30 New Non-Fiction Picture Books You Need to Read in 2023

Carol Burnett by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

I adore Carol Burnett and I’m so excited that she’s getting her own Little Golden Book this year. This book shares the life of actress and entertainer, Carol Burnett — the first woman to host a comedy variety show. I know so many parents and grandparents will love reading this book with their kiddos.

Hedy Lamarr by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

I love the Little People, Big Dreams series — each book is so entertaining and incredibly educational. This new release for 2023 shares the life of Hedy Lamarr, an actress and inventor. As an inventor, she helped create the basis for Wifi and Bluetooth. How cool is that?

Justice Rising by Katheryn Russell-Brown

There’s nothing better than a book celebrating the achievement of women. Justice Rising shares the story of twelve Black women who were important to the civil rights movement. Since each of these women have been underrepresented, these twelve short biographies do a great job of bringing them into the spotlight.

Love is Loud by Sandra Neil Wallace

Another great book about the civil rights movement. Love is Loud shares the story of Diane Nash, a civil rights leader who worked alongside prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr and John Lewis. This one is not to be missed!

The Green Piano by Roberta Flack

A sweet autobiographical picture book that should be on everyone’s radar this year! The Green Piano shares the story of Roberta Flack, an award winning singer. I also love that readers will get a look at her life through her own words.

Ice Cream Man by Glenda Armand

There’s nothing better than ice cream — except, maybe a book about ice cream! Ice Cream Man shares the story of Augustus Jackson, an African American known as the father of ice cream. While working as a kitchen helper at the White House, he made a popular egg-based dessert which he then turned into ice cream.

Milloo’s Mind by Reem Faruqi

I really love inspirational picture books and this book is sure to be loved by many readers. It shares the story of Maryam Faruqui, the founder of Happy Home Schools which provided education to girls in Pakistan when they were encouraged not to go to school. I also love that Reem Faruqi is her granddaughter — what a wonderful way to honour her grandmother’s story!

To Boldly Go by Angela Dalton

If you love Star Trek, you’re going to love this new release. It shares the story of Nichelle Nichols and how she used her role on Star Trek to inspire a new generation of diversity in the space and STEM fields.

Cut by CE Winters

I absolutely love Walt Disney and the world of animation. But, Lotte Reiniger walked so Walt Disney could run. This book shares the story of Lotte, who changed the landscape of animation through her use of light, scissors and her imagination. This one is going to be a fantastic read for everyone, but especially for fans of animation.

A Take-Charge Girl Blazes a Trail to Congress by Gretchen Woelfle

Another great picture book biography on this list! Readers will learn about Jeannette Rankin, the first US Congresswomen. It’s a story about activism and about gaining the right to vote for women.

Freddie Mercury by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Another new release in the Little People, Big Dreams series and one I’m very excited for! It shares the story of Farrokh, who is also known as Freddie Mercury. From his discovery of music to his success as the lead singer of Queen. I’m so excited for this one — I love Queen’s music!

Shakira by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

This cover is just so adorable! It shares the story of Shakira, from her early obsession with singing and dancing to her success as a Latin American icon. This series is so much fun and I love that we’re getting some great new additions this year.

Sisters in Science by Linda Elovitz Marshall

Sisters in Science shares the story of Marie Curie and her sister Bronia. While many know a lot about Marie Curie, it will be great to learn more about her sister Bronia and how they both brought change to the world of science.

Eleanor Roosevelt by Helaine Becker

Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Path to Kindness is another picture book biography that looks wonderful. It shares the story of her life and also highlights her life of activism.

Louis Pasteur by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Another great non-fiction STEM book on this list. This book shares the story of Louis Pasteur, a French chemist who is also known as the father of modern medicine. His research led to the development of vaccinations. If you have little readers who love science, than this is the perfect book for them!

Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine by Kate Hannigan

There’s nothing better than finding new STEM books to introduce to my students. But it’s even better when it features a woman. This book shares the woman behind the dishwashing machine which will certainly be an interesting and enteraining read!

The Brilliant Calculator by Jan Lower

Another picture book biography — the more the merrier! This is also another great STEM book about a woman. It’s all about Edith Clarke, a mathematician who built the first graphing calculator.

Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater by Catherine Barr

This book will be perfect for little readers with curious minds. It will also make a great read for Earth Day. It shares the story of freshwater around the world as well as the different ways we can defend and protect this resource.

Shining a Light by Veeda Bybee

Shining a Light shares the biographies of 40 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It highlights the historical contributions these people have had that we may not know about. I know so many people will enjoy reading more about these incredible people!

The Day the River Caught Fire by Barry Wittenstein

If you’re looking for a non-fiction book to read around Earth Day, than this is a great option. It’s all about a fire that happened in 1969 in one of the most polluted rivers in America. It also discusses how the event changed environmental protection and the celebration of Earth Day.

The Fire of Stars by Kirsten W Larson

I love books about space, especially if they highlight important woman and their contribution to space. The Fire of Stars shares the life of Cecilia Payne, an astronomer and astrophysicist who discovered what burns at the heart of stars.

Ketanji Brown Jackson: A Justice for All by Tami Charles

This picture book shares the life of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first woman to be on the US Supreme Court. This will certainly be a wonderful story about chasing dreams and showcasing an incredible moment in history.

How Do You Spell Unfair? by Carole Boston Weatherford

The subject of this book and the cover are incredibly captivating — so many people are going to enjoy reading it! How Do You Spell Unfair? shares the story of MacNolia Cox, the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio spelling bee in 1936.

Real Princesses Change the World by Carrie A Pearson

Little girls always dream about being a princess, so why not learn about real princesses? This book shares short biographies of 11 real-life princesses. I love that this book shares that princesses are more than beautiful dresses and castles by highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to society.

Amazing by Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani

Picture book biographies that highlight many different individuals are always so entertaining to read. Readers will learn about important Asian American and Pacific Islanders such as Dwayne Johnson and Kalpana Chawla. It’s also written by two incredible Olympic medalists who are siblings.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the world by G Neri

It’s always so wonderful to learn about a real life couple and their accomplishments in the world. This book shares the story of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, artists who were known for their large scale art projects.

Pluto! Not a Planet? Not a Problem by Stacy McAnulty

I’m a huge fan of the Our Universe series — it’s educational and each book is also really engaging. In this new addition, readers will learn about Pluto. I’m so excited to see all the incredible facts included in this one.

The Van Buren Sisters vs. the Pants Police by JF Fox

The Van Buren Sisters vs. the Pants Police shares the story of Addie and Gussie Van Burn. When World War I began, they believed they could join the fight. So they rode their motorbikes around the country, while wearing pants, which was unheard of at the time. I just love the idea of this story and am so excited it highlights two incredible women.

Unstoppable by Michael G Long

Another book on this list that focuses on the Civil Rights Movement. It shares the story of Bayard Rustin, an openly gay civil rights leader who organized the March on Washington for jobs and freedom. This book is going to be loved by so many readers and should not be missed!

A Vaccine is Like a Memory by Rajani LaRocca

I love Rajani LaRocca’s books, so this new release definitely needs to be on this list. A Vaccine is Like a Memory shares the importance of vaccines as well as their history. From the time they were developed to why they are important in keeping us safe, this book will be a great non-fiction read in 2023!