The world and its history are full of inspiring people with amazing stories. Why shouldn't we bring these life stories to our kids, along with all of their wonderful lessons? Picture book biographies are a great way to bring the inspirational stories of important historical figures and everyday heroes to young readers. They are full of amazing life lessons to help kids learn and grow as they make their own mark on the world.
Did your favorite picture book biography make our list? Keep reading to find out!
1. Barnum's Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World by Tracey Fern
This is a great biography of Barnum Brown and his amazing dinosaur discovery. It takes readers through the life experiences and exciting adventures of a young man who was really into dinos. His discoveries changed what we know about the world today!
Learn more: Amazon
2. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet
If your kid likes Thanksgiving, parades, puppets, or all of the above, then this biography is for them! It's a story of creativity and daring to be different, and it can unlock the creative potential in your young reader, as well.
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3. The Story of Jane Goodall: A Biography Book for New Readers by Susan B. Katz
This picture book biography of Jane Goodall's life shows the harmony between people and nature. It focuses on how she overcame struggles to bring ecological and animal issues to the mainstream, and how we can all help promote a better planet for all living things.
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4. What is Love – Children’s Biography of Helen Keller by Free Kids Books
This excellent picture book biography focuses on the fascinating story of Helen Keller and how she learned to communicate despite her disabilities. It also shows how communicating love is so much more universal than we tend to think.
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5. It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear
This is one of the amazing picture book biographies that features illustrations that you just can't look away from. It tells the story of one person who changed the way people see and draw the world around them.
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6. The Brilliant Deep: The Story of Ken Nedimeyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation by Kate Messner
This inspiring story takes readers all the way to the depths of the deep blue sea, where a young man works hard to protect and restore the coral reefs. The colorful pictures will leave you dreaming of a better and bluer future.
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7. The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta
This book tells the life story of George Washington Carver, from his birth into a slave family to his many inventions and discoveries. It's a great way to learn about overcoming adversity and seeing new perspectives to create change in the world around us.
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8. Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang
This is the inspiring story of a bowl of ramen noodle soup. It celebrates the culinary heritage of the main character, and the pictures bring the cooking journey to life on every page. Be careful; this book could make you feel hungry for ramen noodle soup!
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9. Dipa Karmakar – In Perfect Balance by Sreelata Menon
This book tells how real people can make a huge difference in the world when they pursue their passion. It follows the story of the famous Indian gymnast who overcame all of the odds, worked extremely hard, and reached her goals in the end.
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10. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca
This life story is great for introducing kids to the concept of different thinking patterns. It illustrates how different ways of thinking can lead to new and important solutions to long-standing problems. The story of Dr. Temple Grandin can inspire kids to embrace their own thought processes and articulate them as a form of problem-solving.
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11. Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secret of the Atom by Teresa Robeson
You can explore the smallest building blocks of the universe with this lovely picture book, and you can introduce your kids to the importance of working passionately to achieve results. Dr. Wu Chien Shiung is an inspiration for people of all ages who aspire to great discoveries!
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12. Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome
This book tells the story of Harriet Tubman before she was a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Did you know that she was also a spy during the American Civil War? You can learn all about her interesting life in this gorgeously illustrated picture book biography.
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13. Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland
You can almost taste the delicious stories and illustrations in this picture book. It takes readers through the upbringing and struggles of the famous chef, and it shows how her experiences impacted her cooking and teaching endeavors.
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14. Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea: A Fairly Fabricated Story of a Pair of Pants by Tony Johnston
This book gives a larger-than-life version of the life and times of Levi Strauss. It starts with a great idea and ends with the most famous pants in the history of the world. The moral of the story is to keep going and never give up, especially when you have a great original idea.
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15. Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez
Even though most people thought reptiles were gross, Dr. Proctor wasn't scared or disgusted by them. In fact, reptiles were her life's passion! You can learn about the reptiles and the woman who loved them with this endearing picture book.
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16. Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words by Karen Leggett Abouraya and LC Wheatley
Malala is a hero in her own right, and her message of education and freedom is loud and clear in this picture book biography. It helps kids to see the value of learning and working together, and her life continues to be an inspiration to readers and learners of all ages.
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17. Long Walk to Freedom by Chris van Wyk
This picture book is abridged and illustrated biography of Nelson Mandela, who fought long and hard for equality in South Africa and the world around them. Kids and adults alike can take inspiration from this amazing story of perseverance.
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18. The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull
Have you ever wondered who was behind the red striped hat, the man they call Dr. Seuss? This book gives you the chance to meet the man who has written some of the most beloved children's books of all time and to take a peek at his creative process.
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19. Girls Think of Everything by Catherine Thimmesh and Melissa Sweet
This book focuses on great inventions in the modern era, and the women who invented them. It goes through pioneers like Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, and other female scientists who changed the way that we see and interact with the world around us.
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20. Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson
This book tells the story of a boy called Henry who escaped slavery by mailing himself to the North. It follows all of the twists and turns of his journey along the Underground Railroad, which resulted in his freedom in the end.
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21. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Ruby Bridges was the girl who changed education in America, simply by attending her neighborhood school. This book follows all of the ups and downs of the desegregation story in the South, and it emphasizes the themes of inclusion and kindness in all things.
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22. Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team by Audrey Vernick
If your young reader is into sports, this book is a home run! It follows the story of several brothers who joined together to make a baseball team. It emphasizes the importance of family and working together to persevere and achieve goals.
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23. Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker
If you liked the movie "Hidden Figures," then you may want to share this beautifully illustrated picture book with your kids. It's great for children who are interested in math, science, and space travel. It also gives a new perspective of the Apollo 13 mission.
Learn more: Amazon
24. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
Take a deep dive into the ocean and learn all about sharks and the woman who spent her life studying them. This book is great for kids who want to explore the deep blue sea, or who may show a propensity for marine biology.
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25. Anne Frank by Josephine Poole and Angela Barrett
This book puts so many things into perspective. It offers a unique view of a critical period in history, in a way that is accessible and understandable for young readers. It's a conversation starter, to be sure.
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26. Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
This book is all about Mae Jemison and her quest to outer space. You can follow all of the hardships that she had to overcome in order to get there, and you can celebrate all of her success as the first black woman to travel in space.
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27. Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace
Ernie Barnes didn't live the typical football star life. After he left his career in football, he became deeply involved in the world of art, and you can read all about that transition in this picture book.
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28. Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George by Lesa Cline-Ransome
This picture book focuses on classical music composers who really set the stage for the rise of bigger names that we still know today. It takes a look at how their compositions and contributions really changed the course of music history.
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29. Amelia to Zora by Cynthia Chin-Lee
Why talk about just one famous person when you can celebrate a whole alphabet's worth? This book goes through twenty-six women whose discoveries, inventions, and artistic contributions have shaped the history of the world.
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30. Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo
This biography of Audrey Hepburn inspires its readers to be fabulous, darling. It's a great look behind the effortless beauty and poise of this influential woman. You can explore ideas of identity and beauty with this book.
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