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Biographies for First Graders

January 6, 2015 | strande

Looking for true stories about real people? Try some of these. Suggestions are geared toward first graders.

Summer birds: the butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle: illustrations by Julie Paschkis —  Look
for more information about butterflies on the nonfiction shelves at J595.789.


Malcolm Little: the boy who grew up to become Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz ; illustrated by AG Ford — About the young Malcolm X, who grew up in and around Lansing, MI.


On a beam of light: a story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne ; pictures by Vladimir Radunsky — A beautifully illustrated story about one of the most famous scientists.


Farmer Will Allen and the growing table by written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin ; illustrated by Eric-Shabazz Larkin ; afterword by Will Allen — About a basketball player turned farmer.


Anne Frank's chestnut tree by Jane Kohuth ; illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles — An early reader about Anne Frank.

The little plant doctor: a story about George Washington Carver by Jean Marzollo — An introduction to the life of George Washington Carver.

Annie Jump Cannon, astronomer by Carole Gerber — A biography about an early female astronomer.

War dogs by Kathryn Selbert — And for another story about a real-life celebrity and her dog, try Mister and Lady Day.

Flying solo: how Ruth Elder soared into America's heart by Julie Cummins — An alternative to the multitude of books on Amelia Earhart.

To dare mighty things: the life of Theodore Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport — Looking for a president to learn about? Try Teddy Roosevelt (and nearby are biographies on Franklin Delano and Eleanor).