10 best biographies for kids to learn about inspiring figures

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.

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