biography picture books

Trending Post : Books Made Into Movies

75 Best Picture Book Biographies for Kids, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links.

I love introducing kids to ordinary people who did amazing things by reading picture book biographies for kids. Don’t you? These biographies for kids are inspirational narrative nonfiction texts that are written like a story, appealing to children with beautiful illustrations.

I chose these books after reading thousands of picture books and understanding what children like because my background isn’t only in book reviews but in education. Plus, I’m a parent of two. I update this book list with the best newly published books, with the most recent update in November 2023.

A reading strategy I like to use with children reading nonfiction is connecting to background knowledge. As you read these biographies, both picture books for preschool and elementary ages, as well as biographical story collections for upper elementary and middle school, help your kids connect to what they’re reading. 

Start with prompts like:

How are you like or not like this person?

Do you know someone who is like this person?

What other biographies or famous people does this person remind you of?

Reading biographies is informative and instructive. We learn more about people which helps us learn more about ourselves– who we are and who we want to be.

The Best Picture Book Biographies for Kids

Table of Contents:

Artists and Musicians

Famous americans.

• More Picture Books & Biography Collections

STEM (Scientists, coders, engineers, and mathematicians)

Stand as Tall as the Trees : How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest written by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau, illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo ACTIVIST Beautifully crafted with emotional resonance, get inspired by this true story of Patricia Gualinga’s life. Paty is a Kichwa girl who lives deep in the rain forest of Ecuador; a place alive with “trees towering, vines winding, and frogs singing” and the mystical beings who rule the forest — the Amazanga. Paty moves to the noisy city for her education. But when Paty’s forest home is destroyed by a greedy company, she helps her people gather, unite, and protest, making the destructive company leave the forest! Heartfelt writing and luminous illustrations make this a memorable biography (autobiography) that shows how one person can make a difference in the world!

Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Arigon Starr Learn about two Native baseball players who loved the game but endured huge racism from everywhere — name calling, derogatory chants, and more. Charles Bender and John Meyers were groundbreaking athletes. You’ll read their history and how they got to the 1911 World Series. Interesting and important.

More Picture Book Biographies & Collections

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

Similar Posts

8 New Middle Grade Books, Sept 2023

Ultimate Teacher Resources for Online Teaching Due to School Closures

Why Kids Need to Read Nonfiction Books

15 Wonderful Children’s Books About the Jewish Holidays

Cool New STEM Apps for Brainiacs

45 Favorite Diverse #Ownvoices Picture Books

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wow, just wow. Thank you. I was googling and googling for a specific kind of pb bio, and nothing was coming up. Found 3 of what I was looking for in your list

I’m so happy to hear this list was helpful!

What an amazing list! Thank you so much for sharing!

Glad it’s helpful!

25 Wonderful Picture Book Biographies for Readers of All Ages

by AuthorAmy

Picture book biographies are one of my favorite genres. They chronicle the life and times of some of the most famous people in the world, including the people behind beloved inventions. They are accessible to all levels of students – even high schoolers! Readers get a broad overview in picture book form, and then authors generously include ample back matter for further research and reading.

Take a look through this list of my top 25 favorite picture book biographies. You will find the stories behind the invention of the super soaker, the fascinating life of the first Black ballerina to dance for the American Ballet Theatre, the man behind ramen noodles, and so much more.

Just so you know, we may get a small share of the sales made through affiliate links on this page.

1. The Brilliant Deep : The Story of Ken Nedimeyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation

By Kate Messner

Environmental scientist Ken Nedimeyer is working to rebuild coral reefs by hand. The efforts are surprising, involving gluing grafted corals to barren sea floors and tending them. It is an education in the importance of coral reefs to our planet’s seas and also a treatise to human hope for a brighter, greener future.

2. Queen of Physics , How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom  

By Teresa Robeson

At a time when girls were not routinely educated in China, Wu Chien Shiung’s parents encouraged her love of science. She became an accomplished physicist and the first female instructor at Princeton University, among many other accolades.

3. Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando  

Written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz

This is the story of the invention of ramen, one of the world’s most famous foods, after Momofuku Ando saw long crowds in food lines after World War II.

4. The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons  

Written by Natascha Biebow and illustrated by Steven Salerno

The Crayon Man tells the story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of Crayola Crayons. Binney wished to bring the magic of nature’s vibrant colors into the lives of children, succeeding with his famous box of crayons that originally sold for five cents.

5. Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

Written by Patricia Valdez and illustrated by Felicita Sala

Joan Proctor was the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum and the designer of London Zoo’s famous Reptile House. She grew up hosting tea parties for her favorite reptiles, a tradition she continued in the Reptile House, where she hosted children’s tea parties complete with a Komodo dragon guest.

6. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist  

Written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens

Eugenie Clark earned herself the nickname “Shark Lady” after devoting her life to them. She faced the dual challenges of people who feared and hated sharks and people who didn’t think women should be scientists.

7. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré 

Written by Aneka Aldamuy Denise and illustrated by Paola Escobar

Pura Belpré, New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, immigrated to America in 1921. She began her library career as a bilingual library assistant, where her Spanish retellings of stories were wildly popular. Her distinguished career still influences readers today, and the Amerian Library Association named an award after her given annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator “whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.”

8. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade  

By Melissa Sweet

Puppeteer Tony Sarg is the inventor of the famous parade balloons that are part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is a great STEM title that goes into detail about the mechanics of the balloons as well as delving into the joy they bring to millions each year.

9. It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way

Written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morstad

During WWII, Gyo Fujikawa’s family was taken to a Japanese internment camp while she worked as an illustrator in New York City. Watching the nation’s prejudice tear apart her family, she wanted to find a way to include diverse children in her illustrations. She wrote and illustrated the book Babies , which was initially rejected but once published sold nearly 2 million copies. She was a trailblazer in children’s literature in an era when we are still striving for inclusive texts.

10. Mae Among the Stars  

Written by Roda Ahmed and illustrated by Stasia Burrington

Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to travel in space. Mae Among the Stars encourages children to follow their dreams no matter what detractors may say.

11. Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery

Written by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Bryan Collier

Ernie Barnes grew up in the segregated South. While he was recruited to play football for an all-black university and eventually played in the NFL for the Colts, his true passion was in creating art. He got his opportunity after leaving the NFL when he was hired as the first official artist for the American Football League.

12. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin  

Written by Julia Finley Mosca and illustrated by Daniel Rieley

Temple Grandin, who was diagnosed with autism as a young child, has a unique and powerful connection with animals. She has used this connection and the unique way her mind works to improve the lives of farm animals all over the world.

13. Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George

Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James E. Ransome

Joseph Boulogne was the child of a Black slave and her white slaveowner. He was able to study music in Paris, where he became a master violinist and eventually composed operas. The illustrations in this book are exquisite.

14. What Miss Mitchell Saw

Written by Hayley Barrett and illustrated by Diana Sudyka

The subject of this picture book biography, Maria Mitchell, will be an inspiration to girls everywhere. Mitchell was the first American scientist to discover a comet, which was named after her. She used her acclaim to advocate for science and math education for girls.

15. Just Being Audrey  

Written by Margaret Cardillo and illustrated by Julia Denos

Audrey Hepburn was America’s sweetheart and a film icon, but she did much beyond acting. Growing up in Nazi Germany inspired in her a lifelong desire to spread kindness, and she used her fame to do humanitarian work through UNICEF.

16. Ron’s Big Mission

Written by Rose Blue and Corinne Naden and illustrated by Don Tate

This is the story of Ron McNair, a young boy who grew up to be an astronaut on the Challenger mission. As a young boy in the segregated South, Ron found himself unable to check out books from the public library. His was able to obtain a library card through peaceful resistance, which in turn fed his love of flight.

17. The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand New Colors  

Written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Tony Persiani

Joe and Bob Switzer invented fluorescent colors, which didn’t exist prior to 1935. Like many great inventions, their brand-new colors were invented by accident when the brothers were experimenting for a magic act. Their colors went on to be used in WWII, street signs, advertisements, and more the world over. The book itself cleverly reflects the story, as it is largely black and white until the end culminates in color.

18. Buzzing with Questions

Written by Janice N. Harrington and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III

Charles Henry Turner is notable as the first Black entomologist. His lifelong fascination with bugs, animals, plants, and all things science is chronicled in this fun book. The author includes extensive back matter for further reading.

19. John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien  

Written by Caroline McAlister and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

The man we known as J.R.R. Tolkien is John Ronald in this delightful and surprising picture book about the boy who grew into the man behind the most famous fantasy series of all time. As a child, John Ronald loved dragons and imagined them everywhere he went. As an adult, his imagination only grew stronger, and he used his early love of dragons to create The Hobbit .

20. Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

Written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Don Tate

Just like the invention of fluorescent colors, the invention of the iconic toy called the Super Soaker happened by accident. Engineer Lonnie Johnson was working on cooling mechanisms when he inadvertently created what has become one of the top twenty toys of all time.

21. On a Beam of Light: A Story About Albert Einstein

Written by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

On a Beam of Light is the story of the child who grew up to be Albert Einstein. As a child, Einstein didn’t really fit in with the other children. His wild imagination made him endlessly curious about the world around him. This is a great picture book to encourage children to use their imaginations and embrace who they are inside.

22. She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein  

Written by Lynn Fulton and illustrated by Felicita Sala

On a dark and stormy night, a young girl drifts off to sleep dreaming of a monster. She is determined to beat Lord Byron in their competition to see who can write the best ghost story. She eventually goes on to write one of the great gothic novels of our time, Frankenstein .

23. Firebird

Written by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers

Misty Copeland was the first African-American dancer to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre. In her picture book debut, she imagines a conversation between herself and an aspiring ballerina who struggles with self-confidence. The resulting book is a positive and empowering story for children everywhere.

24. Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines

Written by Sarah Aronson and illustrated by Robert Neubecker

Rube Goldberg’s father encouraged him to find a career more practical than art, so Goldberg became an engineer. After college, he decided that his passion for art could not be denied and took a job as a newspaper cartoonist. He became famous for his elaborate machines which performed simple tasks in complicated fashion.

25. The Polio Pioneer:   Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine  

Written by Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrated by Lisa Anchin

This picture book biography feels particularly appropriate to read during the Covid-19 pandemic. It chronicles the life of Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine. Dr. Salk’s legacy lives on at the medical research facility, the Salk Institute.

Other Amy’s Book Lists You’ll Love:

• 30 Books About Voting And Elections For Kids of All Ages
• 42 Books Featuring Black Protagonists to Read Immediately
• 30 Banned Books You Should Totally Read
• 30 Most Anticipated 2021 Books For Students of All Ages
• Children’s Literature Book Awards and Their 2020 Winners!

TREAT YO' INBOX!

All the trending teacher stories, resources, videos, memes, podcasts, deals, and the laughter you need in your life!

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Download 100 Best Middle Grade Books. Send it!

Join our Patreon Community for EXCLUSIVE content

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

Best Picture Book Biographies

Biographies helped build my love for reading and I remember reading Hilary Clinton’s biography as a young teen (I skipped lots of portions and loved the pictures and family stories the most). These picture book biographies can teach kids about history, historical figures, and inspiring examples of people who beat the odds in different spheres of life. What a plus that they have beautiful pictures to look at as they enjoy these stories.

Inspiring Picture Book Biographies to Read

Here are 45 best picture book biographies to have on your radar:

I Color Myself Different

Published: April 5, 2022

When Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment: draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical self-love and knowing your inherent worth.

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade

Published: November 1, 2011

2012 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner

Winner of the 2012 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

My Little Golden Book About Betty White

Published: September 28, 2021

This Little Golden Book about Betty White–television star, comedian, animal lover, and game show competitor–is a celebration of the beloved woman! A great read-aloud for young girls and boys–as well as their parents and grandparents who grew up watching Betty on  The Mary Tyler Moore Show  and  The Golden Girls .

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words

Published: December 28, 2021

Stacey is a little girl who loves words more than anything. She loves reading them, sounding them out, and finding comfort in them when things are hard. 

But when her teacher chooses her to compete in the local spelling bee, she isn’t as excited as she thought she’d be. What if she messes up? Or worse, if she can’t bring herself to speak up, like sometimes happens when facing bullies at school? 

Stacey will learn that win or lose . . . her words are powerful, and sometimes  perseverance  is the most important word of all. 

Respect: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul 

Published: August 25, 2020

Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father’s Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves.

Her string of hit songs earned her the title “the Queen of Soul,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn’t just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights.

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library

Published: September 12, 2017

Where is our historian to give us our side?  Arturo asked. Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro–Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk’s life’s passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. When Schomburg’s collection became so big it began to overflow his house (and his wife threatened to mutiny), he turned to the New York Public Library, where he created and curated a collection that was the cornerstone of a new Negro Division. A century later, his groundbreaking collection, known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has become a beacon to scholars all over the world.

Joey: The Story of Joe Biden

Published: June 30, 2020

Joe Biden grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children. His parents always encouraged him and his siblings to be independent and strong. The family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where at twenty-nine, Biden was elected one the youngest United States Senators ever elected. This is his story.

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice

When Kamala Harris was young, she often accompanied her parents to civil rights marches—so many, in fact, that when her mother asked a frustrated Kamala what she wanted, the young girl responded with: “Freedom!”

As Kamala grew from a small girl in Oakland to a senator running for president, it was this long-fostered belief in freedom and justice for all people that shaped her into the inspiring figure she is today. From fighting for the use of a soccer field in middle school to fighting for the people of her home state in Congress, Senator Harris used her voice to speak up for what she believed in and for those who were otherwise unheard. And now this dedication has led her all the way to being elected Vice President of the United States.

The Noisy Paint Box

Published: February 11, 2014

Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist.   But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to  hear  brilliant colors singing and  see  vibrant sounds dancing. But was Vasya brave enough to put aside his proper still lifes and portraits and paint . . .  music?

Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Published: December 8, 2020

The chronology and themes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s meaningful life are presented in a masterfully succinct text, with just a few sentences per page. The fresh, stylized illustrations are sure to captivate young readers and adults alike. With a read-aloud biographical summary in the back, this age-appropriate introduction honors and shares the life and work of one of the most influential civil rights activists of our time.

Baseball Biographies for Kids

Published: May 17, 2022

It’s the bottom of the ninth, bases are loaded, and your team is down by three―who do you want coming up to bat?  Baseball Biographies for Kids  answers this question and more!

Bursting with statistics and impressive feats from the greatest players of the last 60 years, this lineup of inspirational baseball biographies shows you what it takes to be a real MVP. Discover the ultimate dream team as you explore the best pros for each position. You’ll also get quick looks into some truly legendary baseball players and lots of fun facts!

Itzhak: The Boy Who Loved the Violin

Published: May 12, 2020

Before becoming one of the greatest violinists of all time, Itzhak Perlman was simply a boy who loved music. Raised by a poor immigrant family in a tiny Tel Aviv apartment, baby Itzhak was transformed by the sounds from his family’s kitchen radio—graceful classical symphonies, lively klezmer tunes, and soulful cantorial chants. The rich melodies and vibrant rhythms spoke to him like magic, filling his mind with vivid rainbows of color. After begging his parents for an instrument, Itzhak threw his heart and soul into playing the violin. Despite enormous obstacles—including a near-fatal bout of polio that left him crippled for life—Itzhak persevered, honing his extraordinary gift. When he performed on the  Ed Sullivan Show  sat only 13, audiences around the world were mesmerized by the warmth, joy, and passion in every note. Gorgeously illustrated with extensive back matter, this picture-book biography recounts Itzhak’s childhood journey—from a boy with a dream to an internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso.

All the Way to the Top

Published: March 10, 2020

Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change―even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things. Like going to school, or eating lunch in the cafeteria.

Jennifer knew that everyone deserves a voice! Then the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that would make public spaces much more accessible to people with disabilities, was proposed to Congress. And to make sure it passed, Jennifer went to the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC to convince them.

And, without her wheelchair, she climbed.

How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion

Published: April 7, 2020

From Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world’s youngest and most skilled climbers, comes a true story of strength and perseverance–in rock climbing and in life. To a rock climber, a boulder is called a “problem,” and you solve it by climbing to the top. There are twists and turns, falls and scrapes, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them. And then there is the moment of triumph, when there’s nothing above you but sky and nothing below but a goal achieved. Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.

A is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World

Published: February 5, 2019

Why stick with plain old  A ,  B ,  C  when you can have  Amelia  (Earhart),  Malala ,  Tina  (Turner),  Ruth  (Bader Ginsburg), all the way to  eXtraordinary You —and the  Zillion  of adventures you will go on? Instagram superstar Eva Chen, author of  Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes , is back with an alphabet board book depicting feminist icons in  A Is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World , featuring spirited illustrations by Derek Desierto.

The Cat Man of Aleppo

Published: April 14, 2020

Aleppo’s city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty–except for the many cats left behind. Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant, and Artist

Published: September 24, 2019

Before he became an artist named Tyrus Wong, he was a boy named Wong Geng Yeo. He traveled across a vast ocean from China to America with only a suitcase and a few papers. Not papers for drawing–which he loved to do–but immigration papers to start a new life. Once in America, Tyrus seized every opportunity to make art, eventually enrolling at an art institute in Los Angeles. Working as a janitor at night, his mop twirled like a paintbrush in his hands. Eventually, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime–and using sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors, Tyrus created the iconic backgrounds of  Bambi . Julie Leung and Chris Sasaki perfectly capture the beautiful life and work of a painter who came to this country with dreams and talent–and who changed the world of animation forever.

My Little Golden Book About Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Published: December 1, 2020

This Little Golden Book is a compelling introduction to an inspiring woman, written for the youngest readers. From a young age, Ruth Bader Ginsburg knew that she wanted to fight for girls and women to have equal rights. She studied and worked very hard and became just the second woman–and the first Jewish woman–to be a United States Supreme Court Justice. This is a terrific read for future trailblazers and their parents!

The Story of Jane Goodall: A Biography Book for New Readers

Published: September 14, 2021

Jane Goodall is a celebrated scientist for her studies of chimpanzees in the forests of Africa. Before she observed chimps and helped save them from losing their home, Jane was a curious kid who loved learning about animals. She showed people that women could be scientists, just like men, and fought to follow her dream of working with wild chimps. Explore how Jane Goodall went from being a young nature lover in England to the most important chimpanzee expert in the world.

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secret of the Atom

Published: October 8, 2019

When Wu Chien Shiung was born in China 100 years ago, most girls did not attend school; no one considered them as smart as boys. But her parents felt differently. Giving her a name meaning “Courageous Hero,” they encouraged her love of learning and science. This engaging biography follows Wu Chien Shiung as she battles sexism and racism to become what  Newsweek  magazine called the “Queen of Physics” for her work on beta decay. Along the way, she earned the admiration of famous scientists like Enrico Fermi and Robert Oppenheimer and became the first woman hired as an instructor by Princeton University, the first woman elected President of the American Physical Society, the first scientist to have an asteroid named after her when she was still alive, and many other honors.

The Story of Simone Biles: A Biography Book for New Readers

Published: September 29, 2020

Simone Biles has been called the greatest gymnast of all time, winning five Olympic and 25 World Champion medals by age 22. Before she wowed the world with her incredible gymnastics skills, Simone was an energetic young girl who dreamed of becoming a top gymnast. She trained for hours every day and made many sacrifices to pursue her goals. Explore how Simone Biles went from being a kid growing up in Texas to an Olympic athlete who has won more gymnastics medals than anyone in history.

Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) is known for her poems about “real life.” She wrote about love, loneliness, family, and poverty—showing readers how just about anything could become a beautiful poem. Exquisite follows Gwendolyn from early girlhood into her adult life, showcasing her desire to write poetry from a very young age. This picture-book biography explores the intersections of race, gender, and the ubiquitous poverty of the Great Depression—all with a lyrical touch worthy of the subject. Gwendolyn Brooks was the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize, receiving the award for poetry in 1950. And in 1958, she was named the poet laureate of Illinois. A bold artist who from a very young age dared to dream, Brooks will inspire young readers to create poetry from their own lives

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver

Published: January 14, 2020

When George Washington Carver was just a young child, he had a secret: a garden of his own.

Here, he rolled dirt between his fingers to check if plants needed more rain or sun. He protected roots through harsh winters, so plants could be reborn in the spring. He trimmed flowers, spread soil, studied life cycles. And it was in this very place that George’s love of nature sprouted into something so much more—his future.

Gene Barretta’s moving words and Frank Morrison’s beautiful paintings tell the inspiring life and history of George Washington Carver, from a baby born into slavery to celebrated botanist, scientist, and inventor. His passion and determination are the seeds to this lasting story about triumph over hardship—a tale that begins in a secret garden.

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played The Piano for President Lincoln

Published: August 27, 2019

As a little girl, Teresa Carreño loved to let her hands dance across the beautiful keys of the piano. If she felt sad, music cheered her up, and when she was happy, the piano helped her share that joy. Soon she was writing her own songs and performing in grand cathedrals. Then a revolution in Venezuela forced her family to flee to the United States. Teresa felt lonely in this unfamiliar place, where few of the people she met spoke Spanish. Worst of all, there was fighting in her new home, too—the Civil War.

Still, Teresa kept playing, and soon she grew famous as the talented Piano Girl who could play anything from a folk song to a sonata. So famous, in fact, that President Abraham Lincoln wanted her to play at the White House! Yet with the country torn apart by war, could Teresa’s music bring comfort to those who needed it most?

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

Published: September 6, 2016

Louis Braille was just five years old when he lost his sight. He was a clever boy, determined to live like everyone else, and what he wanted more than anything was to be able to read.   Even at the school for the blind in Paris, there were no books for him.   And so he invented his own alphabet—a whole new system for writing that could be read by touch. A system so ingenious that it is still used by the blind community today.

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way

Published: January 1, 2019

Growing up quiet and lonely at the beginning of the twentieth century, Gyo learned from her relatives the ways in which both women and Japanese people lacked opportunity. Her teachers and family believed in her and sent her to art school and later Japan, where her talent flourished. But while Gyo’s career grew and led her to work for Walt Disney Studios, World War II began, and with it, her family’s internment. But Gyo never stopped fighting — for herself, her vision, her family and her readers — and later wrote and illustrated the first children’s book to feature children of different races interacting together.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

Published: January 15, 2019

When she came to America in 1921, Pura Belpré carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular retellings into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and storytellers continue to share her tales and celebrate Pura’s legacy.

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

Published: March 13, 2018

Back in the days of long skirts and afternoon teas, young Joan Procter entertained the most unusual party guests: slithery and scaly ones, who turned over teacups and crawled past the crumpets….  While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere–she even brought a crocodile to school! When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children’s tea parties–with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Published: January 7, 2020

In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read. From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who–with perseverance and dedication–proved that you’re never too old to learn.

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist

Published: July 7, 2020

Mary Anning loved scouring the beach near her home in England for shells and fossils. She fearlessly climbed over crumbling cliffs and rocky peaks, searching for new specimens. One day, something caught Mary’s eye.

Bones. Dinosaur Bones.

Mary’s discoveries rocked the world of science and helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology. But many people believed women couldn’t be scientists, so Mary wasn’t given the credit she deserved. Nevertheless, Mary kept looking and learning more, making discoveries that reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Published: December 5, 2017

An important book for all ages,  Little Leaders  educates and inspires as it relates true stories of forty trailblazing black women in American history. Illuminating text paired with irresistible illustrations bring to life both iconic and lesser-known female figures of Black history such as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash. Among these biographies, readers will find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things – bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. Whether they were putting pen to paper, soaring through the air or speaking up for the rights of others, the women profiled in these pages were all taking a stand against a world that didn’t always accept them. The leaders in this book may be little, but they all did something  big  and amazing, inspiring generations to come.

Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

Published: May 3, 2016

You know the Super Soaker. It’s one of top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy.   A love for rockets, robots, inventions, and a mind for creativity began early in Lonnie Johnson’s life. Growing up in a house full of brothers and sisters, persistence and a passion for problem solving became the cornerstone for a career as an engineer and his work with NASA. But it is his invention of the Super Soaker water gun that has made his most memorable splash with kids and adults.

She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World

Published: May 30, 2017

Throughout United States history, there have always been women who have spoken out for what’s right, even when they have to fight to be heard. In this book, Chelsea Clinton celebrates thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity, sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. They all certainly persisted.   She Persisted  is for everyone who has ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who has ever tried to reach for the stars but was told to sit down, and for everyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy or unimportant or small.   With vivid, compelling art by Alexandra Boiger, this book shows readers that no matter what obstacles may be in their paths, they shouldn’t give up on their dreams. Persistence is power.

Mae Among the Stars

Published: January 9, 2018

A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud,  Mae Among the Stars  is the perfect book for young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts.

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents’ encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

Published: January 16, 2018

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math… really  good.

They participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America’s first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as “colored computers,” and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career.

“Finally, the extraordinary lives of four African American women who helped NASA put the first men in space is available for picture book readers,” proclaims Brightly in their article “18 Must-Read Picture Books of 2018.” “Will inspire girls and boys alike to love math, believe in themselves, and reach for the stars.”

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofusu Yeboah

Published: January 6, 2015

Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled.

Thompson’s lyrical prose and Qualls’s bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumphing over adversity.

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

Published: June 19, 2018

You’ve likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home?

As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything! Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math, about the universe.

The Crayon Man: the True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons

Published: March 19, 2019

What child doesn’t love to hold a crayon in their hands?  But children didn’t always have such magical boxes of crayons.  Before Edwin Binney set out to change things, children couldn’t really even draw in color. Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a bright green box for only a nickel! With experimentation, and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team at Crayola created one of the world’s most enduring, best-loved childhood toys – empowering children to dream in COLOR!

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist

Published: June 6, 2017

Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary―and they didn’t think women should be scientists.

Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname “Shark Lady.” Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to.

The Tree Lady

Published: September 17, 2013

Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. After all, Kate grew up among the towering pines and redwoods of Northern California. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Where there were almost no trees.

Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. So this trailblazing young woman singlehandedly started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. Now, more than 100 years after Kate first arrived in San Diego, her gorgeous gardens and parks can be found all over the city.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Published: August 29, 2017

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe! The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin is the first book in a brand new educational series about the inspirational lives of amazing scientists. In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Temple herself!

Stephen Curry: The Boy Who Never Gave Up

Published: August 16, 2016

The Boy Who Never Gave Up  is the inspiring true story of NBA superstar Stephen Curry. This Fully illustrated picture book biography tells the story of a young boy who many said was too short to play in high school, too weak to play in college and not good enough to play in the NBA.

Against all odds, this small boy who follows his dream, not only makes it to the NBA, but becomes one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball.

Before She Was Harriet

Published: November 7, 2017

We know her today as Harriet Tubman, but in her lifetime she was called by many names. As General Tubman she was a Union spy. As Moses she led hundreds to freedom on the Underground Railroad. As Minty she was a slave whose spirit could not be broken. As Araminta she was a young girl whose father showed her the stars and the first steps on the path to freedom.

An evocative poem and stunning watercolors come together to honor a woman of humble origins whose courage and compassion make her a larger than life hero.

Nelson Mandela

Published: January 2, 2013

In this lush, acclaimed book, award-winning author-illustrator Kadir Nelson tells the story of global icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela in poignant free verse and glorious illustrations.

It is the story of a young boy’s determination to change South Africa, and of the struggles of a man who eventually became the president of his country. Mandela believed in equality for all people, no matter the color of their skin. Readers will be inspired by Mandela’s triumph and his lifelong quest to create a more just world.

Published: October 1, 2005

Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This picture- book tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.

There they are: 45 of the best picture book biographies to read today! Which of these books have you read and loved? What did I miss?

More Picture Book Lists

• Picture books by Asian authors
• More non-fiction picture books
• Picture books by Black authors

Pin This Post – Best Picture Book Biographies

Don't Forget to Share!

• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

Related Posts

Afoma Umesi

FREE DOWNLOAD

Join My Friday Kidlit Newsletter

Sign up to receive weekly roundups, kidlit resources, and more! I'll send you my printable list of 100 best middle grade books to start!

Reader Interactions

What do you think leave a comment cancel reply, join reading middle grade on instagram.

Sharing the best middle grade (and adult) book recommendations @ whatafomareads

MOST SEARCHED

• Book Reviews
• Middle Grade Book Reviews
• Middle Grade Books
• Picture Books
• Book Lists By Grade
• Early Chapter Books
• Books for Teens

QUICK LINKS

• Book Lists by Age
• Books by Theme

LET’S CONNECT

• KidLit Facebook Group

Discover more from Reading Middle Grade

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Looking for the 2024 Reading Log?

Looking for the FREE 2024 Reading Log? Click Here !

Everyday Reading

20 fantastic picture book biographies for kids

I love all kinds of picture books, but I particularly love picture book biographies for kids where the life of someone famous is brought to life with spectacular illustrations, interesting and surprising stories, and just enough information.

I’ve been collecting my favorite picture book biography titles for months and am so happy to share some of them with you today (you better believe there are more coming in the next several months – the list is way too long for one post!).

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens I’d never heard of Eugenie Clark before this book, but I was immediately fascinated by her story. She fell in love with sharks at an early age when she saw them at an aquarium and wanted to know everything she could about them. But many people thought sharks were ugly, terrifying creatures. Plus, women shouldn’t be scientists anyway. Eugenie spent her life proving the naysayers wrong, both abut sharks and female scientists. (Also check out Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jordi Solano).

John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler I’m certainly familiar with the beloved Lord of the Rings series, but I didn’t know much about J.R.R. Tolkein (and I REALLY didn’t know much about his growing up). So I loved this clever biography about his growing up where he loved dragons, and how much of his young life felt surrounded by dragons, from losing his mother early in his life to fighting in WWI. But until he invented a dragon of his own (which sparked off his Middle Earth writing), he never found one in his actual life.

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen: The Story of Six Novels, Three Notebooks, a Writing Box, and One Clever Girl by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Qin Leng Before Jane Austen became one of the most famous English writers of all time, she was a quiet girl. And while you might not have noticed her, she probably would have noticed you. And it might have ended up in her writing. This beautiful picture book is a delightful introduction to a woman who disregarded the publishing trends of her time and created a completely new kind of story.

The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter I’d never heard of Zaha Hadid before this book, but I instantly loved her story. She grew up in Iraq and wanted to be an architect. But as a Muslim woman, this wasn’t going to be an easy dream to chase. Now, decades later, you can see her buildings all over the world!

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley Most of us are probably familiar with Dr. Temple Grandin and I love this introduction to her for young children (all the text is told in rhyme). She was diagnosed with autism as a young child and expected never to talk. But she grew up to become a groundbreaking scientist, thanks to her love of animals and her rare ability to connect with animals.

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPre Vasya Kandinsky was one of the first abstract artists and this is a beautiful retelling of his story. He had a very proper upbringing and his family expected that his art would also be very proper. But his art was anything but – it came to life, swirling with color and even sound, because throughout his life, he experienced colors as sound and vice versa. (By the way, if the illustrations look vaguely familiar, it’s likely because you recognize Mary GrandPre’s illustrations from the original Harry Potter books).

On a Beam of Light: A Story About Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky If you’d seen young Albert Einstein riding his bike down the road, you would have probably just seen a boy on a bike, But in his mind, he saw himself traveling at the speed of light. This book is a delightful look into Einstein’s lifelong curiosity and discovery, and perfect for every child who loves to imagine the impossible.

The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life With Chimps by Jeanette Winter This was one of the picture books that really helped me see how AMAZING picture book biographies could be. I love that it begins in her childhood and goesthrough her current work, accompanied by breath-taking illustrations. I also love Me….Jane by Patrick McDonnell as a simpler biography of Jane Goodall.

Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick I have loved Brian Selznick’s illustrations since I was a child and his black and white drawings bring this amazing story about Amelia Earhart and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to life when, at a White House dinner party, Eleanor and Amelia sneak away to take an evening ride over Washington D.C. in a jet. All while wearing their evening gowns!

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons by Natascha Biebow, illustrated by Steven Salerno I love picture book biographies that bring to life the inventor of a product children love and use daily. This book does exactly that with the man who invented crayola crayons and I loved every page of it – who knew that so much went into those boxes of 50 cent crayons you can now buy at Target?

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade  by Melissa Sweet I am legitimately obsessed with this book and I love bringing out my copy every Thanksgiving about the boy who loved puppets and grew up to create the famous balloons that make up the Thanksgiving Day parade. The color and art in this book bring it to life and the end notes and photos and make it even more special.

Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs: The Story of Ken Nedimeyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation by Kate Messner, illustrated Matthew Forsythe Sometimes the changes we want to see in the world seem too big, too overwhelming to tackle. But I love this biography of Ken Nedimyer, founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation, that shows that even one person can make a difference.

Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Howard Bryant, illustrated by Floyd Cooper I’ve never watched a professional tennis match, but I was in tears by the end of this gorgeous picture book about Venus and Serena Williams and hard they work and, even more impressively to me, how much they support each other.

Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, A Kitten, 10,000 Miles by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Hadley Hooper Just over a century ago, two friends, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke set out from New York City to spread the word about giving American women the right to vote. Crammed in a little yellow car, with a kitten along for the ride, they drove 10,000 miles in pursuit of their goal.

The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand New Colors by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani Put neon colors on the list of things I’ve never given a second thought to. Until this book, about two brothers who loved to invent things and discovered neon coloring that’s now used all over the world. Who knew? The black pages with bright neon coloring make this book really pop.

Tree Lady: The Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry When I think San Diego, I don’t think dry desert town. But more than 100 years ago, when Katherine Olivia Sessions became the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she moved to San Diego and was horrified by the lack of trees. So she started a movement to transform her new home into the garden oasis we now know it as.

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson I’ve love everything Kadir Nelson touches and this book is no exception, about the lengths one man goes to in order to gain his freedom. After Henry’s family is sold, he comes up with a daring and dangerous plan to escape north, by having some friends nail him into a box and mailing him to a free state. Unbelievably it works!

Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo, illustrated by Julia Denos I love this beautiful book about Audrey Hepburn and her life, from her early difficult childhood during WWII under Nazi occupation to her emergence as a style icon and her work with UNICEF. Star, particularly, took a shine to this book and I read it to her dozens of times (we also both loved Just Being Jackie about Jackie Kennedy Onassis).

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington When Mae Jemison was young she longed to be an astronaut. Her teacher suggested she find something more practical, but her parents encouraged her to work hard and achieve her seemingly impossible dreams. And she did, becoming the first African American woman to travel in space. My girls loved this book and as a parent, it was so encouraging to me to let my own children dream big.

And if you’d like a printable copy of this list that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!

If you liked this list of picture book biographies for kids, you might also like these posts:

• The Best Picture Books to Read Aloud in a Classroom
• 10 Children’s Books about Death, Loss and Grief
• 13 Fantastic Easy Reader Chapter Books

Reader Interactions

September 17, 2019 at 11:29 am

This is a great list. I am excited to read as many as I can. Picture books really are the best and you can learn a ton!

September 17, 2019 at 6:28 pm

I love Karlin Gray’s picture book biographies! My favorite isThe Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still about Nadia Comaneci. Gymnastics + beautiful book = yessss

September 17, 2019 at 7:16 pm

I love the Noisy Paintbox, too! ☺ Another one I love is The Boy Who Loved Math.

September 17, 2019 at 9:34 pm

Have you ever read any of the Little People Big Dreams series? I am in a different country and these are some of the only biography childrens books I have access to. I am wondering if anyone has experience with them and would recommend them.

September 18, 2019 at 6:19 am

This list is my love language. Thanks!!

September 18, 2019 at 3:36 pm

I just discovered Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor and my daughter loves it.

September 19, 2019 at 9:54 am

I LOVE these sorts of picture books. I’ve learned SO MUCH about so many different people and things from reading them to my son! Just added all the ones we haven’t already read to our library list! (I am with you on being obsessed with Balloons over Broadway…I really just need to buy that one.)

October 25, 2020 at 11:42 pm

We love Mr. Ferris and His Wheel!

March 11, 2022 at 11:45 am

I learned so much from The Day-Glo Brothers – thanks for recommending it!

March 23, 2024 at 1:38 pm

Nonsense about Edward Gorey is also amazing.

[…] 20 fantastic picture book biographies for kids […]

[…] 20 fantastic picture book biographies for kids) […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Biography Picture Books for Your Homeschool

Even before becoming a homeschooler I knew the importance of reading aloud. I vividly remember reading books to my ginormous pregnant belly (yes I was that mom).

But it was not until I became a homeschooler and read Jim Trelease’s Read-Aloud Handbook then subsequently stumbled upon the amazing Sarah Mackenzie at Read Aloud Revival that I realized just how important the time spent reading aloud really was.

I was determined then that books would be the staple for everything in our homeschool. We would learn everything we could in all of the subjects with books as our base.

For us picture books are the perfect place to linger. Emily is an auditory learner and I am a visual learner. So we use beautiful picture books to bridge our gap. This way we are both getting what we need and learning together along the way.

This series will feature our favorite picture books broken down into academic subjects so you can learn with books along with us! This post will be all about biography based picture books, these are a favorite for learning about history in our homeschool.

BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOKS

  Hidden Figures: The American Dream and   Shark Lady: The True Story of   I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes   The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:   Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan   The Boy Who Loved Math: The   Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of   Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper   On a Beam of Light: A   William Still and His Freedom Stories:   Marie’s Ocean: Marie Tharp Maps the   A Race Around the World: The   Finding Narnia: The Story of C.   Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous   Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson   Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind   Stephen Curry: The Children’s Book: The   The Crayon Man: The True Story   Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played   Ada Byron Lovelace & the Thinking   Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code   Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass   Six Dots: A Story of Young   W Is For Webster: Noah Webster

  Mr. Ferris and His Wheel   Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of   Small Wonders: Jean-Henri Fabre and His   Trombone Shorty   Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist: The True   The Tree Lady: The True Story   The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with   Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of   The Power of Her Pen: The   Malala’s Magic Pencil   Bard of Avon: The Story of   Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration

  Rescatando palabras (Digging for Words Spanish   Rachel Carson and Her Book That   The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors   The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael   The Boo-Boos That Changed the World:   Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman   Before She Was Harriet   Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen: The Story   Fly High!: The Story of Bessie   Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian   Finding Winnie   Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist: The True

  Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote   So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth’s Long   The Secret Garden of George Washington   Jump at the Sun: The True   The Real Mccoy, The: Life of   Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells:   Eleanor Makes Her Mark   Lighter than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the   Coretta Scott   She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens   No Truth Without Ruth: The Life   The Only Woman in the Photo:   Molly, by Golly!: The Legend of   Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for   Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos (1)   Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien

SHOP EVEN MORE BIOGRAPHIES

Related Blog Posts:

• Geography Picture Books for Your Homeschool
• Art & Music Picture Books for Your Homeschool
• Language Arts Picture Books for Your Homeschool

Top 10 Biography And Autobiography Picture Books

Biography And Autobiography .css-140w78k{display:inline;-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:inherit;font-weight:500;transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:3rem;-webkit-padding-start:var(--chakra-space-6);padding-inline-start:var(--chakra-space-6);-webkit-padding-end:var(--chakra-space-6);padding-inline-end:var(--chakra-space-6);background:none;color:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0.3em;padding-left:0px;border-bottom:2px solid;border-color:hsl(259,60%,58%);border-radius:0px;min-height:auto;font-size:inherit;position:relative;top:-2px;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;white-space:break-spaces;text-align:left;}.css-140w78k:focus-visible,.css-140w78k[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-140w78k:disabled,.css-140w78k[disabled],.css-140w78k[aria-disabled=true],.css-140w78k[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-140w78k:active,.css-140w78k[data-active]{box-shadow:inherit;} Picture Books .css-104bggj{position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;--popper-bg:var(--chakra-colors-white);background:var(--popper-bg);--popper-arrow-bg:var(--popper-bg);--popper-arrow-shadow-color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-200);width:332px;border:1px solid;border-color:inherit;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-sm);z-index:inherit;max-height:calc(100vh - var(--fixed-height) - 4px);overflow-y:auto;font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);padding-top:var(--chakra-space-2);-webkit-padding-start:var(--chakra-space-3);padding-inline-start:var(--chakra-space-3);-webkit-padding-end:var(--chakra-space-3);padding-inline-end:var(--chakra-space-3);}.chakra-ui-dark .css-104bggj:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-104bggj:not([data-theme]),.css-104bggj[data-theme=dark]{--popper-bg:var(--chakra-colors-gray-700);--popper-arrow-shadow-color:var(--chakra-colors-whiteAlpha-300);}.css-104bggj:focus-visible,.css-104bggj[data-focus-visible]{outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);} .css-1xhq01z{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;border-bottom:2px solid;border-color:inherit;} .css-1ovd7gv{outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);font-weight:500;color:var(--tabs-color);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);padding-top:var(--chakra-space-2);padding-bottom:var(--chakra-space-2);-webkit-padding-start:var(--chakra-space-4);padding-inline-start:var(--chakra-space-4);-webkit-padding-end:var(--chakra-space-4);padding-inline-end:var(--chakra-space-4);border-bottom:2px solid;border-color:var(--chakra-colors-transparent);margin-bottom:-2px;background:var(--tabs-bg);}.css-1ovd7gv:focus-visible,.css-1ovd7gv[data-focus-visible]{z-index:1;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-1ovd7gv:disabled,.css-1ovd7gv[disabled],.css-1ovd7gv[aria-disabled=true],.css-1ovd7gv[data-disabled]{cursor:not-allowed;opacity:0.4;}.css-1ovd7gv:disabled:active,.css-1ovd7gv[disabled]:active,.css-1ovd7gv[aria-disabled=true]:active,.css-1ovd7gv[data-disabled]:active,.css-1ovd7gv:disabled[data-active],.css-1ovd7gv[disabled][data-active],.css-1ovd7gv[aria-disabled=true][data-active],.css-1ovd7gv[data-disabled][data-active]{background:none;}.css-1ovd7gv[aria-selected=true],.css-1ovd7gv[data-selected]{--tabs-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-600);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-primary-500);color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-800);}.chakra-ui-dark .css-1ovd7gv[aria-selected=true]:not([data-theme]),.chakra-ui-dark .css-1ovd7gv[data-selected]:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1ovd7gv[aria-selected=true]:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1ovd7gv[data-selected]:not([data-theme]),.css-1ovd7gv[aria-selected=true][data-theme=dark],.css-1ovd7gv[data-selected][data-theme=dark]{--tabs-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-300);}.css-1ovd7gv:active,.css-1ovd7gv[data-active]{--tabs-bg:var(--chakra-colors-gray-200);}.chakra-ui-dark .css-1ovd7gv:active:not([data-theme]),.chakra-ui-dark .css-1ovd7gv[data-active]:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1ovd7gv:active:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1ovd7gv[data-active]:not([data-theme]),.css-1ovd7gv:active[data-theme=dark],.css-1ovd7gv[data-active][data-theme=dark]{--tabs-bg:var(--chakra-colors-whiteAlpha-300);} Audience Grade Level Age .css-8atqhb{width:100%;} .css-adm2jf{padding:var(--chakra-space-4);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;-webkit-padding-start:0px;padding-inline-start:0px;-webkit-padding-end:0px;padding-inline-end:0px;} .css-165casq{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;gap:0px;} .css-xf5wi8{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;gap:0.5rem;padding-top:var(--chakra-space-3);padding-bottom:var(--chakra-space-3);-webkit-padding-start:var(--chakra-space-1);padding-inline-start:var(--chakra-space-1);-webkit-padding-end:var(--chakra-space-1);padding-inline-end:var(--chakra-space-1);border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);cursor:pointer;}.css-xf5wi8:hover,.css-xf5wi8[data-hover]{background:var(--chakra-colors-gray-50);} .css-1t9pz9x{width:20px;height:20px;} All Books Board Books Picture Books First Reader Books Early Reader Books Junior Reader Books Middle Grade Books Young Adult Books All Books Books for Pre K Books for 1st Graders Books for 2nd Graders Books for 3rd Graders Books for 4th Graders Books for 5th Graders Books for 6th Graders Books for 7th Graders Books for 8th Graders Books for 9th Graders All Books Books for 0-3 Year Olds Books for 3-5 Year Olds Books for 6-8 Year Olds Books for 9-12 Year Olds

• Help Center
• Gift a Book Club
• Beautiful Collections
• Schedule Demo

Book Platform

• Find a Book
• Reading App
• Community Editors

Authors & Illustrators

• Get Your Book Reviewed
• Submit Original Work

Follow Bookroo

50+ Historical Picture Books Biographies

• September 18, 2017
• Books , Early Elementary , History , Homeschool

Books are a great way to bring history alive! Here are 50+ of the best children’s historical picture book biographies and autobiographies/memoirs for kids.

This list is separated into two parts – American history and world history. Picture books are a great way to bring visuals, stories, and life  to the random black and white photos we see in history books. Read about the men and women who helped change the world! Disclaimer: Some of the following links are affiliate links. I make a small commission from some of the links on this site.

Picture Book Biographies Series

The “I Am” series by Brad Metzler

David Adler also has a great series of picture book biographies. They have more traditional and formal illustrations, and serve as a great introduction to American icons such as  George Washington  or  Rosa Parks . Some more of my favorites in this series (that aren’t often included in biographical series) are:

• A Picture Book of Jesse Owens
• A Picture Book of Louis Braille
• A Picture Book of Anne Frank
• A Picture Book of Florence Nightingale
• A Picture Book of Davy Crockett

Little People, Big Dreamers series by Isabel Sanchez Vegara This series shows famous and notable women throughout history, from scientists like Marie Curie to poets like Maya Angelou .

Picture Book Biographies

Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Based on the poem of the same name, this story is simply illustrations to Longfellow’s classic poem. Paul Revere was a Patriot during the American Revolutionary War.

George Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Giblin

George Washington’s Birthday by Margaret McNamara

This fun picture book takes place on seven year old George Washington’s birthday! The paragraphs aren’t too long in this fun book, and there’s smaller extra “facts” about Washington on each page.

They Called Her Molly Pitcher by Anne Rockwell

When Molly Pitcher’s husband went to fight in George Washington’s army, Molly followed him! In one incident, after her husband was shot in battle, Molly took over his job firing a cannon! This is a longer picture book with lengthier text, so it’s best for a read aloud for grades 3+.

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta

Meet John Chapman, otherwise known as Johnny Appleseed! This book rhymes and has simple text, great for the youngest of beginning readers. Read about Johnny’s legacy, and what he’s done for us today!

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed

Mae Jemison was the first African-American woman to go into space! This beautifully illustrated children’s book is one of my favorites and reminds kids to dream big. Grab the book guide here.

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone

Elizabeth Cady Stanton wasn’t like other women. An early activist for woman’s rights, Stanton wanted to challenge women across the world to vote.

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Many recognize the name Harriet Tubman, but did you know the many roles she played before becoming Harriet? Lyrically written and beautifully illustrated, this is one of my favorite picture book biographies.  Grab the book guide here.

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Set during the American Civil War, a young slave named Henry has always imagined what freedom looked like. As an adult, he decides to turn his dreams into reality and mail himself to freedom.  Henry’s Freedom Box is a favorite among classrooms, mainly for its introduction to slavery without being too graphic.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Weatherford

Abraham Lincoln is one of the better-known presidents in our history. In this book, he is reminiscing on his past. In reality, it is only a few moments before he would later be shot in a theater by John Wilkes Booth. However, this book chooses to celebrate Lincoln’s accomplishments, instead of focusing on his death.

Marvelous Mattie by National Geographic Learning

Margaret Knight, known as “the lady Edison,” always loved to invent things. Her most notable invention is the flat-bottomed brown paper bag. She is acknowledged as the first woman to hold a U.S. patent!

Young Thomas Edison by Michael Dooling

Thomas Edison was not a regular kid. At a young age, his mother took him out of public school to begin homeschooling. His inventions went on to help shape American history.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel

Clara Lemlich was a Ukrainian immigrant in the early 1900s. Working hard, she worked, spend hours studying English, and went to night school. Tired of poor treatment, Clara led a large strike, which fought for better work environments.

Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden

Bessie Coleman was the first African American female (and the first person of African-American descent) to earn a pilot’s license! Here is her great story of determination and perseverance.

Six Dots by Jennifer Bryant

You might recognize Louis Braille’s name, but did you know he created Braille as a teenager? This picture book tells the journey of the boy who invented the written language for the blind. Find the book guide here.

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

Immigrants are often faced with a challenging problem. They love their new life in America, but miss their home country. This is the story of the author’s grandfather, who came to America from Japan.

Seabiscuit vs War Admiral: The Greatest Horse Race in History by Kat Shehata

Learn about one of the greatest horse races in history – the race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral! These pages are somewhat dense. I’ve also seen this quirky and fun book which looks perfect and hilarious for younger ages, but I haven’t read it yet.

Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team by Audrey Vernick

For the kiddos who love sports, this is the true story of a family in the 1930s who had 16 children, 12 brothers who played on a baseball team together! With a vintage, old-timey feel, this picture book is filled with adventure, and can raise some discussion on the Great Depression.

Dorothea Lange: The Photographer Who Found the Faces of the Depression by Carole Weatherford

Dorothea Lange was bullied as a child, because she had polio and it left her with a limp. This never stopped her from becoming an influential photographer, especially during the Great Depression.

On a Beam of Light: The Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

Meet nine-year-old Audrey Hendricks, known as the youngest person to be arrested for protesting during a civil rights rally. Audrey is a great reminder that even kids can make a difference!

Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare by Gene Barretta

In this autobiographical story, Patricia Polacco shares her story of overcoming dyslexia in school, and the one teacher who helped her through it. Now, Polacco is a successful children’s author.

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909 by Alice Provenson

This picture book can go with an aviation study, or study about the Wright Brothers/Amelia Earhart.  It has an older style and the colors are more muted, but it’s still an interesting look at the man who made the first flight over the English channel in a heavier-than-air aircraft.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker

Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician whose skills helped take us on many NASA missions, including the Apollo missions, which took us to the moon! Despite facing much prejudice for being a woman and for being black, Katherine is known as one of the greatest minds of all time. There is also a great movie about Katherine called  Hidden Figures .  Grab the book guide here.

Rescue and Jessica by Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky

In this beautiful story, Jessica is a double amputee from the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. Rescue is her service dog. Together, they grow into a life-changing friendship that changes the both of them.

I, Vivaldi by Janice Shefelman

Although his mother wanted him to become a priest, Antonio Vivaldi felt himself drawn towards music and enjoyed composing, performing, and teaching music. Vivaldi is best known for composing “The Four Seasons,” one of the best known classical pieces out there. This picture book works well for giving a visual to Vivaldi’s pieces!

For the Love of Music by Elizabeth Rusch  – mid 1700s

Meet Maria Mozart, the older sister of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! She is not as well known as her brother, but at only 12 years old, she was considered one of the best pianists in Europe at the time. This is a great story for budding musicians and pianists!

Escaping Titanic: A Young Girl’s True Story of Survival by Marybeth Lorbiecki

Ruth Becker was a little girl on the ill-fated  Titanic . The book does a good job of explaining what happened on the  Titanic , without getting into any graphic details for younger readers.

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman

Who says math can’t be used creatively? Paul Erdos was a Hungarian mathematician known for his fun and eccentric lifestyle. This book could easily become complicated with mathematical theories. Instead, it focuses on Paul, and his life.

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear That Inspired Winnie the Pooh by Sally M.   Walker

Growing up, Jack Simpson always loved giving people donkey rides, for a penny a piece. When he was drafted in WWI, his love of donkeys helped rescue 300 Allied soldiers. The images are simple, but the story is very poignant and memorable!

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Pickney

Duke Ellington had a great musical career that lasted over 50 years. Mainly performing jazz music, he was prominent in the 30s, 40s, and 50s! With a fun whimsical watercolor, this is his story!

Tucky Jo and Little Heart by Patricia Polacco

Passage to Freedom is one of the many picture books that can help teach the Holocaust in a non-graphic way. Told from the perspective of his son, Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat who saved 6,000 Luithanian Jews by illegally writing out visas for them.  Grab the book guide here.

Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto by Susan Goldman Rubin

This is one of my favorite picture book biographies! During the Holocaust, many gentiles stayed silent. Irena Sendler was different – she smuggled 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto, and placed them in hiding. Irena and each child she saved survived the war. Although it deals with a heavy subject, this story is not graphic, and appropriate for mid to upper level elementary students, depending on maturity. Grab the book guide here .

More History Resources for Kids

50+ Historical Movies for Kids

100 Historical Books for Kids

Historical Movies for Middle School and High School Under R

30+ Ways to Teach History Without a Textbook

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment.

I knew you’d like Tucky Jo and Little Heart, it’s such a great book. I recognize quite a few of the books, we’ve loved in our schoolwork.

I knew you’d like Tucky Jo and Little Heart, it’s such a great book. I recognize quite a few of the books, we’ve loved in our schoolwork. Sigh, not letting me comment because “duplicate comment”

Thanks 🙂 Teaching with pictures books is so under-rated!

• Children's Books
• Arts, Music & Photography

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Buy new: $15.21 $15.21 FREE delivery: Tuesday, April 23 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon. Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Return this item for free.

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Buy used: $9.99

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the authors

This Is Your World: The Story of Bob Ross Hardcover – Picture Book, September 7, 2021

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Reading age 4 - 8 years
• Part of series A Bob Ross and Peapod Story
• Print length 40 pages
• Language English
• Grade level Preschool - 3
• Dimensions 10.25 x 0.55 x 10.35 inches
• Publisher Running Press Kids
• Publication date September 7, 2021
• ISBN-10 0762473568
• ISBN-13 978-0762473564
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may deliver to you quickly

From the Publisher

Editorial reviews, about the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press Kids (September 7, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762473568
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762473564
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.25 x 0.55 x 10.35 inches
• #82 in Children's Art Biographies (Books)
• #124 in Children's Painting Books (Books)

Videos for this product

Click to play video

Bob Ross is a legend among DIY painters!

Kyle ☘️ Lucy Bamboo

Must Watch Before You Buy

This Is Your World_Bob Ross_ Book Trailer

Merchant Video

About the authors

Sophia gholz.

Sophia Gholz is an award-winning children's book author, magic seeker and avid reader. Sophia enjoys writing fiction with humor and heart. When writing nonfiction, she pulls on her love of science and her strong family background in ecology. When she’s not writing, you can find Sophia reading a book, visiting schools or exploring the great outdoors with her family.

Sophia’s debut book, The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng, was a NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, a Florida State Book Award Gold Medalist, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor Book and a 2020 Green Earth Honor Book. For more about Sophia and her books, visit her online at: www.SophiaGholz.com

Robin Boyden

Robin Boyden is an illustrator who works freelance in Wiltshire, England. He finished his studies at University College Falmouth in 2007, receiving a first-class degree, and later obtained a Master's in Art and Design.

Robin focuses on creating illustrations for picture books and fiction aimed at middle-grade readers. His most recent titles include Leah Williamson’s debut middle-grade book ‘The Wonder Team and the Forgotten Footballers' and Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson’s ‘Attack of the Robot Librarians’.

He also works as an editorial illustrator with clients including Wired UK, Saga, and BBC Focus.

Robin's artwork has twice been featured in the AOI Images annual publication and has collaborated with various clients in the publishing and editorial industries worldwide.

His first book as an author and illustrator, 'Gerald Needs A Friend,' was released in April 2021 through Francis Lincoln. He has also written and illustrated ‘Georgia and the Edge of the World’ a graphic novel published by David Fickling Books.

Charlie Bowden represents Robin at Pickled Ink Illustration Agency.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

10 Picture Book Biographies of Authors to Show Kids How to Use Their Words

Jesse Doogan

Jesse Doogan writes about food, faith, books, and DIY projects, and sometimes even puts these things on her blog . She works in publishing and lives near Chicago with her cat. She tweets about all these things at @jadoogan .   Blog Twitter: @jadoogan

View All posts by Jesse Doogan

I loved Little Women for many reasons, but I think there was a magic there knowing that Jo really was going to make it: she was going to grow up and write her book, and it would sell, and she would write more books. In the Betsy-Tacy books, Maud Hart Lovelace went even more into the nitty-gritty of the writer’s process: Betsy would send her stories and poems off with self-addressed, stamped envelopes on a monthly rotation that she tracked in a notebook, a process that would-be authors used for decades before email and spreadsheets. I loved to read about the admin as much as the attic-dreaming. 

I think that’s why I find myself to be so drawn to these picture book biographies of various authors. They take many different approaches: some are paragraphs of facts, but some are like poems that tell one element of an author’s life that illuminates the rest. There’s admin and there’s attic-dreaming. 

These books, I think, can be a way to make creativity accessible to small children. We talk a lot about representation in children’s books, and STEM careers can sometimes seem to get the flashier picture books, but I like that these picture books show children that they can use their words to describe their inner and outer worlds.

A note about diversity: I have spent a lot of time in the last few months reading picture book biographies of authors and I was shocked at the lack of books written by people of color. I was able to find books written about authors of color, but only two written by authors of color. While I’m talking about the ways these books can open up a world for young authors, I have to talk about how kids need to see people who look like them writing books in the present day, too.

A Book, Too, Can Be a Star by Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

This is a lovely biography of Madeline L’Engle written by one of her granddaughters, along with Jennifer Adams of BabyLit fame. The title is taken from a quote from L’Engle’s best known book, A Wrinkle in Time , and while there are stars throughout the book — Madeline wanted to write books that shone light into a dark universe — my favorite thread through the book is the idea of L’Engle writing books that ask questions and answer them.

Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. By signing up you agree to our terms of use

A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkins, illustrated by John Hendrix

This is one of my favorite author bios that I’ve come across. The narrator literally takes the reader by the hand and drags them around London to follow Dickens through his young life. Charles Dickens had a difficult childhood, and his cold, dreary existence isn’t ignored here, but the book keeps a merry pace that balances misery and humor in a way that doesn’t feel too far removed from Dickens’s own writing. John Hendrix’s illustrations, too, display a gritty old city that still seems like someplace to be explored.

Ode to an Onion: Pablo Neruda & His Muse by Alexandria Giardino, illustrated by Felicita Sala

I think this book does such a neat trick with its point of view. It’s told in the third person, but we’re firmly in Neruda’s head, even in the illustrations. Neruda is sad at the book’s opening, but he goes off to find his muse and cheer himself up in her garden. It’s a tiny slice-of-life story that shows the reader something big about Neruda’s life.

Papa is a Poet: A Story About Robert Frost by Natalie Bober, illustrated by Ammi-Joan Paquette

I think sometimes picture book biographies struggle to find a way to make the subject accessible to the young readers, and Papa is a Poet found a perfect solution. The story of Robert Frost is told by his young daughter as they arrive back in America. Frost has just found an unauthorized collection of his poems being sold at a newsstand, and while he goes off to find the publisher, Lesley tells the story of their family life.

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton written and illustrated by Don Tate

I recently came across one of George Moses Horton’s poems, his first ever published, but this picture book biography was what filled me in on his, well, remarkable story. Horton was the first enslaved person to publish a poem, and he eventually earned enough from his book sales that he could afford to buy his own freedom, though his master refused to make the sale. It’s a heartbreaking, hopeful story.

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad

My favorite picture book biographies open like a poem, and It Began with a Page does exactly that: “It began with a page, bright and beckoning.” It goes on to tell the story of Fujikawa’s immigrant family and her isolated childhood. But Gyo’s loneliness is tempered by her drawings, and Julie Morstad’s illustrations surround Gyo and keep her company throughout her life. The book touches on Fujikawa’s family’s internment and, of course, the publication of Fujikawa’s groundbreaking book, Babies , one of the first children’s books in the U.S. to portray a diverse cast of characters.

Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

I couldn’t make a list of picture book author biographies without including this one about the man who revolutionized children’s books. Before John Newbery, children’s books were mostly moralizing stories with no real interest for kids. But Newbery thought that children should enjoy reading (imagine that!) and this picture book biography is definitely something Newbery would approve of. It’s a bouncy, fun story about a changing publishing world.

16 Words: William Carlos Williams & “The Red Wheelbarrow” by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Chuck Groenink

16 Words starts with an invitation. The first spread is a simple illustration of a window with a question for the reader: “Look out the window. What do you see?” The book immediately jumps from there into William Carlos Williams’s mind, to look out his window. The book takes the reader through Williams’s very normal life and shows all the places he found poetry.

John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

I love when these bios choose one element of the author’s life that makes the rest of their life make sense, and it’s just delightful that McAlister chose dragons to tell the story of J.R.R. Tolkien’s life. It’s a cozy, gentle biography of a gentle man following a dragon.

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet are a power couple in the world of author picture book biographies, and The Right Word is one of their best. The book combines straight text prose that tell Peter’s story, but the illustrations include comic book style speech bubbles to expand on the story. Sweet’s illustrations include lists and lists of words, helping the reader understand the overwhelming feeling Peter Roget must have had as he tried to catalog a language.

Want more picture book biographies? Here’s a great diverse list . And here’s a list of picture book bios of awesome ladies . Looking for more nonfiction for little ones? Here’s a list of picture books about creepy-crawlies .

You Might Also Like

19 Picture Book Biography Stories

It’s never too early to introduce kids to biographies.

I love the increase of the number of biographical picture books in the last number of years.

It’s not even just the number, it’s the quality as well.

Even  I have learned a lot about history thanks to some well written picture books.

In this list I’ve included mostly books we have read but there are also a few I’ve heard really good things about that I want to check out.

I’m sure there will be a part two to this list because I can already guarantee I’ve forgotten some really good ones.

If I’ve missed a great biographical picture book you love, let me know in the comments, I may just add it to the list for part two!

Counting on Catherine

You’ve likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home?

As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything! Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math, about the universe.

From Katherine’s early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA,  Counting on Katherine  is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history.

The Girl With a Mind for Math

After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted―finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever.

The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague  is the third book in a riveting educational series about the inspiring lives of amazing scientists. In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Montague herself!

The Crayon Man

purple mountains’ majesty, mauvelous, jungle green, razzmatazz…

What child doesn’t love to hold a crayon in their hands?  But children didn’t always have such magical boxes of crayons.  Before Edwin Binney set out to change things, children couldn’t really even draw in color.

Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a bright green box for only a nickel! With experimentation, and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team at Crayola created one of the world’s most enduring, best-loved childhood toys – empowering children to dream in COLOR!

Hidden Figures

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math… really  good.

They participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America’s first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as “colored computers,” and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career.

Mae Among the Stars

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents’ encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.

This book will inspire other young girls to reach for the stars, to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination. 

The Boy Who Loved Math

Most people think of mathematicians as solitary, working away in isolation. And, it’s true, many of them do. But Paul Erdos never followed the usual path. At the age of four, he could ask you when you were born and then calculate the number of seconds you had been alive in his head. But he didn’t learn to butter his own bread until he turned twenty. Instead, he traveled around the world, from one mathematician to the next, collaborating on an astonishing number of publications. With a simple, lyrical text and richly layered illustrations, this is a beautiful introduction to the world of math and a fascinating look at the unique character traits that made “Uncle Paul” a great man.

Snowflake Bentley

From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley’s enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist’s vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature.  Snowflake Bentley  won the 1999 Caldecott Medal.

Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary―and they didn’t think women should be scientists.

Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname “Shark Lady.” Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to.

An inspiring story by critically acclaimed zoologist Jess Keating about finding the strength to discover truths that others aren’t daring enough to see. Includes a timeline of Eugenie’s life and many fin-tastic shark facts!

The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes

As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered―brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness!

The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath  is the second book in a brand new educational series about the inspirational lives of amazing scientists! In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Dr. Bath herself!

The Watcher

Acclaimed picture book biographer Jeanette Winter has found her perfect subject: Jane Goodall, the great observer of chimpanzees. Follow Jane from her childhood in London watching a robin on her windowsill, to her years in the African forests of Gombe, Tanzania, invited by brilliant scientist Louis Leakey to observe chimps, to her worldwide crusade to save these primates who are now in danger of extinction, and their habitat. Young animal lovers and Winter’s many fans will welcome this fascinating and moving portrait of an extraordinary person and the animals to whom she has dedicated her life.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel

Capturing an engineer’s creative vision and mind for detail, this fully illustrated picture book biography sheds light on how the American inventor George Ferris defied gravity and seemingly impossible odds to invent the world’s most iconic amusement park attraction, the Ferris wheel.

A fun, fact-filled text by Kathryn Gibbs Davis combines with Gilbert Ford’s dazzling full-color illustrations to transport readers to the 1893 World’s Fair, where George Ferris and his big, wonderful wheel lifted passengers to the skies for the first time.

Dinosaur Lady

Mary Anning loved scouring the beach near her home in England for shells and fossils. She fearlessly climbed over crumbling cliffs and rocky peaks, searching for new specimens. One day, something caught Mary’s eye.

Bones. Dinosaur Bones.

Mary’s discoveries rocked the world of science and helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology. But many people believed women couldn’t be scientists, so Mary wasn’t given the credit she deserved. Nevertheless, Mary kept looking and learning more, making discoveries that reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world.

Dinosaur Lady  is a beautiful and brilliant picture book that will enlighten children about the discovery of the dinosaurs and the importance of female scientists. It also includes a timeline of Mary Anning’s life and lots of fantastic fossil facts!

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Just Like Rube Goldberg

Want to become an award-winning cartoonist and inventor? Follow your dreams, just like Rube Goldberg! From a young age, Rube Goldberg had a talent for art. But his father, a German immigrant, wanted Rube to have a secure job. So, Rube went to college and became an engineer.

But Rube didn’t want to spend his life mapping sewer pipes. He wanted to follow his passion, so Rube got a low-level job at a newspaper, and from there, he worked his way up, creating cartoons that made people laugh and tickled the imagination. He became known for his fantastic Rube Goldberg machines—complicated contraptions with many parts that performed a simple task in an elaborate and farfetched way. Eventually, his cartoons earned him a Pulitzer Prize and his own adjective in the dictionary. This moving biography is sure to encourage young artists and inventors to pursue their passions.

Terry Fox and Me

Before Terry Fox become a national hero and icon, he was just a regular kid. But even then, his characteristic strength, determination and loyalty were apparent and were the foundation for his friendship with Doug. The two first met at basketball tryouts in grammar school. Terry was the smallest – and worst – basketball player on the court. But that didn’t stop him. With Doug’s help, Terry practiced and practiced until he earned a spot on the team. As they grew up, the best friends supported each other, challenged each other, helped each other become better athletes and better people. Doug was by Terry’s side every step of the way: when Terry received a diagnosis of cancer in his leg, when he was learning to walk – then run – with a prosthetic leg and while he was training for the race of his life, his Marathon of Hope.

Salt in His Shoes

Michael Jordan.

The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he’d never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That’s when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion — patience, determination, and hard work.

Deloris Jordan, mother of the basketball phenomenon, teams up with his sister Roslyn to tell this heartwarming and inspirational story that only the members of the Jordan family could tell. It’s a tale about faith and hope and how any family working together can help a child make his or her dreams come true.

When I Was Eight

Bestselling memoir Fatty Legs for younger readers. Olemaun is eight and knows a lot of things. But she does not know how to read. Ignoring her father’s warnings, she travels far from her Arctic home to the outsiders’ school to learn. The nuns at the school call her Margaret. They cut off her long hair and force her to do menial chores, but she remains undaunted. Her tenacity draws the attention of a black-cloaked nun who tries to break her spirit at every turn. But the young girl is more determined than ever to learn how to read. Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and complemented by stunning illustrations, When I Was Eight makes the bestselling Fatty Legs accessible to younger readers. Now they, too, can meet this remarkable girl who reminds us what power we hold when we can read.

When Sue Found Sue

From a very young age, Sue Hendrickson was meant to find things: lost coins, perfume bottles, even hidden treasure. Her endless curiosity eventually led to her career in diving and paleontology, where she would continue to find things big and small. In 1990, at a dig in South Dakota, Sue made her biggest discovery to date: Sue the T. rex, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever unearthed. Named in Sue’s honor, Sue the T. rex would be placed on permanent exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.  When Sue Found Sue  inspires readers to take a closer look at the world around them and to never lose their brave, adventurous spirits. 

What are some of your favorite picture book biographies?

You can see all our book lists here!

Similar Posts

Books with Great Imagination to Spark Your Child’s Imagination

A few days ago I shared that books are one of my favorite ways to foster imagination in children and today I wanted share a few of our favorite imaginative books with you. (If you like this list, you’ll love 9 MORE Books To Spark Your Child’s Imagination!) The books on this list not only…

008: What We Read in Our Homeschool in February & March

Today I’m sharing lots of good books we read in the last two months in our homeschool! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EPISODE: WATCH ON YOUTUBE: LINKS, BOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: WANT EVEN MORE? If you want access to even more homeschool resources, printables, a mama seasonal book club, an online community, and…

Eight Picture Books To Add To Your Shelves

We’ve been reading so many good picture books lately I wanted to share a few more that I think are ones that are just generally great to have in your personal collection. I find each of these books fun to read with my kids and I don’t mind reading them again and again (a requirement…

Fantasy Book Recommendations For Elementary and Middle Grades

I was not a fantasy reader as a child and boy, do I ever feel like I missed out! I wasn’t even a fantasy reader as an adult until recently! I spent the last few years reading some elementary and middle grade fantasy to proof read for my kids and it really hasn’t been until…

Chapter Book Recommendations for BOYS (well, girls too)

Since I recently sat down with my daughter and got a list of her favorite books I figured I needed to do the same with my son. He is very active boy so he mainly listens to books instead of sitting and reading them. He’s always doing something with his hands while listening to books,…

The Best Picture Books for September

It’s time for another monthly picture book list! To be honest, I quite love fall but in the past number of years I’ve allowed the impending winter to dampen my enjoyment of the season and I hope to change that this year. Because of the coming of autumn in the middle of September this is…

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

How do You Use Social Media? Be entered to win a $50 gift card!

The How and Why of Using Picture Book Biographies in the Classroom

Bring historical figures to life!

As a genre, picture book biographies have taken off in recent years. There are biographies of famous people ( Vincent Can’t Sleep by Barb Rosenstock) and obscure people ( The Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson). Some biographies span entire lives ( Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder) or one-day events ( A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr and the Speech that Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein). Whatever you’re planning to teach, chances are, you’ll find a biography to go with it.

Picture book biographies are a great way to help bring historical figures to life, and to encourage students to ask deeper questions about a person, time period, or event. One thing to know: as a read aloud, they are long and often complex books, so it’s good to plan to read one book across multiple days.

Below find 4 reading skills that picture book biographies help teach, and 5 ways to use picture book biographies with your class (think: grades 2-5).

Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!

4 Important Skills Readers Learn from Picture Book Biographies

These skills will make picture book biographies an integral part of your reading curriculum.

1. How to Approach Narrative Nonfiction

Narrative nonfiction requires reading skills from both fiction and nonfiction. Students have to identify details that are true, and bring their background knowledge about a time period or person to a text to better understand it. They also have to follow the narrative of a person’s life or experience.

Biography to Try: Reading a picture book biography that tells a narrative, like Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock, gives students a chance to practice connecting background knowledge with new information. In this case, they’ll learn about the ocean’s depths with the story of the Bathysphere. At the same time, they are reading a narrative with a beginning, middle, end, and other features.

[contextly_auto_sidebar]

2. Expanded Vocabulary

Unlike expository texts, which have lots of academic words specific to a topic, picture book biographies have a broader vocabulary. Students will encounter words they’ll see in other fiction stories. This allows them to expand their vocabulary alongside the academic words that go with each story.

Biography to Try: The Noisy Paintbox by Barb Rosenstock allows you to to talk about common words like proper and appreciate . You’ll also talk about words that have to do with art: palette, cerulean, and many more. 

3. Empathetic Connection with Nonfiction

Another aspect of connecting to text is the ability to empathize with characters, or in this case historical figures. Sometimes the best way to understand what it was like to live through something is a story. Picture book biographies allow students to engage with important events and people using empathy.

Biography to Try:   The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Mosca helps students really understand what it felt to be Temple Grandin and face the challenges she did as a researcher with autism.

4. Ability to See Connections

Reading picture book biographies across a school year, you’ll find lots of ways to connect across and between books.

Biographies to Try:  Read Shark Lady by Jess Keating, about shark researcher Eugenie Clark. Then, read Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed about Mae Jemison. Last, read I Dissent by Debbie Levy about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Then bring it together to talk about how these three very different stories showcased women who pursued their dreams at a time when women were expected to stay out of the public sphere.

5 Ways to Use Picture Book Biographies

Once you’ve chosen your biography, here are five ways to use it:

1. Start with the Who

When you start a new unit, engage students in thinking about the most important (or maybe a lesser figure) with a biography.

Biography to Try: To start a unit about the Revolutionary period, read a biography of George Washington, like A Parade for George Washington by David Adler. Have students brainstorm questions starting with Washington.

2. Dig Deeper

Add a picture book biography partway through a unit to help students bring the general knowledge they’ve gained from expository text to one person’s experience. What questions were answered by studying this person’s life? And, what questions are students interested in exploring after learning more about one person?

Biography to Try: During a unit on astronomy, incorporate Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker. This book showcases Katherine Johnson and her work with Apollo 13. It can help expand and deepen students’ knowledge of how people first explored space. 

3. Introduce the Obscure

Sometimes you’re teaching a subject that seems completely foreign to students. Introducing it through a person can make the topic feel less obscure.

Biography to Try: Use the biography Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and her Poetic Beginnings by Jane Yolen to talk about poetry and segue into Dickinson’s poetry.

4. Make the Familiar Unfamiliar

You’ll come across topics that students have studied over and over. Picture book biographies that focus on a lesser-known hero, or on a specific part of a famous person’s life, can inject new energy into familiar topics.

Biography to Try: When studying the founding of America, try reading Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock. You can talk about the life of Jefferson and go beyond the basic expository timeline or textbook.

5. Humanize Dry Subjects

Reading a biography in science, math, art, or another topic is a great way to show students how those topics impacted real people. Bringing real people into lessons can make dry topics more interesting and real-world. 

Biography to Try: In Nothing Stopped Sophie by Cheryl Bardoe and Barbara McClintock, you’ll read about Sophie Germain. She grew up during the French Revolution and was interested in finding the order in math. Reading about Sophie will inspire more curiosity than solving math problems on day one of a math unit.

How do you use picture book biographies in your classroom? Share on our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE Facebook page.

You Might Also Like

9 Areas of Your Teaching to Evaluate for Diversity & Inclusion

Your bookshelf, your decor, and more. Continue Reading

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

• ADMIN AREA MY BOOKSHELF MY DASHBOARD MY PROFILE SIGN OUT SIGN IN

Best Picture-Book Biographies of 2023

CHILDREN'S

FEB. 14, 2023

by Tonya Bolden ; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

A profile as bold and vivacious as the singer herself. Full review >

JAN. 10, 2023

by Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden ; illustrated by Hayden Goodman

A moving testimonial to the effects of instilling a love of live music in childhood. Full review >

OCT. 3, 2023

by Jyoti Rajan Gopal ; illustrated by Svabhu Kohli

Evocative and electrifying. Full review >

OCT. 31, 2023

by Joanna Ho ; illustrated by Cátia Chien

Inspiring insights into how art can reify vital current issues. Full review >

FEB. 7, 2023

by Kirsten W. Larson ; illustrated by Katherine Roy

A luminous thematic pairing. Full review >

NOV. 14, 2023

by Michelle Markel ; illustrated by Barbara McClintock

A cacophony of verve and frolic, this is biographical storytelling at its absolute best. Full review >

MARCH 7, 2023

by Aida Salazar ; illustrated by Molly Mendoza

Bravery and determination prevail in this inspiring tale of unconventional leadership. Full review >

APRIL 11, 2023

by Traci Sorell ; illustrated by Arigon Starr

A lesser-known but significant encounter with all-too-current resonances. Full review >

by Caren Stelson ; illustrated by Selina Alko

A not-to-be-missed, inspirational book about courage, heart, and the necessity of caring for others. Full review >

JAN. 24, 2023

by Jennifer Thermes ; illustrated by Jennifer Thermes

A story of bitter cold infused with warmth and with the fighting spirit of its courageous subject. Full review >

JAN. 3, 2023

by Traci N. Todd ; illustrated by Shannon Wright

Long-overdue but welcome recognition for a pioneering graphic artist. Full review >

More Book Lists

Recent News & Features

• Seen & Heard

• In the News

• Discover Indie Reads
• Best Indie Books of April
• 20 Books You Really Should Have Read by Now
• The 25 Most Buzzworthy Books Right Now
• Episode 368: Darcie Little Badger
• Episode 367: J. Drew Lanham
• Episode 366: Best April Books with Julia Alvarez
• Episode 365: Nikki McClure

The Magazine: Kirkus Reviews

Featuring 346 industry-first reviews of fiction, nonfiction, children’s and YA books; also in this special Indie Issue: a celebration of the rich diversity of indie publishing, interviews with indie authors, and more

The Kirkus Star

One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

The Kirkus Prize

The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.

Great Books & News Curated For You

Be the first to read books news and see reviews, news and features in Kirkus Reviews . Get awesome content delivered to your inbox every week.

• Discover Books Fiction Thriller & Suspense Mystery & Detective Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Nonfiction Biography & Memoir Teens & Young Adult Children's
• News & Features Bestsellers Book Lists Profiles Perspectives Awards Seen & Heard Book to Screen Kirkus TV videos In the News
• Kirkus Prize Winners & Finalists About the Kirkus Prize Kirkus Prize Judges
• Magazine Current Issue All Issues Manage My Subscription Subscribe
• Writers’ Center Hire a Professional Book Editor Get Your Book Reviewed Advertise Your Book Launch a Pro Connect Author Page Learn About The Book Industry
• More Kirkus Diversity Collections Kirkus Pro Connect My Account/Login
• About Kirkus History Our Team Contest FAQ Press Center Info For Publishers
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Reprints, Permission & Excerpting Policy

© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Popular in this Genre

Hey there, book lover.

We’re glad you found a book that interests you!

Please select an existing bookshelf

Create a new bookshelf.

We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!

Please sign up to continue.

It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!

Already have an account? Log in.

Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.

Almost there!

• Industry Professional

Welcome Back!

Sign in using your Kirkus account

Contact us: 1-800-316-9361 or email [email protected].

Don’t fret. We’ll find you.

Magazine Subscribers ( How to Find Your Reader Number )

If You’ve Purchased Author Services

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up.

RAR #122: Picture Book Biographies We Love

by Sarah Mackenzie | Feb 11, 2019 | For Mamas of Older Kids & Teens , For Mamas of Younger Kids , Home Librarian , Homeschooling , Listener Favorites , Picture Books , Podcast

What’s the best way to introduce your kids to the lives and ideas of those who’ve gone before? In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, the RAR Team is talking about using picture book biographies with kids of all ages.

Update: we’ve created an updated, better-than-ever list of picture book biographies for you, organized by time period and category. Don’t miss it! We talk about in podcast episode #164: Our Favorite Way to Read Through History.

Download the FREE categorized list

I was hoping you'd do that! Check your email-- that's where the printable will land.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

And of course, we don’t just give you the  why … we also share dozens and dozens of excellent picture book biographies in this new booklist!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why picture books are for all ages (no really… all ages)
• what makes pictures books special ( Hint: it has to do with being an invitation )
• how picture books can help us learn history, research a new subject, discuss difficult topics, and more

Listener Guide

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:

• 1:18 Bigs and littles
• 5:17 The team is here!
• 6:53 Picture books are worthy
• 11:26 Gather ’round
• 12:22 Storybooks and picture books
• 14:35 Jen Bryant’s books
• 15:33 Exploring difficult topics
• 18:37 An invitation
• 19:39 Kara’s picks
• 21:19 Sarah’s picks
• 21:58 Kortney’s picks
• 22:55 Barb Rosenstock’s books
• 25:45  Let the Kids Speak

Links from this episode:

• Find Kortney on Instagram
• Find Kara on Instagram
• RAR #71: The Research and Inspiration Behind Fascinating Historical Fiction, Caroline Starr Rose
• The Dress and The Girl (not a biography, but mentioned for reference)
• William Kamkwamba TED Talk

Quotes to remember:

“What does it feel like to be Louis Braille? What does it feel like to be Abe Lincoln? What does it feel like to be Thomas Jefferson and creating the first library? All those questions are answered in a 32-page picture book in a way that feels a lot more visceral and personal than it could with a longer narrative.” – Sarah Mackenzie

“For the busiest people… you can always squeeze in a picture book . You’re not committing yourself to a big, long novel that’s going to take weeks and weeks to read aloud. You’re committing yourself to maybe ten minutes of good connection with your kids.” – Kortney Garrison

“By stepping into the character’s shoes through a picture book, (kids) really get the idea of what it was like to live during a certain time, so it’s one of our favorite ways to study history. ” – Kara Anderson

You’ll also enjoy:

• Read With Us: Snowflake Bentley
• Why Reading Aloud to a Wide Range of Ages is Difficult (and How to Do It Without Losing Your Mind)
• Why Read Picture Books with Older Kids?

View the Transcript

Download the Transcript

Inspiring Picture Books About People Protecting Our Planet

Earth Day, held every April 22, honors the people and initiatives that help protect our environment and raises awareness of threats to the planet. It is an occasion for each of us to strengthen our commitment to protecting the world we live in and secure its future. One way to do this is to learn about and be inspired by people who have taken action, on a large scale or in their own corner of the globe, to take care of our home. Here are picture book biographies celebrating environmentalists, conservationists, and naturalists and the important work they have done.

.css-1t84354{transition-property:var(--nypl-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--nypl-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--nypl-transition-easing-ease-out);cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;color:var(--nypl-colors-ui-link-primary);text-decoration-style:dotted;text-decoration-thickness:1px;text-underline-offset:2px;}.css-1t84354:hover,.css-1t84354[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;color:var(--nypl-colors-ui-link-secondary);text-decoration-style:dotted;text-decoration-thickness:1px;}.chakra-ui-dark .css-1t84354:hover:not([data-theme]),.chakra-ui-dark .css-1t84354[data-hover]:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1t84354:hover:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1t84354[data-hover]:not([data-theme]),.css-1t84354:hover[data-theme=dark],.css-1t84354[data-hover][data-theme=dark]{color:var(--nypl-colors-dark-ui-link-secondary);}.css-1t84354:focus,.css-1t84354[data-focus]{box-shadow:var(--nypl-shadows-outline);}.chakra-ui-dark .css-1t84354:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1t84354:not([data-theme]),.css-1t84354[data-theme=dark]{color:var(--nypl-colors-dark-ui-link-primary);}.css-1t84354:visited{color:var(--nypl-colors-ui-link-tertiary);}.chakra-ui-dark .css-1t84354:visited:not([data-theme]),[data-theme=dark] .css-1t84354:visited:not([data-theme]),.css-1t84354:visited[data-theme=dark]{color:var(--nypl-colors-dark-ui-link-tertiary);}.css-1t84354 a:hover,.css-1t84354 a[data-hover]{color:var(--nypl-colors-ui-link-secondary);}.css-1t84354 screenreaderOnly{clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);height:1px;overflow:hidden;position:absolute!important;width:1px;word-wrap:normal;} One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia

by Miranda Paul; illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Tells the story of a Isatou Ceesay, a Gambian woman who came up with a way to recycle the plastic bags that had littered the landscape in her nation, an act that saved the environment and transformed her community.

Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough

by Hayley Rocco; illustrated by John Rocco

As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of show: He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David's innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people.But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. What could David do to help? What could we all do? 

The Water Walker

by Joanne Robertson

Explains how Nokomis Josephine Mandamin, an Ojibwa from Canada, inspired by her traditional respect for water, founded the Mother Earth Water Walkers, who walk around the Great Lakes and in other areas to call attention to water conservation.

Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastião Salgado

by Philip Hoelzel; illustrated by Renato Alarcão

This stunning picture book biography about Brazilian photojournalist, humanitarian and environmental advocate Sebastião Salgado shows how he used his pictures to tell the stories of people who might not otherwise be seen and photographed the beauty of the world to save it. 

The Snow Man: A True Story

by Jonah Winter; illustrated by Jeanette Winter

Discover the true story of Billy Barr who lived alone in the mountains with a hobby of measuring snowfall that led to groundbreaking data tracking in climate change studies.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng

by Sophia M. Gholz; illustrated by Kayla Harren

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals.

Spring After Spring: How Rachel Carson Inspired the Environmental Movement

by Stephanie Roth Sisson

As a child, Rachel Carson lived by the rhythms of the natural world. Spring after spring, year after year, she observed how all living things are connected. And as an adult, Rachel watched and listened as the natural world she loved so much began to fallsilent. Spring After Spring traces Rachel's journey as scientist and writer, courageously speaking truth to an often hostile world through her book, and ultimately paving the way for the modern environmental movement.

Tree Lady : The True Story of How One Tree-loving Woman Changed a City Forever

by H. Joseph Hopkins; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Documents the true story of the nature pioneer and activist who, after becoming the first woman to earn a science degree from the University of California, took a teaching position in the desert region of San Diego and single-handedly launched a movementto transform the area with trees and gardens.

A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas

by Vicki Conrad; illustrated by Ibon Adarne and Rachel Yew

The Florida Everglades are made up of nine different ecosystems supporting an astonishing variety of wildlife, but for years, the Everglades were threatened. They needed a voice to speak up for them. Marjory Stoneman Douglas became that voice. Her book A River of Grass helped the world see the irreplaceable beauty and value of the Everglades. Marjory's activism led to the creation of a national park and dedicated conservation efforts, and throughout her long life she inspired countless people to use their voices to make a difference.

Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist Mavynee Betsch

by Heidi Tyline King; illustrated by Ekua Holmes

A biography of MaVynee Betsch, an African American opera singer turned environmentalist who worked to preserve American Beach, Florida as a historical landmark.

Stand As Tall As the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest

by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau; illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo

Reminding readers of the importance of nature conservation, perseverance and standing up for your community, this inspiring true story follows Patricia (Paty) Gualinga, a human rights and indigenous rights defender, as she works to protect and preserve her people’s sacred lands and forests in the Amazon of Ecuador.

Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai

by Gwendolyn Hooks; illustrated by Margaux Carpentier

Tells the inspiring story of Wangari Maathai, women’s rights activist and one of the first environmental warriors. Wangari began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in the 1960s, which focused on planting trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. She inspired thousands across Africa to plant 30 million trees in 30 years and was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.  

Luna and Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest

by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Once there was a redwood tree—one of the world's largest and tallest trees, and one of the oldest. And once there was a girl named Julia, who was called Butterfly. When exploring her beloved forest, Butterfly wandered into a grove of ancient trees. One tree had broken branches and a big blue "X" on the side. It was going to be chopped down. Butterfly climbed up into the tree. A tree wouldn't be cut down if it had a person living in it. This is the story of Julia Butterfly Hill and Luna, the redwood tree she lived in for two years, never once coming down. That is, not until Luna's future was safe.

She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey

by Andrea D'Aquino

As a young girl, Florence Merriam Bailey fell in love with the outdoors, especially birds, whose songs and flight captivated her. She listened, waited, and watched to better understand her feathered friends, and wrote many books, including one of the first field guides to American birds. Her work ultimately led to better protection for birds and to the scientific study of birds in nature instead of in a lab.

I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon

by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul; illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Documents the inspiring story of environmental champion Tantoh Nforba, describing how he was teased in childhood for his interest in gardening before he organized programs to bring clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon. 

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior

by Carole Lindstrom; illustrated by Bridget George

Indigenous women have always worked tirelessly to protect our water—keeping it pure and clean for the generations to come. Yet there was a time when their voices and teachings were nearly drowned out, leaving entire communities and environments in danger and without clean water. But then came Grandma Josephine and her great-niece, Autumn. Speak for the water. Sing for the water. Dance for the water. 

Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park

by Lori Alexander; illustrated by Jenn Ely

Recounts the true story of how Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, an artist, activist and environmentalist, saved what came to be known as Joshua Tree National Park in California, and saved hundreds of thousands of plants and animals along with it. 

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle

by Claire A. Nivola

A picture book biography tells the story of Sylvia Earle's growing passion for the wonders of the sea and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world.  

The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest

Meg Lowman was always fascinated by the natural world above her head — the colors, the branches, and, most of all, the leaves and mysterious organisms living there. Meg set out to climb up and investigate the rain forest tree canopies — and to be the first scientist to do so. But she encountered challenge after challenge. Male teachers would not let her into their classrooms, the high canopy was difficult to get to, and worst of all, people were logging and clearing the forests. Meg never gave up or gave in. She studied, invented, and persevered, not only creating a future for herself as a scientist, but making sure that the rainforests had a future as well.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

The Best 10 Biographies by Women to Add to Your Reading List

From former first ladies to famous actors and standup comedians.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

The books on this list include incredible true stories about remarkable women who overcame great adversity, from Hollywood heavyweights sharing their personal stories for the first time to women journeying through grief, love, heartbreak, and hardship. While some of these books explore what it means to move forward after a violent crime, others explain the influence a person's upbringing had on their identity. Here, we round up 10 of the best biographies of women to add to your reading list in 2024.

'Becoming' by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama needs no introduction following her eight-year tenure as first lady in the White House, but that doesn't make her story any less remarkable. Becoming covers everything from Michelle's youth in Chicago to her relationship with husband and former president Barack Obama and the way she's learned to juggle working on a world stage alongside raising her family. Rather than shying away from her mistakes, Michelle reflects on her life to date, offering every ounce of wisdom she's gathered, making her memoir an essential read.

'I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban' by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

When Malala Yousafzai was just 15 years old, she was shot in the head after standing up to the Taliban regarding her right to an education. Seemingly against all odds, Yousafzai survived the attack, and was subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her advocacy on behalf of children and young people. Since then, she has continued her activism by supporting young women to receive an education, while opposing extremism. I Am Malala is Yousafzai's incredible story , told in her own words.

'Inside Out: A Memoir' by Demi Moore

As an award-winning actor and the ex-wife of Bruce Willis , Demi Moore is no stranger to the spotlight. In Inside Out: A Memoir, Moore uses her wit and candor to discuss her unlikely rise to fame, the difficulties she encountered as a Hollywood star, and aspects of her personal life even the most dedicated fan wouldn't know. From her very real battles with sexism to the disintegration of multiple relationships, Moore doesn't hold anything back in her emotional autobiography.

'Know My Name' by Chanel Miller

With Know My Name, Chanel Miller gave up her anonymity as Emily Doe to tell her story. In 2016, Brock Turner was found guilty of three counts of felony sexual assault, for which he was sentenced to six months in county jail, although he would only serve three. Following the trial, Miller's victim impact statement went viral online, in which she revealed the devastating impact the crime had on every aspect of her life. Know My Name is an intimate portrayal of what it's like to survive a life-changing event and find a new forward.

'Finding Me' by Viola Davis

Viola Davis' biography , Finding Me, elevated the actor to EGOT status when she took home a Grammy for her performance of the audiobook, and it's easy to see why. Discussing her humble upbringing on Rhode Island and her quest to forge a career as an actor, Davis encourages honesty and self-reflection when readers look back on their own stories. While Davis' talent is undeniable, her journey to stardom has been anything but simple, making Finding Me an important and timeless read.

'Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology' by Leah Remini: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology

After leaving Scientology in July 2013, Leah Remini was forced to rebuild her life from the ground up. Despite being a famous actor, Remini was seemingly adrift in the world without her former religion and allegedly faced harassment and stalking by the organization for fleeing. Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology tracks Remini's upbringing in the church, the reasons she finally decided to leave, and the ways in which her life changed after she walked away.

'Survival of the Thickest' by Michelle Buteau

Comedian Michelle Buteau has continually proven herself with roles in Netflix movies, such as Someone Great and Always Be My Maybe, and on TV shows like Russian Doll and First Wives Club. In Survival of the Thickest, Buteau provides readers with an insight into her life growing up in New Jersey with Caribbean parents and why she made the move to Miami for college. Both hilarious and intimate, Buteau gets candid about her chaotic life as a standup comedian, starting a family with her Dutch husband, and the difficult decisions she faced when becoming a mother.

'Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail' by Cheryl Strayed

Brought to the big screen in a movie starring Reese Witherspoon , Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is a story of resilience, heartbreak, grief, and an 1100-mile solo hike. Leaving behind a difficult romantic relationship and personal demons and still reeling from the death of her mother, Strayed navigates the challenging walk with very little hiking experience. In spite of her shortcomings, the journey changes the course of her life forever.

'Crying in H Mart' by Michelle Zauner in H Mart: A Memoir

Known as the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast , Michelle Zauner's biography is an exploration of family, food, identity, loss, and the journey to discovering oneself. From her childhood in Oregon to her experiences staying in Seoul, South Korea, with her grandmother, Zauner examines the strands that form her identity as a Korean American. In addition to tracking her career as a rock musician, Zauner opens up about the devastating family diagnosis that changed her outlook on life and heritage.

'I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home' by Jami Attenberg

Author Jami Attenberg is known for her novels The Middlesteins and The Melting Season, and for short story collections such as Instant Love . In I Came All This Way to Meet You, Attenberg shares the experiences that shaped her worldview, including following her father's occupation as a traveling salesman. As Attenberg discovered her own creative identity, she also found the less glamorous aspects of writing, such as the cross-country book tours and the lack of stable housing. Despite the challenges, Attenberg's memoir provides the encouragement needed to never quit, whatever the project.

Jada Pinkett Smith’s New Memoir Shocks In More Way

The Best Books About Philosophers

12 Best Prime Day Book Deals to Read Now

10 Best True Crime Books

The Best Memoirs by Musicians

The Best Celebrity-Narrated Books on Audible

The Best Books About Activists to Inspire You

The Best Books About Founding Fathers

The Best Books About Inventors

Best Books About Scientists

The 20 Best Memoirs Everyone Should Read