Kid Konnection: Show Me History! Books

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a series of books that parents and kids alike will love!

Summary: Considered by many historians to be the greatest American president, Abraham Lincoln led the Union at the greatest turning point in the nation’s history. Abraham Lincoln: Defender of the Union! tells the story of one of America’s most admired figures in graphic novel format. From his childhood on a farm in Kentucky to the battlefields of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln served the United States with resolve, intelligence, and courage unlike that of any other president. Readers of all ages will be entertained and educated by the full-color illustrations and historically accurate narrative of this graphical biography. -- Portable Press

Summary: Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father! tells the story of one of the most ambitious and controversial figures in American history in a graphic novel format. From a rough childhood on the Caribbean island of Nevis to the highest levels of American politics, Alexander Hamilton’s life was filled with adventure, conflict, and controversy. Full-color illustrations and an entertaining narrative make this graphical biography of America’s first Secretary of the Treasury accessible for readers of all ages. -- Portable Press

Summary: This graphical biography tells the story of the most prominent leader of the American civil rights movement. With full-color illustrations and a historically accurate narrative, Martin Luther King Jr.: Voice for Equality! will inform and entertain readers of all ages. From his childhood in Atlanta to his rise as an international icon of human rights and a fiery orator who refused to back down in the face of adversity, King’s life story serves as an ongoing source of inspiration. -- Portable Press

Summary: When Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, she immediately became an American icon and a subject of endless fascination for generations to come. In Amelia Earhart: Pioneer of the Sky!, the story of the bold and daring aviator’s life is presented in graphic novel format, with full-color illustrations and historically accurate details. From her hardscrabble childhood to her final flight—and mysterious disappearance—Earhart’s journey will entertain, captivate, and inspire readers of all ages. -- Portable press

I am so impressed with the Show Me History! series of biographies for readers ages 8 - 12. These books are a winner of the 2019 National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA), and they are a fantastic way to make learning fun for kids. The four books in the series are ABRAHAM LINCOLN: DEFENDER OF THE UNION! by Mark Shulman and Tom Martin, ALEXANDER HAMILTON: THE FIGHTING FOUNDING FATHER by Mark Shulman and Kelly Tindall, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: VOICE FOR EQUALITY! by James Buckley Jr. and Youneek Studios, and AMELIA EARHART: PIONEER OF THE SKY! by James Buckley Jr. and Kelly Tindall; and I honestly can't even pick a favorite because they are all so outstanding. These hardcover books are written in a graphic novel format with colorful illustrations, and I think even the most reluctant readers will be drawn to these history books about some of our country's most interesting heroes.

I've read some graphic novel history books in the past and enjoyed them quite a bit, but I think the Show Me History! series has definitely perfected this art. Each of these books provides a brief history of these individuals' lives and accomplishments with fun pictures and few words. Kids will definitely learn the highlights of these people's lives while not being turned off by a long and "boring" biography. In fact, the books' website claims, "It's a time machine you can read!"

In addition to the accounts of history, the end of these books also include some interesting pages that complement the biographies. There are lists of other individuals who were relevant to the specific cause as well as timelines, glossaries, and ways to find out more about these people. I love that these books encourage kids to discover more about these American heroes on their own by providing books, websites, and videos!

I definitely recommend this series to teachers as well as parents because the publisher has made these books ideal for learning. In addition to the approachable format of a graphic novel, they also have made resources readily available to enrich the reading experience. There are reading guides as well as interviews with the creators. There are also sample pages to download:

I highly recommend the Show Me History! series of graphic novels for all school and home libraries.

Thanks to Media Master for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!