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Best Biographies for Kids

Books of this genre can help children reach deeper levels of understanding in many areas across the curriculum--from Language Arts genre studies to units in history, geography, character education, and many other subject areas.

BEST DEAL: If you are looking for children's biography books but don't want to spend a lot of money, be sure to check out our list of new and gently used SALE books. Some of the books are new (overstock), and some are used but in good condition! ALL are 40% or more off retail! Click the image below to see available books.

Biographies for Kids : Available on Amazon

Below are some of the best autobiographies and biographies for kids. We've tried to trim down our list to just include what we feel are the best biographies written specifically for children, but we are definitely open to your input. If you have some favorite biographies that we have not listed, please let us know. The interest level (audience age) increases as you move down the page.

When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant Kindergarten - 3rd grade

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say Kindergarten - 3rd grade

Eleanor by Barbara Cooney Kindergarten - 3rd grade

The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola Kindergarten - 2nd grade

Duke Ellington by Andrea Pinkney 1st grade - 5th grade

Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea A Fairly Fabricated Story of a Pair of Pants by Tony Johnston Kindergarten - 3rd grade

Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport Kindergarten - 4th grade

Wilma Unlimited How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull Kindergarten - 5th grade

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell Kindergarten - 2nd grade

Manfish A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne 2nd grade - 5th grade

Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli Kindergarten - 3rd grade

A Wizard from the Start The Incredible Boyhood & Amazing Inventions of Thomas Edison by Don Brown 2nd grade - 5th grade

Harvesting Hope The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull 3rd grade - 6th grade

Odd Boy Out Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown 2nd grade - 5th grade

Neo Leo The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo daVinci by Gene Barretta 2nd grade - 5th grade

Reaching for the Moon by Buzz Aldrin 2nd grade - 5th grade

Starry Messenger by Peter Sis 3rd grade & Up

Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges 3rd grade - 7th grade

Bill Peet: An Autobiography by Bill Peet 3rd grade & Up

The Boy Who Invented TV The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull 2nd grade - 5th grade

Bad News for Outlaws The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal 3rd grade & Up

Boys of Steel The Creators of Superman by Marc Nobleman 3rd grade - 6th grade

Gregor Mendel The Friar Who Grew Peas by Cheryl Bardoe 3rd grade - 6th grade

Knots in My Yo-yo String The Autobiography of a Kid by Jerry Spinelli 5th grade & Up

Knucklehead Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories about Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka 3rd grade - 6th grade

26 Fairmount Avenue series (adorable series that tells the story of DePaola's childhood in the 30s-40s) by Tomie DePaola / 2nd grade - 5th grade

Kathleen Krull's biography series Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Musicians, Lives of the Writers, Lives of the Athletes, Lives of the Presidents, Lives of the Pirates, Lives of Extraordinary Women 4th grade & Up

The Endless Steppe Growing Up in Siberia by Esther Hautzig 5th grade & Up

Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl 4th grade - 7th grade

The Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn by Robert Burleigh 4th grade - 8th grade

The Day-Glo Brothers The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand New Colors 4th grade - 6th grade

How Angel Peterson Got His Name and other outrageous tales about extreme sports 6th grade - 9th grade

Eleanor Roosevelt A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman 6th grade - 12th grade

The Real Benedict Arnold by Jim Murphy 5th grade - 8th grade

Red Scarf Girl A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-Li Jiang 5th grade - 9th grade

Parallel Journeys (WW2 told by two youths -- a member of Hitler's Youth and a concentration camp survivor) 7th grade & Up

Tasting the Sky A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat 7th grade & Up

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 7th grade - 10th grade

Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman 5th grade - 9th grade

Come Back to Afghanistan A California Teenager's Story by Said Hyder Akbar 8th grade & Up

We also have dedicated book lists of biographies on the following people:

Biographies for kids on George Washington

Biographies for kids on Benjamin Franklin

Biographies for kids on Abraham Lincoln

And we have biographies on Theodore Roosevelt and Charles Darwin

Enjoy the books!

Betsy, Cindy, and Virginia (the teachers/sisters behind this website)

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Biography - Kids

Title: The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi, Author: Julie Andrews

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Title: The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition, Author: Anne Frank

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Biographies & Autobiographies for Kids

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Biography Books for Kids in Kindergarten on Up!

By Lauren Bercuson · Published: Aug 23, 2021 · Modified: Nov 22, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

Biography books for kids in kindergarten on up teach children about history, important voices, and our great big world. Check out some of our favorite picture book biographies right here!

The covers of 9 fabulous biography books for kids.

Biography Books for Kids Give Children Phenomenal Role Models to Emulate

Reading picture book biographies enables kids to see the world through someone else’s eyes, frequently asked questions, our favorite biography books for kids.

There is something magical about watching a child fall into a captivating picture book biography, only to suddenly realize the person they’re reading about is REAL.

It’s like a light bulb goes off. It’s a moment where children remember that the story they’re reading is true and that maybe they, too, can one day conquer their wildest dreams.

That’s what I love about biography books for kids They show children that through grit and perseverance, they can change the world in ways big and small.

These stories, of course, not only give children a closer look at history, but they also help to foster empathy and create a greater understanding of people who may have very different lived experiences than they do. Biography books for kids also help children learn about fascinating heroes both past and present. Picture book biographies bring heroes to life. They offer glimpses into different careers, movements, and cultures that help shape their worldview.

So much wisdom and knowledge can be gathered from reading others’ stories, and these books are not just inspiring, but enriching, too.

We simply adore biography books for kids, and these are some of our very favorites for kids in kindergarten on up!

Happily Ever Elephants participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy .

A biography is a true story about someone’s life, thus, biographies are a type of nonfiction. The subject of the biography may be someone famous that you have already heard of, or it may be someone ordinary who did something extraordinary! There are many outstanding picture book biographies, and these stories are perfect for children of all ages.

Biography books for kids are wonderful tools to help children recognize they can be anyone – and do anything – they set their minds to. These stories about real people who have changed the world in ways big and small are remarkable examples of perseverance and the importance of a growth mindset . They bring heroes to life, while simultaneously offering glimpses into different careers, movements, and cultures.

Without a doubt, my favorite biography book for kids is I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark, by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley . RBG grew up at a time when women were encouraged to be homemakers, not lawyers. Yet despite this, she pursued her goals and dissented widely in the face of injustice. Her story is inspiring and powerful, teaching kids we can always stand up for what’s right, even when it seems the whole world is against us.

The cover of I Dissent, one of my all time favorite biography books for kids.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg grew up at a time when women were encouraged to be homemakers, not lawyers. But this never dissuaded RBG from following her aspirations and dissenting widely in the face of injustice. As a child who dissented from being forced to write with her right hand (when she was truly a lefty) and as a Supreme Court Justice who continually disagreed with the unequal treatment of all people, this is an inspiring and powerful biography book for kids about how we can always stand up for what’s right, even when it seems the whole world is against us.

Kamala Harris was a fighter for justice even as a little girl when she accompanied her parents to civil rights marches in her stroller. As Harris grew from a young girl in Oakland to a law student to a U.S. Senator and then to the Vice President of the United States, she learned a thing about persistence — and justice — along the way. This is one of our favorite new biography books for kids celebrating the fascinating life of our first female, South Asian Vice President!

The cover of Joey: The Story of Joe Biden, a wonderful biography book for kids.

Joe Biden, the 47th President of the United States, was once just a little boy growing up in Scranton, the oldest of four kids. A risk taker and always a leader, Biden learned to overcome a stutter by reading out loud frequently. Growing up in humble beginnings, he was a compassionate boy and a deep thinker, always committed to his family. As a young man, Biden was elected one of the youngest United States Senators ever, eventually becoming Vice President to Barack Obama, and President in 2021. Written by his spouse, this tender story celebrates Biden as a child, a man, and a leader in American politics.

The cover of Flying High, The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles, a terrific biography book for kids.

I have so many gymnastics-obsessed students, and let’s face it: they love Simone Biles! Though my students thought they knew all about her, there was so much they did not know — like the fact that she grew up in foster care, or that her grandparents actually adopted Simone and her sister and became their parents. This story is about remarkable dedication, sacrifice, devotion, and love from family. This is one of the most sought biography books for kids in our school library and an especially great one for very young readers!

The cover of Mae Among the Stars, a cherished biography book for kids.

This beauty of a book tells the story of Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel to space! With her mother’s words of encouragement continually whispered in her ears, Mae’s intelligence and drive led her to conquer insurmountable odds until she found herself at NASA. “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.” You can even touch the stars. This is one of my favorites to read with pre-K and kindergarten students!

Teach Kids about Dr. Fauci with this wonderful biography book for kids.

Before he became the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci was a curious and inquisitive boy from Brooklyn. He asked lots of questions, loved to interpret data, and he persisted in all of his endeavors, no matter how hard. Fauci went to college and medical school, and he eventually worked for seven different presidents to tackle some of the world’s most precarious health challenges, including AIDS, the West Nile virus, and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a wonderful introduction to the man who rose up to meet some our country’s biggest and most pressing challenges, conveying to children that we must keep our minds open and learn as much as we can, each and every day.

The cover of Trombone Shorty, one of our favorite biography books for kids.

Troy Andrews did not have money to buy an instrument as a kid, but he did have a huge talent and love for music. When he was lifted into the air and onto the stage to play with the famous Bo Diddley, he found his calling. Known as “Trombone Shorty” because he was a small boy with a trombone twice his size, this is the captivating story of a boy from the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans and how he made his dreams come true. From Grammy nominations to shows before President Obama, Andrews’ story will inspire young musicians everywhere!

The cover of A Most Clever Girl, a wonderful biography book for kids about Jane Austen.

If there is one thing kids adore, it’s reading about mischievous children who learn to walk to the beat of their own drum despite people trying to get them to follow the same path everyone else has taken. As a child, young Jane loved telling stories to make others laugh, poking fun at popular novels with their silly damsels in distress and absurd plots. Jane wanted to tell stories her way, and so she did. Using details from her own community, she wrote with wit and humor well ahead of her time. When faced with grief, however, she debated whether she would ever write again. Jane eventually picked up her pen once more, writing stories that have captured readers’ hearts for hundreds of years.

The cover of On a Beam of Light, one of our favorite biography books for kids.

It’s no secret that Albert Einstein offered some of the most revolutionary ideas of all time. He has one of the most brilliant minds in our world’s history, and his imagination soared even as a young child. Readers will marvel at Einstein’s curiosity and scientific discovery, but they will also fall in love with his spirit and innate sense of wonder as he discovered everything from atoms to the speed of light.

The cover of I Am American, a captivating biography book for kids.

Wow, this was a powerful biography book for kids! I was captivated by the story of American-born Wong Kim Ark and his fight to become an American citizen. After a trip to China, Wong Kim Ark is detained on his way back to San Francisco and told he is not allowed back into the United States because he is not American. What follows is Wong Kim Ark’s battle for citizenship and the defining Supreme Court opinion declaring that any person born in the United States is deemed an American citizen. Wong Kim Ark’s victory changed the conversation surrounding this body of law, and his harrowing and ultimately celebratory story resonates tremendously today in conversations about immigration and what it means to be a U.S. citizen. An important and fascinating story.

The cover of Just Like Rube Goldberg, an awesome biography book for kids.

This is the fabulous story of a young man who had a talent for art and wanted to pursue it. But instead of following his dreams, he became an engineer at his dad’s prodding, quickly growing dissatisfied with this unfulfilling path. Goldberg eventually quit, got a low-level job at a newspaper, and set out to prove himself as a cartoonist. With persistence and perseverance, he eventually became well known for imaginative and zany comics that made his audience laugh, especially his drawings of elaborate machines that performed simple tasks in totally far-fetched ways. To top off his sweet success? Goldberg won the coveted Pulitzer Prize — and even an adjective in the dictionary! This book is pure magic and will be sure to ignite some great STEM challenges for all readers!

The cover of The Crayon Man, a fascinating biography book for kids.

When she was just a little girl, Megan found her home on the soccer field. The sport called to her , and she was a star on the field. Off the field, however, Megan didn’t fit in among her peers. Yet with her soccer team, she knew she always belonged. Megan eventually earned a coveted spot on Team USA and led her team to not only an Olympic gold medal but a World Cup medal as well. Off the field, Megan continues to inspire both kids and adults alike, worldwide, as she champions both women’s and LGBTQ rights and fights for representation in sports. She is a true champion!

The cover of Send a Girl, a captivating biography book for kids about female firefighters.

This book was a hit with my students who couldn’t get over the fact that when many of their parents were young, women couldn’t hold certain jobs. This fascinating story about Brenda Berkman tells what happened when the New York Fire Department finally allowed women to become firefighters in the 1970s. Yet, even upon passing grueling tests, the ill will towards female firefighters was all too real. From the physical strength required to fight fires and save lives, to the inner strength required to combat brutal discrimination from those who believed firefighters should only be fireMEN, this captivating book shares the story of one woman who was determined to pave the way for girls who didn’t just dream of becoming firewomen but could actually become them, too. For more books about community helpers , click the link!

The cover of Zion Unmatched, an inspiring biography book for kids.

This gorgeous and inspiring book tells the story of Zion Clark, an elite wheelchair racer currently seeking to medal in the Paralympics. With an indomitable spirit and a refusal to see his body as anything less than whole, Zion’s story — from his early childhood years spent lost in the foster care system, to his rise as a high school wrestler, to his current quest for a gold medal — is moving, motivating and incredibly powerful. Zion imparts a beautiful message to follow our dreams and pursue our passions no matter what obstacles are in the way, and this book has become an immediate favorite in our home, with Zion becoming an instant role model for my boys.

The cover of Whoosh!, a fabulous biography book for kids.

There’s no doubt about it: your kids have heard of — and probably played with — the super soaker. But do they know the story behind this iconic invention? Enter Lonnie Johnson and this fabulously fun Black history biography that tells about how the super soaker came to be – by accident! Though he always had a penchant for problem-solving and engineering, it wasn’t his work with NASA that was Lonnie’s claim to fame, but his invention of the super soaker instead!

The cover of The Oldest Student, a wonderful biography book for kids .

Born into slavery in 1848, Mary Walker became a free woman at fifteen years old. Mary always wanted to learn to read, yet she was married shortly upon gaining her freedom, and then she became pregnant with her first child — followed by several more. There always seemed to be something standing in her way. Even at the age of 68, Mary continued to work, raising money for her church and always believing that one day she would learn the alphabet . That day finally came — when Mary was not only 116 years old, but also the last remaining member of her family. Proving that perseverance will forever empower you to conquer any goal you set your mind to, this is the remarkable true story of the world’s oldest student.

The cover of Planting Stories, a wonderful biography book for kids about Pura Belpre.

This is a stunning picture book about Pura Belpre, her arrival in the United States in the early 1920s, and her job at a neighborhood library as a bilingual assistant. While working at the library, Belpre was surprised at the lack of any stories from her native Puerto Rico on the shelves. She thus began to spin unique tales for the children based on her home in Puerto Rico, infusing the neighborhood’s library with multicultural tales , diverse storytellin g, and puppets! Exquisite in prose and illustration, we simply adore this one!

The Cover of Anybody's Game, a wonderful biography book for kids.

Would your little girl much rather play baseball than Barbies? If you answered yes, then you NEED this book! This is the true story of Kathryn Johnston, the very first girl to play little league baseball. She’s got spunk, perseverance, and a whole lot of grit— and we absolutely loved her inspiring story. Here’s to mighty girl s who refuse to be held back by rigid gender constructs. Love this one!

The cover of Six Dots, a fabulous biography book for kids about Louis Braille.

This is an incredible biography of Louis Braille, a boy who lost his sight when he was just five years old. Louis was determined to live his life just like any other child, and he was especially determined to learn how to read. But how does one read without the ability to see? Louis invented his own alphabet, one that was tactile and read through the sense of touch . It was a whole new writing system, and it was so ingenious that it continues to be used widely today. This beautiful picture book biography mesmerizes children by showing them all Louis lost along with his sight, and how he never give ups until he can gain back a love of learning through books.

The cover of Try It!, a fabulous biography book for kids about the woman who changed the way we eat.

Mushrooms. Mangoes. Melons. Believe it or not, these weren’t always staples at the market. And it was Frieda Caplan who brought so many exotic foods into play, simply because she didn’t want to compete with all the men selling apples, potatoes, and tomatoes! Always willing to try a new delicacy, Frieda was a groundbreaker who continuously bought exotic foods to the United States. She literally changed the way we eat, and we will all be forever grateful!

The cover of Beyonce Shine Your Light, a fun biography book for kids.

Looking at Beyonce on stage today, one would never guess she was a shy little girl. Yet, that’s how most of the world saw her until she opened her mouth to sing. When Beyonce got onto the stage, she was a different person. She was confident, dazzling, and bold, and she knew the stage was where she belonged. Through ups and downs, trials and tribulations, Beyonce became a world-famous superstar, shining her bright light on all who listened

The cover of I an Jackie Robinson, a fabulous biography book for kids.

Jackie Robinson loved sports, and he was a fantastic athlete. But he lived before the Civil Rights Movement, and he was not allowed to play on the best teams because of the color of his skin. Jackie was undeterred though, believing in his heart that the best sports teams were those that transcended race and included people of every color playing together. Due to his courag e, Jackie became the first black player in Major League Baseball, and his bravery changed the face of African Americans in sports, paving the way for black athletes to play on all teams.

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20 Biography Books For Kids To Help Them Dream Big

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, I forgot how to dream for my life. It was in between those “you can do anything you put your mind to” platitudes from my mother, to “you’ll never make any money if you get a degree in art” realities — also from my mother. As a good child, I believed everything people would say about my potential. If I expressed interest in writing or journalism, they would scoff at me that it was “too hard” for me; if it was acting or dancing, it was “too competitive.” Clearly it was confusing and sent me into an adolescent identity crisis. Who could I be if I couldn’t be who I was?

Now, as a grown up and a mother, I realize that in order to live our truth…we must follow our curiosity. We must embrace our curiosity. We must be allowed to explore. To get things wrong. To find out how we individually interpret the world around us. That will help us make the world a better place.

Thankfully, the way has been paved before us by millions of amazing people who refused to internalize the negative messages about their dreams. People who were so into what they were doing that nothing else mattered except that one thing. Who knew that what their heart was saying was the way without someone’s expectations of them.

Here are stories of 20 people who made their own way and changed not only their lives but ours. 20 stories of people who followed their curiously, followed their love, and led the way for us to be a better society. These 20 biography books for kids can help your kids dream big.

20 of the Best Biography Books for Kids

The Story of Harriet Tubman by Christine Platt

Before she became known for her fight to free people from enslavement, she was a little girl who was sad to see her family be separated. Tubman is going to be a key person in most kids’ history classes — so this book also gives a timeline of her life, with age appropriate discussion questions. And if you love this, the series also has Barack Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and Benjamin Franklin biographies, and more.

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant and Boris Kulikov

This picture book biography tells the story of how Louis Braille lost his sight and invented an alphabet. Young Braille wanted nothing more than to be able to read after an accident causes him to lose his eyesight. His invention gave blind kids all over the world a new way to navigate a world that wasn’t made for them. This book is not only inspiring, it shows children that everyone is capable of doing good things.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne and Éric Puybaret

Once there was a boy named Jacques. He loved to explore the oceans. This whimsical and poetic biography of Jacques Cousteau will inspire kids to follow their explorer natures, as well as help them realize that every person who has made history started as a kid with curiosity.

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote by Tanya Lee Stone and Rebecca Gibbon

From a young age, Elizabeth understood that things weren’t equal in her life. How could only a few people have the right to vote? Voting is the foundation of our democracy. So she went to college, gathered like-minded friends, and made their statements, not stopping until women in the United States won the Right to Vote. She was a girl who saw a problem, and grew up to find the solution.

Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonya Sotomayor and Lulu Delacre

The first Latina on the Supreme Court, Sonya Sotomayor recollects her life and the steps that brought her there. For her, it was books. Books helped her cope with difficulties in her life, connect with her roots, and helped her see that her future was full of possibilities. In her autobiography, Sotomayor encourages kids everywhere to read, dream, and puzzle for themselves.

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and Kera Ascoet

As a girl, Malala wished for a magic pencil. A tool she could use to make everyone happy. To make the world around her a little brighter. As she got older she realized that even if she didn’t have a magic pencil, she could still work hard to make the world a better place. Told in a way that’s appropriate to children, we learn about the struggles that Malala faced to follow her dreams and how even then she held onto a hope for a better future for herself and her friends.

Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown and Julie Paschkis

Sometimes people create with paint, but for a little boy in a city in Chile, words were better. Pablo wrote poems about all the things he loved. Things he found in nature, things his friends made, and the things he found at the marketplace. He wrote about the people of Chile, their struggles and passions. It all started with a little boy who loved to paint with words.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Rafael López

Millo Castro Zaldarriaga dreamed of drumming. However, girls weren’t allowed to drum on her little island. She dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. One day, she decided to follow her dream — what happened next when her bright music was heard was magic: people dancing and singing and deciding that boys and girls can make music. Showing that both boys and girls can be free to drum and dream, Millo’s story is an inspiration for children everywhere.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles and George Ford

Ruby was just a normal 6-year-old until she was chosen to be the first Black person to be enrolled in an all white elementary school. A lot of people didn’t like that idea and said some mean and threatening things. Ruby did what she was told to do, and went to school anyway. How does a little girl change the world? By being brave in the face of racism and injustice.

A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russel-Brown and Laura Freeman

How did a quiet and shy girl from Detroit become the Queen of Soul and the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? She stayed true to herself and her ideals by refusing to play for segregated audiences and never forgetting her roots. She stood up for what was right. Aretha Franklin proved that with passion, perseverance, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T, you can do anything.

Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician by Lesa Cline-Ransome and Raúl Colón

When NASA used mathematicians called “human computers,” one woman stood out among them all. Katherine Johnson was integral in getting John Glen around the world, helping men walk on the moon, and getting Apollo 13 home safely. This book is for girls who love numbers — who don’t let problems stand in the way from the work.

Vincent Can’t Sleep by Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpre

Vincent Can’t Sleep is the story of how one of the most beloved and creative artists found his inspiration. When Vincent Van Gogh couldn’t sleep, he’d walk during the night, giving him the inspiration for his famous painting Starry Night . With lovely poetic writing, it tells kids to follow their passion, even if they don’t see the return in their lifetime. (Maybe wait to walk outside at night alone until after they’ve grown up, though.)

Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang and Kana Urbanowicz

“Peace follows a full stomach,” thought Momofuko Ando while working in his lab to find a quick, easy, and tasty way of making ramen soup. He wanted to help those in the long daily lines for soup after WWII. This is the story of one man, his commitment to his cause, and the world’s most popular “easy soup.”

Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills by Renée Watson and Christian Robinson

Florence was a little girl who loved to sing. She also loved her parents, who were formerly enslaved. So when her beautiful singing and dancing inspired patrons and playwrights alike, she knew that she wouldn’t be happy without standing up to the injustice that she saw daily.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley

“Disagreeing does not make you disagreeable” was something that young Ruth Bader Ginsberg had to learn. This book is the first picture book of Ginsberg’s life. Kids get to see how one girl who stood up for what she believed and became the most beloved Supreme Court justice.

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

“The Earth and every living thing are made of star stuff.” —Carl Sagan. As a boy, Carl Sagan loved learning about the stars. His trip to the 1939 World’s Fair opened up the universe to Carl. A boy who was captured by the wonder of the cosmos became a man who would launch satellites and teach the world about the stars.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls

Sometimes being told you can’t do a thing gives you all the incentive to do it more, especially if EVERYONE thinks you can’t. Emmanuel Ofosu Yepoah only had one leg — and this is the true story of how he biked across the entire country of Ghana (almost 400 miles!) and went on change the way many people in his country thought about people with disabilities.

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story by Audrey Vernick and Don Tate

Effa Manley loved baseball. She loved to go Yankee Stadium and see Babe Ruth swing for the fences. Soon she became her own hero by becoming the manager and owner of the Newark Eagles. Effa was the first (and only) woman inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame, because of her work with the Eagles. From a girl growing up in Philly to a Hall of Famer, Manley shows us how to swing for the fences.

Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio and Javaka Steptoe

Can someone paint pictures with sound? Jimi was a normal kid who loved to paint and listen to music. This is the story of a kid who interpreted the world in his own unique way, and over time learned how to weave music and imagery to become one of the most influential people in the world.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora

Mary Walker was born into slavery. She had her first child at the age of 20, lived through a Civil War and two World Wars, and worked many many jobs. Finally, at the young age of 116, Mary Walker learned how to read, proving that it is never too late to follow your dreams and also recognize how incredible life can be.

Want even more after reading this list? Check out historical fiction classics for kids and these picture book biographies of Black leaders and creatives.

8 Books That the Authors Regretted Writing

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The Best Biography Series for Kids

All of my children lean heavily toward fiction in their personal reading, but in the last year or so, my two older girls have developed an interest in biographies and our dinner conversations often sounds like a game show as they quiz us about famous people.

Whether you’re looking for biographies for a school project or because your child loves learning more about famous individuals, these biography books for kids are a perfect place to start.

Any favorite biography series for kids I missed? Please let me know in the comments!

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Growing Reader

11 inspiring illustrated biographies that introduce kids to diverse heroes, by olugbemisola rhuday-perkovich.

I enjoyed reading biographies from an early age — the idea that a person’s life was important enough for a book intrigued me, and I was thrilled and inspired whenever I found small similarities or points of connections between my own experiences and those of the larger-than-life figures on the pages. Readers of all ages can find much to consider, relate to, and celebrate in these transcendent stories of people who’ve had an impact on our lives and culture. These are some of my favorite illustrated biographies and memoirs for young book-lovers.

Picture Books

Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis

by Jabari Asim, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

There is something extra special for young readers when they are able to get a glimpse into the early lives of contemporary icons, and Asim’s story of the future civil rights activist and congressman's early attempts at preaching — literally to the chickens on the family farm — is touching and inspirational. As readers witness John Lewis developing the skills needed to captivate the notoriously inattentive birds, they'll see how the politician and National Book Award-winning author became the powerful orator he remains today.

Turning Pages: My Life Story

by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Lulu Delacre

There is much to admire and enjoy in Sonia Sotomayor’s biography for young readers. Not only does it trace her life through her childhood and law career into becoming the first-ever Latina Supreme Court Justice, but it also traces her love of reading and shows how books were inextricable with her life trajectory. Books helped her cope with her father’s death and her childhood diabetes; they also inspired her to reach for her dreams in a world full of possibilities.

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille

by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Boris Kulikov

As a student, Louis Braille was frustrated by the lack of books for people with visual impairments, and began his mission to develop an accessible reading system by modifying a military coding technique. "Although many Braille biographies stress his disability, Bryant’s portrayal subtly emphasizes his creativity and celebrates him as an inventor, making this an excellent addition for STEM collections,” The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books points out in its starred review of the book.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora

Mary Walker should be a household name, and this beautifully illustrated picture book gets us one step closer to just that. Born into slavery in 1848, Walker was freed at age 15 and went on to work numerous jobs and raise a family in the South. At the youthful age of 116, Walker achieved her goal of learning to read — knowledge she used for the last five years of her long and storied life. Her biography will spark conversations about persistence and everyday heroes.

Middle Grade

Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner

by Janice N. Harrington, illustrated by Theodore Taylor, III

Awarded as a Best STEM Book by the Children’s Book Council and National Science Teaching Association in 2020, Buzzing with Questions spotlights Charles Henry Turner — the first African American entomologist. Born with an insatiable curiosity about the world of insects, Turner sought answers and persevered amid racial prejudice in the scientific community, going on to make significant discoveries and contributions to the field.

Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History

by Kate Schatz, illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl

Following the success of Rad American Women A-Z , Schatz and Stahl are back with the even more impressive Rad Women Worldwide . Among Venus and Serena Williams, Malala Yousafzai, and other familiar names are those of less well-known but history-making women like Nanny of the Maroons, Kalpana Chawla, Junko Tabei, and Queen Hatshepsut. These short, illustrated biographical portraits will inspire young people of all genders to do a little digging into these hidden figures of ancient and modern times, and perhaps be inspired to make a little history of their own.

A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day

by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

This beautiful, critically acclaimed biography-in-verse focuses on Keats’s development of the character of Peter, the main character in his beloved picture book The Snowy Day . Illustrated in a style similar to Keats’s mixed-media collage, the book recounts Keats’s life and commitment to anti-Semitism as the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, and offers parallels between his personal experience and the significance of his revolutionary work including and promoting children of color in kids’ literature.

Lifting as We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box

by Evette Dionne

The most repeated stories of the suffrage movement center on familiar white suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul. In Lifting as We Climb , Evette Dionne unearths the histories of extraordinary Black women and women’s groups whose fight for freedom was not only tied to their gender but also to their race. Including women such as Mary Church Terrell, who founded the NAACP, and journalist Ida B. Wells, a leader in both the suffrage and anti-lynching movements, this much-needed historical correction tells the essential stories of women left out of our textbooks.

Young Adult

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March

by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, illustrated by PJ Loughran (as told to Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley)

For her activism, Lowery was jailed nine times before her 15th birthday, and was the youngest marcher in the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. This illustrated memoir of Lowery’s commitment to nonviolent resistance, even when faced with violence like what law enforcement exhibited on “Bloody Sunday,” is both sobering and inspiring.

March Trilogy

by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell

With the release of the third volume in this stirring and historic trilogy, Congressman John Lewis made history once again as the author of the first graphic novel ever to win a National Book Award. My own daughter tore through these firsthand accounts of young people’s involvement in the civil rights movement, and was inspired by the connections Lewis makes to present day events. Readers can watch Congressman Lewis, who continues to speak out on important issues today accept his award here .

The Complete Persepolis

by Marjane Satrapi

This riveting graphic novel-memoir of Satrapi’s childhood in Tehran and coming of age in the midst of tremendous political upheaval is now considered a modern classic. With humor and poignancy, Satrapi skillfully threads the personal challenges and triumphs of her adolescence with the history and cultural life of Iran. Adapted to film in 2007, Persepolis has become a high school classroom staple. This edition includes both Persepolis and Persepolis 2 . Reading guides with discussion questions and additional reading suggestions for each volume can be found here ( Persepolis ) and here ( Persepolis 2 ).

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2020.

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