HarperCollins Children’s Books has announced the forthcoming release of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch’s debut picture book, a collaboration with author Janie Nitze, illustrated by Chris Ellison, out next spring.
Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence will cover many influential figures in the creation of the founding document, ranging from George Washington and Benjamin Franklin to lesser-known figures such as Caesar Rodney and Thomas Paine.
“We wanted to share the human stories behind the document that changed everything—the Declaration of Independence,” Justice Gorsuch said in a statement. “So many brave yet often forgotten men, women, and children gave their hearts and sometimes their lives to the cause of independence. I hope children and families will be inspired as they step into the lives of who helped build our nation.”
Janie Nitze previously collaborated with Justice Gorsuch on the adult nonfiction titles Over Ruled and A Republic, If You Can Keep It. This is their first book for younger readers.
“Many children’s books explore the events leading to the Declaration of Independence, but the Declaration would never have come about without individuals who, at great personal risk, stood for a set of radical ideals,” Nitze said in a statement. “Our nation is rooted not only in those ideals but also in the character of those men and women. Their stories resonate as powerfully today as they did in 1776.”
Heroes of 1776 will hit shelves on May 5, 2026; Keith Urbahn and Matt Latimer at Javelin Literary sold world rights.
