Picture books are one of my favorite ways to teach history! They help students connect to the past. However, teachers rarely have time to sort through tons of books to find the best ones. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of 5 Westward Expansion picture books for kids. I hope these books will save you tons of time and engage your students!
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Dandelions by Eve Bunting
Book Description:
This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Zoey and her family who move West for a new life. This move is difficult and strange for the family, especially for Zoey’s mother who misses home. Zoey’s father feels more optimistic and tries to make the best of things.
Zoey’s family must make a new home and experience the challenges of starting over. Through their eyes we see the struggles and hopes of many pioneers moving West.
This book is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
It can sometimes be difficult for students to connect with the past, but this book is a great opportunity to discuss what pioneer life was like on a more personal level. Here are some questions you can ask your students: What challenges did Zoey’s family face? How did each family member feel about their new home? How would you feel if you were in their shoes?
You could also have students write a letter from the perspective of one of the characters. What would they say to friends and family back home about their new life?
Buffalo Bird Girl by S.D. Nelson
Book Description:
Many history textbooks focus on white settlers when telling the story of westward expansion. Unfortunately, the stories of Indigenous Peoples are too often left out. This book, on the other hand, is a detailed biography of a Hidatsa Native American woman who lived during the westward expansion era. Buffalo Bird Girl’s story is beautiful, inspiring, and educational.
Buffalo Bird Girl has detailed illustrations and helpful photographs that will bring this story to life. Through pictures and words your students will learn about the Hidatsa ways of hunting and gathering food, Buffalo Bird Girl’s experiences with neighboring tribes, and her perspective on white settlers.
This book is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
Exploring a variety of historical perspectives is vital! This book gives the perspective of a Hidatsa girl, a point of view that isn’t covered in most textbooks. The book is chock full of interesting details about Buffalo Bird Girl’s daily life. For example, we learn what her home looked like, what chores she completed, what she ate, what games she played, and more!
Ask students to compare their daily life with Buffalo Bird Girl. What is similar? What is different?
Lewis and Clark and Me by Laurie Myers
Book Description:
Did you know that Meriwether Lewis brought his dog on the Corps of Discovery? Lewis and Clark and Me tells the story of Lewis and Clark’s famous journey through the eyes of Lewis’ Newfoundland dog, Seaman. Through his eyes, students learn about what Lewis and Clark experienced, including hunting for food and meeting Indigenous Peoples.
The book was written using a number of references which can be found at the back of the book, including Meriwether Lewis’ own journals. Lewis’s quotes throughout the book come directly from his actual journals.
Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
This can be a great way to introduce the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark’s journey.
This book could also be paired with primary sources related to Lewis and Clark’s journey. You can access these on DocsTeach by clicking here.
Covered Wagon, Bumpy Trails by Verla Kay
Book Description:
Great picture books don’t have to be complicated to be effective. This simple picture book uses rhyming verses to tell the story of Mother, Father, and Baby John going west. The family experiences difficult terrain, bad weather, and many more obstacles. Despite these challenges, they persevere to make their way to a new home.
This book is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
I would recommend reading this book after students learn about the Oregon Trail. The verses will make more sense if they have some background knowledge. At the end of the unit, students could create their own rhyming verses. Assign students to write rhyming verses about a pioneer experience and draw an illustration.
This book also provides an opportunity to infer the meaning of new vocabulary words. Many interesting words are used in this book like fodder, falter, weary, stubborn, mucky, trinkets, and more.
If You Were a Kid on the Oregon Trail? By Jos Gregory
Book Description:
This simple but informative picture book describes what life was like for kids on the Oregon Trail. It follows a young girl named Josephine Jenkins and a young boy named Stephen Byrd.
Josephine and Stephen both have their own unique experiences as they travel West. Although the characters are fictional, the challenges they face are based on history.
This book is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
This book is a great way to put emigrant trails in perspective for kids. Students could use a Venn diagram to compare their life now with pioneer children.
More Resources for Teaching about Westward Expansion.
I hope these Westward Expansion picture books for kids will engage your students (and save you precious time!)
Picture books are a wonderful way to teach history, but there are so many ways to engage and teach students! If you need more help teaching about Westward Expansion, you may be interested in my 3-week Westward Expansion Unit.
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