Picture Book Biographies of Truly Amazing Women
by Laura Lambert
Picture this: A girl, not unlike someone might you know, who took what could have been an ordinary life and turned it into something extraordinary. These 17 women changed the world in a way that only they could — through their words, their actions, their talents, their ideas, and their resilience. And these 17 picture book biographies bring their worlds to life for some of our littlest readers.
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Margaret and the Moon
Buy from:This inspiring picture book teaches kids about Margaret Hamilton. As a young girl, Margaret loved numbers and math. Her curiosity and hard work took her first to MIT and then to NASA, where her code was instrumental in putting a man on the moon. In fact, the Apollo 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo 11 missions wouldn’t have been possible without the code that Margaret wrote!
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A Voice of Hope
Buy from:This captivating picture book chronicles Myrlie Evers-Williams's journey from growing up in the segregated South to her role as a formidable advocate for justice. A woman who inspires resilience and activism, her story motivates readers to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.
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Dolly Parton Ultimate Fan Edition Little Golden Book Biography
Buy from:Dolly Parton is a cultural icon who has charmed generations of adoring fans. Share her inspiring story with your little one with this special edition of her Little Golden Book Biography. Readers will learn about Dolly’s childhood, rise to fame, and philanthropic work. This special edition also includes bonuses for young fans, including fun facts, stickers, and activities.
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Louisa Learns to Write
Buy from:Louisa May Alcott began writing in her journal at an early age, but it was the semi-autobiographical novel of Little Women that made her such a celebrated author today. Now, over 150 years after it was first published, Kate Hannigan's Louisa Learns to Write brings Louisa — and the family that inspired the story — to life for young readers.
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Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography
Buy from:Swifties of all ages will love this Little Golden Book Biography about the Grammy-winning and multiplatinum artist. Taylor Swift’s talent and hard work helped her become a versatile singer and songwriter beloved by fans around the world. Little readers (and their parents) will feel inspired to reach for the stars!
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Turning Pages
Buy from:As a little girl, books saved Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court justice. While this ostensibly is a story about Sotomayor’s life, it’s really about the love of reading.
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Serena Williams: A Little Golden Book Biography
Buy from:Young sports fans will love this biography of tennis legend Serena Williams. Readers will learn everything they want to know about Serena, from her athletic accomplishments to her fashion sense. Her inspiring story will encourage young readers to reach for the stars.
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Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller
Buy from:This beautiful book spotlights a woman who used her passion for storytelling to make a difference in her community. Augusta Baker learned how to tell amazing stories from her grandmother and eventually became the first Black coordinator of children’s services at the New York Public Library. Her storytelling abilities and desire for better representation led her to champion other Black creators at the library.
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Imogen
Buy from:This picture-book biography of one of America’s most influential photographers has received multiple starred reviews, and with good reason. Written by National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge, the story follows Imogen Cunningham as she pushes the boundaries of photography in the early years of the art form.
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The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps
Buy from:This sweet picture book follows Jane from her childhood in London watching a robin on her windowsill, to her years in the African forests of Tanzania, to her worldwide crusade to save these primates who are now in danger of extinction, and their habitat.
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Before She Was Harriet
Buy from:The abolitionist and civil rights activist we know as Harriet Tubman — the most important “conductor” on the Underground Railroad — actually went by many names in her lifetime. This book covers them all, and tells her incredible life story in verse.
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Fanny's Big Idea
Buy from:This delightful story introduces young readers to Fanny Goldstein, a Jewish immigrant from Russia who worked her way up to director of a Boston branch library. When she noticed that the library was not meeting the needs of the Jewish community, she initiated an annual celebration of Jewish books and culture. Because of her efforts, Jewish Book Week has been a cherished event for over a century.
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I am Billie Jean King
Buy from:On September 20, 1973 — at the height of the women’s movement — female tennis champion Billie Jean King famously took on Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs — and won. (The match was called the “Battle of the Sexes.”) This installment in the popular Ordinary People Change the World series introduces young readers to some of the challenges King faced and successes she celebrated.
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Firebird
Buy from:Misty Copeland’s name is practically synonymous with ballet, and for good reason. Though she didn’t get her start until she was 13, she went on to become the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history. Copeland continues to be an empowering role model for aspiring dancers, and in Firebird, she charts her course from an unsure young girl joining a new world to the indomitable performer, athlete, and public figure she is today.
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Rosa Parks: A Little Golden Book Biography
Buy from:Rosa Parks inspired generations of activists when she chose not to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Young readers can learn more about this influential woman, her life, and the event that made her a household name in this Little Golden Book Biography.
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Joan Proctor Dragon Doctor
Buy from:Can you imagine having a tea party with a Komodo dragon? It’s an unusual proposition, but it was just another day at work for Joan Procter, an internationally renowned herpetologist — that is, a zoologist who studies reptiles and amphibians. Procter was born in the UK in 1897, and while her peers favored dolls, Procter was never without her favorite lizard. In adulthood, she was named the first female Curator of Reptiles at London Zoo, and her valuable work both furthered the field of study and opened doors for others like her.
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Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education
Buy from:Malala Yousafzai grew up in the beautiful mountains of Pakistan, where she was a precocious young girl who loved going to school. At fifteen, when she defied the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education, she was nearly killed for it. This beautiful picture book biography, resplendent in its illustrations, follows Malala through her extraordinary young life, including her continued activism, infamous UN speech, and historic Nobel Peace Prize.
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You might also like:
- Picture Books That Celebrate Girl Power
- Kids’ Books About Amazing Black Women in History
- A Reading List for Moms Who Want To Raise Feminist Sons
- Inspiring Picture Book Biographies About Women in STEM
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2026.