Non Fiction Picture Books Teach History

Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture Books at Kidlit Frenzy.  Thanks to her hosting and sharing and those who add their posts, you can discover and celebrate terrific nonfiction picture books!  I always learn from these books, am happy that they are more and more available today for children, for everyone!

        It seems fitting to share this brand new book about the Stonewall Uprising. It is its fiftieth anniversary and it's Pride Month!

         This beautiful story is told by the famous Inn itself, from years as a two-building stable to becoming a historic landmark. It's a beautiful history of times changing, times we now celebrate for a month, then all year, too. Rob Sanders also wrote Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag.

         By the time of the automobile, Greenwich Village began to change, and the two buildings, previous stables, were joined and became Bonnie's Stone Wall restaurant. All kinds of people came to eat--celebrities, artisans, tourists, and locals. Years passed and jazz arrived, poets performed, the Beat movement became a 'thing'. Through these years, the Inn felt as if it was the center of the LGBTQ + civil rights movement, although it was not so named until more recently.

         Fifty years ago, June 28th, 1969, the Inn was raided by police, which often had happened. This time it was different. It was the night that empowered members of the LGBTQ+ community began to protest and demand their equal rights as citizens. They would NOT back down and demanded change. From that momentous night, people all over the country heard the cry and became inspired to protest. Beautifully historic and emotional illustrations by Jamey Christoph help the Inn tell its story.

early in its history

the emotions rising on that night

          The backmatter holds a brief history, some photographs of that night, an interview with Martin Boyce who was a participant that night, a glossary, and a list for further reading. 

         The Huffington Post shares about the book before its release here, with some actual news footage and information about efforts to ban books with LGBTQ themes for young readers. In that article, Sanders says: "“I want readers — children, teenagers and others — to take away the understanding that each of us has to stand up for ourselves and our rights, and that our efforts are stronger when we combine our energy and passion.” Those inspiring words are needed today in a variety of areas.