Biography books for kids
This is long for a picture book— double the usual length. I thought perhaps a bit too long. Beatrix Potter and the Unfortunate Tale of a Borrowed Guinea Pig by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Charlotte Voake Young Beatrix lived in London with her many animals, bunnies, hedgehogs, news, snakes, dick, salamanders, a frog, and more. She constantly recorded all their adventures, usually misadventures.
Most of all, she painted her animals. But when she left her unattended, the little creature got into some glue and paper which killed her. She sadly confessed the mishap to her neighbor and gave her the painting as an apology. The door was slammed in her face. But when Beatrix became famous, her neighbor sold the painting for lots of money. Quirky and fun.
But before, how did she get there? Read how she had trouble at school and disliked the many boring books. She gets a teacher who sparks her love of learning and eventually becomes a librarian before deciding to write the books that she wanted to read about real kids like her and the kids she knew from the library. When students at Chapel Hill began to pay George for his poetry, a professor helped him learn to write and helped his poems protesting slavery were published in the newspaper.
It took until George was 66 years old to be freed from slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation. The Poem Forest: Poet W. The author shares how Merwin loved to write and became the Poet Laurette. The back matter includes a poem about a palm tree. Which is amazing. Kirsch Get your kids jazzed about words by learning about Noah Webster.
After America gained independence from England, Webster wrote spelling books to norm every word and avoid many spellings of the same word. It was a best seller! Webster advocated for a national language and eventually wrote The American Dictionary of the English Language , all the English words with alphabetical order.
I found it very interesting and loved the illustrations. Stirling, illustrated by Vesper Stamper Lovely pink and green illustrations and an incredible narrative biography capture the life of the talented Jane Austen. Jane grew up in a supportive family that encouraged reading and writing. She wrote prolifically while she was young but stopped writing after significant life challenges including loss, death, worry, and loneliness.
After years passed, she realized that all her troubles gave her a new wisdom. Passion renewed Jane rewrote old stories and crafted new ones with lifelike characters. Her writing voice was authentic and unique, leading to her success and longevity. America needed her and she delivered.
This is history worth knowing wrapped up in a wonderful picture book story. I love how the illustrator shows young and older Abe with a big head in a tall hat, too. These books read like stories narrative not nonfiction and never sacrifice sharing quality information about the historical character. You Are My Friend by Aimee Reid, illustrated by Matt Phelan A gentle tone captures the personality of a boy who wanted to help kids express their feelings and find helpers in the world with a television program called Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner by Jessie Hartland Well-crafted, simple, and informative writing with lovely illustrations narrate the important historical story of a flag maker named Mary who made an enormous flag that would send a message to the British. He shared his love for music with songs for kids on his Mr.
Rogers television show. The lyrics were a gift for kids then and now with messages of friendship, acceptance, and love. A warm-hearted tribute to Mr. Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson, illustrated by David Shannon The Peacemaker was a real person who choose a man named Hiawatha to help him communicate his message of peace and unity to the five nations of Iroquois.
United, the Iroquois nation became a model for democracy which was said to have influenced Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. And the illustrations are just lovely. Two Friends: Susan B. Very interesting! It looks like a woodcut and is primarily orange, purple and brown plus speech bubbles with an old-fashioned typeface.
Second of all, the story itself is enthralling. He knows human behavior and uses deduction and observation. He founds the Pinkerton Agency which is credited with solving more than murders and recovering millions in stolen money. Lincoln, from a dangerous train assassination plot. Later, when Mr. Lincoln becomes president, he creates the Secret Service agency to spy on the Confederacy.
Guess who he hires to lead it? Allan Pinkerton, of course. This is top-notch narrative nonfiction. Anthony and Harriet Tubman — two women who changed the world! Mesmer was really doing. Was it magic, science, or was Dr. Mesmer a fraud? Excellent images, design, and compelling plot! She cracked codes for the Coast Guard to stop bootleggers and for the military to break NAzi spy rings.
Dusty-colored illustrations help narrate the story of a famous photograph beginning with a young girl and her family who leave the drought in Oklahoma for wetter California. Hungry and desperate, a photographer hired by the government named Dorothea Lange takes a photograph of the mother with her kids. Back matter shares more about Dorothea Lange and how the famous photograph came to be.
Dolly Parton grows up a singer with determination to achieve her dreams. Essential information about the queen of country! A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Laura Freeman This picture book shares the life story of how Aretha used her pain and passion to become a world famous soul singer. After reading about this iconic, groundbreaking singer, listen to some of her greatest hits.
She moves with her family to the United States during the Civil War. Yet he persists doing art in his own way. The paint whispered to him, he painted the sound of colors. Luckily for us all, he returned to his calling, painting abstract art. Wonderfully told as a narrative story, this nonfiction picture book biography is a must-read.
It will make you think about not just Kandinsky but the sounds of colors and the world. His calaveras skeleton pictures showed all people types of people and usually had a message, political or social, and which are now iconic images for el Dia de Los Muertos. The artwork and graphic layouts perfectly complement this informative history.
The art is so unique with a mixture of dolls, painting, and digital additions. This man named Nelson loved to find reusable trash and restore and reuse what he found, like toys for his family and objects he could display — which eventually was turned into a museum. She used her endless imagination to creatively pair unique colors, an emerald world, a fuchsia sea, or a turquoise moon, and create happily ever afters.
Her story sparkles just like the luminous mixed-media illustrations which include colorful cut-paper artwork. Why do I love this book so much? Each page of the story includes another full-color Degas artwork which almost always takes up more than one page, stretching onto the opposite page in a mesmerizing presentation.
Beautiful writing which is clearly well-researched makes this the quintessential Degas biography for children. More than years ago, Pasteur discovered that heating milk between 60 to degrees Celsius kills the bacteria Subhas Chandra Bose to : Can the enemy of your enemy be your friend? He did not live to see India gain independence Galileo Galilei - : Nearly years ago, an Italian mathematician told the world that the planets revolve around the sun.
And he was severely punished for it. But he stood by his words and spent the last days of his life under house arrest. Born on the 15th of February, , Galileo was an Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer. Galileo has been called the father of observational astronomy, the father of modern physics, the father of modern science, and the father of scientific method Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is remembered as the father of the Indian Constitution.
The Constitution of India is a guiding light for the values that should govern India. After independence, the responsibility of leading the task of writing the Constitution was given to Ambedkar. Florence Nightingale - Today, it is common knowledge that female nurses play an important role in treating patients. However, this was not always the case.
Florence Nightingale helped build the reputation of nurses as we know it today. It is a wonderful non-fiction book about an ordinary woman who decides to bring about change. Growing up, Wangari was always surrounded by trees. But when she returned home after many years, she was shocked to see them all gone. Realising she needs to act fast, Wangari starts with planting seeds in her backyard to bring about a wonderful change.
This book delivers a strong message of standing up for what you believe is right even in the phase of adversity. Sure to invite thoughtful conversations with your child, it is apt for kids 4 years and above. Rosa Parks was an ordinary black woman till she decided enough was enough and stood up for her rights. And in course, stirred a movement — Montgomery Bus Boycott!
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Born into slavery, she was not allowed to read. Throughout her life, Mary did numerous jobs but nothing could dampen her urge to learn to read. Finally, her chance came and she became the oldest student of America by learning to read at the age of years. This is a story of perseverance and belief that you are never too old to learn and to chase your dreams.
She played an instrumental role in raising funds to sustain Montgomery Bus Boycott. This stunningly illustrated book brings to life the hidden figure of the Civil Rights movement and beautifully portrays how one person can make a real change in her community and beyond. Kids 6 years and above will thoroughly enjoy the book. This is a story of Audrey Faye Hendricks — the youngest marcher for the civil rights movement known to be arrested.
A true tale of determination and belief, this biography for kids highlights the history of segregation laws and brings out a beautiful message. Just right for kids 5 years and above. Always fascinated with stories, Ethel sought justice and equality with her reporting right from her school days. Even as the only black woman journalist in the room, she was fearless!
Known as the First Lady of the Black Press, Ethel Payne broke barriers and thus opened doors for other black female journalists. Beautiful illustrations and a powerful story narration, makes it a must read for kids 4 years and above. This picture book biography for kids celebrates Carter G. Woodson — the founder of Black History Month.
Carter G. Woodson spent his life introducing other people to inspiring stories of African-American people. Thus, in a way, changing the view people viewed African American history. As a young boy, Carter loved reading the newspaper and sharing what he learned with his illiterate father. When he went on to work in coal mines, he started reading to other miners and influencing them with the stories of greatness of his people.
With time, Carter got deeply interested in the stories of the unsung black heroes and made it his life mission to bring these stories to life to inspire people. This is a moving biography of Mumbet — a slave and her quest for her freedom. Her determination and conviction set milestones on ending slavery in the United States. She got really inspired as she always dreamt of her freedom from slavery.
But who would help a slave? Determined and convinced with her belief, she approached a lawyer, Theodore Sedgwick, who helped her earn her freedom. This valuable read is suitable for kids 6 years and above. True-life account of Effa Manley, the first—and only—woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, this book will inspire your little girls to be whoever they want.
Effa Manley changed how people believed that women had no place in baseball and went on to become the proud owner of the Newark Eagles. A beautiful read for kids 4 years and above. Born into a poor family, Bessie worked hard to achieve her dreams. Even as a little girl working in cotton fields, Bessie knew what her heart longed for — to be someone significant.
Working for her dreams, she tried to learn everything she could in her adverse circumstances. Biography of Susan B. Inspiring read for budding activists, this book is suitable for kids 4 years and above. Clara accomplished many milestones in her life. She started as a shy girl who became the first woman to hold a government job! Her compassion and empathy inspired her to found American Red Cross.
A great read for kids 8 years and above.
Biography articles for kids
Discover the life story of Sacagawea — the woman immortalised on the golden dollar coin. The brave woman was merely 16 years old when she undertook one of the most remarkable journeys — The Lewis and Clark expedition. Traveling miles by foot, canoe, and horse, she trekked across America while carrying a baby on her back! This is an inspiring tale of Isatou Ceesay who started the recycling movement in Gambia.
Appalled at the sight of garbage created by plastic bags, this strong woman decided to recycle plastic bags into something useful like coin bags and purses. It is a great story that will motivate kids to identify problems and come up with creative solutions to address it. Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins never believed that her wheelchair could slow her down and when the Americans with Disabilities Act was proposed to the congress, she showed it to the world by climbing the steps of the Capitol building, without her wheelchair!
A heart-warming book on social justice and activism, this picture book biography for kids is suitable for kids 4 years and above. Learn all about the great King Alexander and his conquests with this wonderful nonfiction picture book for kids. It is a great read for kids, 8 years and above, who wish to learn about this exemplary king.
Alexander the Great was born in BC in Macedon and grew up to become one of the greatest rulers of all times. He conquered nearly most of the world known at that time and was well known for his sharp skills. Enter the mystical world of Egypt with this informative biography of Hatshepsut. A stunning true story of a master politician and a supreme stateswoman, Hatshepsut rose to power to rule ancient Egypt.
Hatshepsut was an exception at her time in the patriarch society of Egypt. She even donned a fake beard and dressed as a male! Portrayed as a male in the Egyptian artwork of the time, she ruled the country for decades. The book packs much information about the early life of this woman Pharaoh, her rise to throne and attempts to erase her memory.
This nonfiction picture book for kids explores the truth behind stories surrounding the life of the epic ruler — Genghis Khan. This revered ruler conquered most of Asia and created the Mongol Empire.
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Born to a nomadic family of early Mongolia, Genghis Khan used his warrior skills to become one of the most feared warriors. Suitable for kids 8 years and above, this book packs pictures of artwork on the great Khan and follows an easy to understand language. Children 8 years and above will love this historical biography of the infamous Roman dictator.
Julius Caesar was not only a brave warrior but also an astute politician. Born in BC, he quickly rose to power and pronounced himself the dictator of Rome. He earned many friends and foes on his way to throne and was eventually assassinated by a group of senators.
Kid friendly biography articles
Mary, Queen of Scots is a history biography for kids that details the life of Queen Mary in a humorous way. Learn all about the life of the Queen of Scotland from her childhood to her marriage into French Royal family. Explore the true-life story of Empress Matilda -the first woman to claim the throne of England in her own right.
Post the White Ship Disaster, Matilda became the only surviving child of her parents and heiress to the English throne. This abridged edition offers younger readers their first introduction to the extraordinary diary of an ordinary girl. With beautiful line drawings, family photographs and an afterword to explain why the Diary ends so abruptly, this version of one of the world's most widely known books is suitable for younger children who want to read Anne's words for themselves.
Biography articles collection: Historical biographies written for kids. Learn the life story and biography of influencial people: US Presidents, World Leaders, Inventors, Women, Artists, Civil Rights heroes.
Marie Curie was told she couldn't be a researcher because she was a woman but she is now recognised as one of the most celebrated scientists in history, who changed the world with her discoveries in physics and chemistry. Colour illustrations, a glossary and a quiz present the details of her life in bite-sized chunks for newly-confident readers.
In November , the world watched as six-year-old Ruby Bridges joined an an all-white school and faced angry mobs of parents who refused to send their children to school with her. An icon of the civil rights movement, in Through My Eyes Ruby writes for children and chronicles each dramatic step of this pivotal event in history in her own words.
Each of these collections is packed with biographical detail about remarkable people and their extraordinary lives. Inspire your child with stories of inspiring individuals from the past and present and challenge them to be part of building a better future for everyone. Best biographies and autobiographies for children. Biographies and autobiographies bring the lives of influential people to life for young children, highlighting the role exceptional individuals have played in our shared history.
Introduce your child to the world's greatest artists, activists, scientists, inventors and humanitarians with books aimed at every age group. Each biography and autobiography is bursting with anecdotes, imagery and information, sure to inspire young people to follow their own dreams and aspirations.