PICTURE BOOK NONFICTION : A Doctor at Heart by Joan Schoettler & Steffi Walthall
A DOCTOR AT HEART The Story of Groundbreaking Scientist and Teacher Vivien Thomas written by Joan Schoettler, illustrated by Steffi Walthall Beach Lane Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-4814-7666-9 Source: Blue Slip Media & publisher Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own Book cover & summary & other information provided by Blue Slip Media & publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK A fascinating and inspiring picture book biography about Vivien Thomas, a pioneer of children’s heart surgery and trailblazer for Black people in STEM. Vivien Thomas always loved solving problems and figuring out how things worked. In high school, inspired by his family physician, he decided he would become a doctor. Despite losing his college savings during the 1930 bank panic, Vivien stayed dedicated to making his dream a reality, a trait that would serve him all his life. Vivien secured a lab assistant position at Vanderbilt University and later moved to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he and his me...