Picture books are endlessly fascinating to me. They can be amazing in completely different ways — or awful in completely different ways! The ones that bring historical topics to the attention of children are just one subset of picture books that I love to borrow from the library. Today I want to highlight three picture books about doctors who made a huge difference in medical history: Dr. John Snow (1813-1858), Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995), and Dr. Patricia Bath (1942-2019).

Evidence!: How Dr. John Snow Solved the Mystery of Cholera by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Nik Henderson (Alfred A. Knopf, 2024)

This picture book is centered on one key date in the history of public health: September 8, 1854 when Dr. John Snow convinced the community to stop using the Broad Street pump in London, England. Through observation, studying maps, knocking on doors, and asking questions he had become convinced that cholera was being spread through the water supply. I love how this book traces his search for evidence in a race against time. The serious, murky illustrations give a historical feel to the book. At the end are found a further explanation of the Broad street cholera outbreak, a brief biography (and photo) of Dr. Snow, and a list of eight major infectious diseases with their causes. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Lisa Anchin (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2020)

Jonas Salk was a boy who loved to read and wanted to make the world a better place. Raised in New York City by Jewish parents who had fled persecution in Russia and Lithuania, he went on to become a doctor and researcher who worked on vaccines. This book describes the fear of polio that kept people away from beaches, swimming pools, and crowded places like movie theatres. It explains how doctors killed the polio virus with chemicals so it couldn’t cause disease and then used the inactive virus to make a vaccine. It acknowledges the millions of children who tested the vaccine and it celebrates its success. The illustrations are kid-friendly but not silly. The author’s note gives her experience with polio and her research into Dr. Jonas Salk’s life. Photos of thank you letters that children sent to Dr. Salk are a nice touch. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley (The Innovation Press, 2017)

Dr. Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist who pioneered laser cataract surgery. This picture book for a young audience emphasizes how she persevered to get an education and work to prevent blindness despite the obstacles she faced due to her race and gender. Unfortunately I found the rhyming text and use of all caps a bit off-putting and the illustrations cartoonish. The author includes information from her conversation with Dr. Bath, a timeline of her life, a two-page bio (with photos), and a list of print, video, and online resources. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.