Stories

I am SO excited to finally share the most important book in my life with you. "I Am Jazz" was written by and about trans activist Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel. This book made me feel less alone when I first came out as my true self. I hope this helps you understand me a little better and opens a place in your heart for other transgender kids who need your support, now more than ever.

Order your copy from Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni's Room. Older readers will love "Being Jazz: My Life as a Transgender Teen," that can also be ordered from Giovanni's Room.

The TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation (TKPRF) aims to enhance the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families. We strive to create more acceptance and understanding in society through a message of unconditional love, awareness, and tolerance. Learn more and give here.

Learn about the youngest congress member in history, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and learn what it takes to be a visionary and general icon! From Advocate to Feminist, Grassroots to Queens, and Revolutionary to Zeal, The ABCs of AOC introduces readers to values, places, and issues that relate to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s life and platform. A clear and engaging explanation of each term is paired with a stunning, contemporary illustration that will delight readers. This is an alphabet book like no other thanks to Jamia Wilson and Krsytal Quiles.

Order your copy from The Lit. Bar in the Bronx.

While other girls play with dolls, Joan Procter and I prefer the company of our reptiles. She even brought a crocodile to school! When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the little known komodo dragon who would become her best friend. I hope you love Joan Procter’s inspiring story of passion and determination by Dr. Patricia Valdez and Felicita Sala

Order your copy from Solid State Books in Washington, DC.

Association for Women in Science is a global network that inspires bold leadership, research, and solutions that advance women in STEM, spark innovation, promote organizational success and drive systemic change. Give here or become a member.

Gloria Steinem started a movement that changed our world. This picture-book biography of the pioneering feminist brings the message of equality to a new generation. Using gorgeous watercolor illustrations, this biography of Gloria Steinem introduces young readers to the leader of the women's liberation movement.

Following her from childhood through her political awakening and beyond, Gloria's Voice explains Steinem's motivations and beliefs, as well as the obstacles she faced in fighting for women's rights. Throughout, debut author and artist Aura Lewis highlights Gloria's message of equality and the importance of believing in oneself. Every young person — but especially girls — will find inspiration in Gloria's journey and this timely biography.

Order your copy from A Mighty Girl.

At Equality Now challenges ingrained cultural assumptions and calls out inequality wherever we see it. Social change often begins with legal change and so they use the power of the law to create enduring equality for women and girls everywhere. Give here.

It's my first Women's History Month story! Join me for "Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver" written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Claire Almon. A little-known but fascinating and larger-than-life character, Mary Fields is one of the unsung, trailblazing African American women who helped settle the American West. A former slave, Fields became the first African American woman stagecoach driver in 1895, when, in her 60s, she beat out all the cowboys applying for the job by being the fastest to hitch a team of six horses. She won the dangerous and challenging job, and for many years traveled the badlands with her pet eagle, protecting the mail from outlaws and wild animals, never losing a single horse or package. Fields helped pave the way for other women and people of color to become stagecoach drivers and postal workers.

Order your copy from Estelita's Library in Seattle, Montana.

YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all, things Mary Fields stood for. Give here.

It's Dr. Seuss's birthday!!! To honor Dr. Seuss, I'm reading "Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!" which celebrates the imagination and encourages young readers to think . . . about thinking! And it was one of my favorite stories to read when I was a tiny little, helping me learn colors and basic counting along with encouraging my imagination.

Order your copy from Underground Books in Oak Park, California.

Since the closing of the only library in Oak Park in the 1970’s, Underground Books' mission has been to ensure that the students and the community had access to books. This week we're collecting for St. Hope, the nonprofit that runs the bookstore. Give here.

Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963, in this moving picture book that proves you’re never too little to make a difference. Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else.

So when she heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham’s segregation laws, she spoke up. As she listened to the preacher’s words, smooth as glass, she sat up tall. And when she heard the plan—picket those white stores! March to protest those unfair laws! Fill the jails!—she stepped right up and said, I’ll do it! She was going to j-a-a-il!

Audrey Faye Hendricks was confident and bold and brave as can be, and hers is the remarkable and inspiring story of one child’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Check out our friend LivBit's review of the book!

Order your copy from Beyond Barcodes Bookstore in Kokomo, IN.

This week we are sending donations to the Jefferson County Head Start program, where Audrey Hendricks worked in Birmingham. Give here.

We know her today as Harriet Tubman, but in her lifetime she was called by many names. As General Tubman she was a Union spy. As Moses she led hundreds to freedom on the Underground Railroad. As Minty she was a slave whose spirit could not be broken. As Araminta she was a young girl whose father showed her the stars and the first steps on the path to freedom.

An evocative poem and stunning watercolors come together to honor a woman of humble origins whose courage and compassion make her a larger than life hero. A lush and lyrical biography of Harriet Tubman, written in verse by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James Ransome, winner of the Coretta Scott King medal for The Creation.

Order your copy from Loyalty Bookstores in Baltimore.

This week we are raising money for Harriet Tubman Home. The Harriet Tubman Home is charged with sharing Harriet Tubman's core values with visitors through a guided tour of the property. On January 10, 2017 the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park was established.

There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.

Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

Order your copy from one of Jacqueline Woodson's favorite Black-owned independent bookseller Cafe Con Libros in the Bronx.

This week we are raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children realize their potential and build their futures by nurturing children and strengthening communities.

Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings, especially during a pandemic! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. Join me for "In My Heart: A Book of Feelings" by Jo Witek with illustrations by Christine Roussey. Stick around after the story to hear how I'm managing COVID times and to meet my dog, Jack!

This book is perfect to explore big feelings with pre-schoolers and young kids, but kids of all ages (including grownups) will love the whimsical drawings and imagery.

Order your copy from independent bookseller Elizabeth's Bookshop & Writing Centre.

This week we are raising money for Children's Defense Fund, an organization founded by Marian Wright Edelman that champions policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation.

We're excited to bring you our first story! This is one of my favorite books about a Very Special boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny. This story was written by JIll Twiss and was illustrated by EG Keller.

"Meet Marlon Bundo, a lonely bunny who lives with his Grampa, Mike Pence the former Vice President of the United States. But on this Very Special Day, Marlon's life is about to change forever...

With its message of tolerance and advocacy, this charming bunny book for kids explores issues of same sex marriage and democracy. Sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated, this better Bundo book is dedicated to every bunny who has ever felt different."

To purchase your own copy of "A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo" (it makes a GREAT gift), visit BetterBundoBook.com. 100 percent of Last Week Tonight's proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project and AIDS United. To learn more and to donate directly to these organizations, visit their websites at trevorproject.org and aidsunited.org.