We love learning about inspiring individuals, so we are always excited to check out new biographies written for young readers. This list gathers some of the best new biography books for kids, ranging from board books and picture books to chapter books and anthologies.

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I Can Be Creative Like Leonardo da Vinci

Written by Christopher Robbins and illustrated by Susanna Covelli

This adorable finger puppet board book introduces young kids to Leonardo da Vinci and his life’s work. Through simple text and cartoon illustrations,  the book explores how his creativity allowed him to create masterpieces and inventions that people still marvel at to this day. Each page contains a cutout for the fluffy finger puppet to stick through, bringing the illustrations to life for little readers.

I Can Be Kind Like Mother Teresa

Written by Christopher Robbins and illustrated by Susanna Covelli

This finger puppet book explores the life and work of Mother Teresa, while encouraging kids to be kind and think of others. The simple text shares important parts of her life, and inspiring words to the reader. The colorful illustrations are brought to life by the sweet finger puppet head poking through each page.

Restoration with Wangari Maathai

Written by Maureen McQuerry and illustrated by Robin Rosenthal

This board book introduces readers to the life and work of Wangari Maathai. The text explores her early life and the things she saw that inspired her to make a difference. The illustrations highlight the way her efforts made a difference healing damaged lands by planting new trees. Throughout the book, the text also encourages the reader to think like an environmentalist and look at how they can make a difference. The book ends with the inspiring message that the reader can be an environmentalist too.

Related Post: Children’s Books about Inspirational People

Preservation with Aldo Leopold

Written by Maureen McQuerry and illustrated by Robin Rosenthal

In this board book focused on preservation, readers are introduced to Aldo Leopold and his work protecting wilderness areas. The simple text explains the concept of preservation so that young readers can understand. It  also poses questions to the reader about their favorite parts of wilderness and wilderness activities. The cute cartoon illustrations highlight the joy and beauty of the wilderness, while the ending encourages readers to try being environmentalists too.

Conservation with Jane Goodall

Written by Maureen McQuerry and illustrated by Robin Rosenthal

This colorful board book introduces readers to Jane Goodall and her life’s work protecting animals and their habitats. The text explains conservation in a manner that kids can understand, while the cartoon illustrations show how her love of animals and her work with chimps inspired her to stand up for them. Kids will love the adorable illustrations showing Goodall and her chimps, and the ending may inspire readers to make a difference for animals and their habitats too.

Ecosystems with Rachel Carson

Written by Maureen McQuerry and illustrated by Robin Rosenthal

This board book explores the concept of ecosystems, and the work that Rachel Carson did to protect them. The easy to read text and colorful illustrations explain what ecosystems are and where we can see them, and how Rachel Carson and her discoveries led to an environmental movement that aims to protect the world we live in. The ending inspires kids to observe the world around them and do their best to care for it, just like environmentalists.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

Written by Sarah Parvis and Abby Sher and illustrated by Giulia Flamini

This board book inspired by the book Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls introduces young readers to inspirational women through simple language and illustrations. The lyrical text touches on the inspirational works of different women, ranging from Cleopatra and Amelia Earhart to Simone Biles and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The colorful cartoon illustrations are sure to capture the attention of young readers, while the end of the book inspires girls everywhere to do amazing things and be rebel girls too.

She Persisted in Science

Written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger

This anthology compiles the life stories and work of female scientists who have made great discoveries and strides in their fields. The beginning of the book shares the struggles that female scientists can face, and how the women in the book persisted through those struggles. Each two page spread introduces an inspirational female, sharing her life’s work and how she persisted in the face of obstacles. It also includes beautiful, gentle illustrations of each woman and powerful quotes. The inspiring ending reminds readers to face obstacles head on and persist in their scientific endeavors too.

Related Post: Children’s Books about Inspirational Women

This is Your World: The Story of Bob Ross

Written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated by Robin Boyden

This picture book biography of Bob Ross shares the life story and inspiration of the famous painter. The text explores how the events and circumstances of his life shaped his legacy as a soft spoken painter. There are lots of quotes from the painter spread throughout the book. These are paired with whimsical illustrations that highlight the beautiful nature scenes that inspired him, and that he painted for the world. The back of the book includes a note from the author and more information about Bob Ross, as well as an illustrated guide to his paint colors, and definitions of the art terms used in the book.

The Sweetest Scoop

Written by Lisa Robinson and illustrated by Stacy Innerst

This delightful biography explores the life’s work of Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, and how they teamed up to create the famous ice cream company. The first half of the book shares how they came up with the idea to start an ice cream company, and how they faced any failures head on and didn’t give up. The second half touches on the important strides that the company has made to make a difference in the world. Kids will love the silly jokes spread throughout the book, as well as the brightly colored illustrations. The back of the book includes a note from the author and a timeline of the company’s history.

Before She Was Harriet

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

This beautiful picture book explores the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman. The poetic text uses short sentence fragments to share her life’s work, with each two page spread focusing on a different time period in her life. The beautiful detailed illustrations highlight the terrifying situations that she faced, and the hard work that she did to make a difference. The back of the book includes more information about Harriet Tubman’s life, and additional resources for readers who want to learn more about her.

Song for Jimi

Written by Charles R. Smith Jr. and illustrated by Edel Rodriguez

This vibrant picture book shares the life of Jimi Hendrix through lyrical text and psychedelic illustrations. The book is broken down into sections like a song (intro, verses, outro). Kids will enjoy the flowing rhythm of the text, which touches on his difficult childhood, his early guitar playing, and eventually his famous appearances at music festivals. The striking illustrations highlight the emotions of his music and his life. The back of the book includes a note from the author, a timeline of Hendrix’s life, and information about his music.

Related Post: 13 Children’s Books about Musicians Who Changed Music

Art is Everywhere: A Book about Andy Warhol

Written by Jeff Mack

This book introduces readers to the artwork of Andy Warhol and his life as an artist. The text uses first person narrative making it seem like Warhol is speaking right to the reader as he explains how he got his start in artwork, where his inspiration came from, and why he made art out of images he saw everywhere. The illustrations are done in a style similar to Warhol’s famous pieces, bursting with bright colors and bold shapes. The back of the book includes more information about Warhol and his artwork.

Kid Trailblazers

Written by Robin Stevenson and illustrated by Allison Steinfeld

This anthology shares true stories from the childhoods of changemakers and leaders including Kamala Harris, John Lewis, Greta Thunberg, Elliot Page, and more. The book is broken down into sections highlighting trailblazers Standing Up for Democracy, Fighting for Black Lives, Protecting our Planet, and Harnessing the Power of Art. Each inspirational person is highlighted through stories from their childhood that show how they were inspired to make a difference. The childhood stories and cute cartoon illustrations can help kids to connect with these influential people, and see how they can someday make a difference too.

She Persisted: Wangari Maathai

Written by Eucabeth Odhiambo

This easy to read chapter book explores the life and work of Wangari Maathai. The book is broken down into 6 chapters, sharing her early life, the things she saw that inspired her to make a difference, and how she helped change the world around her through the Green Belt movement. There are illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, and the end of the book includes a section showing kids how they can honor her legacy and make a difference too.

She Persisted: Ruby Bridges

Written by Kekla Magoon

This chapter book shares the inspiring story of Ruby Bridges. The book is broken down into 6 chapters spanning from her early life, through her first day of school at William Frantz Elementary School, to her adulthood. The illustrations and easy to read text bring her story to life in a way that will connect with young kids and show how brave she was. The back of the book includes information about how readers can honor her legacy.

She Persisted: Harriet Tubman

Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney

The remarkable story of Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy is celebrated in this easy to read chapter book. The book is broken down into 6 chapters, highlighting her childhood in slavery, and her eventual work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. The illustrations highlight the emotions she felt and the struggles she faced. In the back of the book, kids will find a list of tips on how they can honor Tubman’s legacy.

Earth Squad: 50 People Who are Saving the Planet

Written by Alexandra Zissu and illustrated by Nhung Le

This anthology profiles 50 people who are working to save the planet. The beginning of the book includes a table of contents outlining all of the inspirational people profiled in the book, as well as an introduction that shares what they all have in common. Each person in the book is highlighted through a brief article that touches on their life’s work and a colorful cartoon illustration. Each section also includes tips on how readers can act like each inspirational person through simple actions, and more information about the person’s books, movies, speeches, or famous quotes.

What are your favorite new biography books for kids? Share in the comments below!

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