New York City has been home to many amazing people: artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, Supreme Court justices and so many more. There are people who were born in New York City and became famous, and there are people born elsewhere who were drawn to New York City when they grew up.  New York is a diverse city filled with incredible people, and here are some books that will introduce young kids to a few of them.

Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

A vibrant picture book by an award-winning husband and wife team pays homage to a legendary African American jazz composer who, in his heyday, performed at the prestigious Cotton Club in Harlem and at Carnegie Hall.

 

 

 

When Paul Met Artie: The Story of Simon and Garfunkel by G. Neri, illustrated by David Litchfield

Long before they became one of the most beloved and successful duos of all time, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were just two kids growing up in Queens, New York—best friends who met in a sixth-grade production of Alice in Wonderland and bonded over girls, baseball, and rock'n'roll.

 

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Nancy Zhang

An empowering introductory portrait of the second female justice of the Supreme Court describes how she faced discrimination because of her gender throughout her education and working life, revealing how her efforts to show how discrimination hurts everyone helped promote new initiatives in the fight for equality.

 

Visiting Langston by Willie Perdomo, illustrated by Bryan Collier

A wonderful picture book introduction to a legendary American writer. "Today I'm going to wear My favorite pink blouse I'm going with my daddy To visit Langston's house." It's a special day when a little girl and her father go to visit the house where the great poet Langston Hughes lived—especially when the little girl is a poet herself! This rhythmic tale is a wonderful introduction to the work and world of Langston Hughes, who was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance and an American cultural hero.

 

Liberty's Voice: The Emma Lazarus Story by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Stacey Schuett

Emma Lazarus overcame the barriers of her day to become one of the leading poets of the nineteenth century. She used her celebrity to help the poor and impoverished immigrants of Eastern Europe. When the statue Liberty Enlightening the World came to the United States as a gift from France, it was Emma's poem "The New Colossus" that became forever connected with this American icon. Emma's words have served as a rallying call to generations of immigrants. 

 

Whaam! The Art and Life of Roy Lichtenstein by Susan Goldman Rubin

In the newest of Abrams’ award-winning line of picture book biographies of artists, Susan Goldman Rubin evocatively explores Roy Lichtenstein’s work and life and his groundbreaking influence on the art world. In Roy’s long career as a teacher, artist, and innovator, he changed the way that people thought about art and how artists thought about their subjects, challenging people to see familiar sights with new eyes.
 

Hi, I'm Norman: The Story of American Illustrator Norman Rockwell by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Wendell Minor

Norman Rockwell is best known for capturing the American spirit as a painter and illustrator in the late twentieth century. This beautifully illustrated, first-person narrative explores Rockwell&;s life in episodes based on important moments in American history. Norman Rockwell is not only a great American artist, but he also successfully chronicled two generations of American life, making him one of the most beloved and well-known American artists of all time.

 

Eleanor by Barbara Cooney

Though she came from a wealthy and privileged family, Eleanor Roosevelt grew up in a cheerless household that left her lonely and shy. Years passed before she began to discover in herself the qualities of intelligence, compassion, and strength that made her a remarkable woman. Barbara Cooney paints a meticulously researched, lushly detailed picture of Eleanor's childhood world—but most importantly, she captures the essence of the little girl whose indomitable spirit would make her one of the greatest and most beloved First Ladies of all time.

 

Star Stuff:  Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

Describes how a young Carl Sagan went to the 1939 World's Fair and subsequently dedicated his life to studying the universe, eventually becoming a renowned scientist who worked on the Voyager exploration missions in deep space.

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez

A biography of the first Puerto Rican—and third woman—Supreme Court justice emphasizes how she overcame childhood adversity in the South Bronx through her own and her mother's hard work and determination.

 

 

Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil DeGrasse Tyson by Kathleen Krull & Paul Brewer, illustrated by Frank Morrison

A picture-book biography of science superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson, the groundbreaking American astrophysicist whose work has inspired a generation of young scientists and astronomers to reach for the stars!

 

 

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Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.