History is all around us—especially in books! 

Created with K-3 students and educators in mind, our Carolina Cover-to-Cover program seamlessly connects ELA and Social Studies through a curated list of picture books and accompanying story guides.

How does it work?

Each month Carolina Cover-to-Cover features a book and story guide that connects to topics in North Carolina history. Educators may then check out the featured book from their school or local library and use the Carolina Cover-to-Cover guide to share lessons from that book. Each story guide provides a historical overview, primary sources, vocabulary words, discussion questions, and activities for students to complete.

Registered teachers will receive an email (like this sample) the first Thursday of each month during the school year. If any of the books or topics interest you, just complete the form below and we’ll take care of the rest. Like all BEYOND The Exhibits programs: it’s that simple!

2023–2024 Selections

  • My Great-Aunt Arizona, by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb (Harper Collins, March 1997)
  • Hello Lighthouse, by Sophie Blackall, author and illustrator (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition, April 10, 2018)
  • Farmhouse, by Sophie Blackall, author and illustrator (Little, Brown, and Company, September 2022)
  • Stolen Words, by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (Second Story Press, September 2017)
  • Winter Is the Warmest Season, by Lauren Stringer, author and illustrator (HMH Books for Young Readers, October 1, 2006)
  • My Family Plays Music, by Judy Cox and illustrated by Elbrite Brown (Holiday House; Anniversary Edition, November 2018)
  • Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream, by Deloris Jordan with Roslyn M. Jordan and illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, November 2003)
  • Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Hadley Hooper (Candlewick Press, 2016)
  • A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa, by Andrea D’Aquino, author and illustrator (Princeton Architectural Press; Illustrated Edition, September 3, 2019)
  • Freedom Summer, by Deborah Wiles and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue (Aladdin Paperbacks, January 2001)