This is the latest booklist I’ve been compiling. It’s especially tricky because there are just endless numbers of picture book biographies I started, have piled on my desk, or want to read. But I had to draw the line somewhere. These are the best of what I’ve come across so far. The top three were my favorites, followed by the complete list I’ve got so far (I’m sure I will add to it as time goes by):
Sis, Peter. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. New York: Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux, 2007.
Peter Sis’s autobiography of growing up in Prague during the Cold War. Brilliant imagery shows how he discovered rock ‘n roll and evolved from an obedient follower to an artistic dissident. A 2008 Caldecott book, this is fascinating for older kids.
Schanzer, Rosalyn. How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.
A zippy story with great cartoon illustrations of Ben Franklin and his inventions. Fast-paced and fun.
Brown, Monica. My Name is Gabito/Me Llamo Gabito: The Life of Gabriel Garcia Marquez/La Vida de Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Flagstaff, AZ: Luna Rising, 2007.
A vibrant bilingual story of the life of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Gabito had a big imagination as a child and grew up near a banana plantation, both influencing his writing later in life. Winner of the 2008 Pura Belpre Award Honor for illustration.
The Complete Bibliography
Aldrin, Buzz. Reaching for the Moon. New York: Harper Collins, 2005.
Aldrin’s exciting autobiography about being one of the first men on the moon has larger than life illustrations and storytelling that will appeal to kids.
Bardoe, Cheryl. Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2006.
Detailed illustrations explain Mendel’s pea experiments and how he discovered traits. There is a good author’s note and bibliography for more information.
Brown, Monica. My Name is Gabito/Me Llamo Gabito: The Life of Gabriel Garcia Marquez/La Vida de Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Flagstaff, AZ: Luna Rising, 2007.
A vibrant bilingual story of the life of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Gabito had a big imagination as a child and grew up near a banana plantation, both influencing his writing later in life. Winner of the 2008 Pura Belpre Award Honor for illustration.
Burleigh, Robert. Stealing Home: Jackie Robinson: Against the Odds. New York: simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007.
Big two-page paintings, text boxes with facts and details, and a riveting story about the first game of the 1955 World Series make for a great format in this book on Jackie Robinson.
Chambers, Veronica. Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2005.
A bright, colorful book about the Cuban singer puts her musical talents in the foreground, with details about her life rounding out the story.
Gerstein, Mordicai. What Charlie Heard. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2002.
Gerstein’s story of the life of Charles Ives, a musician famed for his unique style, is full of busy illustrations that translate sound into image wonderfully. A great lesson/program choice paired with some of his music.
Giovanni, Nikki. Rosa. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2005.
This Caldecott Honor Book is an informative and accessible look at the life of Rosa Parks. With details about Rosa’s family and her day-to-day life, including what she was going to make for dinner the day she famously refused to give up her seat on the bus, I think kids will really enjoy this.
Greenberg, Jan. Romare Bearden: Collage of Memories. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2003.
Full of bright examples of the artist’s work, this biography of Romare Bearden spurs lots of inspiration for activities with kids.
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
Wilson Bentley, born in 1865, loved snow and eventually devised a unique way to microphotograph individual snowflakes. Another Caldecott book.
McCully, Emily Arnold. The Pirate Queen. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1995.
A rip-roaring tale of Grania O’Malley, daughter of an Irish seafaring chieftain, who rose to great power as a pirate in the 16th century and came face to face with Queen Elizabeth I. Good for older elementary grades.
Poole, Josephine. Anne Frank. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.
A wonderful biography of Anne Frank for children. Poignant, direct, and beautifully illustrated.
Potter, Giselle. The Year I Didn’t Go to School. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s, 2002.
Giselle Potter is not famous, but she is an established children’s book illustrator who had an extraordinary childhood. This is the story of the year her family left the US to tour Italy with their traveling puppet troupe. Kids will be fascinated with the seven-year-old’s experiences in a foreign country.
Rappaport, Doreen. John’s Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2004.
From the same team who created Martin’s Big Words, this incredibly illustrated story of John Lennon is poignant and great for older elementary students. A combination of facts and lyrics from his songs tell his story.
Rappaport, Doreen. Martin’s Big Words. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2001.
Dramatic cut paper illustrations and quotes highlight this simple but effective book about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A great introduction for younger children.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson. New York: Scholastic, 2002.
A strong biography of Marian Anderson, the African American singer who made history with her 1939 concert in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Schanzer, Rosalyn. How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.
A zippy story with great cartoon illustrations of Ben Franklin and his inventions. Fast-paced and fun.
Sheldon, David. Barnum Brown: Dinosaur Hunter. New York: Walker Publishing Co., 2006.
The exciting tale of Barnum Brown, the famed paleontologist who built the dinosaur fossil collection at New York’s Museum of Natural History.
Sis, Peter. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. New York: Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux, 2007.
Peter Sis’s autobiography of growing up in Prague during the Cold War. Brilliant imagery shows how he discovered rock ‘n roll and evolved from an obedient follower to an artistic dissident. A 2008 Caldecott book, this is fascinating for older kids.
Tanaka, Shelley. Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2008.
Thoroughly researched, with anecdotes and informative sidebars kids will love to accompany the basic history of Ms. Earhart. Great illustrations and iconic photographs will inspire girls and boys to dream big.
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2006.
Larger than life illustrations show Harriet Tubman’s difficult journey to freedom and the religious beliefs that kept her going. A Caldecott Honor Book.
White, Linda Arms. I Could Do That!: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2005.
A confident woman knows she can do anything she sets her mind to works to get Wyoming women the vote in 1869. She also becomes the first woman to hold public office in the USA.