Biographies for kids aged 6-8 years old

It’s not often you find a good nonfiction writer also blessed with the gift of cartooning. Jane Goodall: Researcher Who Champions Chimps paints an appealing picture of the young woman who developed a keen interest in animals after she was evacuated to the British countryside during WWII. Shots of the always-photogenic Goodall lounging among wild chimps never fail to entertain, and her discovery of such chimp traits as tool use and warfare make a strong case for her significance in the scientific community. One of the most delightful and engaging biographies for kids that we’ve come across.

A wonderful and inspiring environmentalist biography for kids about a scientist you may not be familiar with. In the sprawling African scrub desert of Etosha National Park, they call her “the mother of all elephants.” Camouflaged and peering through binoculars, Caitlin O’Connell – the American scientist who traveled to Namibia to study African elephants in their natural habitat – could not believe what she was seeing. As the mighty matriarch scanned the horizon, the other elephants followed suit, stopping midstride and standing as still as statues. The observation would be one of many to guide O’Connell to a groundbreaking discovery! A fantastic story, and Caitlin O’Connell is a great role model for young people engaged in science, conservation or who love animals. One of our favorite biographies for kids.

As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her – from the giant mugumo trees her people, the Kikuyu, revered to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river. Although most Kenyan girls were not usually educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time. Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai – the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Engaging narrative and vibrant images paint a robust portrait of this inspiring champion of the land and of women’s rights – one of the truly inspiring biographies for kids.

A new generation of children is introduced to the legendary pioneering oceanographer and filmmaker. Beginning with Cousteau’s childhood in France where he marveled at the sea and dreamed of breathing underwater, Berne reveals the unique mix of curiosity, ingenuity, and passion that drove Cousteau to make underwater exploration possible. She describes his early experiments and forays into amateur filmmaking, helping readers understand the man he became. Most interesting is the simple explanation of how Cousteau and his friends developed the first fins, wetsuits, and scuba gear. Children (and adults) will be surprised to know that before Jaques Cousteau, the sport of scuba diving was nonexistent. Berne gently leads readers to Cousteau’s passion for saving the underwater environment and then follows up with suggestions for further inquiry in her author’s note.

The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went. Barbara Cooney’s story of Alice Rumphius, resolved that when she grew up she would go to faraway places, live by the sea in her old age, and do something to make the world more beautiful. She does all those things – the last being the most difficult of all. Winner of The American Book Award, Miss Rumphius is one the most delightful biographies for kids aged 6-8 years old.

One for slightly older kids (7 years +), Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille is the inspirational biography of the 17 year old who invented Braille. At age 3, Louis Braille was blinded in an accident with a knife. From the age of 12, he worked doggedly, sometimes secretly through the night at a special school in Paris, punching dots on paper, trying to develop a simple code for the alphabet that the blind could read with their fingertips. Tension mounts as he refuses to be discouraged by technical and bureaucratic setbacks… until eventually he proves his system to his school and finally to the world. The handsome book design is clear and open. While a diagram explains how the Braille alphabet works, and Kate Kessler’s full-page shaded pencil illustrations are part of the understated poignant drama. This is one of those biography for kids that they’ll really relate to – as the protagonist is not much older than them.