Ordinary People Change the World Books in Order

Told in Lincoln’s own voice, this picture book shows Abraham as a boy who hates seeing animals and people bullied. From defending a turtle to speaking out against slavery, his story invites young readers to see how small acts of courage can grow into world changing leadership.

Albert Einstein appears here as a curious, slightly odd kid who cannot stop asking questions. A simple childhood moment with a compass sparks his lifelong fascination with how the world works, encouraging young readers to see curiosity as a superpower rather than a problem.

Young Amelia Earhart builds a homemade roller coaster in her backyard, crashes hard and gets back up smiling. Through playful art and simple text, this biography follows her from daring kid to record breaking pilot, emphasizing independence and the joy of refusing to accept limits.

This child friendly biography introduces Rosa Parks as a girl who stands up to bullies and unfair rules long before the Montgomery bus boycott. Her story focuses on quiet strength, fairness and the idea that even a small, calm "no" can change a nation.

Told in a warm first person voice, this picture book traces Helen Keller’s journey from a frustrated child who cannot see or hear to a determined student who learns language with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. It stresses patience, persistence and the idea that disabilities do not define a person’s potential.

Jackie Robinson tells his own story as a kid who loved sports but hated unfair rules. From childhood games to breaking baseball’s color barrier, the book highlights his courage, restraint and belief that standing up to injustice can open doors for others.

This playful biography presents Lucille Ball as a girl who loves making people laugh, even when adults tell her to be serious. Following her from stage flubs to television fame, it shows how hard work and a willingness to look silly can change what audiences expect from women on screen.

From a boy who loved the outdoors to a leader carrying the weight of a new country, George Washington shares his story in kid friendly language. The book touches on honesty, responsibility and the hard choices he faced as a general and first president.

Jane Goodall appears here as an animal loving child who dreams of living with wild creatures. Following her to the forests of Africa, the book shows how patience, careful watching and kindness toward chimpanzees led to discoveries that changed how we see animals and ourselves.

Martin Luther King Jr. describes his childhood in the segregated South, his discovery of nonviolent protest and his dream of a fairer America. Simple scenes and gentle humor help young readers grasp big ideas about equality, courage and speaking up.

Told from Mahatma Gandhi’s point of view, this picture book traces his journey from shy student to leader of a nonviolent movement against British rule in India. The focus stays on peaceful protest, moral courage and the power of refusing to answer violence with more violence.

This biography introduces Jim Henson as a creative kid who loved drawing, puppets and making his friends laugh. It follows him through the birth of the Muppets and children’s television, celebrating imagination, collaboration and the idea that stories can make the world a little kinder.

Sacagawea tells how she was kidnapped as a child, later joined the Lewis and Clark expedition and helped guide the explorers across unfamiliar land. Written for young readers, her story emphasizes resilience, practical knowledge and the importance of Native voices in American history.

Harriet Tubman recounts her escape from slavery and her brave journeys back into the South to lead others to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The story keeps the focus on bravery, faith and the determination to help people even when it is dangerous.

From a boy building model airplanes to an astronaut stepping onto the Moon, Neil Armstrong’s life is framed as a series of small, brave steps. This biography highlights curiosity, practice and the teamwork behind one giant leap for humankind.

Sonia Sotomayor shares how growing up in a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx, managing diabetes and loving books led her toward the law. The book shows her path from neighborhood kid to Supreme Court Justice, stressing perseverance and belief in equal justice.

Billie Jean King tells how a competitive California kid with a borrowed racket became a champion who fought for equal treatment in sports. The story weaves tennis highlights with her push for women’s rights, showing that fairness on and off the court matters.

Designed for little hands, this board book uses Martin Luther King Jr.’s story to explain what it means to be brave. Short text and friendly art link his marches and speeches to small, kid sized acts of standing up for what is right.

Centering on Jane Goodall, this board book celebrates caring for animals and the environment. Toddlers see her gentle work with chimpanzees and are invited to practice kindness toward pets, people and the natural world around them.

Marie Curie narrates her journey from a curious child in Poland who loved science to a pioneering physicist who discovered new elements. The story simplifies complex ideas, emphasizing hard work, careful experiments and the importance of education for girls.

This sturdy board book introduces toddlers to Rosa Parks as a symbol of quiet strength. Using simple words and bright art, it connects her decision to stay seated on a bus with everyday moments when little readers can stand strong for themselves and others.

A board book adaptation of the Amelia Earhart biography, this title shows the trailblazing pilot as a determined child who keeps trying new things even after she falls. It encourages very young readers to see persistence and daring as part of everyday life.

Walt Disney appears as a restless boy who loves drawing more than anything. From sketching farm animals to building an animation studio and a theme park, this book focuses on imagination, persistence and learning from failure instead of giving up.

Anne Frank recounts her childhood, her family’s decision to hide from the Nazis and her time in the Secret Annex, all in an age appropriate way. The emphasis stays on her love of writing, her hopes for the future and her belief in the goodness of people even in dark times.

From printing apprenticeships to kites in thunderstorms, Benjamin Franklin’s life is presented as one long series of questions and experiments. This biography highlights his inventions, writing and public service while inviting kids to see problem solving as something fun.

Using Albert Einstein’s life as a model, this board book shows how asking questions and wondering how things work can lead to big discoveries. Simple scenes and interactive prompts invite young children to explore, tinker and stay curious.

Leonardo da Vinci tells kids about his love of taking things apart, sketching machines and studying nature. The book moves from his childhood experiments to his paintings and inventions, encouraging readers to mix art and science and to stay curious about how everything works.

Frida Kahlo introduces herself as a spirited Mexican girl who endures illness and injury yet refuses to stop creating art. Through bold illustrations, the book shows how she turned pain, culture and imagination into paintings that still speak to people around the world.

Architect I. M. Pei tells how a boy who loved building toy structures grew up to design famous buildings like glass pyramids and striking museums. The story underlines patience, precision and the idea that good design can change how people experience a city.

Oprah Winfrey’s story begins in a small Southern town, where books and speaking up offered a way forward from hardship. This biography follows her path through local radio and television to a nationally known talk show host and philanthropist, stressing empathy, listening and using your voice to help others.

Dolly Parton appears as a girl from the Smoky Mountains who loved singing more than anything. This biography traces her journey to Nashville and beyond while highlighting generosity, creativity and the way she uses her success to give back, especially through books for kids.

Malala Yousafzai shares how she grew up in Pakistan loving school, even when extremists tried to shut classrooms down. The book gently covers the attack that nearly killed her and her recovery, focusing more on her continued fight for girls’ education around the world.

From a stolen bicycle to Olympic gold and heavyweight titles, Muhammad Ali’s life is told with humor and heart. Young readers see his quick wit, refusal to back down and decision to stand by his beliefs, even when it cost him dearly.

John Lewis tells his story from preaching to chickens on his family farm to leading nonviolent protests during the civil rights movement. The book highlights his moral courage, his work on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and his belief in "good trouble" as a path to change.

Fred Rogers appears as a shy, thoughtful child who turns his feelings into music, puppets and stories. This biography traces how he created his neighborhood on television, focusing on kindness, listening and helping children name and handle their emotions.

Temple Grandin explains how growing up autistic made the world feel overwhelming at times, but also helped her see patterns others missed. Through her love of animals and engineering, she redesigned livestock facilities and became a strong voice for neurodiversity, showing kids that different ways of thinking have real value.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg recounts how a book loving girl from Brooklyn became a lawyer battling unfair laws and eventually a Supreme Court Justice. The story emphasizes hard work, careful reasoning and her quiet but firm insistence that "women belong in all places where decisions are being made."

Sally Ride tells young readers about her love of science, tennis and space. From answering a newspaper ad to joining NASA’s astronaut corps, this book shows how she became the first American woman in space and later worked to inspire girls to pursue STEM careers.

This group biography follows John, Paul, George and Ringo from awkward early gigs to worldwide fame as The Beatles. Aimed at kids, it focuses on friendship, practice and the idea that working together can create something bigger than any one person could manage alone.