Picture Book Biographies

When my kids were little, I was always trying to introduce them to compelling stories that would shape their characters. I wanted to find good books to read with them that would ignite their curiosity and form them into leaders with character. 

Enter the picture book biography. Sometimes these books are overviews of people and what they accomplished; sometimes these are a short story of something interesting about their lives, but always the writing and the illustrations draw a child into meeting someone new they may or may not have encountered before. Reading these books together helps stimulate new thoughts and discussions between you and your kids. After reading about these interesting people, ask your kids:

• Why did the person make the decisions they did?
• When did they have to show perseverance?
• How did growing up the way they did influence their later life?
• How have their lives changed the world?
• What do YOU want to do to change the world?

Want some new reading ideas to introduce your kids to amazing and interesting people? My list is only the tip of the iceberg, but here are a few of my favorites. I've used some of these with Storygalorey classes, and some with my kids and grandkids. I hope you enjoy them all! 

For a printable list you can take with you next time you go to the library or are looking for a book gift, just sign up here and I'll send it your way. Happy reading!

Here are 10 of my favorite picture book biographies:

1. Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan and Brian Selznick

2. Abraham Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books, by Kay Winters and Nancy Carpenter

3. Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow and Steven Salerno

4. Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall

5. Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed and Stasia Burrington

6. Martin’s Big Words by Dorreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier

7. Planting Stories: the Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Delpre by Anika Aldamuy Denise and Paola Escabar

8. Pocahontas by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire

9. Shark Lady by Jess Keating and Marta Alvarez Miguyens

10. Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock and John O’Brien