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Thorndyke Thoughts: Be Yourself, Part 2

Thorndyke the Bear Dressed as Frida Kahlo with a Cat

 

Hey Kids,

Sometimes it's hard to shed expectations and pre-conceived notions to just be who you are. Read on for many stories about people who defied stereotypes and limitations to be authentic. And don't forget to check out part 1 for even more great books about being yourself.

Bear Hugs,

Thorndyke

Boys do not cook, and girls cannot play sports--but in this book the pictures tell a different story.

This story imagines what it was like when Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass got together for a cup of tea and discussed their struggle for civil rights.

Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood

In this outer space adaptation of the fairy tale in rhyme, Cinderella dreams of becoming a spaceship mechanic.

Also available in: video

Follows a girl in the 1920s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there has never been a female drummer in Cuba. 

Zoom! by Robert N. Munsch

When Lauretta tries out a 92-speed, silver and gold, dirt-bike wheelchair, she gets a speeding ticket but also helps out her brother.

Phoebe and Digger by Tricia Springstubb

Phoebe enjoys playing with her new digger while her mother is busy with the new baby, until a bigger girl grabs the toy at the park.

Amelia Bloomer, who does not behave the way nineteenth-century society tells her a proper lady should, introduces pantaloons to American women to save them from the discomfort of their heavy, tight dresses.

Little Kunoichi, a young ninja in training, is frustrated. Inspired by tiny Chibi Samurai's practice and skills, she works harder than ever--and makes a friend. Together, they show the power of perseverance, hard work, and cooperation.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do.

Learn about Grace Hopper, who played a prominent role in the early days of computers.

A fire engine for Ruthie by Leslâea Newman

Ruthie's Nana suggests playing tea party and fashion show during their visit, but Ruthie is much more interested in the vehicles that a neighbor boy is playing with as they pass his house each day.

The cranky ballerina by Elise Gravel

Saturdays make Ada cranky because that's the day of her ballet class, and she hates ballet. But does she give up? Goodness, no!

Grace for president by Kelly DiPucchio

When Grace discovers that there has never been a female U.S. president, she decides to run for school president.

Looks at the inspiring story of Joan Procter, a pioneering female scientist who loved reptiles.

The paper bag princess by Robert N. Munsch
Also available in: video | e-video

Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps him. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald.

Describes the life of the children's book author and illustrator, conveying her life at Folly Cove, her love of dance, and how she was able to create images of machinery, including those used in her book, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel.

When Princess Sophie cannot get any sleep because of the noisy giant above her, she climbs a beanstalk to see if she can solve the problem.

Players in pigtails by Shana Corey
Also available in: e-audiobook | e-video

Katie Casey, a fictional character, helps start the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, in which women played professional baseball while America was involved in World War II.

Also available in: video | e-video

At 9 years old, Eugenie Clark developed an unexpected passion for sharks after a visit to the Battery Park Aquarium in New York City. Despite many obstacles in her path, Eugenie was able to study the creatures she loved so much. From her many discoveries to the shark-related myths she dispelled, Eugenie's wide scientific contributions led to the well-earned nickname.

The little red fort by Brenda Maier

Ruby wants to build a fort, but her three brothers refuse to help, so when the fort is finished Ruby will not let them join her-- until the boys come up with a few embellishments for the fort, like a mailbox, a garden, and a fresh coat of paint.

Lucía the luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza

When the boys on the playground tell her that girls can't be superheroes, Lucía is discouraged until her abuela reveals to her the power of the luchadoras.

Winnie Finn, worm farmer by Carol Brendler

Winnie Finn raises earthworms, which help her neighbors win prizes at the county fair. Includes instructions on making a worm farm.

Offers an illustrated telling of the story of Ada Byron Lovelace, from her early creative fascination with mathematics and science and her devastating bout with measles, to the ground-breaking algorithm she wrote for Charles Babbage's analytical engine.

Zephyr takes flight by Steve Light

A little girl who loves planes is sent to her bedroom for doing a loop-de-loop off the couch and finds a secret door leading to a room with real flying machines, and she sets off on an adventure.

Violet the pilot by Steve Breen

Young Violet's only friend is her dog, Orville, until one of her homemade flying machines takes her to the rescue of a Boy Scout troop in trouble.

Katherine Johnson by Thea Feldman

Details the life and career of the brilliant mathematician who worked at NASA and helped plan the trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo missions, including the one that landed a man on the moon.

Ada Twist, scientist by Andrea Beaty
Also available in: e-book | e-audiobook | video | e-video

Ada Twist is a very curious girl who shows perseverance by asking questions and performing experiments to find things out and understand the world.

In the Middle Ages, people believed that insects were evil, born from mud in a process called spontaneous generation. Maria Merian was only a child, but she disagreed. She watched carefully as caterpillars spun themselves cocoons, which opened to reveal summer birds, or butterflies and moths. Maria studied the whole life cycle of the summer birds, and documented what she learned in vibrant paintings. This is the story of one young girl who took the time to observe and learn, and in so doing disproved a theory that went all the way back to ancient Greece.

Hammer and nails by Josh Bledsoe

After her play date is cancelled, a young girl and her dad have a fun day tackling their to-do lists together.

Charlotte, a serious scientist and a bunny, uses the scientific method to solve her problem: being squished by her many brothers and sisters.

Offers an illustrated telling of the story of Bobby Gibb and how her persistence led her to become the first woman to finish the Boston Marathon in 1966.

Examines the life of the English novelist, describing her sense of humor, intelligence, strong opinions, and observations of life in rural England.

When her beloved Piggy is left in the dryer in the basement, Ava knows she'll have to face the ferocious monsters lurking in the dark if she wants to rescue her favorite stuffed animal. But don't underestimate Ava just because she's 'cute' and wears 'adorable glasses.'