Apr 30, 2026
May 16 is National Biographers Day and the day goes back to 1763 to honor the historic meeting between Samuel Johnson and his biographer, James Boswell—the pair are considered to be the first to create a modern biography. Here are some great biographies you can share with your children to introduce them to great people’s stories.
Little Naturalists: Teddy Roosevelt Loved the Outdoors
By Kate Coombs
$8.49; Ages: 0-3
Publisher: Babylit
Thriftbooks.com
Most little ones have a favorite Teddy Bear, now teach them about the original Teddy—Theodore Roosevelt. He wasn’t just a President; he loved the outdoors and was the power behind our National Parks.
Little People BIG Dreams: Pelé
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Camila Rosa
$10.04; Ages: 2-8
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Amazon.com
Part of a series featuring the lives of outstanding people, this one tells the story of Pelé, who went from a poor kid in Brazil to one of soccer’s GOATs.
I Am Jane Goodall
By Brad Meltzer & Christopher Eliopoulos
$13.68; Ages: 3-7
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books
Amazon.com
Jane Goodall focused her life on studying the similarities and differences between chimpanzees and humans.
Dolly Parton Ultimate Fan Edition Little Golden Biography
By Deborah Hopkinson & Monique Dong
$10.44; Ages: 5 & up
Publisher: Golden Books
Amazon.com
Dolly Parton came from humble roots in Tennessee, built her career in country music and now helps children across the nation read through her Imagination Library program.
This updated book includes facts, trivia and stickers.
Willie Nelson: A Little Golden Book Biography
By Geof Smith & Jeffrey Ebbeler
$5.57; Ages: 5 & up
Publisher: Golden Books
Amazon.com
You’ve probably sung along to at least one Willie Nelson song, now introduce your child to the singer and show them how the guy behind “On the Road Again” and “You Were Always on My Mind” used his fame to help farmers across the nation.
Mozart: Finding His Sound
By Pani Nata
$11.49; Ages 5-12
Publisher: Independently published
Amazon.com
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the world’s most famous composers, but he also chose his own way in music.
The Story of Walt Disney
By Susan B. Katz
$6.99; Ages: 6-9
Publisher: Callisto Kids
Amazon.com
Here’s a book for every kid who has been to Disneyland. This takes them into the life of the gifted artist who brought the magic to TV, movies and parks, through engaging characters.
Who Was Babe Ruth?
By Joan Holub, Who HQ & Ted Hammond
$6.51; Ages: 7-10
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Amazon.com
Babe Ruth was known as the Home Run King. But his life began as a kid growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, whose baseball talent took him to the big leagues.
Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier
By M.M. Eboch & Meryl Henderson
$7.10; Ages 8-12
Publisher: Aladdin
Amazon.com
Milton Hershey dropped out of elementary school to help his struggling family. He went on to work in an ice cream parlor and created what’s now America’s favorite chocolate bar, those little chocolate kisses and inspired Hershey Park and the Milton Hershey School for children.
I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education & Changed the World
$6.29; Ages: 10 & up
Publisher:
Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Amazon.com
Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her memoir tells her story for a child audience about how she was only 10 when the Taliban took over her Pakistan home—and she stood up for what she believed, nearly losing her life.
By Kate Coombs
$8.49; Ages: 0-3
Publisher: Babylit
Thriftbooks.com
Most little ones have a favorite Teddy Bear, now teach them about the original Teddy—Theodore Roosevelt. He wasn’t just a President; he loved the outdoors and was the power behind our National Parks.
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Camila Rosa
$10.04; Ages: 2-8
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Amazon.com
Part of a series featuring the lives of outstanding people, this one tells the story of Pelé, who went from a poor kid in Brazil to one of soccer’s GOATs.
By Brad Meltzer & Christopher Eliopoulos
$13.68; Ages: 3-7
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books
Amazon.com
Jane Goodall focused her life on studying the similarities and differences between chimpanzees and humans.
By Deborah Hopkinson & Monique Dong
$10.44; Ages: 5 & up
Publisher: Golden Books
Amazon.com
Dolly Parton came from humble roots in Tennessee, built her career in country music and now helps children across the nation read through her Imagination Library program.
This updated book includes facts, trivia and stickers.
By Geof Smith & Jeffrey Ebbeler
$5.57; Ages: 5 & up
Publisher: Golden Books
Amazon.com
You’ve probably sung along to at least one Willie Nelson song, now introduce your child to the singer and show them how the guy behind “On the Road Again” and “You Were Always on My Mind” used his fame to help farmers across the nation.
By Pani Nata
$11.49; Ages 5-12
Publisher: Independently published
Amazon.com
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the world’s most famous composers, but he also chose his own way in music.
By Susan B. Katz
$6.99; Ages: 6-9
Publisher: Callisto Kids
Amazon.com
Here’s a book for every kid who has been to Disneyland. This takes them into the life of the gifted artist who brought the magic to TV, movies and parks, through engaging characters.
By Joan Holub, Who HQ & Ted Hammond
$6.51; Ages: 7-10
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Amazon.com
Babe Ruth was known as the Home Run King. But his life began as a kid growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, whose baseball talent took him to the big leagues.
By M.M. Eboch & Meryl Henderson
$7.10; Ages 8-12
Publisher: Aladdin
Amazon.com
Milton Hershey dropped out of elementary school to help his struggling family. He went on to work in an ice cream parlor and created what’s now America’s favorite chocolate bar, those little chocolate kisses and inspired Hershey Park and the Milton Hershey School for children.
$6.29; Ages: 10 & up
Publisher:
Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Amazon.com
Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her memoir tells her story for a child audience about how she was only 10 when the Taliban took over her Pakistan home—and she stood up for what she believed, nearly losing her life.
