Have you ever had your child ask, “Who wrote this book?” If not, here is a great opportunity to introduce the person behind the books they love so much.
I’m a big fan of picture book biographies and this one is special because it includes the authors behind a selection of books I love. If your kids already love Narnia or Peter Rabbit, they’ll get a fun peek behind the curtain. If they’ve never heard of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens, these books are a friendly way to introduce these authors. Remember there is no age limit to picture books and can be read by your older kids too.
A tip when reading picture book biographies; Take the time to read the short summary of their life at the back of the book.It is usually aa little more detailed than the picture book and gives you an understanding of their background and life.
1. J. R. R. Tolkien
Picture book: John Ronald’s Dragons
Author: Caroline McAlister (illustrated by Eliza Wheeler)
Famous books written by Tolkien: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
Summary: I’ll be honest, I am a big fan of The Hobbit and the movies, so this one was a must for me. I recently watched a movie about Tolkien’s life, and I could see so many of those same moments in this book. It follows young John Ronald’s love of dragons, words, and made-up languages all the way to writing The Hobbit. The pictures are soft and pleasant, so it works even for kids who aren’t ready for Middle-earth yet.
A heads-up for parents: The book mentions his mother’s death and his time serving in World War I.
2. Louisa May Alcott
Picture book: Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott
Author: Yona Zeldis McDonough
Famous books written by Alcott: Little Women, Little Men, and Jo’s Boys
Summary: Did you know the March family was really the Alcott family? Jo was Louisa herself, and Meg, Beth, and Amy were based on her sisters Anna, Lizzie, and May. Marmee was modeled after her mother, Abigail. Her family didn’t have much money, and Louisa worked hard to care for them and help keep them afloat. She also lost her sister, and you can see how much that shaped her (and Little Women).
A heads-up for parents: The book covers her sister’s death and the family’s money struggles, and it touches on the Civil War era. It’s done with care, but it’s good to know going in.
3. C. S. Lewis
Picture book: Finding Narnia
Author: Caroline McAlister
Famous books written by Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters
Summary: Who doesn’t love the wardrobe that leads to Narnia? This book is all about Jack (that’s what C. S. Lewis liked to be called) and his brother Warnie, and the pretend worlds they made up together as boys. You get to see how childhood play and a lifelong friendship helped open the door to Narnia. It’s so sweet to read alongside The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
A heads-up for parents: It mentions his mother’s illness and death, boarding school, and World War I. The tone stays warm and focused on the brothers, so it never feels heavy.
4. Jane Austen
Picture book: Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Famous books written by Austen: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma
Summary: While your child may not know of or read her works yet, they likely will in the future and it is a nice way to introduce this author to them. Jane was just an ordinary girl who loved to read, watch people, and write little stories. And then she became one of the most famous authors of all time! Her popularity came much later after she died. I hope the future generation of kids will grow to read and love Jane Austen’s literary works.
5. Beatrix Potter
Picture book: Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit
Author: Linda Elovitz Marshall
Famous books written by Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
Summary: Most of us know Beatrix Potter because of Peter Rabbit. But did you know she also used her book money to buy farmland and protect the English countryside? This book tells that story. It’s perfect for kids who love animals, gardens, and being outdoors.
6. Beverly Cleary
Picture book: Just Like Beverly
Author: Vicki Conrad
Famous books written by Cleary: Ramona the Pest, Henry Huggins, and The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Summary: Beverly wrote her books based on her own life, and Ramona was modeled after her own character. She started writing because she wanted kids to have more books they could actually relate to at their age. She also struggled to learn to read as a little girl, which makes this such an encouraging story for kids who find reading hard. Ramona fans will eat it up.
7. Lewis Carroll
Picture book: One Fun Day with Lewis Carroll
Author: Kathleen Krull
Famous books written by Carroll: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass
Summary: This one is light and silly, just like Carroll himself. It’s packed with his love of word games, riddles, and nonsense, and it tells about the real girl named Alice who inspired Wonderland. If your kids love puns, this is the one for them.
8. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Picture book: The Pilot and the Little Prince
Author: Peter Sís
Famous books written by Saint-Exupéry: The Little Prince and Wind, Sand and Stars
Summary: Did you know Saint-Exupéry was a pilot long before he ever dreamed of being a writer? He flew mail across deserts and mountains, and those adventures found their way into The Little Prince. The pictures are so gorgeous and detailed you’ll want to slow down and look at every page. This book had the best illustrations of all the books I have shared in this post.
A heads-up for parents: It covers World War II and his last flight, when he went missing. It’s handled carefully, but it’s worth a preview for younger or sensitive kids.
9. Hans Christian Andersen
Picture book: Hans Christian Andersen: His Fairy Tale Life
Author: Jane Yolen (illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes)
Famous books written by Andersen: The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Snow Queen
Summary: If you have read Jane Yolen’s picture books, then this book follows a similar style. This one is written like a poem, which makes it so lovely to read aloud. Andersen’s own life reads a bit like a fairy tale. He grew up poor and felt like an outsider (kind of like the ugly duckling!), and he went on to write stories the whole world knows.
10. Charles Dickens
Picture book: Charles Dickens: The Man Who Had Great Expectations
Author: Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema
Famous books written by Dickens: A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations
Summary: This one is an older book and hard to come by. It is also quite detailed, so it reads more like a full life story than a quick picture book. We learn about all of Dickens’s hardships and struggles before he ever started writing. His dad was sent to debtors’ prison, and young Charles had to go to work in a factory. You really get a feel for how hard those years were and how long it took before he finally got his big break.
A heads-up for parents: There are a few mentions I felt were unnecessary for a kids’ book. One is about his fondness for his wife’s sister. Another is about an old crush who gained weight in her later years, and how that repulsed him. They’re short, but you may want to skip over them or talk them through with your kids.
How to Use This List
If your child already has a favorite author, start there. Tolkien, Lewis, Cleary, and Potter are easy wins because your kids will at least know their work. For little ones, I’d start with Andersen, Austen, or Carroll. And if your kids are ready for a bit more history, try Alcott, Dickens, or Saint-Exupéry. Those make for great conversations after you close the book.
I hope one of these helps your kids fall in love with the person behind the story, and not just the story itself.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
- 10 Best Picture Books for 5-Year-Olds
- 12 Picture Books about Women in Science
- 10 Middle Grade Novels in Verse I Love for Ages 8–12
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