Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor

Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor, written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Alexandra Bye, introduces young readers to the life of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the prominent figure who guided the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This picture book follows Fauci’s journey from his childhood as the son of an Italian pharmacist in Brooklyn to his work on the front lines of the pandemic. Messner highlights how Fauci’s childhood passions and his close family relationships shaped his career, underscoring the traits—such as curiosity and empathy—that helped him succeed. The book also emphasizes the importance of COVID-19 safety protocols in protecting loved ones. Bye’s soft, animated illustrations set the emotional tone, with vibrant colors depicting Fauci’s childhood and muted tones conveying the pandemic’s somber reality. Based on interviews with Fauci, the book encourages children to pursue their passions and reinforces the significance of new voices in medicine and science.