biographies for kids

Biographies

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Living Well + Learning Well

with Alicia Hutchinson

100+ Beautiful Biographies Your Kids Will Love

73   95 100+ Biographies for Kids

This post was originally posted in 2014 with 73 biographies and there been TONS more biographies for kids published since then. As I added to our library, I updated this post again in 2018. I gave this post a THIRD revision in 2020 to add in even more amazing biographies for kids! Here’s the updated list, categorized for easy searching and saving.

Biographies for Kids: Scientists + Mathematicians to Admire

• The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbably Life of Paul Erdos  by Deborah Heiligman

2. Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne

3. The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter

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4.  Rosie Revere, Engineer  by Andrea Beaty

5.   Who Says Women Can’t be Doctors: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone

6.  Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown

7. Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit up the World by Elizabeth Rusch

8. Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed our Lives by Gene Berretta

9. Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

10. On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

11. Summer birds: the Butterflies of Maria Marion by Margarita Engle

12. Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D’Agnese

13. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of James John Audubon by Jacqueline Davies

14. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

15. Caroline’s Comets: A True Story by Emily Arnold McCully

16. Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman

17. Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer  by Robert Burleigh

18. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin  by  Julia Finley Mosca 

19. Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World  by  Rachel Ignotofsky

Artists + Musicians to Learn About

20. When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Munoz Ryan

21. Mr Cornell’s Dream Boxes by Jeanette Winter

22. Ella Fitzgerald : The Tale of a Vocal Virtuoso by Andrea Pinkney

23. The Iridescence of Birds: Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLaughlan

24. A Splash of Red: the Life and Art of Horace Pippin  by Jen Bryant

25. Duke Ellington: the Piano Prince and his Orchestra  by Andrea Davis Pinkney

26. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell

27. Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter

28. Becoming Bach by Tom Leonard

29. Viva Frieda by  Yuyi Morales

30. Prairie Boy: Frank Lloyd Wright Turns the Heartland into a Home  by Barb Rosenstock

31. Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle

Biographies for Kids: Heroes from History

29. Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kalman

30. To Dare Mighty Things: The Life of Theodore Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport

31. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candice Fleming

32. Amelia lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candice Fleming

33. The Lincoln’s: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary  by Candace Fleming

34. Rosa by Nikki Giovanni

35. What to do about Alice? by Barbara Kerley

36. Elizabeth Leads the Way by Tanya Lee Stone

37. Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley

38. Leif the Lucky  by Ingri Daulaire

39. Columbus  by Ingri Daulaire

41. George Washington by Ingri Daulaire

42. Benjamin Franklin by Ingri Daulaire

43. Buffalo Bill  by Ingri Daulaire

44. Abraham Lincoln  by Ingri Daulaire

45. Bard of Avon:William Shakespeare  by Diane Stanley

46. Leonardo Davinci by Diane Stanley

47. Good Queen Bess by Dianne Stanley

48. Peter the Great by Dianne Stanley

49. Cleopatra by Diane Stanley

50. Along Came Galileo  by Jeanne Bendick

51. Joan of Arc: Warrior Saint by Jay Williams

52. Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock

53. Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta

54. Eleanor by Barbara Cooney

55. A Boy Named FDR  by Kathleen Krull

56. Alexander the Great by John Gunther

57. George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster

58. The World of Captain John Smith by Genevieve Foster

59. The World of Christopher Columbus and Sons by Genevieve Foster

60. Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve Foster

61. Abraham Lincoln’s World by Genevieve Foster

62. Louis and Clark: Explorer’s of the American West by Steven Kroll

63. Encounter by Jane Yolen

64. Picture Book of Daniel Boone by David Adler

65. The Secret Subway by Shana Corey

66. Abraham by Frank Keating

67. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford

68. Brave Clara Barton by Frank Murphy

69. Teedie: The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt by Don Brown

70. The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans  by Barbara E. Walsh

71. First Mothers  by Beverly Gherman

72. Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford

73. Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero  by Marissa Moss

74. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson

75. Before She was Harriet   by  Lesa Cline-Ransome 

76. Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  by  Doreen Rappaport 

77. Nelson Mandela   by  Kadir Nelson

78. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History  by Vashti Harrison

Biographies about Writers

79. The Boy on Fairfield street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Suess by Kathleen Krull

80. Louisa: the Life of Louisa May Alcott  by Yona Zeldis McDonough

82. Noah Webster and his Words  by Jeri Chase Ferris

81. Going Solo by Roald Dahl

83. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant

84. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise

85. The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome

86. Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel

87. Malala’s Magic Pencil  by  Malala Yousafzai 

Biographies for Kids About Amazing Athletes

88. Ali an American Champion by Barry Denenburg

90. Brothers at Bat by Audrey Vernick

91. The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game  by Nancy Churnin

92. Charlie Takes His Shot: How Charlie Sifford Broke the Color Barrier in Golf   by Nancy Churnin

93. Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win   by  Rachel Ignotofsky 

Too Cool for Categories: Everyday Folks Who Made a Extraordinary Impact

94. Mr. Ferris and his Wheel by Kathryn Gibbs Davis

95. Iggy Peck, Architect  by Andrea Beaty

96. The Story of Johnny Appleseed  by Aliki

97. The Fairy Ring: Or Elsie and Frances Fool the World by Mary Losure

98. The Great and Only Barnum by Candice Fleming

99. Bon appétit! The Delicious Life of Julia Childs  by Jessie Hartland

100. Daredevil: the Daring Life of Betty Skelton  by Meghan Macarthy

101. Grandfather Gandhi by Arun Gandhi

102. Here come the Girl Scouts by Shana Correy

103. The Man who Walked Between the Towers by Mordecai Gernstein

104. Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

105. Pocket Full of Colors:  The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire by Amy Guglielmo

106. Manjhi Moves a Mountain

107. Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

108. Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God 

109. Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito

110. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

My hope is that, as a result of this big ol’ list, you and your children will discover amazing people whose stories should be continued to be shared. Most of all, I want my kids to know that reading and continuing to read will keep expanding their world!

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24 Comments

I love this list and have referenced it many times!!! Has anyone made an excel file of these to check off? Also my daughter loves to listen and so I’m wondering if anyone has found any of these on audiobooks?

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Great list!

Additional picture book biographies that we’ve enjoyed: Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson Small Wonders: Jean-Henri Fabre & His World of Insects by Matthew Clark Smith The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating Pippo the Fool by Tracey Fern

This list is fantastic! I order the biographies for our library and we were missing several of these. You know it’s a good list when the library already has most of the books and they are regularly checked out!

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This looks like an awesome list! However please note that Rosie Revere Engineer is NOT a biography. It’s a wonderful book about a little girl who wants to be an engineer, but it is NOT about Rosie the Riveter. There is an implication that the character’s great great aunt is the riveter but this is not a biography. Thank you very much for this list, it’s super helpful!

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Thank you so much! I love getting my kids biographies! Great looking list!

This is a goldmine! Thanks so much for compiling this list Alicia! My little bookworm will thank you for this. xo emily

This is incredible! I am always on the hunt for book list and adding in some biographies would be such an excellent learning tool. Like you, life fascinates me and I love reading about them!

http://www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

My daughter's class does a book report a month. She has done mysteries, but this month she will be reading the story of olympic gymnast Shaun Johnson. Callie is a gymnast as well (a newcomer)and I love that she will be reading about one of her heroes. You have compiled a great list. Makes me truly miss teaching reading.

Love this list! I'm looking for books to steer my kids to. 😉

Oh how I nerdily love this list! My girls have been reading a lot of biographies about people in the Revolutionary War and they have been loving them! Hooray for raising future biography nerds!!

Love love love this post! Thank you!

What a fun list'. We haven't really done much biography reading at all. This list will be a great place to start!

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75 Best Picture Book Biographies for Kids, 2024

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I love introducing kids to ordinary people who did amazing things by reading picture book biographies for kids. Don’t you? These biographies for kids are inspirational narrative nonfiction texts that are written like a story, appealing to children with beautiful illustrations.

I chose these books after reading thousands of picture books and understanding what children like because my background isn’t only in book reviews but in education. Plus, I’m a parent of two. I update this book list with the best newly published books, with the most recent update in November 2023.

A reading strategy I like to use with children reading nonfiction is connecting to background knowledge. As you read these biographies, both picture books for preschool and elementary ages, as well as biographical story collections for upper elementary and middle school, help your kids connect to what they’re reading. 

Start with prompts like:

How are you like or not like this person?

Do you know someone who is like this person?

What other biographies or famous people does this person remind you of?

Reading biographies is informative and instructive. We learn more about people, which helps us learn more about ourselves– who we are and who we want to be.

Want a fun biography game to play? The Little People, Big Dreams Who Am I Guessing Game is a fun way to learn about inspiring role models!

The Best Picture Book Biographies for Kids

Table of Contents:

Artists and Musicians

Famous americans.

• More Picture Books & Biography Collections

STEM (Scientists, coders, engineers, and mathematicians)

Stand as Tall as the Trees : How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest written by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau, illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo ACTIVIST Beautifully crafted with emotional resonance, get inspired by this true story of Patricia Gualinga’s life. Paty is a Kichwa girl who lives deep in the rain forest of Ecuador; a place alive with “trees towering, vines winding, and frogs singing” and the mystical beings who rule the forest — the Amazanga. Paty moves to the noisy city for her education. But when Paty’s forest home is destroyed by a greedy company, she helps her people gather, unite, and protest, making the destructive company leave the forest! Heartfelt writing and luminous illustrations make this a memorable biography (autobiography) that shows how one person can make a difference in the world!

Gifts from the Garbage Truck A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away written by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Oriol Vidal This is another shining example of what biographies should be like — an engaging glimpse at the MOST IMPORTANT contributions of the person, not a birth-to-death (boring) retelling. 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.

Ode to a Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice written by Kari Lavelle, illustrated by Bryan Collier THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A BIOGRAPHY! The author captures the right scenes of James Earl’s life to show his fear of speaking because of a stutter, his introduction to poetry that led him to begin writing his own poems and speaking them out loud. Why do I love this book so much? Because it’s not a boring birth to death, too-much-text tome. It’s perfect in every way. Plus, Bryan Collier’s illustrations are rich and evocative, adding everything to the ambiance of this beautiful biography.

Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Arigon Starr Learn about two Native baseball players who loved the game but endured huge racism from everywhere — name calling, derogatory chants, and more. Charles Bender and John Meyers were groundbreaking athletes. You’ll read their history and how they got to the 1911 World Series. Interesting and important.

More Picture Book Biographies & Collections

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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Is this available as a printable list by any chance?! 🙂

I’ll work on it for you and email it to you!

Wow, just wow. Thank you. I was googling and googling for a specific kind of pb bio, and nothing was coming up. Found 3 of what I was looking for in your list

I’m so happy to hear this list was helpful!

What an amazing list! Thank you so much for sharing!

Glad it’s helpful!

20 Biography Books For Kids To Help Them Dream Big

A collection of the best biography books for kids to help them learn about history's most fascinating people and dream a bit bigger.

Brandie DeRusha

With her MA in English from Rutgers University-Camden, Brandie spends her days chasing around her toddlers and writing. She loves to pair wine with her reading; preferably a Brontë, or an Elliot, or a Woolf novel. Depending on the mood. She currently lives in Florida with her husband, two kids and furry beast.

View All posts by Brandie DeRusha

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.

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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.

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The Best Autobiography & Biography Books for Kids

As kids begin to understand the larger world around them, there’s nothing more expansive than learning about the lives of others. So it’s no wonder biographies are a hit with curious young readers. Learning about amazing people who shaped the world through bravery and dedication isn’t just a way to inspire your child’s own dreams—it’s a path to building stronger empathy and relationships. 

That’s why we’ve created this list of the best biographies for kids of all ages and reading levels, from preschool to middle school. Featuring stories of dreamers and doers from all walks of life, these books will have your reader thinking big about their boundless potential!

Mahatma Gandhi: My First Mahatma Gandhi (Little People, Big Dreams)

By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

This picture book is a gentle introduction for babies and toddlers to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The charmingly illustrated tale tells the story of young Mohandas and his upbringing in India under British rule. All the while, Mohandas dreamed of a world where all living beings were treated with kindness—and dared to chase it into reality. Your toddler or preschool reader will light up as they learn from Gandhi about nonviolence, peace, and unwavering kindness.

David Bowie (Little People, Big Dreams)

This one’s for all the diaper-dancers and future rockstars. Even the youngest baby learners will be inspired by the one-of-a-kind Starman and his message of fearless individuality. Young David Jones may have looked like an ordinary boy on the outside, but on the inside, he was full of dreams, music, and creativity. Show your child that gigantic dreams are as close as the karaoke microphone in this motivational depiction of David Bowie’s story. The board book format is sturdy enough for little readers to thumb through on their own—and with the bold, bright illustrations, they’ll want to!

Where’s Jane?

By Jaye Garnett

If your growing reader is a naturalist-in-training, this wonderfully engaging board book is just what the biologist ordered. Designed for children ages 3 to 5, this board book is a lighthearted introduction to Jane Goodall’s fascinating chimpanzee research. Your reader will be so busy searching for hidden pictures in the illustrations that they won’t realize they’re learning facts well beyond their science curriculum. Vocabulary words and questions on every page also help encourage discussion and develop more advanced communication skills.

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist

By Linda Skeers

Got an up-and-coming paleontologist in the family? Then this is the biography you’re looking for! Mary Anning was a true scientific pioneer. Every young dino fan will be enraptured by the story of how her earth-shaking scientific career began by hunting for fossils in her own backyard. This fully illustrated picture book invites 4- to 9-year-olds to turn over pages and stones as they advance their exploratory skills .

Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg? (Who Is/Was)

By Patricia Brennan Demuth

The Who Was … books are among the best biographies for kids, presenting accurate history in an easy-to-read style. Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg? introduces kids to one of the renowned legal minds of our time while making her feel accessible, relatable, and wholeheartedly human. This story of Ginsburg’s advocacy for gender equality and women’s rights will empower readers from ages 8 to 11 to stand up for what they believe in as they learn to read independently and think critically.

Women Who Dared: 52 Stories of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers, and Rebels

If your 10- to 13-year-old reader loves adventure-packed stories, this book is a must-have. They might’ve heard about Amelia Earhart in school, but they’ll marvel at the lesser-known stories of Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova, stuntwoman Helen Gibson, and oceanographer Sylvia Earle in this riveting collection. Each profile is short and readable, yet brimming with value and heart. Try reading one profile with your child before bed each night and watch as they gravitate toward certain adventurers, navigate moral complexities, and relate the stories to their own lives.

Help Your Child Dream Big With Biographies From Literati Book Clubs

Once your kids start learning about the real lives of influential people like the ones above, they’ll realize how endless their own potential really is. You can make sure your reader is always stocked up with the best biographies for kids—along with all the other genres they love—by becoming a Literati Kids Book Club member. We’ll send your child the best-in-class literature suited perfectly to their reading level and interests. The result? A passion for reading, a thirst for learning, and ideas that flow as freely as David Bowie’s melodies. To get started, complete our quick personalization quiz and open the gates to your young reader’s literary adventure today.

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WELCOME, DREAMERS!

Welcome to the home of Little People, BIG DREAMS, the best-selling biography series for kids by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara.

Discover the lives of key figures from throughout history, from creatives and activists to scientists and politicians. Told as a story, with a facts and photos section at the back, every story begins with that person as a small child. Containing figures from many different experiences, backgrounds and journeys, the series aims to develop children’s empathy and their understanding of the world.

Now with more than 12 million copies sold worldwide, the series continues to grow and expand, introducing children around the world to a diverse range of figures from all walks of life.

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“Strikingly illustrated, they’re superb first biographies for younger readers.”

“Stirring encouragement for all 'little people' with 'big dreams.'”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Informative text…smartly illustrated… Another batch of successful installments in the series.”

—School Library Journal

“We're obsessed with the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series.”

—Mother Mag

"...adorable illustrations…packs an emotional punch.”

—Entertainment Weekly

NEW RELEASES

Illustrated by Jen Khatun

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Mary Kom, one of the world’s greatest … Read more »

Salvador Dali

Illustrated by Mariona Tolosa Sisteré

Learn about the incredible life of Salvador Dalí, one of the pioneers of the Surrealism movement. Little Salvador was born in Figueres, Spain, in the … Read more »

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Illustrated by Martin Le Lapin

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the talented pilot and … Read more »

Advent Calendar Book Collection

Unwrap some Christmas magic with this advent calendar of 24 mini books from the iconic Little People, BIG DREAMS series. The Little People, BIG DREAMS Advent … Read more »

Dream Big Bingo

Dream Big BINGO! is a bingo game with a difference! Choose an inspirational figure and collect all the qualities they need to fulfil their dreams. … Read more »

Vincent van Gogh

Illustrated by Alette Straathof

Learn about the life of Vincent van Gogh, one of the world’s most influential and best-loved artists. Little Vincent was a quiet child. He loved spending … Read more »

Leonard Cohen

Learn about the incredible life of Leonard Cohen, the inspiring singer-songwriter who shared songs about hope, love, loss and everything that makes us human. Little … Read more »

Illustrated by Ana Albero

Be inspired by the amazing life of Stan Lee, the comic book genius who created Spider-Man, The Hulk and Iron Man! Little Stan grew up … Read more »

Simone Biles

Learn about the inspiring life of Simone Biles, the mental-health advocate and record-breaking athlete. Growing up in foster care, Simone’s gymnastics training was an anchor in … Read more »

Illustrated by Rocio Ledesma

Learn about the incredible life of Rafa Nadal, the dedicated sportsperson who’s tenacity and drive has inspired young athletes across the world. Little Rafa was … Read more »

Illustrated by Karen Crosbie

Discover the life of Usain Bolt. Growing up in a rural town in Jamaica, Usain was a standout cricketeer and sprinter from a young age. His … Read more »

Illustrated by Jade Orlando

Discover the inspiring life of Beyoncé, the chart-topping superstar. Beyoncé was quiet as a child but always enjoyed singing and dancing. At a young age, … Read more »

Taylor Swift

Illustrated by Borghild Fallberg

Inspire kids with the glittering story of pop superstar Taylor Swift! This talented singer–songwriter started as a little country girl with a big dream to … Read more »

Kylie Minogue

Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon

Discover the life of Kylie Minogue, the Australian princess of pop! Little Kylie grew up with her parents and her younger sister, Dannii, in Melbourne, … Read more »

Little People, BIG DREAMS: Who Am I

A guessing game with a difference! Choose one of history’s favourite characters – from designers and artists to scientists and activists – and try to … Read more »

MEET THE CREATORS

Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children's books. Working for more than fifteen years for clients in top advertising agencies, her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture.

THE ILLUSTRATORS

Featuring the art and styles of more than 70 different artists from around the world, Little People, BIG DREAMS is a celebration of illustration.

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20 fantastic picture book biographies for kids

I love all kinds of picture books, but I particularly love picture book biographies for kids where the life of someone famous is brought to life with spectacular illustrations, interesting and surprising stories, and just enough information.

I’ve been collecting my favorite picture book biography titles for months and am so happy to share some of them with you today (you better believe there are more coming in the next several months – the list is way too long for one post!).

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens I’d never heard of Eugenie Clark before this book, but I was immediately fascinated by her story. She fell in love with sharks at an early age when she saw them at an aquarium and wanted to know everything she could about them. But many people thought sharks were ugly, terrifying creatures. Plus, women shouldn’t be scientists anyway. Eugenie spent her life proving the naysayers wrong, both abut sharks and female scientists. (Also check out Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jordi Solano).

John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler I’m certainly familiar with the beloved Lord of the Rings series, but I didn’t know much about J.R.R. Tolkein (and I REALLY didn’t know much about his growing up). So I loved this clever biography about his growing up where he loved dragons, and how much of his young life felt surrounded by dragons, from losing his mother early in his life to fighting in WWI. But until he invented a dragon of his own (which sparked off his Middle Earth writing), he never found one in his actual life.

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen: The Story of Six Novels, Three Notebooks, a Writing Box, and One Clever Girl by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Qin Leng Before Jane Austen became one of the most famous English writers of all time, she was a quiet girl. And while you might not have noticed her, she probably would have noticed you. And it might have ended up in her writing. This beautiful picture book is a delightful introduction to a woman who disregarded the publishing trends of her time and created a completely new kind of story.

The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter I’d never heard of Zaha Hadid before this book, but I instantly loved her story. She grew up in Iraq and wanted to be an architect. But as a Muslim woman, this wasn’t going to be an easy dream to chase. Now, decades later, you can see her buildings all over the world!

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley Most of us are probably familiar with Dr. Temple Grandin and I love this introduction to her for young children (all the text is told in rhyme). She was diagnosed with autism as a young child and expected never to talk. But she grew up to become a groundbreaking scientist, thanks to her love of animals and her rare ability to connect with animals.

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPre Vasya Kandinsky was one of the first abstract artists and this is a beautiful retelling of his story. He had a very proper upbringing and his family expected that his art would also be very proper. But his art was anything but – it came to life, swirling with color and even sound, because throughout his life, he experienced colors as sound and vice versa. (By the way, if the illustrations look vaguely familiar, it’s likely because you recognize Mary GrandPre’s illustrations from the original Harry Potter books).

On a Beam of Light: A Story About Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky If you’d seen young Albert Einstein riding his bike down the road, you would have probably just seen a boy on a bike, But in his mind, he saw himself traveling at the speed of light. This book is a delightful look into Einstein’s lifelong curiosity and discovery, and perfect for every child who loves to imagine the impossible.

The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life With Chimps by Jeanette Winter This was one of the picture books that really helped me see how AMAZING picture book biographies could be. I love that it begins in her childhood and goesthrough her current work, accompanied by breath-taking illustrations. I also love Me….Jane by Patrick McDonnell as a simpler biography of Jane Goodall.

Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick I have loved Brian Selznick’s illustrations since I was a child and his black and white drawings bring this amazing story about Amelia Earhart and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to life when, at a White House dinner party, Eleanor and Amelia sneak away to take an evening ride over Washington D.C. in a jet. All while wearing their evening gowns!

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons by Natascha Biebow, illustrated by Steven Salerno I love picture book biographies that bring to life the inventor of a product children love and use daily. This book does exactly that with the man who invented crayola crayons and I loved every page of it – who knew that so much went into those boxes of 50 cent crayons you can now buy at Target?

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade  by Melissa Sweet I am legitimately obsessed with this book and I love bringing out my copy every Thanksgiving about the boy who loved puppets and grew up to create the famous balloons that make up the Thanksgiving Day parade. The color and art in this book bring it to life and the end notes and photos and make it even more special.

Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs: The Story of Ken Nedimeyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation by Kate Messner, illustrated Matthew Forsythe Sometimes the changes we want to see in the world seem too big, too overwhelming to tackle. But I love this biography of Ken Nedimyer, founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation, that shows that even one person can make a difference.

Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Howard Bryant, illustrated by Floyd Cooper I’ve never watched a professional tennis match, but I was in tears by the end of this gorgeous picture book about Venus and Serena Williams and hard they work and, even more impressively to me, how much they support each other.

Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, A Kitten, 10,000 Miles by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Hadley Hooper Just over a century ago, two friends, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke set out from New York City to spread the word about giving American women the right to vote. Crammed in a little yellow car, with a kitten along for the ride, they drove 10,000 miles in pursuit of their goal.

The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand New Colors by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani Put neon colors on the list of things I’ve never given a second thought to. Until this book, about two brothers who loved to invent things and discovered neon coloring that’s now used all over the world. Who knew? The black pages with bright neon coloring make this book really pop.

Tree Lady: The Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry When I think San Diego, I don’t think dry desert town. But more than 100 years ago, when Katherine Olivia Sessions became the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she moved to San Diego and was horrified by the lack of trees. So she started a movement to transform her new home into the garden oasis we now know it as.

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson I’ve love everything Kadir Nelson touches and this book is no exception, about the lengths one man goes to in order to gain his freedom. After Henry’s family is sold, he comes up with a daring and dangerous plan to escape north, by having some friends nail him into a box and mailing him to a free state. Unbelievably it works!

Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo, illustrated by Julia Denos I love this beautiful book about Audrey Hepburn and her life, from her early difficult childhood during WWII under Nazi occupation to her emergence as a style icon and her work with UNICEF. Star, particularly, took a shine to this book and I read it to her dozens of times (we also both loved Just Being Jackie about Jackie Kennedy Onassis).

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington When Mae Jemison was young she longed to be an astronaut. Her teacher suggested she find something more practical, but her parents encouraged her to work hard and achieve her seemingly impossible dreams. And she did, becoming the first African American woman to travel in space. My girls loved this book and as a parent, it was so encouraging to me to let my own children dream big.

And if you’d like a printable copy of this list that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!

If you liked this list of picture book biographies for kids, you might also like these posts:

• The Best Picture Books to Read Aloud in a Classroom
• 10 Children’s Books about Death, Loss and Grief
• 13 Fantastic Easy Reader Chapter Books

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11 comments.

This is a great list. I am excited to read as many as I can. Picture books really are the best and you can learn a ton!

I love Karlin Gray’s picture book biographies! My favorite isThe Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still about Nadia Comaneci. Gymnastics + beautiful book = yessss

I love the Noisy Paintbox, too! ☺ Another one I love is The Boy Who Loved Math.

Have you ever read any of the Little People Big Dreams series? I am in a different country and these are some of the only biography childrens books I have access to. I am wondering if anyone has experience with them and would recommend them.

This list is my love language. Thanks!!

I just discovered Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor and my daughter loves it.

I LOVE these sorts of picture books. I’ve learned SO MUCH about so many different people and things from reading them to my son! Just added all the ones we haven’t already read to our library list! (I am with you on being obsessed with Balloons over Broadway…I really just need to buy that one.)

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We love Mr. Ferris and His Wheel!

I learned so much from The Day-Glo Brothers – thanks for recommending it!

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Biographies for Kids

A biography is a true story written about someone's life. There are many biographies for kids about famous people that students can read. These are written on a variety of reading levels to meet the needs of all types of readers. Famous people that children enjoy reading about can be people from long ago, such as George Washington or Betsy Ross, or from more recent times, such as Neil Armstrong or Ronald Reagan. Reading and learning about biographies of famous people is essential in school. Children enjoy reading about renowned people's lives, and really learn a lot of life lessons by reading them. Some children can even make life connections to the people they read about, and certainly relate to them. We have short biographies for kids to let children explore the joys of this genre. This type of genre is read during class as a read-aloud activity by the teacher, or in small reading groups facilitated by an instructor.

E-books for Kids

25 Wonderful Picture Book Biographies for Readers of All Ages

by AuthorAmy

Picture book biographies are one of my favorite genres. They chronicle the life and times of some of the most famous people in the world, including the people behind beloved inventions. They are accessible to all levels of students – even high schoolers! Readers get a broad overview in picture book form, and then authors generously include ample back matter for further research and reading.

Take a look through this list of my top 25 favorite picture book biographies. You will find the stories behind the invention of the super soaker, the fascinating life of the first Black ballerina to dance for the American Ballet Theatre, the man behind ramen noodles, and so much more.

Just so you know, we may get a small share of the sales made through affiliate links on this page.

1. The Brilliant Deep : The Story of Ken Nedimeyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation

By Kate Messner

Environmental scientist Ken Nedimeyer is working to rebuild coral reefs by hand. The efforts are surprising, involving gluing grafted corals to barren sea floors and tending them. It is an education in the importance of coral reefs to our planet’s seas and also a treatise to human hope for a brighter, greener future.

2. Queen of Physics , How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom  

By Teresa Robeson

At a time when girls were not routinely educated in China, Wu Chien Shiung’s parents encouraged her love of science. She became an accomplished physicist and the first female instructor at Princeton University, among many other accolades.

3. Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando  

Written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz

This is the story of the invention of ramen, one of the world’s most famous foods, after Momofuku Ando saw long crowds in food lines after World War II.

4. The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons  

Written by Natascha Biebow and illustrated by Steven Salerno

The Crayon Man tells the story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of Crayola Crayons. Binney wished to bring the magic of nature’s vibrant colors into the lives of children, succeeding with his famous box of crayons that originally sold for five cents.

5. Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

Written by Patricia Valdez and illustrated by Felicita Sala

Joan Proctor was the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum and the designer of London Zoo’s famous Reptile House. She grew up hosting tea parties for her favorite reptiles, a tradition she continued in the Reptile House, where she hosted children’s tea parties complete with a Komodo dragon guest.

6. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist  

Written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens

Eugenie Clark earned herself the nickname “Shark Lady” after devoting her life to them. She faced the dual challenges of people who feared and hated sharks and people who didn’t think women should be scientists.

7. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré 

Written by Aneka Aldamuy Denise and illustrated by Paola Escobar

Pura Belpré, New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, immigrated to America in 1921. She began her library career as a bilingual library assistant, where her Spanish retellings of stories were wildly popular. Her distinguished career still influences readers today, and the Amerian Library Association named an award after her given annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator “whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.”

8. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade  

By Melissa Sweet

Puppeteer Tony Sarg is the inventor of the famous parade balloons that are part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is a great STEM title that goes into detail about the mechanics of the balloons as well as delving into the joy they bring to millions each year.

9. It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way

Written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morstad

During WWII, Gyo Fujikawa’s family was taken to a Japanese internment camp while she worked as an illustrator in New York City. Watching the nation’s prejudice tear apart her family, she wanted to find a way to include diverse children in her illustrations. She wrote and illustrated the book Babies , which was initially rejected but once published sold nearly 2 million copies. She was a trailblazer in children’s literature in an era when we are still striving for inclusive texts.

10. Mae Among the Stars  

Written by Roda Ahmed and illustrated by Stasia Burrington

Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to travel in space. Mae Among the Stars encourages children to follow their dreams no matter what detractors may say.

11. Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery

Written by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Bryan Collier

Ernie Barnes grew up in the segregated South. While he was recruited to play football for an all-black university and eventually played in the NFL for the Colts, his true passion was in creating art. He got his opportunity after leaving the NFL when he was hired as the first official artist for the American Football League.

12. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin  

Written by Julia Finley Mosca and illustrated by Daniel Rieley

Temple Grandin, who was diagnosed with autism as a young child, has a unique and powerful connection with animals. She has used this connection and the unique way her mind works to improve the lives of farm animals all over the world.

13. Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George

Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James E. Ransome

Joseph Boulogne was the child of a Black slave and her white slaveowner. He was able to study music in Paris, where he became a master violinist and eventually composed operas. The illustrations in this book are exquisite.

14. What Miss Mitchell Saw

Written by Hayley Barrett and illustrated by Diana Sudyka

The subject of this picture book biography, Maria Mitchell, will be an inspiration to girls everywhere. Mitchell was the first American scientist to discover a comet, which was named after her. She used her acclaim to advocate for science and math education for girls.

15. Just Being Audrey  

Written by Margaret Cardillo and illustrated by Julia Denos

Audrey Hepburn was America’s sweetheart and a film icon, but she did much beyond acting. Growing up in Nazi Germany inspired in her a lifelong desire to spread kindness, and she used her fame to do humanitarian work through UNICEF.

16. Ron’s Big Mission

Written by Rose Blue and Corinne Naden and illustrated by Don Tate

This is the story of Ron McNair, a young boy who grew up to be an astronaut on the Challenger mission. As a young boy in the segregated South, Ron found himself unable to check out books from the public library. His was able to obtain a library card through peaceful resistance, which in turn fed his love of flight.

17. The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand New Colors  

Written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Tony Persiani

Joe and Bob Switzer invented fluorescent colors, which didn’t exist prior to 1935. Like many great inventions, their brand-new colors were invented by accident when the brothers were experimenting for a magic act. Their colors went on to be used in WWII, street signs, advertisements, and more the world over. The book itself cleverly reflects the story, as it is largely black and white until the end culminates in color.

18. Buzzing with Questions

Written by Janice N. Harrington and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III

Charles Henry Turner is notable as the first Black entomologist. His lifelong fascination with bugs, animals, plants, and all things science is chronicled in this fun book. The author includes extensive back matter for further reading.

19. John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien  

Written by Caroline McAlister and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

The man we known as J.R.R. Tolkien is John Ronald in this delightful and surprising picture book about the boy who grew into the man behind the most famous fantasy series of all time. As a child, John Ronald loved dragons and imagined them everywhere he went. As an adult, his imagination only grew stronger, and he used his early love of dragons to create The Hobbit .

20. Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

Written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Don Tate

Just like the invention of fluorescent colors, the invention of the iconic toy called the Super Soaker happened by accident. Engineer Lonnie Johnson was working on cooling mechanisms when he inadvertently created what has become one of the top twenty toys of all time.

21. On a Beam of Light: A Story About Albert Einstein

Written by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

On a Beam of Light is the story of the child who grew up to be Albert Einstein. As a child, Einstein didn’t really fit in with the other children. His wild imagination made him endlessly curious about the world around him. This is a great picture book to encourage children to use their imaginations and embrace who they are inside.

22. She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein  

Written by Lynn Fulton and illustrated by Felicita Sala

On a dark and stormy night, a young girl drifts off to sleep dreaming of a monster. She is determined to beat Lord Byron in their competition to see who can write the best ghost story. She eventually goes on to write one of the great gothic novels of our time, Frankenstein .

23. Firebird

Written by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers

Misty Copeland was the first African-American dancer to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre. In her picture book debut, she imagines a conversation between herself and an aspiring ballerina who struggles with self-confidence. The resulting book is a positive and empowering story for children everywhere.

24. Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines

Written by Sarah Aronson and illustrated by Robert Neubecker

Rube Goldberg’s father encouraged him to find a career more practical than art, so Goldberg became an engineer. After college, he decided that his passion for art could not be denied and took a job as a newspaper cartoonist. He became famous for his elaborate machines which performed simple tasks in complicated fashion.

25. The Polio Pioneer:   Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine  

Written by Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrated by Lisa Anchin

This picture book biography feels particularly appropriate to read during the Covid-19 pandemic. It chronicles the life of Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine. Dr. Salk’s legacy lives on at the medical research facility, the Salk Institute.

Other Amy’s Book Lists You’ll Love:

• 30 Books About Voting And Elections For Kids of All Ages
• 42 Books Featuring Black Protagonists to Read Immediately
• 30 Banned Books You Should Totally Read
• 30 Most Anticipated 2021 Books For Students of All Ages
• Children’s Literature Book Awards and Their 2020 Winners!

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50+ Historical Picture Books Biographies

• September 18, 2017
• Books , Early Elementary , History , Homeschool

Books are a great way to bring history alive! Here are 50+ of the best children’s historical picture book biographies and autobiographies/memoirs for kids.

This list is separated into two parts – American history and world history. Picture books are a great way to bring visuals, stories, and life  to the random black and white photos we see in history books. Read about the men and women who helped change the world! Disclaimer: Some of the following links are affiliate links. I make a small commission from some of the links on this site.

Picture Book Biographies Series

The “I Am” series by Brad Metzler

From  activists  to  presidents  to  inventors , the “I Am” series is written especially for early elementary students. They make each historical figure relatable to kids. It introduces them to great people in our nation’s history, in a quirky, fun way. This series proudly shows children to dream big, and that ordinary people can change the world!

A Picture Book Of Series by David Adler

David Adler also has a great series of picture book biographies. They have more traditional and formal illustrations and serve as a great introduction to American icons such as George Washington  or  Rosa Parks . Some more of my favorites in this series (that aren’t often included in biographical series) are:

• A Picture Book of Jesse Owens
• A Picture Book of Louis Braille
• A Picture Book of Anne Frank
• A Picture Book of Florence Nightingale
• A Picture Book of Davy Crockett

Little People, Big Dreamers series by Isabel Sanchez Vegara This series shows famous and notable women throughout history, from scientists like Marie Curie to poets like Maya Angelou .

Picture Book Biographies

Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Based on the poem of the same name, this story is simply an illustrated version of Longfellow’s classic poem. Paul Revere was a Patriot during the American Revolutionary War.

George Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Giblin

George Washington was our very first president. What made him great? Read about his amazing life story in this story. It’s well-rounded, and its simple text and great pictures make it great for early elementary students.

George Washington’s Birthday by Margaret McNamara

This fun picture book takes place on seven-year-old George Washington’s birthday! The paragraphs aren’t too long in this fun book, and there are smaller extra “facts” about Washington on each page.

They Called Her Molly Pitcher by Anne Rockwell

When Molly Pitcher’s husband went to fight in George Washington’s army, Molly followed him! In one incident, after her husband was shot in battle, Molly took over his job firing a cannon! This is a longer picture book with lengthier text, so it’s best for a read-aloud for grades 3+.

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta

So much has changed since Benjamin Franklin was alive! Read about his classic inventions, and how they have shaped modern America.

Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh

Meet John Chapman, otherwise known as Johnny Appleseed! This book rhymes and has simple text, great for the youngest of beginning readers. Read about Johnny’s legacy, and what he’s done for us today!

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed

Mae Jemison was the first African-American woman to go into space! This beautifully illustrated children’s book is one of my favorites and reminds kids to dream big. Grab the book guide here.

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone

In the 1830s, Elizabeth Blackwell challenged society’s norms and became America’s first female doctor. She graduated from medical school, and serves as a reminder that you can do anything you put your mind to!

Elizabeth Leads the Way by Tanya Lee Stone

Elizabeth Cady Stanton wasn’t like other women. An early activist for women’s rights, Stanton wanted to challenge women across the world to vote.

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Many recognize the name Harriet Tubman, but did you know the many roles she played before becoming Harriet? Lyrically written and beautifully illustrated, this is one of my favorite picture book biographies.  Grab the book guide here.

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Set during the American Civil War, a young slave named Henry has always imagined what freedom looked like. As an adult, he decides to turn his dreams into reality and mail himself to freedom.  Henry’s Freedom Box is a favorite among classrooms, mainly for its introduction to slavery without being too graphic.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Weatherford

Harriet Tubman was known as “Moses” to her people, as she, a freed slave, continued to go back to plantations bringing people to freedom. This book is a Caldecott Honor winner.

Abe Lincoln Remembers by Ann Turner

Abraham Lincoln is one of the better-known presidents in our history. In this book, he is reminiscing on his past. In reality, it is only a few moments before he would later be shot in a theater by John Wilkes Booth. However, this book chooses to celebrate Lincoln’s accomplishments, instead of focusing on his death.

Marvelous Mattie by National Geographic Learning

Margaret Knight, known as “the Lady Edison,” always loved to invent things. Her most notable invention is the flat-bottomed brown paper bag. She is acknowledged as the first woman to hold a U.S. patent!

Young Thomas Edison by Michael Dooling

Thomas Edison was not a regular kid. At a young age, his mother took him out of public school to begin homeschooling. His inventions went on to help shape American history.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel

Clara Lemlich was a Ukrainian immigrant in the early 1900s. Working hard, she worked, spent hours studying English, and went to night school. Tired of poor treatment, Clara led a large strike, which fought for better work environments.

Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden

Bessie Coleman was the first African American female (and the first person of African-American descent) to earn a pilot’s license! Here is her great story of determination and perseverance.

Six Dots by Jennifer Bryant

You might recognize Louis Braille’s name, but did you know he created Braille as a teenager? This picture book tells the journey of the boy who invented the written language for the blind. Find the book guide here.

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

Immigrants are often faced with a challenging problem. They love their new life in America but miss their home country. This is the story of the author’s grandfather, who came to America from Japan.

Seabiscuit vs War Admiral: The Greatest Horse Race in History by Kat Shehata

Learn about one of the greatest horse races in history – the race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral! These pages are somewhat dense. I’ve also seen this quirky and fun book which looks perfect and hilarious for younger ages, but I haven’t read it yet.

Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team by Audrey Vernick

For the kiddos who love sports, this is the true story of a family in the 1930s who had 16 children, 12 brothers who played on a baseball team together! With a vintage, old-timey feel, this picture book is filled with adventure and can raise some discussion on the Great Depression.

Dorothea Lange: The Photographer Who Found the Faces of the Depression by Carole Weatherford

Dorothea Lange was bullied as a child because she had polio and it left her with a limp. This never stopped her from becoming an influential photographer, especially during the Great Depression.

On a Beam of Light: The Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

Despite being brilliant, Albert Einstein was no ordinary child! Hear his amazing life story, in a picture book explained simply for early elementary students. His story is inspiring, and a great reminder that wonder and curiosity are so important in life! Grab the book guide here.

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks by Cynthia Levinson

Meet nine-year-old Audrey Hendricks, known as the youngest person to be arrested for protesting during a civil rights rally. Audrey is a great reminder that even kids can make a difference!

Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare by Gene Barretta

Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy had a lot in common, but there were a lot of things that were different about the two! This is a longer picture book, but comparing the two presidents can be fun. Plus, the illustrations are engaging!

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

In this autobiographical story, Patricia Polacco shares her story of overcoming dyslexia in school, and the one teacher who helped her through it. Now, Polacco is a successful children’s author.

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909 by Alice Provenson

This picture book can go with an aviation study, or study about the Wright Brothers/Amelia Earhart.  It has an older style and the colors are more muted, but it’s still an interesting look at the man who made the first flight over the English Channel in a heavier-than-air aircraft.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

In the 1960s, Ruby Bridges was one of the first people to begin breaking racial barriers – she became the first black child to enter an all-white school. (There’s also a Disney movie to go along with Ruby’s story!)

Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker

Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician whose skills helped take us on many NASA missions, including the Apollo missions, which took us to the moon! Despite facing much prejudice for being a woman and for being black, Katherine is known as one of the greatest minds of all time. There is also a great movie about Katherine called  Hidden Figures .  Grab the book guide here.

Rescue and Jessica by Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky

In this beautiful story, Jessica is a double amputee from the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Rescue is her service dog. Together, they grow into a life-changing friendship that changes both of them.

I, Vivaldi by Janice Shefelman

Although his mother wanted him to become a priest, Antonio Vivaldi felt himself drawn towards music and enjoyed composing, performing, and teaching music. Vivaldi is best known for composing “The Four Seasons,” one of the best-known classical pieces out there. This picture book works well for giving a visual to Vivaldi’s pieces!

For the Love of Music by Elizabeth Rusch – mid-1700s

Meet Maria Mozart, the older sister of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! She is not as well known as her brother, but at only 12 years old, she was considered one of the best pianists in Europe at the time. This is a great story for budding musicians and pianists!

Escaping Titanic: A Young Girl’s True Story of Survival by Marybeth Lorbiecki

Ruth Becker was a little girl on the ill-fated  Titanic . The book does a good job of explaining what happened on the  Titanic , without getting into any graphic details for younger readers.

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear That Inspired Winnie the Pooh by Sally M.   Walker

Did you know Winnie the Pooh was inspired by a real bear? One day, Harry Colebourn saw a baby bear for sale at a train station. Harry was a veterinarian and knew he could take care of it, but he was also in training as a soldier. This is one of the sweetest picture books I’ve ever read, and a great story about a classic character!

The Donkey of Gallipoli: A True Story of Courage in WWI by Mark Greenwood

Growing up, Jack Simpson always loved giving people donkey rides, for a penny a piece. When he was drafted in WWI, his love of donkeys helped rescue 300 Allied soldiers. The images are simple, but the story is very poignant and memorable!

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Pickney

Duke Ellington had a great musical career that lasted over 50 years. Mainly performing jazz music, he was prominent in the 30s, 40s, and 50s! With a fun whimsical watercolor, this is his story!

Tucky Jo and Little Heart by Patricia Polacco

Based on a true story, Tucky Jo was a normal kid from Kentucky, who was shipped off to the Pacific during World War II. Through the chaos, he meets a young girl he nicknames Little Heart. Little Heart doesn’t speak English, but the two become friends. The ending has a surprise twist, and it’s great for showing humanity, friendship, and loyalty during wartime without being graphic.

Passage to Freedom by Ken Mochizuki

Passage to Freedom is one of the many picture books that can help teach the Holocaust in a non-graphic way. Told from the perspective of his son, Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat who saved 6,000 Lithuanian Jews by illegally writing out visas for them. Grab the book guide here.

Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto by Susan Goldman Rubin

This is one of my favorite picture book biographies! During the Holocaust, many gentiles stayed silent. Irena Sendler was different – she smuggled 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto, and placed them in hiding. Irena and each child she saved survived the war. Although it deals with a heavy subject, this story is not graphic, and appropriate for mid to upper-level elementary students, depending on maturity. Grab the book guide here .

Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo

Audrey Hepburn is known for her classic style and beauty. But, she was much more than that! As a child, she helped the resistance movement during World War II. Her experience inspired her to use celebrity status to become a humanitarian and was an active supporter of UNICEF.

For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story by Rebecca Langston-George

Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At just 15 years old, Malala was shot by the Taliban for taking a stand for girl’s education. She survived and continues to be an activist for human rights and the education of women. The ending includes a glossary of words that may be unfamiliar to beginning readers, such as “ban” or “refugee.”

I hope you enjoyed this list! What are some of your favorite historical picture books or picture book biographies?

More History Resources for Kids

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I knew you’d like Tucky Jo and Little Heart, it’s such a great book. I recognize quite a few of the books, we’ve loved in our schoolwork.

I knew you’d like Tucky Jo and Little Heart, it’s such a great book. I recognize quite a few of the books, we’ve loved in our schoolwork. Sigh, not letting me comment because “duplicate comment”

Thanks 🙂 Teaching with pictures books is so under-rated!

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Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography Hardcover – Picture Book, May 2, 2023

• Part of series Little Golden Book
• Print length 24 pages
• Language English
• Grade level Preschool - 3
• Dimensions 6.63 x 0.21 x 8.06 inches
• Publisher Golden Books
• Publication date May 2, 2023
• ISBN-10 0593566718
• ISBN-13 978-0593566718
• See all details

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Golden Books (May 2, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 24 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593566718
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593566718
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5+ years, from customers
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.99 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.63 x 0.21 x 8.06 inches
• #1 in Children's Musical Biographies (Books)
• #1 in Children's Popular Music
• #1 in Children's Women Biographies (Books)

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About the authors

Wendy loggia.

Wendy Loggia is the #1 Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of many books, including the holiday romance ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, and the #1 bestselling TAYLOR SWIFT: A Little Golden Book. Her books have been published in multiple languages. Her newest book is HARRY STYLES: A Little Golden Book. Follow her on Instagram at @authorwendyloggia.

Elisa Chavarri

Elisa Chavarri is an illustrator originally from Lima, Peru. She did much of her growing up in Northern Michigan where she now resides with her husband and two young children.

www.elisachavarri.com

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Customers say

Customers find the book great for young and old looking to learn a little about Taylor Swift. They also say it's easy to read but still enjoyable. Readers describe the storyline as captivating and enchanting. They say the content is informative, accurate, and sweet.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book great for young and old looking to learn a little about Taylor Swift. They also say it's fun, positive, and perfect for family members who are Swiftie fans.

"...perseverance, and self-expression makes this biography not only entertaining but also educational, instilling important values in young..." Read more

"...Taylor’s journey in a way that’s both inspiring and accessible for young readers . It’s a must-have for any little Swiftie in the making!" Read more

"Nice story with a good lesson for young Swifties ." Read more

"Short inspiring story of Taylor Swift. Perfect for young Swifties . Gave it to a swifty and she loved it." Read more

Customers find the gift books a very sweet idea and a perfect little collector's item.

"...but easy to read if it were for a smaller child but a great collectible gift idea for older ones...." Read more

"This makes the perfect gift for the little Swiftie in your life!" Read more

"...So if you have someone who is a Swiftie this gift is so cute ." Read more

"...It would also make a lovely gift . My kids and I couldn't be happier with this purchase, and we highly recommend it...." Read more

Customers find the book easy to read but still enjoyable. They say the illustrations and writing are great, and the language is easy for kids to understand. Readers also mention that the story is abbreviated and easy to follow for younger kids, and provides a simple overview of Taylor's life and career.

"...Through simple yet engaging language , young readers are introduced to the empowering message of following their dreams and embracing their unique..." Read more

"...They are informative but easy to read if it were for a smaller child but a great collectible gift idea for older ones...." Read more

"It was very sweet .. easy reading for young person ." Read more

" Great and easy read for children and Swifty people everywhere!..." Read more

Customers find the storyline captivating, enchanting, and entertaining. They also say it's a nice short biography of Taylor's youth and start in show business.

"...One of the standout features of this book is its ability to distill Taylor Swift's remarkable story into a format that is perfect for young readers...." Read more

"... Great little story lines but I don’t care for a lot of the other people they have written about but there are a few I felt were worth getting...." Read more

"...The vibrant illustrations and simple storytelling keep her engaged , and she’s already asking to read it again and again...." Read more

" Nice story with a good lesson for young Swifties." Read more

Customers find the book great for swifties, little swifty fans, and a great way to kickstart a young swiftie. They also say it's full of healthy/growth mindset examples that resonate with them.

"...it’s great for Swifty ." Read more

"...It’s perfect for any Swiftie !" Read more

"...But it is a childrens book and I think it is a great way to kickstart a young swiftie " Read more

" Perfect for little swifty fans " Read more

Customers find the book informative, inspiring, and lovely. They also say it contains personal details and a succinct biography of T.S. Eliot. Readers also say the book is an easy read and provides digestible information for kids.

"...It succeeds in capturing the spirit and essence of Taylor Swift's remarkable career while inspiring young readers to dream big and embrace their own..." Read more

"...This book beautifully captures Taylor’s journey in a way that’s both inspiring and accessible for young readers...." Read more

"This book was full of interesting facts and information . The young recipient loved this book and was quite anxious to read it through." Read more

Customers find the biography sweet, showing Taylor's entire life with personal details. They also say it highlights key events in Taylor's childhood and life.

"...does an excellent job of providing a well-rounded and authentic portrayal of Taylor's journey , making it both informative and engaging for readers..." Read more

"...Super cute drawings and little stories of Taylor and a great value for under $5. Highly recommend a copy for a Swiftie collection!" Read more

"The little Swiftie in our family adores this book. It's a lovely biography of Taylor Swift and has a very empowering message for anyone who dares to..." Read more

"I bought this for myself. I loved reading it to my kids. Cute biography of Taylor while also how incredible she is. Great for Swifties of all ages." Read more

Customers find the tone of the book nostalgic, heartwarming, magical, and sweet. They also say it's a treasure to keep for generations.

"...Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography" is a delightful and heartwarming tribute to one of the most beloved artists of our time...." Read more

"Taylor and Little Golden Books, what more could any human want??? A sweet , cute, succinct bio...." Read more

"...The illustration and the writing are great! It’s nostalgic for me because it is a little golden book." Read more

"...The illustrations are cute, and the nostalgia is great for anyone who grew up reading little golden books...." Read more

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Gus Walz broke the internet with his tearful love for his dad. Then the bullying began

CHICAGO – A tearful, unscripted moment between Tim Walz and his 17-year-old son, Gus, has unleashed a flood of praise and admiration – but also prompted ugly online bullying.

Gus Walz , who has a nonverbal learning disorder as well as anxiety and ADHD, watched excitedly from the front row of Chicago’s United Center and sobbed openly Wednesday night as his father, the Democratic nominee for vice president, delivered his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention.

The Minnesota governor was recounting the difficult fertility treatment he and his wife, Gwen, went through to conceive their daughter, Hope.

More: Tim Walz's son Gus has a learning disorder. Can his visibility help disabled Americans?

DNC live updates: Kamala Harris to formally accept nomination

Walz followed up by expressing his love for his family from the stage, saying: "Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my entire world. And I love you."

Gus Walz jumped up from his seat, tears on his face, pointed his index finger and said, “I love you, Dad,” followed soon after with "That's my dad!"

The touching moment between father and son, captured live by television cameras, went viral and has largely been received adoringly on the internet and the airwaves.

Fox News shared a clip of the viral moment on its TikTok page , writing "Gus Walz steals show during dad's acceptance speech." The comments were overwhelmingly positive.

“I hope to inspire my kids so much that when they see me speak of the dreams and passion I have for my country they are moved to tears like Gus Walz was,” Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, wrote on X.

“@Tim_Walz has dedicated his life to service and has clearly exceeded in being an excellent, supportive, and loving father every step of the way,” he wrote. “We should all be so lucky to know a love like that.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who spoke before Walz Wednesday night, praised the love between Walz and his children.

More: Who is Gus Walz and what is a non-verbal learning disorder?

“You know you’ve done well as a parent when your kids are as proud of you as Gus and Hope are of Tim Walz,” she wrote on X. “’That’s my dad.’ No three words better describe our next Vice President.”

Actress Mia Farrow added: “Gosh! When young Gus Walz, adorable son of Gwen and Tim Walz, his face streaming tears of pride shouted ‘That’s my dad’ he won my heart.”

Trump supporter and podcaster dismisses Gus Walz as 'puffy beta male'

But the show of affection triggered a swath of snark and ugly comments on social media, many from MAGA supporters of former President Donald Trump, who faces Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Walz in November.

Conservative columnist and right-wing provocateur Ann Coulter mocked the teenager’s tears. “Talk about weird,” she wrote on X. The message has since been deleted.

Mike Crispi, a Trump supporter and podcaster from New Jersey, mocked Walz’s “stupid crying son” on X and added, “You raised your kid to be a puffy beta male. Congrats.”

Alec Lace, a Trump supporter who hosts a podcast about fatherhood, took his own swipe at the teenager: “Get that kid a tampon already,” he wrote, an apparent reference to a Minnesota state law that Walz signed as governor in that required schools to provide free menstrual supplies to students.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Jay Weber, a conservative Milwaukee radio host, made a now-deleted post on X criticizing the Walz family.

"If the Walzs (sic) represent today's American man, this country is screwed: 'Meet my son, Gus. He's a blubbering b---- boy. His mother and I are very proud'."

After removing the post, Weber apologized and claimed he didn't know Gus had a learning disability.

USA TODAY reached out to the Walz campaign, which declined to comment.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung released a statement to USA TODAY that said the campaign "is focused on holding Walz and Harris accountable for their dangerously liberal policies that are bad for America." It didn't address the bullying posts.

Trump came under fire in 2015 after he appeared to mock a New York Times reporter with a disability. Critics said Trump's taunts could encourage others to engage in similar behavior.

Posts reflect bullying kids face constantly, advocates say

Advocates for children with learning disabilities were outraged by the venom directed at the Walz family.

“What we're seeing with the bullying of Gus Walz online isn't just cruel – it's a painful reminder of what kids with disabilities face every single day,” said Katy Neas, chief executive officer of The Arc of the United States , a Washington-based nonprofit advocacy group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their peers, Neas said.

“That means our society is teaching countless kids with disabilities that they are somehow less than because of factors outside of their control, including emotional expression and disability,” she said. “What's worse is that bullying can have a direct impact on their academic achievement, which in turn means fewer opportunities as adults. We're failing these kids when we don't understand or value their experiences.”

Research shows that bullying behavior often stems from a combination of factors, such as a desire for social dominance, a lack of empathy, or modeling of aggressive behaviors at home, said Kristen Eccleston, a former special education teacher and advocate for children with social-emotional needs.

“Children with learning disabilities are especially vulnerable because bullies may perceive them as ‘easy targets’ due to their struggles with communication or social skills," said Eccleston, who works for the Weinfeld Education Group, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, and works with parents to ensure that their children have the supports and services they need.

More: 'That's my dad!': Gus Walz has emotional reaction during Tim Walz's DNC speech

“As parents, it's heartbreaking to see our children suffer from such cruelty,” Eccleston said. “In moments like Gus', where a child is being bullied, it's crucial to surround them with love, validate their emotions, and remind them that the hurtful opinions of others do not determine their worth. Families should use these public experiences to foster open dialogue about emotions, with the goal of helping their child develop strong self-advocacy skills and a healthy sense of self.”

Anne Strober, whose son has autism, said the bullying Gus Walz is facing is despicable.

“For me, it just represents how a lot of people have lost their humanity,” she said. “You have a lot of people, now with social media, who feel very emboldened because they’re behind their keyboards and they can just say what they need to say and with a degree of anonymity. It’s still hurtful whether it’s face to face or it’s online. There’s no place for it.”

Public schools often aren’t able to stop acts of bullying, so parents who fear for their children’s safety often pull them out of school or choose to home-school them, said Strober, who lives in North Potomac, Maryland, and works with parents through the Weinfeld Education Group.

"Children should be off limits to bullying, especially by adults, no matter what political party their parents belong to,” she said. "Gus isn't going to see all of their hateful comments, but other kids will. And it will absolutely hurt them and their families.”

Contributing: Brianne Pfannenstiel , Des Moines Register

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Toby Keith's 3 Children: All About Shelley, Krystal and Stelen

Toby Keith was a father to three kids before his death on Feb. 5, 2024

Rebecca Aizin is an Editorial Assistant at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Elle, HGTV and Backstage. 

Toby Keith was an iconic country star, but to his kids, he was a doting father.

The “Red Solo Cup” singer was a father to three children with his wife, Tricia Lucus. The singer adopted Tricia’s first daughter, Shelley, 44, after the two wed in 1984. The pair then welcomed their first child together, Krystal, 38, in September 1985. Their third child, a son named Stelen, 27, was born in April 1997.

Toby died on Feb. 5, 2024 , after being diagnosed with stomach cancer two and a half years earlier. He was 62 years old. His family posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) announcing his death hours after he passed.

“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family,” the statement read. “He fought his fight with grace and courage."

Before his death, one of the things Toby was most proud of was his family and how “great” all his kids grew up to be. He told PEOPLE in 2010 that despite growing up in the spotlight, his children were all doing well.

“Everybody in the family is good,” he said. “I was raised by good parents and I have great kids. They don’t have any issues at all — none. They all grew up with me being successful, but they are not hooked on that part of the business."

Stelen Covel Instagram

In April 2024, Shelley, Krystal and Stelen attended the CMT Awards , where their dad was honored with a tribute performance by artists Brooks & Dunn,  Lainey Wilson  and  Sammy Hagar .

"He's made some amazing music throughout his career, and it's amazing we get to see that come to fruition and see his due given," Stelen said of Toby on the red carpet.

A month later, Krystal accepted an honorary degree from the University of Oklahoma on behalf of her father. All three of Toby's kids are OU alumni.

From starting their own families to their careers, here’s everything to know about Toby Keith’s kids.

Shelley Covel Rowland , 44

Isaac Brekken/Getty

Toby’s older daughter, Shelley, was born in 1980 to her mother and was adopted by the country singer after they wed.

Though Shelley is the most private of Toby’s children, she did join her family for the SwingDish Launch Event in Las Vegas in 2015.

Shelley got married and welcomed a child with her husband, making Toby a grandfather for the first time. The “Should Have Been a Cowboy” singer posed with this entire family, including his grandchildren, for Thanksgiving in 2023 .

Krystal Keith, 38

Frank Micelotta/Getty

Toby and Tricia welcomed their first child together, Krystal, on Sept. 30, 1985. Though her siblings use the last name Covel, which was Toby’s birth last name, she chose to adopt her father’s stage name instead.

Krystal followed in her father’s footsteps, pursuing a career in music. She got her start when her dad featured her on his 2004 song “Mockingbird,” which they performed together at the 38th Annual CMA Awards the same year.

Krystal went on to make her own music, putting out an album, Whiskey & Lace , in 2013. The record included her hit song “Daddy Dance with Me,” which she performed for her dad for the first time at her 2010 wedding to Andrew Sandubrae.

"I wrote it for my father-daughter dance at my own wedding, and we just did the video," she told Nashville Gab in 2013. "It was an amazing experience.”

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Krystal stayed in the state and is now raising her family, which includes her two daughters: Kirby and Hensley. The girls enjoy skiing together and celebrating holidays with their family.

After her father's death, Krystal posted a touching tribute to him on her Instagram , writing that she will "forever honor him."

"I am shattered. As great as he was in his career, he was so much greater as a dad and a husband and a Pop Pop. He was my hero," she wrote in the caption.

She added that she was grateful for their shared time together and all the memories they made since the birth of her two kids.

"I am so lucky to have had him and so grateful he got to walk me down the aisle and meet my babies. That I have years of memories traveling the world as a family," she wrote. "I am blessed that I got to spend years traveling on the road and singing on stage with him. That I have mountains of video footage and endless tracks of music to watch him on and hear his voice with."

In August 2024, Krystal told PEOPLE that she and her daughters listen to her dad's music "constantly" after taking a cue from the late Glen Campbell's daughter, Ashley.

"She mentioned that she felt lucky to have his body of work and that she would be at a store and his voice would randomly come on the radio, and that she had all these songs and these lyrics and interviews and things she could look back to, and how grateful she was of that,” Krystal said. “I thought, ‘That’s a great way to look at it.’ Not everybody has that. I try to hold onto the gratitude there.”

Stelen Keith Covel, 27

Haley Covel Instagram

Toby and Tricia welcomed their youngest child and only son on April 17, 1997. From a young age, Stelen said people pointed out that he was similar to his dad in many ways.

“Tell me where I get it from. Man they always wonder who, then they meet my pops and tell him Stelen's just another you,” he wrote in an Instagram caption underneath an old photo of the two.

Like his sister, Stelen is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma where he studied entrepreneurship and venture management, per his LinkedIn .

Now, Stelen is the co-owner of multiple businesses, including 405 Burger Bar, Hollywood Corners, Tequila Chulos and Sellout Crowd. The latter is a sports reporting news network focusing on Oklahoma sports.

On Nov. 6, 2021, Stelen married his wife Haley Covel in Las Vegas with his family by his side. Shortly after, his father announced his cancer diagnosis and Stelen posted a wedding photo with his parents on the special day, thanking fans for their support.

“Thank you to you all for the kind words and prayers regarding my dads announcement yesterday,” he wrote in the caption. “He's a fighter, has done all the measures to mitigate it and needs rest to get back to his self.”

After his dad's death, Stelen wrote a touching tribute on Instagram . He mentioned how Toby was the "best mentor" and that the only thing he "truly ever wanted in life" was to make his father proud.

"You are the strongest man I have ever known. A fighter. A true titan of your industry. My guiding star. My coach. My hero," he wrote in the caption under a photo of him and his father swimming in a pool when he was a boy.

"An embodiment of the American Spirit," he continued. "You are a man whose strength, prowess, and talent could only be trumped by his ability to be a father and husband. Your impact is forever stamped on the world and on millions of people, yet not one person knew you the way I did. You were my biggest champion and the guiding light in my darkest times."

He ended the post by saying his death was only "goodbye for now." "I love you cowboy," he wrote.

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