Please welcome my guest author today, Joan Schoettler, with her picture book biography list of 5 Scientists and Doctors Who Made the World a Better Place.
We are giving away 3 signed and inscribed copies of A Doctor at Heart: The Story of Groundbreaking Scientist and Teacher Vivien Thomas by Joan Schoettler, illustrated by Steffi Walthall. To enter, please leave a comment.
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Common threads of curiosity, perseverance, and collaboration reside in each of these picture book biographies about dedicated scientists and doctors. Each book highlights their unique fields of study and demonstrates the scientists’ and doctors’ love of science that led them to make the world a better place by their determination in their particular areas of study; creating a vaccine for polio, developing a procedure for open-heart surgery on babies to correct Blue Baby syndrome, the discovery of the first human coronavirus, a game changing treatment for blindness by pioneering in laser cataract surgery, and becoming American’s doctor; advising seven US presidents on health issues.
5 Picture Book Biographies of Scientists and Doctors Who Made the World a Better Place
A Doctor at Heart: The Story of Groundbreaking Scientist and Teacher Vivien Thomas by Joan Schoettler, illustrated by Steffi Walthall
Vivien Thomas always dreamed of becoming a doctor. He overcame many obstacles, losing his college savings during the bank crash of 1930, experiencing racial injustice, and letting go of his dream to become a doctor. Vivien’s determination and focus on what he loved to do allowed him to make tremendous differences in his life and the lives of sick children and medical students he taught.
With the guidance and partnership of Dr. Blalock at Vanderbilt University and, later, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, doors opened for Vivien to partner with Dr. Blalock and develop a procedure for the blue baby heart procedure, a surgery that saved thousands of lives. He became a cardiac surgery pioneer and taught a generation of prominent surgeons. Vivien, with only a high school diploma, worked for nearly fifty years solving “complex medical problems, pioneered surgical techniques, and opened doors for racial equality.”
Steffi Walthall’s illustrations capture facial expressions of Vivien Thomas’ determination, frustration, patience, and satisfaction throughout the book. Her different perspectives offer the reader opportunities to study his emotions and her various engagements with art. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor by Kate Messner, illustrated by Alexandra Bye
Kate Messner shares highlights in Dr. Fauci’s life as a child: whether riding his blue Schwinn bicycle for deliveries or learning not to give up, she invites the young reader into Dr. Fauci’s world. Accounts in his early life highlight episodes that captured his attention in science and medicine. Always curious, Dr. Fauci learned to ask questions. His hard work and determination came to fruition when he became Dr. Fauci.
Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor shows how Dr. Fauci and doctors like him studied and researched germs and diseases. He listened to people to better understand diseases and to keep people from getting sick. He was a good listener, a dedicated doctor, and a committed investigator.
Dr. Fauci faced many challenges in his life. In 2019, a new disease appeared and spread around the globe. It was caused by a coronavirus and was called COVID-19. Dr. Fauci coordinated a team in the United States to find a vaccine. Doctors around the world worked to find a vaccine for the virus too. They learned to work together to find a vaccine for the coronavirus.
This story demonstrates how Dr. Fauci’s work allowed people to return to school, work, and to be with friends. [picture book biography, ages 6 and up]
Thank You, Dr. Salk! The Scientist Who Beat Polio and Healed the World by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Mike Dutton
As a young boy, Jonas Salk saw people around him with polio. Fear of catching polio filled people in his neighborhood and beyond. Jonas dreamed of helping people when he was young. He studied hard in school and, in college, became a scientist. He focused on polio.
Jonas studied, experimented, and worked hard. Determined, he
People heard about the scientist who was working on finding a cure for polio. Page after page of colorful illustrations include children, some sick, some brave, and some sending Jonas dimes for research, who waited for a cure. And when the vaccine proved safe, everyone celebrated.
Did you know Jonas Salk gave his vaccine away free? He had no interest in patenting the vaccine or earning money from it. Be sure to read the author’s note for additional information about this amazing scientist. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Suzanne Slade begins the biography of June Almeida with June’s love of school. Her favorite subject was science, and she enjoyed photographing nature. She wanted to help people with illnesses like the one that took her younger brother when he was small. Her family could not afford to send June to college, so she found a job as a lab helper. June learned to use a microscope to examine cells of sick people.
June became a virologist, a person who studies viruses. She began working on electron microscopes to study viruses. Drawing on her love of photography and science, June created clear pictures that helped find and study viruses. Scientists took note of June’s discoveries, impressive research, and scientific papers. Working with Davie Tyrrell, he and June discovered the coronavirus.
This biography is a story of an amazing woman who continued studying viruses that make people sick. The backstory invites you to learn more about June Almeida. [picture book biography, ages 6 and up]
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Reiley
Written in verse, author Julia Finley Mosca captivates the reader from the first page of her picture book biography about Dr. Patricia Bath. Encouragement from her parents, inspiration from a family friend who was a doctor, and curiosity and determination from within, Dr. Bath moves forward in life. Discrimination in high school doesn’t hold her back; in fact, she completes high school in three years. In medical school, she ignores sexism.
Dr. Bath never loses sight of her dreams. She focuses and keeps sight on her goal of finding a treatment for blindness. She starts an eye doctor training program.
In Paris, she learns about lasers. With determination, she develops a laser probe that fixes the eyeballs of patients. Dr. Patricia Bath travels across continents. People throughout the world were able to finally see. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
3 Signed and Inscribed Copies of A Doctor at Heart
We are giving away 3 signed and inscribed copies of A Doctor at Heart to 3 winners. Please leave a comment to enter. We can only mail to U.S. and A.P.O. addresses.
Joan Schoettler’s writing demonstrates a global view as her stories traverse the world: Germany, Korea, Mexico, the United States, Japan, and China, and include a variety of genres. Her stories invite readers to discover diverse cultures and communities. Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth, Ruth Asawa: A Sculpting Life, A Home for George, Books Travel the World, and A Doctor at Heart: The Story of Groundbreaking Scientist and Educator Vivien Thomas reveal stories about art, history, librarians, science, and a longing for home.
Besides recognition in the Bank Street College of Education Best Books, Joan’s literary awards include the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. The Honey Jar: An Armenian’s Escape to Freedom, Joan’s first middle grade novel, received the Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal Book, Juvenile 2024.
Before becoming a writer, Joan was an educator who spent a few years teaching elementary school; however, after pursuing a Master’s in Literacy from Fresno Pacific University, she delved into a life as a literacy specialist, where Joan invited young readers to explore the joy of books. At California State University, Fresno, she taught reading and writing, storytelling, and children’s literature to future teachers. Now she delights in composing stories.
These days, Joan combines her time researching, writing, and sharing her stories with children and readers of all ages. Joan and her husband live in Fresno. Visit her at: joanschoettler.com.
p.s. Related posts:
10 Picture Books About Women Scientists Who Became Activists
5 Top Books with a Doctor, Nurse, or Hospital Theme for Children at Every Age
10 Children’s Books on Architects and Architecture
51 Children’s Books Showcasing Black Achievement
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My books:
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Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Free and downloadable guide:
Barbed Wire Between Us Teacher’s Guide
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Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
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Bookshop.org / 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)
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
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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
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Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
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Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
