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Best biography for kids: Choose from inspiring reads about famous figures | The Independent
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We wanted tomes that would be accessible and explain complex ideas without being patronising (iStock/The Independent)
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While fairy tales and myths are so popular with small people because they are removed from reality – which are filled with lavishly furnished castles, dragons and pixies and houses made of sweets and women with hair that princes can use as ladders – that doesn’t stop children having a hunger for true stories.
But biographies are especially tough to write for even the most well-read audiences because they are by definition a detailed, factual account of a person’s life and achievements.
But when the reader is a child, a biographer’s job is much, much tougher. Children are engaged by drama: highs, lows and the exciting headlines of a story.
Much of the important detail which underpins drama is dismissed as boring by children – and this is why biographies for kids which manage to retain all key facts, provide context and make another person’s life feel, well, alive are so precious.
The same goes for biographies that can use accessible language and explain complex ideas without being patronising. We think everything in this round-up fits these briefs.
We wanted to feature a broad range of subjects in this round-up – from historical figures to contemporary icons, household names to lesser-known heroes. We have included books dedicated to individuals as well as anthologies full of life stories.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
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‘Gloria Takes a Stand’ by Jess Rinker, published by Bloomsbury
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The life of women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem is beautifully laid bare in this tome. The perfect way to encourage girls and boys to debate, speak up and listen, as well as educate them about the fight for women’s equality.
Gloria’s love of reading and writing, the courage of her own conviction and the way she advocated for herself is all the more impressive when you think that it happened at a time when it was very much a man’s world – rare for women to be highly educated or have careers.
Gloria wanted gender equality for all and made it her life’s work to achieve that. She is the ultimate feminist icon and a hero for everyone regardless of their age or sex.
‘Young, Gifted and Black’ by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins, published by Wide Eyed Editions
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With acid-bright illustrations, this book is a glorious celebration of 52 black heroes – past and present. It’s such an inviting book – everything about it is big and bold, the pages teem with detail and information. There are household names here – the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela, as well as lesser-known heroes like chess player Maurice Ashley and tennis pro Yannick Noah. “You have to see it to be it” is the driving force of this book – this is what young people of all races need to see.
