Kids Books & Digital Resources: Women Who Tell Our Stories

by Sarah Fabiny and illustrated by Jerry Hoare

You can always recognize a painting by Kahlo because she is in nearly all of them—with her black braided hair and colorful Mexican outfits. A brave woman who was an invalid most of her life, she transformed herself into a living work of art. As famous for her self-portraits and haunting imagery as she was for her marriage to another renowned artist, Diego Rivera, this strong and courageous painter was inspired by the ancient culture and history of her beloved homeland, Mexico. 

by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by JaeMe Bereal

Presents the life of the African American sculptor Augusta Savage, who overcame many obstacles as a young woman to become a premier female sculptor of the Harlem Renaissance.

by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Dow Phumiru

An introduction to the life and achievements of the artist-architect who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial describes the creative childhood explorations that inspired her career and how she learned to think artistically with her hands as well as her mind while performing unique experiments with light and lines.

by Victoria Tentler-Krylov

An inspiring picture book biography about British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, a pioneer in her field against all odds. She persisted, she followed her dreams, and she succeeded.

by Sarah Suzuki and illustrated by Ellen Weinstein; with reproductions of works by Yayoi Kusama

Growing up in the mountains of Japan, Yayoi Kusama dreamed of becoming an artist. One day, she had a vision in which the world and everything in it—the plants, the people, the sky—were covered in polka dots. She began to cover her paintings, drawings, sculptures, and even her body with dots. As she grew up, Yayoi has continued to bring dots with her as she travels around the world making art.

by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Yuyi Morales

A tribute to the iconic artist's resolve to paint according to the dictates of her heart relates how in 1939, artist Georgia O'Keeffe fell in love with the Hawaiian Islands while touring there and created nearly 20 sumptuous paintings depicting the beauty of its native elements while refusing to paint the commercial pictures of pineapples that her corporate sponsors wanted.

by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville and illustrated by Brigette Barrager

Presents the life of the American artist, describing her early work at Disney Studios, her frustrations at not getting her color work accepted, and the later incorporation of her work into some of Disney's best-loved films.

by Kathy Whitehead and illustrated by Shane Evans

Introduces the self-taught artist whose paintings captured scenes of the work and celebrations of southern farm life, but who, because of the color of her skin, was not allowed into the museums or galleries where her art was shown.

by Elizabeth Brown and illustrated by Aimee Sicuro

Presents the story of Helen Frankenthaler's early life, how she used colors to express emotion, and how she overcame the male-dominated art world of the 1950s. This obstacle encouraged Helen to originate her own unique and influential style of abstract expressionist painting.

by Nancy Churnin and illustrated by Felicia Marshall

Growing up in the late 19th century, Laura Wheeler Waring didn't see any artists who looked like her. She didn't see any paintings of people who looked like her, either. As a young woman studying art in Paris, she found inspiration in the works of Matisse and Gaugin to paint the people she knew best. Back in Philadelphia, the Harmon Foundation commissioned her to paint portraits of accomplished African-Americans. Her paintings still hang in Washington DC's National Portrait Gallery, where children of all races can admire the beautiful shades of brown she captured.

by written and illustrated Andrea D'Aquino

Ruth Asawa (1926-2013) was an influential and award-winning sculptor, a beloved figure in the Bay Area art world, and a devoted activist who advocated tirelessly for arts education. This engaging title for young art lovers includes a page of teaching tools for parents and educators.

stories and illustrations by Kari Herbert

Wonderfully illustrated throughout, this book tells inspiring stories of fifteen women artists who made a lasting impact on art and the world through their lives and work.

by Isabel Quintero and illustrated Zeke Pena

A blending of photographs and illustrations trace the life and work of Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide, who embarked on a journey across Mexico and the world.