8 Early Republic Picture Books for Kids
There is something special about reading a picture book aloud to students. With engaging illustrations and simple stories, picture books are an excellent tool for teaching complex concepts in an age-appropriate way. But finding high-quality and historically accurate picture books can be overwhelming!
To save you time, I have compiled a list of my favorite Early Republic picture books for kids.
Disclosure: The links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means I may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
I am George Washington by Brad Meltzer
Book Description:
This comic-book-style story is told from the perspective of George Washington himself. We look through Washington’s eyes as he humorously describes the experiences that led him to become the very first President of the United States.
This book is appropriate for ages eight and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
Ask students to complete a K-W-L chart. Before reading the story, students write down everything they already know about George Washington. Then, they write what they want to know. After reading, students write down new facts they learned about George Washington.
Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain
Book Description:
John and Tom were the best of friends! But when it came to ideas about running the government of the United States, they were as different as “pickles and ice cream,”
This book is appropriate for ages ten and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
Students compare and contrast the character traits, beliefs, and experiences of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Then, ask students to fill out a Venn diagram contrasting the two Founding Fathers.
The Town that Fooled the British: A War of 1812 Story by Lisa Papp
Book Description:
Henry Middle is a young boy living in St. Michael’s, Maryland. When the British Navy targets this small town, the Maryland militia comes up with a plan to fool the British.
This book is appropriate for ages eight and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
Students take on the role of a news reporter. Imagining they are interviewing Henry Middle, students use details from the book to write a newspaper article about the event.
Locomotive by Brian Floca
Book Description:
Through beautiful illustrations and detailed descriptions, we learn about how the locomotive was built, how it works, and how it drastically changed life in the United States.
This book is appropriate for ages eight and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
This book incorporates Caldecott Medal-winning illustrations that add meaning and detail to the words. Have students analyze the relationship between the text and illustrations. For example:
- Study the paragraphs on the page.
- How do the illustrations extend the information beyond the words?
- What information in the pictures is also explained in words?
- What new information is provided only in the images?
- How do the words and illustrations work together?
- Find examples of illustrations that add humor to the text.
- Where do the pictures show different viewpoints of the same event?
Discussion Question: How did the railroad impact the American market system?
Fiona’s Lace by Patricia Polacco
Book Description:
Fiona and her family struggle to make ends meet in Ireland. Like many in their town, they decide to immigrate to America to make a better life for themselves. But once there, they find it isn’t what they expected! To make money for her family, Fiona makes beautiful Irish lace. But her lace does much more than provide for her family’s needs – it saves their lives!
This book is appropriate for ages eight and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
It can be difficult for students to understand cultures different from their own. However, with Irish words, traditions, and stories, this book gives a first-hand look into what life was like for a young girl living in Ireland.
As students read the book, have them pay attention to the Irish culture they notice. How does it compare to their own culture? Use a worksheet like this one to guide their cultural reflection.
Watch this video showing the process of making Irish lace. Then, have students create their own paper lace. Here is a video demonstration of how to do this.
Elizabeth Started All the Trouble by Doreen Rappaport
Book Description:
This Early Republic picture book gives a detailed history of Women’s Suffrage in the United States. In addition to beautiful illustrations full of symbolism and meaning, we read stories about essential women’s suffrage leaders such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, and more.
This book is appropriate for ages ten and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
Students research and create a poster about one women’s suffrage leader. You can find a lesson plan for this activity in my Early Republic unit – complete with biography articles and a poster template!
You could also have students create a timeline of the significant events of the Women’s Suffrage movement.
Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Book Description:
This book is based on the true story of Henry “Box” Brown. Devastated after his wife and children are sold at a slave market, Henry devises a bold plan to find freedom. With the help of a few friends, Henry ships himself in a cargo box across the sea.
This book is appropriate for ages eight and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
Students complete a T-chart about Henry’s character traits. In the left column, have students list 3-5 character traits. Then, have them write down text evidence supporting each attribute in the right column. You could even have students go back through their list and circle character traits they see in themselves.
Discussion Idea: Enslaved people resisted slavery in both revolutionary and everyday ways. Henry “Box” Brown opposed slavery in a unique way! What are some examples of daily acts of resistance?
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Book Description:
When a young Black girl is given an assignment in school, she turns to her grandmother for help. With beautiful illustrations and deep feelings, her grandmother tells the story of their ancestors’ journey from Africa to America and the culture and experiences found along the way. Her words dive deep into the cruelty of enslavement and the powerful legacy left by enslaved people.
This book is appropriate for ages ten and up.
Ideas for Using this Book:
This free educator’s guide includes comprehensive lesson plans and activity ideas for The 1619 Project: Born on the Water. One of my favorite activities in the guide is a poetry reflection. Have students answer these questions independently on a worksheet or use them to guide a class discussion. Here are a few reflection questions:
Reflection Questions – About the PEOPLE
- Think about what the people in this poem say, do, think, and feel. What do our observations teach us about what kind of people they are?
- Do the people in this poem have a problem? If they do, are they able to solve it? How do they solve it, or why can’t they? Why did the people solve their problems in that way? Could they have made a different decision? What do their choices make us think about what kind of people they are?
- Do the people change in this poem or across the book? How do you know? If the people changed, why and how did they change? Are there ways the people stayed the same? Does how the people stayed the same or altered help you think about the book’s meaning?
Reflection Questions – About the TEXT
- Why do you think the authors used poems to tell the story? What is an example from the text of how the message would impact the reader differently if they had used prose instead?
- Do the authors use figurative language? How does it impact you as a reader? Where do you notice repetition in the poems? Why do you think the authors chose to repeat these particular lines?
- Does the illustrator help us see things that we could not see with just the words? Are there pages that do not have words? Why would the authors and illustrators make these choices? How do these choices impact the reader?
Another meaningful activity detailed in the educator guide is to have students write their own “Where I’m From” poem. However, before students write, have them watch this video of author Renee Watson sharing her own “Where I’m From” poem.
Free Early Presidents Booklet Activity
I hope these 5 Early Republic primary sources for kids help bring this unit to life in your classroom!
Do you need more help teaching about the Early Republic?
Grab my free Early Presidents booklet! In this activity, students learn about key events from the first seven presidencies (from George Washington to Andrew Jackson).
Then, students create a timeline including the most important events from the Early Republic.
Download your FREE Early Presidents Booklet
More Early Republic Resources
Are you looking for additional resources to help you teach about the Early Republic?
- 3-Week Early Republic Unit: This three-week unit includes interactive activities that will keep your students engaged and clear lesson plans that will save you time.
- The Ultimate Guide to Teaching about the Early Republic: This teaching guide will help you feel prepared and confident to teach about the Early Republic. I’ve included an overview of the time period, a pacing guide, a timeline, and much more.
- Early Republic Primary Sources: An outline of 5 primary sources, complete with teaching suggestions. I have also compiled primary sources for several other US History topics!
- Early Republic Videos: 5 worthwhile videos to help bring the Early Republic to life in your classroom.
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