Kids' Home Library by Lee Littlewood

These profound books pay homage to heroic slaves, African-American inventors and American presidents.

"Freedom Song: The Story of Henry 'Box' Brown" by Sally M. Walker; illustrated by Sean Qualls; HarperCollins; 32 pages; $17.99.

This true story's chronicle of a young man's daring escape from slavery is amazing and heartfelt. In 1849, Henry Brown, helped by friends, climbed inside a wooden box and survived the perilous journey from Richmond, Va., to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was freed. A copy of the actual letter, penned by the man who received Henry's box at the Antislavery Office, is included, and it is on file with the New York Historical Society.

Walker's singsong story, full of Henry's freedom and tobacco-work songs, has a homey, Southern twang and a read-aloud lushness. Qualls' old-fashioned, whimsical illustrations portray plenty of emotion and strength, with lots of family background thrown in. Still unknown is whether Brown ever found his wife and children, sent to another plantation.

A fabulous choice for reading during Black History Month, "Freedom Song" is written to be easily relatable to early elementary grade students.

"What Color is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld; illustrated by Ben Boos and A.G. Ford; Candlewick Press; 40 pages; $17.99.

This sturdy, informative book features little-known, unsung black inventors and innovators behind discoveries like the light bulb, open-heart surgery and the ice cream scoop. Designed as a personal learning journey starring 13-year-old twins Herbie and Ella, this unique book follows the siblings' discoveries and surprises in what they learn.

Many of the page spreads feature flaps that open to reveal background information about each inventor. Lonnie Johnson, for example, invented the Super Soaker, which appeals to young readers, but he's also behind critical solar energy innovations. Dr. Charles Drew was a star athlete who then developed the concept of large-scale blood banks, while Dr. Valerie L. Thomas was instrumental in developing 3-D technology.

Why did the NBAs all-time leading scorer feel compelled to do this book? Abdul-Jabbar is dedicated to bringing history and social studies to children.

"The Camping Trip that Changed America" by Barb Rosenstock; illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein; Dial Books for Young Readers; 32 pages; $16.99.

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt joined naturalist John Muir on a California camping trip to discuss the perils of keeping our nation's wilderness unprotected.

The pair camped together on their own telling stories and enjoying the grand Sequoias and the natural wonders of Yosemite. They enjoyed fresh snowfalls and rode on horseback past the Half Dome and El Capitan mountains and told stories about experiences with grizzly bears. The last night of their journey, John Muir persuaded the president to enact laws to keep the parks wild forever with the understanding that citizens could be free to enjoy them.

Thank goodness for Muir and Roosevelt. Without them who knows how much further our forests, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks would be destroyed? Young readers will enjoy the book's ending — Muir is buried under cedar trees in his hometown, and Roosevelt lies under sugar maples in his New York family plot.

A fantastically entertaining read with an author's note and extra information, "The Camping Trip that Changed America" is "a little-known slice of history that forever shaped America's wildernesses."

"George: George Washington, Our Founding Father" by Frank Keating; paintings by Mike Wimmer; Simon & Schuster; 32 pages; $16.99.

A beautiful, strong picture book, Keating's first-person telling of how George Washington came to be the first leader of the United States is woven with Washington's own quotes. By the time he was 15, George had handwritten for himself the "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation" — his rather precocious rules to live by.

Clearly written text chronicles the story of Washington's childhood, education and war experiences. It eventually describes in easy-to-understand writings how he came to be president. Each page spread features one of his rules, such as Rule 56: "Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

Wimmer's incredibly detailed, extensively researched oil paintings are lifelike enough to be photographical. His pages make George Washington real for young readers, who will begin to see history as "real life." Best of all — "George" is down to earth and accessible enough for youngsters.

KIDBITS

"Words Set Me Free," is a gorgeous picture book by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome, (Simon & Schuster), that shows how the power of writing helped set young slave Frederick Douglass free.

"Worst of Friends" by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain and Larry Day, (Dutton/Penguin), tells "The True Story of an American Feud" between pals Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

Now revised and updated, the popular "So You Want to be President?" by Judith St. George and David Small, (Philomel/Penguin) is a Caldecott Medal winning picture book, now updated for the 2012 election.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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