this lyrical and lively book shows how Nichols opened the door for real-life women astronauts and how she inspired young people to follow their dreams. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Steifel, illustrated by Susan Gal
From darkness, you can find light and that is the moral of this award-winning remarkable tale of Holocaust survivor Yaffa Eliach and how she rebuilt her Polish town in photographs for the US Holocaust Museum. I love how Yaffa’s childhood memories powered her determination to build a Tower Of Faces to restore the spirit of all who had been lost in her town in the Holocaust. [picture book biography, ages 6 and up]
Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America’s Heart by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Monika Róza Wisniewska
In the mid-1800s, artist and entrepreneur Esther Howland shared her love of Valentine’s Day with her handmade cards with personalized notes becoming one of America’s first professional women. What I love about this book are the little “roses are red” type poems that are found on every page of this tale of a determined Howland who was enterprising and persistent and a great role model for girls! [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Signed Copy of Jackie and the Books She Loved Giveaway
We are giving away a signed copy Jackie and the Books She Loved. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below.
Ronni Diamondstein spent her life surrounded by books and immersed in the world of children’s literature. As a school library media specialist and teacher of gifted and talented students in the United States and abroad, Ronni nurtured her students’ creativity by sharing her love of reading with them. Ronni is a graduate of Syracuse University. She attended the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and led writing workshops and open mics to encourage people of all ages to tell their stories. Ronni served on the Board of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and is a Past President of the Chappaqua Library Board of Trustees. Jackie and the Books She Loved is her debut picture book. Ronni lives in Chappaqua, New York with her toy poodle, Maggie Mae.
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
The ones like Jackie’s book because it’s about a real person in a fun way.
Thank you, Nancy!
What a great combination of picture book biographies of women. Some are famous while others aren’t. It doesn’t matter what race, religion or gender a person is as long as they have strength, determination and perseverance to follow their dream. Thanks for telling me about more books to add to my TBR list.
I am a Jackie O fan and would love a copy of her book.