Picture Books about Remarkable Women

My local librarian recently urged a new book upon me: It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morestad.

Gyo’s name rang a bell. I couldn’t think why. Soon I recognized her as the creator of books my children and I enjoyed together, forty-some years ago. Oh, What A Busy Day! stands out in my mind, a new book at the time.

Gyo Fujikawa was an artist who defied what was expected of young women — and overcame other obstacles too — in order to pursue her passion for drawing. It’s a truly inspiring story and Kyo Maclear and Julie Morestad have done a gorgeous job of telling it.

My librarian recommended It Began With A Page in part because she knows about an upcoming non-fiction picture book of mine — about the life of Anne Innis Dagg. Anne also defied what was expected of young women, and overcame other obstacles too, in order to pursue her passion for giraffes. She became a pioneer in the scientific study of animal behaviour in the wild. Later this year she’ll receive an Order of Canada.

I worked closely with Anne as I wrote her story and we’re both thrilled with the work François Thisdale is doing to illustrate it. Want a sneak peek at what he’s doing? Stay tuned! If you haven’t yet subscribed to my posts, maybe now would be a good time.

Your turn now. Do you have a non-fiction picture book about a remarkable woman you’d like to recommend?