Elizabeth Started All the Trouble

Elizabeth Started All the Trouble chronicles the long journey toward women's suffrage in America, beginning with Elizabeth Cady Stanton's early activism in 1840. The narrative follows key figures and events in the decades-long fight for women's voting rights, with Stanton serving as a central thread throughout the story. The book highlights multiple generations of women who contributed to the suffrage movement, including Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Alice Paul, and Lucy Stone. Through both text and illustrations, it documents their protests, speeches, and organizational efforts across different eras of American history. This illustrated history demonstrates how determination and collaborative effort can lead to fundamental social change. The book's exploration of civil rights, democracy, and equality remains relevant to contemporary discussions about voting rights and civic participation.

Readers appreciate how this children's book makes women's suffrage accessible and engaging for elementary students. Many note that it effectively connects Elizabeth Cady Stanton's work to other suffragists who followed, creating a clear timeline of the movement. Teachers mention using it successfully in grades 2-5 to introduce voting rights and civil disobedience. Parents highlight the detailed illustrations and digestible format for complex topics. Some readers point out that the broad historical scope means certain figures and events receive limited coverage. A few reviewers wanted more depth on the racial divisions within the suffrage movement. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (89 reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (6 reviews) Sample review: "Perfect introduction to women's suffrage for young readers. The illustrations draw kids in while the text provides just enough detail without overwhelming." - Goodreads reviewer

Around America to Win the Vote by Lisa Sideri This picture book follows suffragists Nell Richardson and Alice Burke on their 1916 cross-country car journey to campaign for women's rights.

Miss Paul and the President by Dean Robbins The story chronicles Alice Paul's protests and persistence in convincing President Woodrow Wilson to support women's suffrage.

The Voice That Won the Vote by Elisa Boxer This book reveals how Febb Burn's letter to her son led to Tennessee's ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Bold & Brave: Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote by Kirsten Gillibrand The book presents profiles of ten suffragists who fought for women's voting rights through different methods and perspectives.

The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson This true story follows nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks's participation in the 1963 Birmingham Children's March for civil rights.

★ Elizabeth Started All the Trouble traces women's suffrage back to Abigail Adams, who famously wrote to her husband John Adams in 1776 asking him to "Remember the Ladies" as he helped create laws for the new nation. ★ Author Doreen Rappaport has written over 50 children's books focusing on important historical figures and events, particularly highlighting stories of social justice and civil rights. ★ The book's illustrator, Matt Faulkner, deliberately included details showing anti-suffragist protesters in his artwork to demonstrate the strong opposition the movement faced. ★ The title refers to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who organized the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY in 1848 - 72 years before women finally won the right to vote. ★ The woman suffrage movement in America lasted longer than most children are alive before achieving success - it took 144 years from Abigail Adams's letter until the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920.