Biographies for Kids

Biographies not only introduce kids to inspirational role models, but can teach them important life lessons. Through the stories of real individuals, children learn about the different values that drive people, and that success is usually preceded by obstacles and setbacks. Biographies can also be a good way to teach empathy and self-awareness, as young readers get glimpses of lives that are very different from their own.

Picture books for young readers that have been recommended on Five Books include gorgeous biographies of 13th century poet and scholar Rumi, and contemporary musician Evelyn Glennie.

If you are after longer picture books (over 40 pages) for slightly older readers, recommendations include Voice of Freedom about Civil Rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, The People’s Painter about the life and work of Benjamin Shahn, I Dissent about US Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and The Fire of Stars, which is a brilliant combination of biography for children about astrophysicist Cecilia Payne and the birth of a star.

Josephine: A Dazzling Life is about the extraordinary life of 20th century icon Josephine Baker. It is a longer book at around a hundred pages, and is an easy, fully illustrated read to fascinate children and adults alike.

Publisher Barrington Stoke specialises in dyslexia-friendly books designed to be both interesting, quick reads for confident readers as well as accessible stories for those who find reading more challenging. That includes some excellent biographical fiction for kids, such as Journey Back to Freedom about the early life of Olaudah Equiano, Elisabeth and the Box of Colours about Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (said to be Queen Marie Antoinette’s favourite portrait artist), and Respect! about the Black English professional footballer and World War 1 British army officer Walter Tull.

On the subject of football biographies, eleven-year-old Alex has recommended one about Harry Kane in the Ultimate Football Heroes series.

Continuing with recommendations for the 8-12 age range, librarian Alison King recommends the multi award-winning graphic novel The Bird in Me Flies, inspired by the life of Swedish artist Berta Hansson.

Finally, another biography with amazing artwork is the story of 17th century scientist Maria Sibylla Merian; this is surely one of the most beautifully illustrated biographies for kids ever, featuring as it does her own nature drawings.