Peggy Thomas – författare

George Washington Carver was born into the violent era of slavery, yet he had big ideas. The first was to get an education. That meant leaving his Missouri home at a young age, washing people's clothes to pay for school, moving from town to town, and fleeing a lynch mob. Carver's second big idea was to serve others. After becoming the first black graduate from Iowa Agricultural College, Carver took a teaching position at the Tuskegee Institute founded by Booker T. Washington. Carver taught farmers how to nourish the soil, conserve waste, and feed their families. He developed hundreds of new products from the sweet potato, peanut, and other crops, and his discoveries gained him a place in the national spotlight. Today his concepts of conservation, zero waste, and plant-based products are on the cutting edge of science. George Washington Carver for Kids tells his inspiring story and includes a timeline, resources for further research, and 21 hands-on activities to better appreciate Carver's genius.

Finalist for the 2020 AAAS / Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Book exemplify outstanding and engaging science writing and illustration for young readers. George Washington Carver was a scientist, educator, artist, inventor, and humanitarian. Born into slavery during the Civil War, he later pursued an education and would become the first black graduate from Iowa Agricultural College. Carver then took a teaching position at the Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington. There, Carver taught poor Southern farmers how to nourish the soil, conserve resources, and feed their families. He also developed hundreds of new products from the sweet potato, peanut, and other crops, and his discoveries gained him a place in the national spotlight. George Washington Carver for Kids tells the inspiring story of this remarkable American. It includes a time line, resources for further research, and 21 hands-on activities to help better appreciate Carver''s genius. Kids will: Turn a gourd into a decorative bowlConstruct a model of a sod houseBrew ginger teaCreate paints using items found in natureGrow sweet potatoesBuild a compost bin for kitchen and yard wasteLearn how to pickle watermelon rindsAnd more!

School Library Journal Best Book of the YearNSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade BookAmerican Farm Bureau Foundation for Education Recommended Book Besides being a general and the first president of the United States, did you know that George Washington was also a farmer? Here's a look at America's first President as he's rarely seen.George Washington was the first leader of our country—but he was also an inventor, scientist, and the most forward-thinking farmer of his time.  As he worked to make the new country independent, he also struggled to create a self-sufficient farm at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Excerpts from Washington's writings are featured throughout this nonfiction picture book, which also includes a timeline, resource section, as well as essays on Washington at Mount Vernon and his thoughts on slavery. Both the author and illustrator worked closely with the staff of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens to render an accurate portrait of Farmer George at work.Nebraska Farm Bureau Children’s Agriculture Book of the YearOhio Farm Bureau’s Children’s Book AwardA Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Book of the YearKansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List

School Library Journal Best Book of the YearNSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade BookAmerican Farm Bureau Foundation for Education Recommended Book Besides being a general and the first president of the United States, did you know that George Washington was also a farmer? Here's a look at America's first President as he's rarely seen.George Washington was the first leader of our country—but he was also an inventor, scientist, and the most forward-thinking farmer of his time.  As he worked to make the new country independent, he also struggled to create a self-sufficient farm at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Excerpts from Washington's writings are featured throughout this nonfiction picture book, which also includes a timeline, resource section, as well as essays on Washington at Mount Vernon and his thoughts on slavery. Both the author and illustrator worked closely with the staff of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens to render an accurate portrait of Farmer George at work.Nebraska Farm Bureau Children’s Agriculture Book of the YearOhio Farm Bureau’s Children’s Book AwardA Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Book of the YearKansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List

American Farm Bureau Foundation for Education Recommended Book Thomas Jefferson was more than a president and patriot. He was also a planter and gardener who loved to watch things grow—everything from plants and crops to even his brand-new nation.As minister to France, Jefferson promoted all things American, sharing corn and pecans with his Parisian neighbors. As secretary of state, he encouraged his fellow farmers to grow olives, rice and maple trees. As president, he doubled the size of the nation with the Louisiana Purchase. Even in his retirement, Jefferson continued to nurture the nation, laying the groundwork for the University of Virginia. In this meticulously researched picture book for older readers, author Peggy Thomas uncovers Jefferson's passion for agriculture and his country. And Stacy Innerst's incredibly original illustrations offer the right balance of reverence and whimsy. This is Thomas Jefferson as he's never been seen before! Back matter includes an author's note on Jefferson's legacy today; timeline, bibliography; place to visit (Monticello); and source notes.

Meet Alice Dunnigan, a pioneering Black journalist, who spoke truth to power—and earned the respect of President Harry S. Truman. This inspiring nonfiction picture book for kids ages 7–10 is from award-winning author and illustrator Peggy Thomas and Tonya Engel.Alice Dunnigan knew all about injustice—she was the daughter of poor Black sharecroppers in Kentucky. But Alice also knew the key to fighting injustice was to speak out.At 13 years old, she wrote to a Black newspaper asking for a job—and got it! It was only the beginning. After many years of hard work as a teacher, a cleaner, a typist, and a journalist, Alice became the first Black woman in the Capitol Press Corp. But one person was still beyond her grasp, a person who needed to be held accountable: President Truman. Would he keep his promise to support civil rights for Black Americans? By scrimping and saving for a ticket on the president’s cross-country train tour, Alice was able to meet the president and win him over to her cause: justice.Alice Dunnigan used her words as a moving force, writing America toward justice, a journey beautifully captured by author Peggy Thomas and illustrator Tonya Engel.

Selected for the 2025 BolognaRagazzi Award: BRAW Amazing Bookshelf in the Sustainability category.A read-aloud, poetic introduction to forests for children aged 2-4 that, when unfolded, creates a forest-scape that is as long as a king-size bed! In this first book of forests for the very young, children are invited to experience how trees, like humans, talk to each other, care for each other, share food, and create a home together. The book further unfolds to showcase a lush temperate forest-scape, creating a true visualization of how trees are connected and form forest families. Back panels offer vivid illustrations of diverse forests environments around the world for a more global context, while secondary text offers more detailed, curricular information about tree science and the flora and fauna that rely on forest habitats. This artful and heart-warming introduction to forests and the new science of tree communication has a stunning accordion-style board-book format. Housed in a gift case with a magnetic closure, it opens up to create a forest-scape that is 2.47 metres or over eight-feet long – both a book to treasure and a beautiful, fold-out shelf display of a forest-scape, perfect for any child’s room.Ages 2-4