Amazing and Inspiring Biographies for Kids

Lisa R said:  I picked up this book by Vashti Harrison recently at a friend's house and, although it is intended for school-aged kids, I couldn't put it down. The one page biographies of significant black women in history covers both well known names (think Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou) as well as a number of incredible women that I couldn't believe I had never heard of before. The stories are well written and the book includes a reference section at the end for those who want to learn more. Truly a wonderful book for everyone.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai is Malala's personal journey of wanting boys and girls to have equal rights in her country, for everyone to attend school if they choose, for war to end and everyone to have enough food.

Despite many men trying to stop girls from attending school, Malala spoke up and became the voice of those who couldn't. Malala has spread her message of hope and education to millions across the world.

Malala is an inspiration to people by sharing her story, preaching hope and education and standing up for what she believes in.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Water Princess by Susan Verde is based on the true story of model Georgie Badiel. Georgie grew up in Burkina Faso with no access to clean water. She and her mother had to walk 4 miles daily, carrying buckets of unclean water back to their village to boil so it was usable.

Georgie formed the Georgie Badiel Foundation to help bring clean water to the one billion people who do not have access to it.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Mary Blair was a gifted artist and color expert extraordinaire. In Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville, we learn Mary's journey as artist for Disney, illustrator and designer. Walt Disney loved her work so much he hired her to design the It's a Small World ride for the 1964 World's Fair.

Mary's creative talent with colors was beautiful and magical. Mary's success and work lives on today in books and through Disney, as she received the title of Disney Legend.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Deborah Heiligman tells the story of Paul Erdos, who loved math as a little boy and grew up to be a genius and one of the best mathematicians in the world. Paul also grew up with everyone doing everything for him. As an adult, he didn't know how to do laundry, cook or even butter his bread.

This book shows it is important to do what you love, but it is also imperative to learn life-long skills for independent living.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Jackie Mitchell signed with the Chattanooga Lookouts and played against the New York Yankees in 1931. She pitched to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and struck them both out. This book from Jean L.S. Patrick will delight any sports fan to believe in your abilities and know with dedication, hard work and practice, anything is possible. It also sends the message that no one person is better than anyone else.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Girl Running by Annette Bay Pimentel is the inspiring story of Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1966, after her application was denied. She ran the course in just over 3 hours (with blisters) as spectators cheered wildly for her. She was later declared the Boston Marathon female winner for 1966, 1967 and 1968. Women were officially allowed to register in 1972.

This book will motivate children with a passion for running or sports. Bobbi was tireless, even training in nurse's shoes. She inspired countless women to run in her quest for female sports equality.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This is the true story of how one young boy defied the odds and persevered to save his village. A Malawi village in Africa had a severe drought and crops began to fail. William Kamkwamba, age 14, decided to study science books about renewable energy at the library to create a solution. With help from friends, he built a windmill from junkyard scraps which produced wind power to harness electricity. He also used wind power to pump water so crops could grow year round.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  One Giant Leap by Don Brown is the story of Neil Armstrong and how he became the first man to walk on the Moon. But before he became an astronaut, he was a little boy with big dreams who loved planes and got his pilot's license at age 16. After reading the book, watch the actual footage of Armstrong on the Moon via YouTube.

This book is great for kids who love science and space. It reinforces kids to dream big and with hard work, their dreams can come true.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  As a little boy, Tony Sarg was fascinated with making things move. In Balloons Over Broadway, Melissa Sweet tells his story of his start with marionettes to working on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and creating the first-ever giant balloons we still see today floating down the streets of New York City.

With ingenuity, knowledge and talent, Sarg worked hard with other talented people to create these masterpieces for the country to enjoy every Thanksgiving Day. The book, with bold and colorful illustrations, will delight children and make them appreciate parades that much more.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Peter Roget had a love of words and started writing his first book at age 8, to the tune of word lists. In The Right Word, author Jen Bryant tells Peter's story of being a shy boy who studied hard and had a love of word meanings. He became a doctor, married and had a family but never lost his passion for words and eventually published his Thesaurus in 1852. It is interesting to learn about the invention of the Thesaurus, something that most people take for granted. Also important is the fact that Roget's passion for words stayed with him for his entire life.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The story of Albert Einstein, On A Beam of Light, by Jennifer Berne, starts with a young boy who loved to ask questions, was curious about most everything and read as much as he could. His fascination with the universe and his brilliant ideas have helped the world become what it is today. The story teaches kids to ask questions and not be afraid to wonder, think and create new ideas and theories of their own.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Meghan McCarthy shares the story of how Walter Diemer, an employee at the Fleer Factory, spent months trying different formulas and ingredients to create Dubble Bubble gum, the first Bubble gum. Why is it pink? That is the only color he had on hand. This book demonstrates Walter's tenacity and teaches kids that if you don't succeed the first time, keep trying and don't give up.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer is the perfect book about Ben Franklin for kids. Not only does it share how the master of inventions discovered electricity and the lightning rod, it tells of his many other inventions, desire to help people and create better ways of doing things. Kids will be excited to know one man improved the world so much. Through his inventions and diligence, Ben saved lives, restored peace, helped people get healthy and even created the first lending library among so much more. Kids may even be inspired to create their own inventions, too!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This is the inspiring true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah who was born in Ghana with a deformed leg. He went on to overcome this disability and become a cyclist and rode 400 miles across Ghana in 2001 to share his story with others that everyone has the ability to achieve their goals and dreams. This book will teach children, and adults to persevere and never give up, despite any challenges or obstacles that may be in their path.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  L. Frank Baum was a jack-of-all-trades, writer and expert storyteller before writing The Wizard of Oz. The Road to Oz by Kathleen Krull shares Baum's story of moving from job to job, his family life and how he wrote the famed story that will live on forever. How he came up with "Oz" is also revealed. Baum relished in making up tall tales and stories for his sons and friends. He had a vivid imagination and used that to his advantage in his writing. Baum's life story is unique and an excellent companion to his beloved novel, and classic family movie which was created years after his death.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Margaret Hamilton was an inquisitive child who self-learned computer software coding. Margaret and the Moon, by Dean Robbins, shares Margaret's story of working for NASA and creating coding to assist flights to the Moon. She helped each Apollo flight on its journey, and kept Apollo 11 from a task overload to land safely on the Moon. The story of Margaret Hamilton is a part of history with the USA's Moon landing.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Slinky was invented by accident. The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring by Gilbert Ford tells the story of husband and wife Richard and Betty James, and how their son discovered a spring could "walk down the stairs." It shares Richard and Betty's perseverance to manufacture and sell it until it became widely popular and remains so today.

This book will be enjoyed because most kids either own a Slinky or have played with the toy. It is interesting to learn how it came to be and demonstrates that something magical can be created from a simple piece of material.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Night Flight by Robert Burleigh tells the epic story of Amelia Earhart and her first solo transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Ireland. The rich illustrations and text will make you believe you are in that plane with her, experiencing the difficulties and challenges. Earhart's inspiring life helped many girls and women seek out adventure and careers.

This book helps children realize that some risks come with complications but with devotion and practice, obstacles can be overcome. Earhart spent her life doing what she loved and that in itself is motivating to listen to your heart.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  A must read for all Winnie-the-Pooh fans, this true story will delight children as Winnie was a real-life bear, a war mascot and well-loved by a little boy named Christopher Robin. Enjoy the captivating photo album at the end, too.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  An autobiography of Alan Rabinowitz, A Boy And A Jaguar will touch your heart with its story of a young boy who stutters and the only time he can find his voice is talking to his stuffed animals. When he grows up, he becomes an advocate to save jaguars and other wildlife, and to speak for those animals who don't have a voice.

This book will help children discover the differences in people and become more accepting of others through empathy and kindness. Rabinowitz is a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Judy Sierra gives a glimpse into the year-long process it took to write The Cat in the Hat. Seuss designed the book for early readers, stuck to an approved word list and created rhymes while wearing silly hats which helped him generate the ideas for this most celebrated book. Kids will appreciate Dr. Seuss books so much more after knowing the work that went into them.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  In a day and age when adults thought children should be quiet and not touch books, Ann Carroll Moore felt the opposite. In Miss Moore Thought Otherwise, by Jan Pinborough, we learn how Miss Moore became a librarian and spearheaded efforts in the New York Public Library system to create children's departments. She also created the first Children's Room in the New York Public Library with author visits, events, storytimes and more.

Through this story, any child who enjoys a trip to the library will develop a deeper appreciation for being able to play, talk and read at the library.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Any fans of water squirt toys? Whoosh! by Chris Barton shares the story of Lonnie Johnson and his love of design and building things including robots and rockets. He went on to work for NASA and then took a leap of faith and became a full-time inventor. After struggles and rejections, he finally launched the Super Soaker which was a huge hit with a huge whoosh. Kids will take home the message to work through challenges, solve problems and have faith in yourself.

Tim Ponisciak said:  This book is beautifully illustrated and it is very inspirational as it tells the true story of Katherine Olivia Sessions. Sessions' quest to populate the barren city of San Diego with trees is pretty remarkable and your kids are sure to love the drawings!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Kathryn Gibbs Davis tells the story of how George Ferris created an attraction for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair that was grander than the Eiffel Tower. With extraordinary precision, hard work, dedication and his own money, George created a ride that has been popular and well-loved since its debut. Ferris' strength of character, commitment and perseverance gave the world something new and exciting and his legacy will live on forever.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Bob and Joe Switzer invented shockingly florescent colors called "Day Glo" which were used in World War II, airports, consumer products, advertisements and more. Author Chris Barton shares the story about how these important colors came to life. Families will love this science-themed book because a pair of brothers worked together, by trial and error and through good times and bad, to invent something that changed the United States for the better.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Abraham Dee Bartlett had a love of animals, as shown in the book, Fur, Fins and Feathers, by Cassandre Maxwell. Papa Bartlett was a pioneer in animal care as well as giving animals space to play in a lifelike habitat. He taught visitors and employees of The London Zoo to appreciate and respect the animals and helped pave the way for zoos today. Bartlett carried his love of animals through his life and helped countless animals live happy lives while educating people about them. Most children love the zoo and this book will teach them how the modern zoo began with the passion of one man.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Seeds of Change, by Jen Cullerton Johnson, is the inspiring true story of Wangari Maathai. Born in Kenya, Wangari persevered through school studying science in the U.S. She fought for equal rights for the women of Kenya and to protect nature, planting millions of trees through The Green Belt Movement to help people and animals prosper. She became the first African woman to win the coveted Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. This book will inspire children to work hard in school, dream big and know they can succeed in life.

Tim Ponisciak said:  This series of biographies for kids by Brad Meltzer tells the stories of influential individuals through beautiful illustrations, and also by showing the featured individual as a child, which helps kids relate a little bit more and see how one day, they could change the world too! Kids learn about the lives of US Presidents, inspiring and diverse heroes, artists and entertainers.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Daredevil by Meghan McCarthy tells the story of Betty Skelton who grew up in the 1930s with the need for speed, love of airplanes and later, race cars and speed boats. She broke down barriers as a female pilot and race car driver and even trained to be an astronaut.

I love this book because Betty kept persisting and when she got bored of one thing, she moved on to something new. She didn't let others tell her she couldn't do something she wanted. It sends the message of persistence, determination, following your dreams, working hard and listening to your heart.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  William Hoy, a famous major league baseball player from 1888-1902, was also deaf. In The William Hoy Story by Nancy Churnin, we learn how he changed the game because he was unable to hear the umpires. He introduced American Sign Language and umpires began using hand signs to reflect plays. William also taught his teammates so they could share plays secretly.

This book inspires children to do the best they can with what they are given, help change the world for the better and to put their thoughts into an action plan. It shows how one person can create a powerful impact on the world.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Tricky Vic by Greg Pizzoli is the almost unbelievable story of Robert Miller, who became one of the biggest con men in the early 1900s. With a total of 45 aliases, he counterfeited money, scammed people and even tricked Al Capone. But his biggest con was convincing Andre Poisson to "buy" the Eiffel Tower from him. He was later caught and sent to Alcatraz.

This book teaches kids to not always believe everyone or everything they see, that some things are too good to be true and to trust their instincts about people. It is also an interesting piece of history for adults.

Yoli B said:  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg proves that disagreeing can get you somewhere in life.

RBG has spent her entire career disagreeing with inequality, unfair treatment, and standing up for the greater good. This book peeks into her life through famous cases and dissents. It shows that life isn't always about agreements.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Fallingwater by Marc Harshman and Anna Egan Smucker shares the story of how Frank Lloyd Wright designed the famous house over the Bear Run waterfall in Pennsylvania. This project revitalized Wright's career and he went on to design other famous buildings including the Guggenheim Museum.

The story shows perseverance by Wright as he used his dreams and talents to create this now historic site that millions visit. Since Wright was in his 60s during the design, the story shows that one is never too old to do something as long as you follow your heart.

Kelly R. said:  Shark Lady is the fascinating and beautifully-illustrated biography of Eugenie Clark, who devoted her life to studying sharks and changing the way that they are perceived by the public.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This story will make you believe in the power of creating something out of nothing. Ada's Violin by Susan Hood tells the story of Ada Rios along with other students and Senor Chavez, who are on a quest to create music with little instruments and no money. They took what they could find from the landfill their town is built on and invented instruments out of other's trash, to form the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. The musicians went on to perform all over the world.

Parenting Healthy said:  Sadly, Charlie would lose his life as a SEAL and this story was hidden for some time until his mother finally became encouraged to finish her book and share a small piece of Charlie’s life events with us all. It is such a sweet read and the illustrations are simple yet full of emotion from characters on every page.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Edith Houghton was The Kid From Diamond Street in Philadelphia. Author Audrey Vernick shares Edith's journey and life-long love of baseball in which at age 10, she was a professional player and starting shortstop on the Philadelphia Bobbies all-women team. Houghton traveled across the country and through Japan playing men's teams in front of large crowds. She worked in the baseball industry as an adult and lived to age 100.

Houghton had a passion for baseball, was talented and made a living doing what she loved. It is interesting and touching for any sports fan to read her story.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Henri's Scissors shares the life of French artist Henri Matisse and his love of art. Through simple text, author Jeanette Winter tells how he followed his dream which took him from drawing, to painting, to finally creating art with scissors.

The theme of this book for all children (bonus if they love creating art) is the importance of never letting go of your dreams and passions in life. Matisse lived his life doing what he loved, even in his final days. He came up with a new way to create art as an elderly and ill man.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Clara Lemlich became a strong advocate for fair pay, shorter working hours and better working conditions for the garment industry in the early 1900s. Clara was the Brave Girl, as told by Michelle Markel, and stood up for thousands of workers encouraging the biggest strike and walkout of women workers in U.S. history.

This book shows it is important to stand up for what is right and make a movement if necessary to correct a wrong. Lemlich helped thousands of employees in different cities achieve better working conditions. She refused to be silent, took action and her efforts paid off.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Horace Pippin was born with a great talent and love for drawing. A Splash of Red by Jen Bryant shares his amazing story of having to work at a young age to help support his family and fighting in World War I. With determination and hard work, Pippin became a famous artist with his work on display at museums all over the world.

People of all ages will appreciate Pippin's love of art, resolve and work ethic to become the artist he always wanted to be. It reinforces the message to follow your dreams, don't use excuses and never give up, no matter what hardships life gives you.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  John Deere was a hard working man ahead of his time. In John Deere, That's Who! by Tracy Nelson Maurer, we learn about his humble beginnings as a blacksmith who later invented a plow that helped farmers across the Midwest make farming a business. Deere founded his own company and while tractors were invented after his death, Deere & Company is one of America's oldest manufacturing companies.

The story of John Deere is the True American Dream. Deere was a husband, father, inventor, and founder of his own company whose legacy will always live on.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock shares Vasya Kandinsky's passion for art, colors and paints. Vasya could actually hear the sounds of colors and painted in tune with what he heard in his mind. Despite being told that he should only paint ordinary objects, he followed his heart and eventually founded Abstract Art. This story teaches kids to follow their dreams and listen to their heart, even if they are told no. It teaches determination, tenacity and to believe in yourself. If something is not invented, consider inventing it yourself.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Being an explorer can be dangerous work, as demonstrated by the life of Percy Fawcett. In The Quest for Z by Greg Pizzoli, it shows Perry's determination to find City Z back in the 1930s based on the legend that it was an ancient thriving city in the Amazon Rain Forest in Brazil. Sadly his final trip remains a mystery. Fawcett paved the way for other explorers and archeologists to explore the area of Z. This book will be enjoyed by kids who love adventure, mystery and geography.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This colorful true story will delight children as they learn how Edwin Binney was inspired to invent crayons in the late 1800s. Edwin and his team worked by trial and error, determination and hard work for the sole benefit of children to allow them to create art.

The book also reveals how Edwin's wife, Alice came up with the name "Crayola" using two different French words. As a bonus, children will also learn how Crayola Crayons are made today!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This is the true story of Fred Rogers and his legacy of kindness and empathy. Author Laura Renauld shares his goal of creating a TV program to help children learn and grow, be kind and be a good neighbor. Fred achieved his dream by creating Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and when the government tried to stop funding for public television after one year on the air, Fred went to Capitol Hill to share his feelings. He secured funding and ended up producing nearly 900 episodes between 1968-2001.

Parenting Healthy said:  We McDonald was a beloved contestant on the hit NBC show, The Voice. In this book she tells the story in her own words about being a girl who endured bullying. In her story she finds her voice and no matter what anyone says, she overcomes the bullying and gains success.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Louis Braille was determined to read and write after tragically becoming blind at age 5. In Six Dots by Jen Bryant, we learn about his childhood and how he was introduced to two methods to read, both of which were not effective for books. He worked for many years to create an alphabet, numbers and symbols out of 6 dots, like a domino, the game he played as a child with his mother.

Braille is used around the world and has helped countless people be able to read and write. Young Louis persevered from sheer will so he could read, and in the process, created a legacy for his short life.