










































Georgia Journal of Literacy 
2023, Vol. 45(2), pp. 15–32 
https://doi.org/10.56887/galiteracy.106 
ISSN: 2833-7611 

Practitioner Article 

 
 

 

CONTACT Dr. William P. Bintz, Professor of Literacy Education in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum 
Studies, College of Education, Kent State University, Kent, OH; email wbintz@kent.edu. Shabnam Moini 
Chaghervand, Doctoral Candidate in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum, Kent State University, Kent, 
OH; email smoinich@kent.edu. 
 

From Motivation to Inspiration: Using 
Picturebook Biographies to Inspire All Learners, 
Especially English Language Learners 
 
William P. Bintz 
Kent State University, Kent, OH 

Shabnam Moini Chaghervand 
Kent State University, Kent, OH 

 
ABSTRACT 

This article begins with a vignette that involved a response by an eighth-grade 
English Language Arts (ELA) teacher to the question: “Why do you assign a grade 
for every student assignment?”  She stated: “Because grades drive my students! It’s 
so much a part of their lives that if I don’t give them points toward a good grade, they 
ask themselves, ‘Then, why am I doing this?’” For us, this response generated 
several inquiry questions about the role of motivation in student learning. One 
question was: Is motivation alone enough for student success? Our initial answer 
was probably not. We hypothesized that motivation is helpful but insufficient for 
student learning. Inspiration is also important. This hypothesis inspired this article. It 
describes fundamental principles underlying research on motivation, identifying 
important differences between motivation and inspiration. Next, it provides an 
overview of different definitions of the term picturebook. It then describes the power 
of picturebook biographies to inspire all learners, especially ELL learners. It shares 
an extensive list of high-quality, award-winning, multicultural picturebook 
biographies of historical figures from around the world and across four major 
categories: Trailblazers and Daredevils, Sports Figures, Heroes Conquering 
Disabilities, and Historical Figures from Around the World. It ends with final thoughts 
and an invitation for teachers to hear new voices and start new conversations about 
the importance of using picturebook biographies to inspire all learners. 

KEYWORDS 

picturebook 
biographies; 
English language 
learners; reading 
motivation; 
inspiration 

 
The value of learning about people who have achieved something extraordinary is 
immeasurable. Children need to find heroes and role models who can inspire and 
motivate them. 

(Morgan & Collett, 2018, p. 14) 
 

ecently, I (Shabnam) conducted a picturebook study to support student inquiry in an 8th 
grade ELA classroom. During the study, I asked the classroom teacher: “Why do you 
assign a grade for every student assignment? She stated: 

 
R 

https://doi.org/10.56887/galiteracy.106X
mailto:wbintz@kent.edu
mailto:smoinich@kent.edu


16 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

I assign grades for each assignment because grades drive my students! It’s so much 
a part of their lives that if I don’t give them points toward a good grade, they always 
ask themselves, “Then, why am I doing this in the first place?” 
 

Afterward, I spent time thinking about this comment, specifically the rationale for this teaching 
practice. At the end of the study, I realized that a few students did not submit the last assignment. 
I contacted the classroom teacher and asked her to remind these students about the last assignment. 
She emailed and reminded them that they would lose points if they did not complete and submit 
the assignment. Ultimately, the students did not submit the assignment and received no credit. 
 I did not understand why these students chose not to submit the assignment, especially 
knowing there would be negative consequences. I shared this experience with my co-author (Dr. 
Bintz). We became curious. Why did these students not complete the last assignment and receive 
no credit? Why was teacher motivation, expressed as a reminder and warning of losing points, 
unsuccessful for students to complete the assignment? Why didn’t the teacher’s reminder email 
motivate these students to complete the project? We used these questions to generate a broader 
inquiry question: Is motivation alone enough for student success? Our preliminary answer was 
probably not. Our current hypothesis is that motivation is helpful but insufficient for student 
learning. Inspiration is also important. This hypothesis inspired this article. 

We begin by describing fundamental principles underlying research on motivation, 
followed by a description of inspiration and how picturebooks are tools that can inspire students. 
Next, we define a picturebook and describe the power and potential of picturebook biographies to 
inspire all learners, especially ELL learners. We end by sharing high-quality, award-winning, 
multicultural picturebook biographies, and some final thoughts.  
 
Research on Motivation 
Research has identified three fundamental principles of motivation. One principle is that 
motivation is based on a behavioristic view of teaching and learning, driven by stimulus and 
response. A stimulus is a change in the external or internal environment that is provided to a 
recipient, human or nonhuman, to produce a desired response. For example, a reward is provided 
to a person (or animal, etc.) to create or change a desired behavior. A second principle is that there 
are two significant types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. The Center on Education Policy 
(2012) states: 
 

Intrinsic motivation is the desire to do or achieve something because one truly 
wants to and takes pleasure or sees value in doing so. Extrinsic motivation is the 
desire to do or achieve something not so much for the enjoyment of the activity 
itself, but because it will produce a certain result. (p. 2) 

 
In school, the “certain result” can be characterized as a teacher-student exchange. Teachers assign 
schoolwork and offer rewards or incentives to students in exchange for completing it (completing 
worksheets, projects, and homework; meeting reading goals; performing successfully on 
standardized tests, etc.). Students complete assigned schoolwork in exchange for the reward 
(receiving extra credit and higher grades). Much research indicates that reward incentives and 
programs show mixed results (Fryer, 2011; Raymond, 2008). 

A third principle is that teacher and student motivation is viewed primarily as an 
instructional issue. Teachers plan schoolwork and use motivational strategies to increase students’ 



Bintz & Moini Chaghervand 17 
 

likelihood of completing the work. Teachers use encouragement, rewards, reminders, and even 
threats of penalties to motivate students. However, like the vignette shared earlier, motivational 
strategies do not always work. We hypothesize that motivation is, at times, helpful but insufficient 
for successful student learning. Inspiration is also important. 
 
From Motivation to Inspiration 
In general, inspiration is a feeling of enthusiasm a person gets from someone or something. Hank 
Finds Inspiration (Frazier, 2008) is a picturebook that beautifully illustrates this notion of 
inspiration. 
 

Stanley, a man, and Hank, a snake, are friends. Both are desperate for inspiration. 
Separately, they go to the city to look for inspiration. Hank asks different people 
where he could get inspiration, but they all have different answers. Finally, in an 
art gallery, inspiration finds Hank when he falls in love with a sculpture, only to 
learn it has already been sold. Hank returns home only to find a pleasant surprise 
and learns that friends can be a good source of inspiration. 

 
This picturebook highlights the notion that inspiration can be found in someone, whether that is 
someone already known, like Stanley, or someone little known or unknown, and something, like 
a beautiful sculpture. This picturebook is one of many high-quality picturebooks about inspiration 
and inspirational people. In Tables 1 through 4 at the end of the manuscript, we share picturebooks 
of inspirational people across four categories: Trailblazers and Daredevils (Table 1), Sports 
Figures (Table 2), Heroes Conquering Disabilities (Table 3), and Historical Figures Around the 
World (Table 4). 
 
Definition of Picturebooks 
Over time, a picturebook has been defined in different ways. Almost fifty years ago, Sutherland 
and Hearn (1977) defined a picturebook as “one in which the pictures either dominate the text or 
are as important” (p. 158). Similarly, Marantz (1977) stated that “a picturebook, unlike an 
illustrated book, is properly conceived of as a unit, a totality that integrates all the designated parts 
in a sequence in which the relationships among them: the cover, endpapers, typography, pictures-
are crucial to understanding the book” (p. 3). Since then, definitions have continued to change but 
still emphasize that “a picturebook is the inextricable connection of words and pictures and the 
unique qualities of the form, always rejecting the notion that a picturebook is not simply a book 
that happens to have pictures” (Wolfenbarger & Sipe, 2007, p. 273). From a semiotic perspective, 
a picturebook is an aesthetic object that involves three sign systems (language, illustration, design), 
and each system has meaning potentials by itself and with each other (Sipe, 2002). Here, we use 
the most cited definition (Bader, 1976): 
 

A picturebook is text, illustrations, total design; an item of manufacture and a 
commercial product; a social, cultural, historic document; and foremost, an 
experience for a [reader]. As an art form, it hinges on the interdependence of 
pictures and words, on the simultaneous display of two facing pages, and on the 
drama of the turning page. (p. 1) 

 



18 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

Picturebooks have much power and potential. Among other things, they 1) are compact in length 
yet abundant in significance (Culham, 2004), 2) contain intriguing, artful illustrations that are 
pleasurable and informative to view and reflect different artistic styles, 3) contain carefully chosen 
words that build vocabulary, 4) are reader-friendly and enjoyable and support reading 
comprehension (Murphy, 2009), and 5) help students understand and appreciate perspectives other 
than their own (Morgan, 2009). 
 
Picturebooks for All Learners, Especially English Language Learners 
Picturebooks benefit all learners but are particularly important for English Language Learners 
(ELL). For some time now, there have been significant increases in the number of non-native 
English speakers entering public and private schools in the United States. Like native speakers of 
English, ELL students, regardless of their age and language proficiency, benefit from reading 
materials that are personally meaningful, linguistically authentic, visually engaging, and culturally 
relevant. The picturebook is one such reading material with much power and potential for English 
Language Learners (Carr et al., 2001). 

There are several significant reasons picturebooks are valuable for English Language 
Learners. Perhaps most importantly, they are authentic pieces of literature. The International 
Literacy Association (2023) defines authentic texts as those used in everyday life, not just for 
teaching purposes. They include novels, children’s literature, hobbyist magazines, and 
newspapers. However, texts that have been altered to shorten sentences are not considered 
authentic. Mourao (2016) states: 

 
Picturebooks are very special books, for they are authentic in every way—the words 
(if they exist, for some picturebooks are wordless) have not been abridged or altered 
for language learning purposes and the illustrations are created by illustrators who 
use their art creatively with neither a care for, nor an interest in, the confines of 
language learning. (p. 2) 

 
Another reason is that picturebooks are an example of multicultural literature. The International 
Literacy Association (2023) explains that multicultural literature is comprised of books, poetry, 
and various written works crafted by or centered around underrepresented or minority groups. 
Many English Language Learners are students who are members of one or both groups. 
Picturebooks are valuable because they can be used by teachers with students from diverse 
backgrounds.   

Still, another reason deals with language and language development. One characteristic is 
that authentic texts use real-life language; that is, the language sounds like the natural language 
people use in everyday life. Picturebooks invite students to actively engage in meaningful 
conversations and learning experiences using natural language (Harste & Short, 1988). They 
include rich vocabulary, descriptive illustrations, and innovative designs. 

Picturebooks are powerful because they have the “potential to act as a magnifying glass 
that enlarges and enhances the reader’s personal interactions with a subject” (Vacca & Vacca, 
2005, p. 161). They enable students to learn to read and read to learn simultaneously, not 
sequentially. Moreover, personally meaningful and culturally relevant picturebooks enable ELLs 
to develop important literacy skills. The “visual-verbal connection,” or the act of associating 
pictures with text, supports second language learners’ literacy needs and builds confidence and 
positive dispositions about reading (Henry & Simpson, 2001, p. 1). 



Bintz & Moini Chaghervand 19 
 

Lastly, picturebooks are important because they can be used as mentor texts to improve 
second language learners’ writing skills. Mentor texts are examples of excellent writing. 
Thompson and Reed (2019) state that mentor texts are: 

 
written pieces that serve as an example of good writing for student writers. The 
texts are read for the purpose of studying the author’s craft, or the way the author 
uses words and structures the writing. The goal is to provide students a model they 
could emulate in crafting their own piece. (p. 28) 
 

Mentor texts allow students to see what good writing looks like and encourage them to use the 
same structure and style for their own writing. Picture books are short text, typically 32-pages, and 
thus allow students to reread a text to explore and imitate a good writing structure. By frequently 
exposing ELLs to high-quality picture books and using them as mentor texts, they will be able to 
see quality writing and eventually use their observation to improve their own writing (Dorfman & 
Capelli, 2009). For these, and many other reasons, picturebooks are excellent resources for 
teachers to use with English Language Learners. 
 
Picturebook Biographies 

Picturebooks are valuable for English Language Learners as picturebook biographies are 
particularly important. One teacher learned this lesson from her third-grade students. 
 

We were beginning the day with math. We were learning about picture graphs 
and I needed to conduct a survey on my students’ favorite type of book. My lesson 
presented four book options: animals, arts and crafts, sports and fantasy. Students 
looked at the books, and one stated: “But where are the biographies?” 
 

Fortunately, this teacher learned what many students, boys and girls, ELL and non-ELL, already 
know, namely, they have reading preferences. Farris et al. (2009) identified nine student 
preferences, one of which is biography. This is not a new revelation. Almost seventy-five years 
ago, Heriot (1948) noted that people, including young children, enjoy biography because people 
“have a normal interest in other people” (p. 98). 
 

Definition. Biography is a “genre that tells the life story of a significant historical figure” 
(Coffin, 2006, p. 53). This genre has a rich literary history. Life stories about outstanding persons 
are popular in children’s literature (Bjorlo, 2021). Michael Benton (2011), a prominent theorist of 
the biography genre, claims that biography is “a hybrid genre that is grounded in history but shares 
many of the characteristics of fiction” (p. 68). Picturebook biographies are important because the 
hybridity of the genre may also include interactions between the written text and various visual 
elements (Bjorlo, 2021). Fortunately, over the years, increasing numbers of picturebook 
biographies for children have been published (von Merveldt, 2018). 
 

Qualities & Benefits. Picturebook biographies encompass a wealth of captivating 
qualities, echoing the sentiments highlighted by Heriot (1948) as she observed that they narrate 
true stories about people, imbuing them with inspirational ideals. These literary works have 
garnered favor among students, largely due to their embodiment of these attributes, coupled with 
the inclusion of thought-provoking illustrations that seamlessly intertwine with the narrative. 



20 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

Moreover, the advantages of engaging with picturebook biographies span across readers of 
all age groups. For instance, these biographies: 

 
 Illuminate significant and inspiring individuals hailing from diverse socio-cultural 

backgrounds, effectively fostering an appreciation for multicultural perspectives. 
 Contribute to the portrayal and endorsement of positive representations of 

femininity and masculinity, promoting a well-rounded understanding of gender 
roles. 

 Nourish students’ cognitive growth by nurturing multiple interpretations and 
viewpoints (Morgan, 2009). 

 Facilitate an immersive journey into the past, contextualized within authentic, 
meaningful, and engrossing textual narratives (Ellenmeyer & Chick, 2003). 

 Deepen understanding about an individual’s life experiences, the communities that 
shaped them, and the innate qualities that defined their character (Bruner, 2004). 

 Uncover the profound impact of personal struggles, family origins, and character 
traits, transforming historical figures from mere timeline placeholders into three-
dimensional personas (Meyers et al., 2009). 

 Serve as inspirational models for life choices, allowing students to grasp the 
interconnectedness of actions and outcomes. 

 Portray the transformative journey from modest beginnings to triumphant 
outcomes, showcasing the potential within adversity (Temple et al., 2018). 

 Extend an invaluable opportunity for students to identify with a diverse array of 
individuals, fostering a sense of inclusion and shared human experience. 

 Enrich learning experiences by introducing novel information that diverges from 
traditional textbooks, offering a broader and more inclusive perspective (Lesesne, 
2002). 
 

In summary, the allure and benefits of picturebook biographies extend a compelling invitation to 
English Language Learners and readers of all backgrounds.  

  
Selecting Picturebook Biographies  
We (William and Shabnam) are teacher educators teaching reading theory and practice with 
picturebook biographies. Typically, our own students often ask: There are so many picturebook 
biographies out there. How can I select the best ones to use with my students? This is a good 
question, one that we constantly ask ourselves. Table 5 illustrates some guidelines, in the form of 
questions, that we use to select picturebook biographies and picturebooks that reflect each 
guideline (Floyd & Hebert, 2010). We hope these guidelines will help teachers select excellent 
picturebook biographies to use with their own students. 
 
 
 
 



Bintz & Moini Chaghervand 21 
 

Table 5: Guidelines for Selecting Picturebook Biographies 

Guidelines Example 
Does the biography tell a good story? Does it have a 
“storyteller’s flair”? 

The Storytellers (Lewin, 1998). 

Does the biography use dynamic language? Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen (Moss, 2004) 

Is the biography culturally authentic? Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller 
Pura Belpre (Denise, 2019) 

Is the biography culturally diverse? The Junkyard Wonders (Polacco, 2010) 

Is the biography respectful of cultural differences? Tea With Milk (Say, 1999) 

Is the biography factually accurate? Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the 
Piano for President Lincoln (Engle, 2019) 

Is the biography unbiased and not stereotypical? Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed 
Music (Engle, 2015) 

Is the biography told over some years and includes 
personal and professional information? 

The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity: A Tale of the 
Genius Ramanujan (Alznauer, 2020) 

Is the biography realistic? The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq (Winter, 
2019) 

Does the biography include illustrations that capture the 
life story and historical events accurately? 

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures (Mosca, 2017) 

Am I selecting male and female biographies? Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia (Love, 
2006) 

Am I selecting familiar and unfamiliar biographies?   Tiger of the Snows: Tenzing Norgay (Burleigh, 2006) 

 
Final Thoughts 
This article was inspired by a simple story about a few students who were not motivated, despite 
teacher motivation, to complete an assignment, electing instead to accept a lower grade. Although 
simple, this story offers important lessons about the nature of learning. One lesson is that 
motivation may be helpful but, by itself, is insufficient. Inspiration is vital for learning.  Another 
lesson is that inspiration provides intrinsic motivation for students to take charge of their own 
learning, pursue their own questions, develop their own voices, and outgrow what they currently 
know about themselves and others. Still, another lesson is that picturebook biographies can help. 
They are tools and toys for children to read about historically important people who look like them 
and do not look like them, talk like them and do not talk like them, dress like them and do not 
dress like them, etc. In the process, students learn more about themselves as well as about others 
who are not like themselves. Ultimately, we hope this article will start some new conversations 
about the power and potential of picturebook biographies to inspire all learners, especially English 
Language Learners. 

 

 



22 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

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24 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

Literature Cited 
Alznauer, A. (2020). The boy who dreamed of infinity: A tale of the genius Ramanujan. 

Candlewick. 

Burleigh, R. (2006). Tiger of the Snows: Tenzing Norgay, the boy whose dream was Everest. 
Antheneum Books for Young Readers. 

Denise, A. A. (2019). Planting stories: The life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré. 
HarperCollins.  

Engle, M. (2015). Drum dream girl: How one girl’s courage changed music. Clarion Books. 

Engle, M. (2019). Dancing hands: How Teresa Carreño played the piano for president Lincoln. 
Atheneum Books for Young Readers.  

Love. D. A. (2006). Of numbers and stars: The story of Hypatia. Holiday House.  

Mosca, J. F. (2017). The girl who thought in pictures: The amazing story of Dr. Temple Grandin. 
The Innovation Press.  

Moss, M. (2004). Mighty Jackie: The strike-out queen. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books. 

Polacco, P. (2010). The junkyard wonders. Philomel Books. 

Say, A. (2009). Tea with milk. Clarion Books. 

Thundercloud, R. (2022). Finding my dance. Penguin. 

Winter, J. (2019). The librarian of Basra: A true story from Iraq. Clarion Books. 

  



Bintz & Moini Chaghervand 25 
 

Table 1: Trailblazers and Daredevils 

Title Reference 
Trailblazers 

The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity: A Tale of the 
Genius Ramanujan 

Alznauer, A. (2020). The boy who dreamed of infinity: A tale of 
the genius Ramanujan. Candlewick. 

Never Give Up: Dr. Kati Karikó and the Race for 
the Future of Vaccines 

Dadey, D. (2023). Never give up: Dr. Kati Kariko and the race 
for the future of vaccines. Dreamscape Media.  

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and 
Storyteller Pura Belpre 

Denise, A. A. (2019). Planting Stories: The life of librarian and 
storyteller Pura Belpre. HarperCollins. 

The Marvelous Thing That Came from Spring: 
The Accidental Invention of the Toy That Swept 
the Nation 

Ford, G. (2016). The marvelous thing that came from a spring: 
The accidental invention of the toy that swept the nation. 
Atheneum. 

The Discovery of Longitude Galat, J.M. (2012). The discovery of longitude. Pelican 
Publishing Company. 

Talkin about Bessie: The Story of Aviator 
Elizabeth Coleman.  

Grimes, N. (2002). Talkin about Bessie: The story of aviator 
Elizabeth Coleman. Scholastic. 

A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks 
Out for Women’s Rights. 

Hannigan, K. (2018). A lady has the floor: Belva Lockwood 
speaks out for women’s rights. Calkins Creek. 

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life 
of Paul Erdos.  

Helligman, D. 2013). The boy who loved math: The improbable 
life of Paul Erdos. Roaring Book Press. 

The Unbreakable Code Hunter, S.H. (1996). The unbreakable code. Rising Moon. 
Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea: A Fairly 
Educated Story of a Pair of Pants 

Johnston, T. (2011). Levi Strauss gets a bright idea: A fairly 
educated story of a pair of pants. Harcourt. 

Rough, Tough Charley. Kay, V. (2007). Rough, tough Charley. Tricycle Press. 
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo 
Farnsworth 

Krull, K. (2014). The Boy who invented TV: The story of Philo 
Farnsworth. Dragonfly Books. 

Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia Love, D. A. 2006). Of numbers and stars: The story of Hypatia. 
Holiday House. 

Earmuffs for Everyone: How Chester 
Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of 
Earmuffs. 

McCarthy, M. (2015). Earmuffs for everyone: How Chester 
Greenwood became known as the inventor of earmuffs. Simon 
& Schuster. 

Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician 
Maryam Mirzakhani 

Reid, N. (2021). Maryam’s magic: The story of mathematician 
Maryam Mirzakhani. Balzer and Bray. 

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung 
Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom 

Robeson, T. (2020). Queen of physics: How Wu Chein Shiung 
helped unlock the secrets of the am  Sterling Children’s Books. 

When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian 
Anderson 

Ryan, P.M. (2002). When Marian sang: The true recital of 
Marian Anderson. Scholastic. 

Lighter Than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the First 
Woman Pilot.  

Smith, M. C. (2019). Lighter than air: Sophie Blanchard, the 
first woman pilot. Candlewick. 

Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First 
Computer Programmer.  

Stanley, D. (2016). Ada Lovelace, poet of science: The first 
computer programmer. Simon & Schuster. 

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ 
Strike of 1909 

Sweet, M. (2013). Brave girl: Clara and the shirtwaist makers’ 
strike of 1909. HarperCollins. 

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine Wallmark, L.  (2015). Ada Byron Lovelace and the thinking 
machine. Creston Books. 

The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box: The 
Story of Video Game Inventor Ralph Baer 

Wessels, M. (2020). The boy who thought outside the box: The 
story of video game inventor Ralph Baer. Sterling Children’s 
Books. HarperCollins. 



26 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s 
Oldest University 

Yuksel, M. O. (2022). One wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the 
worlds’s oldest university.  
Daredevils 

Ruth Law Thrills a Nation Brown, D. (1993). Ruth Law thrills a nation. Ticknor & Fields. 
Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American 
Stagecoach Driver 

Charles, T. (2019). Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American 
stagecoach driver. Albert Whitman & Company. 

Flying Solo: How Ruth Elder Soared into 
America’s Heart 

Cummins, J. (2013). Flying solo: How Ruth Elder soared into 
America’s Heart. Roaring Brook Press. 

Sam Patch: Daredevil Jumper Cummings, J. (2009). Sam Patch: Daredevil jumper. Holiday 
House. 

Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying 
Machine 

Lang, H. (2016). Fearless flyer: Ruth Law and her flying 
machine. Calkins 
Creek. 

Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton McCarthy, M. (2013). Daredevil: The daring life of Betty 
Skelton. Simon & Schuster. 

Brave Harriet: The First Woman to Fly the 
English Channel 

Moss, M. (2001). Brave Harriet: The first woman to fly the 
English Channel. Silver Whistle. 

Chico O’Connor, S.D. (2005). Chico. Dutton Juvenile.  
 
Table 2: Sports Figures  

Title Reference 
Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy Bildner, P. (2002). Shoeless Joe and black Betsy. Simon & 

Schuster. 
Players in Pigtails Corey, S. (2010). Players in pigtails. National Geographic. 
Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings Hopkinson, D. (2003). Girl wonder: A baseball story in nine 

innings. Aladdin. 
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s 
Baseball Dream.  

Hubbard, C. (2005). Catching the moon: The story of a young 
girl’s baseball dream. Lee & Low Books. 

The Boy in Number Four Kootstra, K. (2014). The boy in number four. Dial Books. 
Roller Derby Rivals Macy, S. (2014). Roller derby rivals. Holiday House. 
Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One 
Scrappy Player Put Women’s Hoops on the Map 

Macy, S. (2011). Basketball belles: How two teams and one 
scrappy player put women’s hoops on the map. Holiday 
House. 

Miss Mary Reporting: The True Story of 
Sportswriter Mary Garber 

Macy, S. (2016). Miss Mary reporting: The true story of 
sportswriter Mary Garber. Simon & Schuster. 

Baseball Saved Us Mochizuki, K. (1993). Baseball saved us. Lee & Low Books. 
Mighty Jackie: The Strike-out Queen Moss, M. (2004). Mighty Jackie: The strike-out queen. Simon & 

Schuster. 
Dirt on Their Skirts: The Story of the Young 
Women Who Won the World Championship 

Rappaport, D. (2000). Dirt on their skirts: The story of the 
young women who won the world championship. Dial Books. 

Dust Bowl Girls: The Inspiring Story of the Team 
that Barnstormed its Way to Basketball Glory 

Reeder, L. (2017). Dust bowl girls: The inspiring story of the 
team that barnstormed its way to basketball glory. Algonquin 
Books. 

Leagues Apart: The Men and Times of the 
Negro Baseball Leagues 

Ritter, L.S. (1995). Leagues apart: The men and times of the 
negro baseball leagues. Morrow Junior Books. 

Yogi: The Life, Loves, and Language of 
Baseball Legend Yogi Berra 

Rosenstock, B. (2019). Yogi: The life, loves, and language of 
baseball legend Yogi Berra. Calkins Creek. 



Bintz & Moini Chaghervand 27 
 

Streak: How Joe Dimaggio Became America’s 
Hero 

Rosenstock, B. (2014). Streak: How Joe Dimaggio became 
America’s hero. Calkins Creek. 

The Kid from Diamond Street: The Extraordinary 
Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton 

Vernick, 2016). The kid from diamond street: The extraordinary 
story of baseball legend Edith Houghton. Clarion Books.  

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley  Vermick, A. (2010). She loved baseball: The Effa Manley story. 
Clarion Books. 

All Star! Honus Wagner and the Most Famous 
Baseball Card Ever 

Yolen, J. (2010). All Star! Honus Wagner and the most famous 
baseball card ever. Philomel. 

 
Table 3: Heroes Conquering Disabilities 

Title Reference 
The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball 
Player Changed the Game 

Churin, N. (2016). The William Hoy story: How a deaf baseball 
player changed the game. Albert Whitman & Company. 

My Heart Glow: Alice Cogswell, Thomas 
Gallaudet, and the Birth of the American Sign 
Language 

McCully, E.A. (2008). My heart glow: Alice Cogswell, Thomas 
Gallaudet, and the birth of the American sign language. 
Hyperion. 

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures Mosca, J.F. (2017). The girl who thought in pictures. 
Scholastic. 

The Junkyard Wonders Polacco, P. (2010). The junkyard wonders. Scholastic. 
A Boy and a Jaguar Rabinowitz, A. (2014). A boy and a jaguar. Clarion Books. 
I Talk Like a River Scott, J. (2020). I talk like a river. Neal Porter Books. 

 
Table 4: Historical Figures from Countries, Regions, and Cultures Around the World 

Title Reference 
COUNTRY 

Afghanistan 
The Sky of Afghanistan Eulate, A. (2012). The sky of Afghanistan. Cuento de Luz.  
I See the Sun in Afghanistan King, D. (2011). I see the sun in Afghanistan. Satya House 

Publications. 
Fly, Girl, Fly!: Shaesta Waiz Soars Around the 
World 

Pimm, N.R. (2020). Fly, girl, fly!: Shaesta Waiz soars 
around the world. Beaming Books.  

The Library Bus Rahman, B. (2020). The library bus. Pajama Press. 
Brave with Beauty: A Story of Afghanistan Schur, M.R. (2019). Brave with beauty: A story of 

Afghanistan. Yali Publishing. 
Razia’s Ray of Hope: One Girl’s Dream of an 
Education 

Sunby, E. (2020). Razia’s ray of hope: One girl’s dream of 
an education. Kids Can Press. 

Four Feet, Two Sandals Williams, K. L. (2007). Four feet, two sandals. Eerdmans. 
Argentina 

Who Was Che Guevara?  Labrecque, E. (2019). Who was Che Guevara? Penguin 
Workshop. 

Evita: Opposites Rodruquez, P. (2018). Evita: Opposites. Lil’ Libros. 
Bangladesh 

Yasmin’s Hammer Malaspina, A. (2015). Yasmin’s hammer.  Lee & Low 
Books. 



28 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

The Unexpected Friend: A Rohingya Children’s 
Story 

Rahman, R. R. (2020). The unexpected friend: A Rohingya 
children’s story. Guba Publishing. 

Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea: How a Science 
Project Helps One Family and the Planet 

Suneby, E. (2018). Iqbal and his ingenious idea: How a 
science project helps one family and the planet. Kids Can 
Press. 

Twenty-two Cents: Muhammad  
Yunus and the Village Bank 

Yoo, P. (2018). Twenty-two cents: Muhammad Yunus and 
the village bank.  Lee & Low Books. 

Canada 
Gaawin Gindaaswin Ndaawsii/I Am Not a Number Dupuis, J. K. (2019). Gaawin Gindaaswin Ndaawsii/I am not 

a number. Second Story Press. 
When I Was Eight Jordan-Fenton, C. (2013). When I was eight. Annick Press. 
When We Were Alone Robertson, D. A. (2016). When we were alone. Press. 
Phyllis’s Orange Shirt Webstad, P. (2019). Phyllis’s orange shirt. Medicine Wheel 

Education. 
Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People Brown, M. (2011). Pablo Neruda: Poet of the people. Henry 

Holt and Co. 
My Name is Gabriela Brown, M. (2005). My name is Gabriela. Cooper Square 

Publishing. 
Cuba 

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage 
Changed Music 

Engle, M. (2015). Drum dream girl: How one girl’s courage 
changed music. HMH Books for Young Readers. 

The Wildest Race Ever: The Story of the 1904 
Olympic Marathon 

McCarthy, M. (2016). The wildest race ever: The story of 
the 1904 Olympic marathon. Simon & Schuster. 

Marti’s Song for Freedom Otheguy, E. (2017). Marti’s song for freedom. Lee & Low 
Books. 

Dominican Republic 
Islandborn Diaz, J. (2018). Islandborn. Dial Books. 
If Dominican Were a Color Recio, S. (2020). If Dominican were a color. Denene Millner 

Books. 
Growing Up Pedro: How the Martinez Brothers 
Made it from the Dominican Republic All the Way 
to the Major Leagues. 

Tavaras, M. (2017). Growing up Pedro: How the Martinez 
brothers made it from the Dominican Republic all the way to 
the major leagues. Candlewick. 
Egypt 

Nefertiti Parker, K. (2020). Nefertiti. Scholastic. 
Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt’s 
Treasured Books 

Roth, S.L., & Abouraya, K.L. (2012). Hands around the 
library: Protecting Egypt’s treasured books. Dial Books. 

France 
Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered 
Egyptian Hieroglyphs 

Rumford, J. (2000). Seeker of knowledge: The man who 
deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs. Houghton Mifflin.   

Henri’s Scissors Winter, J. (2013). Henri’s scissors. Beach Lane Books. 
Germany 

Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True 
Story of the Man Behind the Machines 

Aronson, S. (2019). Just like Rube Goldberg: The incredible 
true story of the man behind the machines. Beach Lane 
Books. 

Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum School 
Day 

George, J. (2017). Rube Goldberg’s simple normal 
humdrum school day. Abrams Books. 
Haiti 



Bintz & Moini Chaghervand 29 
 

Nadia’s Good Geed: A Story About Haiti Harris, R. (2014). Nadia’s good deed: A story about Haiti. 
John Fielder Publishing. 

Selavi, that is Life: A Haitian Story of Hope Landowne, Y. (2004). Selavi, that is life: A Haitian story of 
hope. Cinco Puntos Press. 

Toussaint L’ouverture: The Fight for Haiti’s 
Freedom 

Myers, W.D. (1996). Toussaint L’ouverture: The fight for 
Haiti’s freedom. Simon & Schuster. 

Hoops for Haiti Siumilien, c. (2021). Hoops for Haiti. Independently 
Published. 

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-
Michel Basquiat 

Steptoe, J. (2016). Radiant child: The story of young artist 
Jean-Michel Basquiat. Little Brown Books. 

Jean-Michel Basquiat Vegara, M.I.S. (2020). Jean-Michel Basquiat. Frances 
Lincoln Children’s books. 

Holland 
Van Gogh and the Sunflowers Anholt, L. (2007). Van Gogh and the sunflowers. B.E.S 
The Story of Anne Frank: A Biography Book for 
New Readers 

Berne, E. C. (2021). The story of Anne Frank: A biography 
book for new readers. Rockridge Press. 

Anna and Johanna: A Children’s Book Inspired by 
Jan Vermeer 

Elschner, G. (2018). Anna and Johanna: A children’s book 
inspired by Jan Vermeer. Prestel Junior. 

Anne Frank Genius, I. I. (2021). Anne Frank. IIG Publication. 
Vincent van Gogh: He Saw the World in Vibrant 
Colors 

Guglielmo, a. (2021). Vincent van Gogh: He saw the world 
in vibrant colors. DK Children. 

I Am Anne Frank Meltzer, B. (2020). I am Anne Frank. Dial Books. 
Vincent Can’t Sleep: Van Gogh Paints the Night 
Sky 

Rosenstock, B. (2017). Vincent can’t sleep: Van Gogh 
paints the night sky. Knopf Books. 

Honduras 
Berta saves the River Llewellyn S. (2021). Berta saves the river. Share 

Foundation. 
The Good Garden: How One Family Went from 
Hunger to Having Enough 

Milway, K.S. (2020). The good garden: How one family went 
from hunger to having enough. Kids Can Press. 

Rosalia: The Honduran American.  Osoria, C. (2020). Rosalia: The Honduran American Osoria 
Independent Publishing. 
India 

The Boy Who Grew a Forest Gholz, S. (2019). The boy who grew a forest. Sleeping Bear 
Press. 

Grandfather Gandhi Gandhi, A. (2014). Grandfather Gandhi. Atheneum 
The Story of Gandhi: A Biography Book for New 
Readers 

Katz, S.B. (2020). The story of Gandhi: A biography book 
for new readers. Rockridge Press. 

She Sang for India: How M.S. Subbulakshmi Used 
Her Voice for Change 

Subramamiam, S. (2022). She sang for India: How M. S. 
Subbulakshmi used her voice for change. Farrar, Status 
and Giroux.  
Iran 

A Refugee’s Journey from Iran Hudak, H.C. (2018). A refugee’s journey from Iran. Crabtree 
Publishing Company. 

Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician 
Maryam Mirzakhani 

Reid, M. (2021). Maryam’s magic: The story of 
mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani. Balzer & Bray. 
Iraq 

Alia Muhammad Baker: Saving a Library from War Bacher, L. (2016). Alia Muhammad Baker: Saving a library 
from war. MOMENTUM. 



30 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad Rumford, J. (2008). Silent music: A story of Baghdad. 
Roaring Brook Press. 

Alia’s Mission Stamaty, M.A. (2010). Alia’s mission. Dragonfly Books. 
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq Winter, J. (2019). The librarian of Basra: A true story from 

Iraq. Clarion. 
Israel 

Young Captain on a Broken Boat Adler, I. (2021). Young captain on a broken boat. 
Zaccmedia. 

Golda Meir: A Strong, Determined Leader Adler, D. A. (2015). Golda Meir: A strong, determined 
leader. Puffin Books. 

A Queen to the Rescue: The Story of Henrietta 
Szold, Founder of Hadassah 

Churnin, N. (2021). A queen to the rescue: The story of 
Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah. Creston Books. 

Little Judah in America Dauid, H. (2017). Little Judah in America. The Awakening 
Remnant Koalition. 

Goldie Takes a Stand: Golda Meir’s first crusade. Krasner, B. (2014). Goldie takes a stand: Golda Meir’s first 
crusade. Kar-Ben Publishing. 

The Language of Angels: A Story about the 
Reinvention of Hebrew 

Michelson, R. (2017). The language of angels: A story 
about the reinvention of Hebrew. Charlesbridge. 

Osnat and Her Dove: The True Story of the World’s 
First Female Rabbi 

Samuel, S. (2021). Osnat and her dove: The true story of 
the world’s first female Rabbi. Querido Independent 
Publishing 
Italy 

I, Galileo Christensen, B. (2012). I, Galileo. Knopf Books. 
Leonardo da Vinci: Extraordinary Machines Hawcock, D. (2019). Leonardo da Vinci: Extraordinary 

machines. Dover Publications. 
Bartali’s Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, 
Italy’s Secret Hero.  

Hoyt, M. (2021). Bartali’s bicycle: The true story of Gino 
Bartali, Italy’s secret hero. Quill Tree Books. 

The Story of Leonardo da Vinci: A Biography Book 
for New Readers 

O’Neal, C. (2021). The story of Leonardo da Vinci: A 
biography book for new readers. Rockridge Press. 

Starry Messenger: A Book Depicting the Famous 
Scientist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Philosopher, 
and Physicist: Galileo Galilei 

Sis, P. (2000). Starry messenger: A book depicting the of a 
famous scientist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, 
and physicist: Galileo Galilei.  San Val.   

Morocco 
Naseem’s Journey Farmay, A. (2019). Naseem’s journey. CreateSpace 

Independent Publishing. 
The Storytellers Lewin, T. (1998). The storytellers. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard 

Books. 
Nepal 

Tiger of the Snows: Tenzing Norgay-the Boy 
Whose Dream Was Everest 

Burleigh, R. (2010). Tiger of the snows: Tenzing Norgay-the 
boy whose dream was Everest. Atheneum. 

Chandra’s Magic Light: A Story in Nepal Heine, T. (2014). Chandra’s magic light: A story in Nepal. 
Barefoot Books. 

Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary 
and Tenzing Norgay 

Stewart, A. (2020). Everest: The remarkable story of 
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Bloomsbury Children’s 
Books. 

Pakistan 
Basket of Bangles Howard, G. (2002). Basket of bangles. Millbrook Press. 



Bintz & Moini Chaghervand 31 
 

Listen to the Wind Mortenson, G., & Roth, S.L. (2009). Listen to the wind. Dial 
Books. 

Four Feet, Two Sandals Williams, K.L., & Mohammed, K. (2007). Four feet, two 
sandals. Eerdmans. 

Iqbal: A Brave Boy from Pakistan. Winter, J. (2014). Iqbal: A brave boy from Pakistan. Beach 
Lane Books. 

Malala: A Brave Girl from Pakistan Winter, J. (2014). Malala: A brave girl from Pakistan. Beach 
Lane Books. 
Peru 

Sharuko: Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello Brown, M. (2020). Sharuko: Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. 
Tello. Lee & Low Books. 

Kusikiy: A Child from Taquile, Peru DCecilia, M. (2011). Kusikiy: A child from Taquile, Peru. 
Keeper of Wisdom and Peace Books. 

Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert Schmidt, G.D. (2012). Martin de Porres: The rose in the 
desert. Clarion. 

The Pied Piper of Peru Tompert, A. (2002). The pied piper of Peru.  Boyds Mill 
Press. 

Romania 
Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still Gray, K. (2016). Nadia: The girl who couldn’t sit still. Clarion 

Books. 
Russia 

Anastasia’s Album: The Last Tsar’s Youngest 
Daughter Tells Her Own Story 

Brewster, H. (1996). Anastasia’s album: The last Tsar’s 
youngest daughter tells her own story. Hyperion. 

A Royal Ride: Catherine the Great’s Great 
Invention 

Fulton, K. (2019). A royal ride: Catherine the Great’s great 
invention. Margaret K. McElderry Books. 

I Am Marc Chagall Landmann, B. (2006). I am Marc Chagall. Eerdmans Books. 
Ivan the Terrible: Terrifying Tyrant of Russia Nagelhout, R. (2016). Ivan the terrible: Terrifying tyrant of 

Russia. Gareth Stevens. 
Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall’s Life 
and Art 

Rosenstock, B. (2018). Through the window: Views of Marc 
Chagall’s life and art. Knopf Books. 

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of 
Kandinsky’s Abstract Art 

Rosenstock, B. (2014). The noisy paint box: The colors and 
sounds of Kandinsky’s abstract art. Knopf Books. 

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova Snyder, L. (2015). Swan: The life and dance of Anna 
Pavlova. Chronicle Books. 

When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, their 
Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot 

Stringer, L. (2013). When Stravinsky met Nijinsky: Two 
artists, their ballet, and one extraordinary riot. HMH Books. 

Peter Tchaikovsky Venezia, M. (2018). Peter Tchaikovsky. Children’s Press. 
South Africa 

Nelson Mandela Nelson, K. (2019). Nelson Mandela.  Katherine Tegen 
books. 

The Story of Nelson Mandela Stokes, F. (2021). The story of Nelson Mandela. Rockridge. 
Spain 

Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail Arnolt, L. (2007). Picasso and the girl with a ponytail. B.E.S. 
Pablo Picasso Venezia, M. (2014). Pablo Picasso. Children’s Press. 

Syria 
Yusra Swims Abery, J. (2020). Yusra swims. Creative Editions. 
My Name is Bana Alabed, B. (2021). My name is Bana. Salaam Reads. 



32 Georgia Journal of Literacy 45(2)  
 

A Refugee’s Journey from Syria Mason, H. (2017). A refugee’s journey from Syria. Crabtree 
Publishing. 

The Cat Man of Aleppo Shamsi-Basha, K., & Latham, I. (2020). The cat man of 
Aleppo. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 

Thailand 
Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue 
of the Thai Soccer Team 

Hood, s. (2019). Titan and the wild boars: The true cave 
rescue of the Thai soccer team. HarperCollins. 

The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built 
Their Own Soccer Field 

Riley, S. (2021). The floating field: How a group of Thai 
boys built their own soccer field. Millbrook Press. 

Venezuela 
A Picture Book of Simon Bolivar Adler, D.A. (1992). A picture book of Simon Bolivar. Holiday 

House. 
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the 
Piano for President Lincoln 

Engle, M. (2019). Dancing hands: How Teresa Carreno 
played the piano for President Lincoln. Atheneum. 

 
 
Received: March 2, 2023 | Accepted: March 28, 2023 | Published: November 13, 2023 
 
 


	Research on Motivation
	From Motivation to Inspiration
	Definition of Picturebooks
	Picturebooks for All Learners, Especially English Language Learners
	Picturebook Biographies

	Selecting Picturebook Biographies
	Table 5: Guidelines for Selecting Picturebook Biographies

	Final Thoughts
	References
	Literature Cited
	Table 1: Trailblazers and Daredevils
	Table 2: Sports Figures


