Biographical sketches for young readers

Lottie Moon: The Girl Who Reached the World

Amy Whitfield
(B&H Kids 2023)

A Chinese panda character narrates the story of Lottie Moon, a feisty little girl from Virginia. At first, “Lottie did not believe the stories about Jesus were real,” but eventually she becomes one of the first single women from America to serve on the foreign mission field. Lottie shows the world that women can do ­missions work, too, both at home and abroad. Abroad, she teaches real-life lessons in “being all things to all people”: adapting her dress, baking cookies for the neighborhood, and reaching local women. Her letters home inspire American women to raise money for people in China, and churches today still collect Lottie Moon offerings at Christmastime. Ages 4-8

Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned To Pray

Hunter Beless
(The Good Book Company 2023)

In the latest installment of the Do Great Things for God series, Hunter Beless tells the classic missionary story of a ­little Amy Carmichael living in Ireland and praying for blue eyes. In time, Amy learns her brown eyes are part of God’s perfect plan because they help her reach the people of India for Christ. When Amy asks God to help her love the unlovable, He answers by leading her to rescue many orphaned Indian children from slavery. A helpful question guide at the end encourages young readers to record their own answered prayers in an “Ask and Receive Book” like Amy used. Ages 4-7

The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison

Raymond Arroyo
(Zonderkidz 2023)

Young Thomas Alva Edison has trouble ­paying attention in school and causes more than one catastrophe while working on his inventions—including setting the barn on fire. When his father gets sick of his endless ­questions and the schoolmaster calls him “addled,” Al’s mother still sees the light in him. She home­schools the young inventor, and Al uses his new freedom to read, hand-press his own newspaper, and, yes, cause another accidental fire. Bright kids who are prone to mischief or misunderstood by teachers may especially warm to this Edison biography, which features Kristina Gehrmann’s lovely, light-filled illustrations. Ages 6-10

Chef Edna: Queen of Southern Cooking

Melvina Noel
(Harry N. Abrams 2023)

Cozbi Cabrera’s breathtaking illustrations pair with Melvina Noel’s ­lilting text to introduce readers to renowned Southern chef Edna Lewis. By watching and helping her mother, Mama Daisy, little Edna learns the secrets of cookery, such as listening to a cake to hear whether it is done, measuring ingredients by using coins, and ­cutting biscuits with an upside-down glass. Edna eventually brings soul food to New York City, where she works as a sought-after chef. People who sample her Freetown, Va., recipes clean their plates and ask for more. Chef Edna may not be a household name (yet), but this book is a feast for the heart and eyes. Ages 4-8