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An incredible true story of determination, hard work and big dreams, Sweet Dreams, Sarah tells the inspirational story of Sarah E. Goode—entrepreneur, inventor and among the first African-American women to be awarded a US patent. Sarah grew up a slave and dreamed of so much more. After the abolition of slavery, Sarah moved to Chicago to build a life for herself and her family. She built furniture and opened a shop to serve her local community. Sarah listened to her customers, and soon realized they needed something brand new: a piece of furniture that was innovative and space saving. Through grit and determination Sarah achieved things she previously had only dreamed of—sweet dreams that became a reality.

Sweet Dreams, Sarah is written by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Chris Ewald and published by Creston Books. 


The true story of Sarah E Goode, who was among the first African-American women awarded a US patent.

Sweet Dreams, Sarah

Everyone's Reading

From a young age Laura Wheeler Waring loved art. Growing up, she didn’t see any artists who looked like her, or even any paintings of people who looked like her. Using her family members as models, Laura painted and painted, filling the walls of her room like the walls of a gallery. Using her paints, she was fascinated by all the rich colors that combined to create the beautiful shades of brown she saw in her family members. While studying art in Paris, she was inspired by famous painters who captured the people around them. She decided she too wanted to paint who she knew best, people with beautiful brown skin that she never saw in paintings as a child. Today, Laura’s artwork hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. Now everyone can admire the beautiful shades of brown she captured.

A wonderful true story of creativity and being true to one’s self, Beautiful Shades of Brown is both inspirational and educational. Beautiful Shades of Brown is written by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Felicia Marshall, and published by Creston Books.


Laura Wheeler Waring discovered an entire rainbow within the beautiful shades of brown she painted.

Beautiful Shades of Brown

Poetry

Dreamscape

We know her today as Harriet Tubman, but in her lifetime she was called by many names. As General Tubman she was a Union spy. As Moses she led hundreds to freedom on the Underground Railroad. As Minty she was a slave whose spirit could not be broken. 

An evocative poem and iconographic animation come together to honor a woman of humble origins whose courage and compassion make her larger than life.

People know her today as Harriet Tubman, but in her lifetime she was called by many names. This video honors a woman of humble origins whose courage and compassion make her larger than life.

Before She Was Harriet

New Books

In the City

In the great city of New Orleans, Cornelius keeps the streets sparkling clean. When his truck rolls up to each home, Cornelius sashays to the curb. He flings bags over his head, behind his back, between his legs—and they land in the hopper in a perfect pyramid. Just like the garbage can lids he whirls on his fingers, Cornelius spins and twirls. And everyone dances along.

But then the storm comes. The city fills with water. People, parks, and playgrounds wash away. Can Cornelius alone tackle the mountains of ruins, stacked as high as the steeple of St. Louis Cathedral? Or will it take millions of people like him to put the great city back together?

Marvelous Cornelius is an ode to a real man who embodied the true spirit of New Orleans—full of energy, vibrance, and gusto. The story highlights themes of perseverance and the power of the human spirit. Written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books.

In the great city of New Orleans, Cornelius keeps the streets sparkling clean. But then the great storm rolls in.

Marvelous Cornelius

As slaves relentlessly toiled in an unjust system in 19th century Louisiana, they all counted down the days until Sunday, when, at least for half a day, they were briefly able to congregate in Congo Square in New Orleans. There, they were free to set up an open market, sing, dance, and play music. They were free to forget their cares, their struggles, and their oppression. 

This poetic, nonfiction story about this little-known piece of African American history chronicles the daily duties of such slaves-from chopping logs on Mondays to baking bread on Wednesdays to plucking hens on Saturday-and builds to the freedom of Sundays and the special experience of an afternoon spent in Congo Square, capturing humanity's capacity to find hope and joy even in the most difficult of circumstances and demonstrating how New Orleans' Congo Square was truly freedom's heart.

This poetic non-fiction story about a little known piece of African American history captures humanity’s capacity to find hope and joy even in difficult circumstances.

Freedom in Congo Square

Read Along With Vooks

Nature

Wangari, grew up in Kenya, surrounded by beautiful trees. Years later, after returning home from college, she is shocked to see entire forests cut down. The land is barren and the people in the villages are suffering. She knows that if trees could return, then the land and people would flourish once again. Starting small, Wangari plants nine seedlings in her own backyard. Soon, women from her village, and beyond, are joining in! The movement grows. Despite being mocked, and even thrown in jail, Wangari’s determination and vision inspire change across Africa and even the world. 

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa, is a message of strength, determination and responsibility for the environment around us. The empowering true story of Wangari Maathai, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is sure to inspire future generations. Through Wangari’s example we learn that one person can truly make a difference and impact the world. 

Wangari's Trees of Peace is written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.


Through Wangari’s example we learn that one person can truly make a difference and impact the world.

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa

Hailing from the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. Here, follow Andrews as he fulfills his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds, and becomes an international star. 

Based on the 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, Trombone Shorty is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music.

The award-winning autobiography of jazz artist Trombone Shorty comes to life in this vibrant video.

Trombone Shorty

Be Caring and Kind

Vooks at a Glance

Sweet people can be found all over the globe—from Canada to Congo to Cuba, from Afghanistan to Australia, from Ireland to Iraq—there are sweet people in the thirty-seven places listed in these pages, and all over the entire planet. Take a trip through the lines of this large-hearted poem by Alice Walker and meet some of them!

An ode to humanity, Walker’s heartening message is celebrated through Quim Torres’ deeply felt illustrations. Walker’s beautiful poem locates the “sweet people” who can be found all over the world. The poem addresses a young boy getting his first passport, then taking the boy—and the reader—on a journey around the globe in a powerful celebration of humanity and generosity of spirit that is inspiring, timely, and timeless.

Sweet People Are Everywhere features a poem by Internationally renowned writer and activist Alice Walker. She was the first African American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her novel The Color Purple. The best selling book is illustrated by award-winning illustrator Quim Torres, and published by Tra Publishing.

Take a journey around the globe to discover different countries and the sweet people in them.

Sweet People Are Everywhere

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

Familius Presents

From Abraham Lincoln to Rosa Parks, Courageous People Who Changed the World is a perfect introduction to historical figures who stood up to make a difference in the world. The heroic true stories are told through simple text and engaging illustrations, sure to become an instant favorite for young audiences. Featured are William Wilberforce, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malala Yousafzai. Each story will inspire courage, determination, and a belief that anyone can change the world.

Courageous People Who Changed the World is written by Heidi Poelman, illustrated by Kyle Kershner and published by Familius.

The perfect introduction to historical figures who stood up to make a difference in the world.

Courageous People Who Changed the World

Martha Washington grew up on a farm. Dolley Madison helped her mom run a boarding house. Eleanor Roosevelt became an orphan when she was nine years old. But like so many women before them, they didn’t let their circumstances determine who they’d be. They read, and they wrote. They taught, and they listened. And they left a mark on the world that we still see today in our parks, schools, and workplaces.

From Washington to Obama, come learn from eleven courageous women who did their best to make change for the better. Will you change the world in your own way? And when you do, will your name be listed next to theirs? The whole world is waiting to find out.

Courageous First Ladies Who Changed the World is an introduction to some incredible women who used their time in the White House to help others. Written by Heidi Poelman and illustrated by Giovana Medeiros, the book explores themes of selflessness, perseverance, humility, and the importance of learning. Published by Familius.

Can anyone change the world? These presidential women thought so—and they’ve got the life stories to prove it.

Courageous First Ladies Who Changed The World

Can one girl's curiosity change the world? It did a few hundred years ago, when Maria Sibylla Merian advanced science by drawing super-detailed pictures of insects and plants. And it did almost a thousand years ago, when Hildegard of Bingen figured out that water must be cleaned before people can drink it. And it did again with Jane Cooke Wright, and again with Linda Buck, and again with Barbara McClintock, and again, and again, and again. 

What scientific question do you have? And what’s your best guess—your hypothesis—for what you think might be the answer? Your curiosity might lead you somewhere incredible. Who knows? It might even change the world.

Introducing the basics of biology with topics like cells, DNA, genes, research, experiments, and more, Women in Biology is the first book in the “Science Wide Open” series. The story answers complex ideas in a way that’s both accurate and approachable, challenging readers to begin their own journey of discovery and wonder. Written by Mary Wissinger, illustrated by Danielle Pioli, created and edited by John Coveyou, and published by Science, Naturally!

Can one girl's curiosity change the world? It’s not really a question of if—it’s a question of how.

Women In Biology

Vooks Originals

Every kid in Little Craig’s town wants the exact same thing: a shiny, yellow 10-speed bike! After lots of chores and lots of homework, Craig's dreams come true and his mom buys him the prized bicycle. He's off to the races, wheeling around town as happy as can be. Until, a fateful encounter finds a police officer questioning Craig about where he got his new bike. Things suddenly take a turn for the worse, and he is accused of something he didn't do.﻿

Based on a true story, this Little Craig book teaches the lesson of rising above. That's the lesson Craig Robinson learned in real-life, when a police officer assumed he'd stolen his new bike. Craig's mom Marian Robinson, always protective and supportive of her son, helped set the record straight—eventually getting an apology from the officer—and helped Craig learn the hard reality of prejudice and racism, and the importance of rising above. As Craig Robinson explains in an author's note at the end of the book: ﻿"No one can make you feel bad if you feel good about yourself."﻿

A Vooks Original, Little Craig: The Yellow Bike teaches about rising above what other people might think. Based on a true story, the book is written by Craig Robinson and Leslie Harter, and Illustrated by Jonathan Sundy.

Little Craig has a new bike and loves riding it around town! But when he's accused of something he didn't do, he learns an important lesson.

Little Craig: The Yellow Bike

Honor the history and achievements of African Americans with this collection of biographies and stories featuring African, Afro Brazilian, and African American children and families.