Picture Book Biographies Featuring the Creators Behind Classic Children’s Books
While not a complete list, these are some of our top picks for picture book biographies about some of the most beloved children’s book authors and illustrators.
Because Barbara: Barbara Cooney Paints Her World by Sarah Mackenzie and Illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen
Follow Barbara as she travels to different parts of the world, drawing inspiration from what she sees and creating beautiful, colorful illustrations. These experiences later inspire several beloved classics, including Miss Rumphius, Ox-Cart Man, and Island Boy. Sarah Mackenzie and Eileen Ryan Ewen beautifully capture the inspiration and artistry behind Barbara Cooney’s work in a way young readers can appreciate.
Ideas for Play and Discovery:
Sit outside and use crayons or colored pencils to draw the world around you.
Pick a country and an animal from that country to be the main character. Dictate or write a short story.
Pick a Barbara Cooney book to read. Take time to observe and discuss the illustrations on each page.
A Boy, a Mouse, and A Spider: The Story of E.B. White by Barbara Herkert and Illustrated by Lauren Castillo
This story follows E. B. White as a young boy who loved observing animals and exploring the world around him. He found that writing about what he observed brought him great joy. See how he blended imagination with real-life experiences to create beloved classics such as Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, and The Trumpet of the Swan. Barbara Herkert has written a thoughtful and engaging introduction to the life and work of E. B. White for children. Lauren Castillo’s illustrations draw readers into the time period and setting with warmth and detail.
Ideas for Play and Discovery:
Pick an E. B. White book to read together and look for ways his childhood may have inspired the story.
Choose a farm animal to learn more about.
Play animal charades.
Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the World of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R Tolkein by Katie Wray Schon
Learn about the talented illustrator behind The Chronicles of Narnia and the famous map of Middle-earth, among many other books. Through her drawings, Pauline brought entire worlds to life. This story, and her life, beautifully show how dedication and perseverance can transform your gifts into a lasting impact on the world. Katie Wray Schon’s book beautifully captures Pauline’s life, with illustrations that honor her work and seem to burst from the page.
Ideas for Play and Discovery:
Explore Pauline Baynes’ work.
Create a map of your dream vacation place.
Use watercolors to design your own imaginary creature.
John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister and Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
John Ronald experienced many hardships during his childhood and early adulthood, yet his lifelong fascination with dragons began when he was young and never faded. Despite the harsh realities of the world around him, Tolkien’s imagination endured and eventually came to life on the page through his writing. Caroline McAlister beautifully tells the story of J. R. R. Tolkien in a way young readers can relate to and feel inspired by, while Eliza Wheeler’s illustrations seamlessly blend imagination and reality.
Ideas for Play and Discovery:
Discuss how the Great War may have impacted the daily lives of people.
Read a children’s book featuring a dragon.
Create a dragon out of clay or play dough.
Finding Narnia: The Story of C.S. Lewis and His Brother by Caroline McAlister and Illustrated by Jessica Lanan
Step into the childhood of C. S. Lewis and discover where his inspiration for Narnia began. As children, Lewis and his brother spent their days playing and imagining together, forming a bond that remained strong as they grew older. Lewis later drew on these treasured childhood memories to inspire his writing. Caroline McAlister beautifully tells the story of Lewis and his brother in a way children can connect with, while Jessica Lanan’s richly detailed illustrations bring their world vividly to life.
Ideas for Play and Discovery:
Play a game of hide-and-seek.
Sit in a closet and pretend to visit a faraway land. Close your eyes and notice what you see, hear, feel, and even taste.
Read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Beatrix Potter, Scientist by Lindsay H. Metcalf and Illustrated by Junyi Wu
Discover a different side of Beatrix Potter. While she is best known as the author of beloved children’s books like The Tale of Peter Rabbit, as a child Beatrix had a deep love for observing nature. As she grew older, she studied fungi, and her careful observation and drawing skills later shaped her work as a children’s author. Lindsay H. Metcalf beautifully tells Beatrix Potter’s story, showing that she was much more than just a writer, and Junyi Wu’s illustrations bring Beatrix’s love of nature to life.
Ideas for Play and Discovery:
Spend time outside exploring with a microscope and sketch a few things you see.
Learn more about fungi.
Read The Tale of Peter Rabbit or another of her books and take time to really study the illustrations. Notice the details and focus of her artwork.
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