In chronological order, let’s learn about more historical figures who saved lives and changed the world. Today we have picture books about Clara Barton (1821-1912), Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), Frederick Banting (1891-1941), and June Almeida (1930-2007).

Clara and Davie: The True Story of Young Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross by Patricia Polacco (Scholastic Press, 2014)

I was surprised to find this picture book because Patricia Polacco’s books are usually inspired by her childhood and family background, but it turns out she is distantly related to Clara Barton! Clara and Davie tells the story of Clara Barton’s childhood, especially her relationship with her adored older brother who protected her when she was mocked for her lisp. It focuses on her love for plants and animals and her skill at healing. The climax of the story is when she encourages her brother to walk again after several years convalescing from two broken legs. The book features Polacco’s beloved illustrations and ends with biographical information and photographs. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur by Spencer Johnson (Value Communications, 1975)

This book appears quite dated, but I actually recommend it! All I really knew about Louis Pasteur was that he invented pasteurization, but this book shows how he developed a cure for rabies. It begins with Pasteur’s search for the “invisible enemies” that cause disease, then shifts to the story of a little boy in Germany who got rabies after being bit by a dog fourteen times. The two stories come together when Joey’s parents bring him to France and he is the first person to be injected with the rabies vaccine. The book uses cartoons and the metaphor of “magical soldiers” to explain how the vaccine saved Joey’s life. More information about Pasteur’s life and work appears at the end, including that fact that the little boy he saved (Joseph Meister) later became a gatekeeper at the Pasteur Institute. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Angela Poon (Owlkids, 2021)

In the style of a graphic novel, this 50-page book tells the story of Frederick Banting’s research and lab experiments to discover insulin and test it’s use in diabetic subjects, ultimately saving millions of lives. I thought it was well done with the illustrations not too cartoonish. The serious subject matter, including the deaths of many dogs used in the experiments, means it won’t appeal to all kids. I appreciated that the author ended with more information about type 1 diabetes, Banting and Best’s work, and the ethical dilemma of using animals for medical research (along with a few photos and a list of sources). Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

June Almeida, Virus Detective!: The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (Sleeping Bear Press, 2021)

I must admit, I wasn’t too keen to read about a coronavirus, but I’m glad I picked up this book. June Almeida could not afford to go to college but got a job in a hospital lab and ended up becoming an expert at using electron microscopes. Along with discovering the first human coronavirus in 1964, she took the first picture of the rubella virus, and authored or co-authored over one hundred science papers. I thought the illustrations were a nice balance of playful and informative, while the text succinctly explained the complicated process of taking pictures of a virus. Biographical information, photographs, timeline, and selected sources complete the book. Recommended for ages 8 to 11.