Reading picture book biographies is one simple way you can delve deeper into Black History Month with your children or students this year, and I hope this list will be helpful! From dancers to astronauts to musicians to cowboys to North Pole explorers, this multi-faceted list should have something for everyone. The picture book biographies are listed in alphabetical order by person.
If you’d like a full printable list of these biographies instead, click HERE!
If you’d like to print a comprehensive book list for Black History Month, click HERE!
Looking for a list of posts about different topics in black history? Click HERE!
With no further ado… our favorite picture book biographies for Black History Month!
Alvin Ailey (Andrea Davis Pinkney)
A beautifully-illustrated account of famed black dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey.
Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammed Ali (Charles R. Smith Jr.)
An in-depth look at the life of world-famous boxer Muhammed Ali.
The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights (Russell Freedman)
The journey of celebrated vocalist Marian Anderson from having a limited career because she was black to singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939.
Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews)
An autobiographical account of the life of trombone player Troy Andrews and the incredible music culture of New Orleans.
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker (Patricia Hruby Powell)
A look at the life of Josephine Baker, performer and civil rights activist.
Dear Benjamin Banneker (Andrea Davis Pinkney)
The story of Benjamin Banneker, a black man who bravely wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1791 to attack the institution of slavery.
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (Javaka Steptoe)
Learn about Jean-Michel Basquiat’s trailblazing collage-style paintings in this Caldecott-winning story.
My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey (Lisa Cline-Ransome)
A biography of dancer Robert Battle, who ultimately became the director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Lift Your Light a Little Higher: The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer (Heather Henson)
The fascinating account of Stephen Bishop, a world-famous explorer of Mammoth Cave.
The Story of Ruby Bridges (Robert Coles)
In 1960, young Ruby Bridges became the first African-American child to integrate into an all-white New Orleans elementary school.
A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks (Alice Faye Duncan)
The poetic tale of Gwendolyn Brooks, the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize.
When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop (Laban Carrick HIll)
The story of the origination of Hip Hop music by Clive Campbell, better known as DJ “Kool Herc.”
A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver (Aliki)
An informative introduction to the life and times of former slave and later college professor and farmer, George Washington Carver.
Ray Charles (Sharon Bell Mathis)
An interesting look into the incredible career of blind jazz musician Ray Charles.
Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman (Nikki Grimes)
The inspirational story of aviator Elizabeth Coleman, who ultimately became the first African-American female pilot.
A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream (Kristy Dempsey)
The story of the first African-American prima ballerina, Janet Collins, and the work she put in to become a famous ballerina in Harlem in the 1950s.
Before John Was a Jazz Giant (Carol Boston Weatherford)
This book highlights the childhood of jazz legend John Coltrane as he grew up in the South in the 1930s.
Firebird (Misty Copeland)
Famed ballerina Misty Copeland encourages aspiring young ballerinas with her story.
Libba (Laura Veirs)
Meet and get to know Elizabeth Cotten, one of America’s greatest folk musicians.
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave (Laban Carrick Hill)
The story of Dave, a slave who was also a noted poet, potter, and artist living in South Carolina in the 1800s.
Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass (Dean Robbins)
Susan B. Anthony, a champion of womens’ rights, and Frederick Douglass, a civil rights activist, get together for tea and compare stories.
Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar (Sally Derby & Sean Qualls)
A unique picture book that tells the story of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s life and contains more than 20 of his original poems.
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra (Brian & Andrea Pinkney)
An introduction to the life and talents of noted jazz pianist and composer Duke Ellington.
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald (Roxane Orgill)
A look at the life of jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald from her childhood through her illustrious career.
I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer (Carole Boston Weatherford)
The riveting story of explorer Matthew Henson’s journey to the North Pole.
The Legendary Miss Lena Horne (Carole Boston Weatherford)
The inspiring story of singer and performer Lena Horne, who became the first black woman to sign a studio contract with MGM.
Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton (Don Tate)
Though enslaved and uneducated, George Moses Horton taught himself to read and then began prolifically composing poetry.
Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes (Floyd Cooper)
A beautifully-illustrated introduction to the life of writer and poet Langston Hughes.
Mae Among the Stars (Roda Ahmed)
A account of the life of Mae Jemison, the first black woman to travel in space.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 (Helaine Becker & Tiemdow Phumiruk)
NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson’s early love for math contributed to her eventual role in saving lives and calculating moon landings.
Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions (Chris Barton)
A fun look at NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson’s life, with particular focus on his invention of the Super Soaker water gun.
Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream (Deloris Jordan, Roslyn M. Jordan)
An inspirational biography of Michael Jordan, written by his mother and sister.
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness (Donna Janell Bowman)
A former slave teaches his horse how to read, write, add, subtract, and more.
A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent (Anne Rockwell)
After serving as a spy for George Washington during the Revolutionary War, James Lafayette had to continue fighting for his own freedom long after the war was over.
Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis (Jabari Asim)
A peek into the early years of civil rights activist John Lewis, which included preaching to the chickens on his family’s farm.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Katheryn Russell-Brown)
An account of the life of Melba Liston, a noted trombone player and prominent player in the world of twentieth century Jazz.
Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcom X (Ilyasah Shabazz)
A poignant look at the growing up years of Malcolm X, written by his daughter.
The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch (Chris Barton)
After being freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, John Roy Lynch rose to become Justice of the Peace and a U.S. Congressman.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (Chris van Wyk)
The incredible story of Nelson Mandela’s life and leadership in South Africa.
Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills (Renee Watson)
Born to former slaves, renowned singer Florence Mills had humble beginnings in Harlem but rose to stardom as a Broadway actress and singer.
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio (Rob Skead)
The story of pitching great Satchel Paige and his matchup against a Major League white team, plus rookie Joe DiMaggio.
Charlie Parker Played Be Bop (Chris Raschka)
A colorful introduction to the life and times of jazz saxophone player Charlie Parker.
Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America (Carole Boston Weatherford)
Before becoming the first famous black director in Hollywood, Gordon Parks was a photographer who brought light to segregation and racial injustice.
Bill Pickett: Rodeo-Ridin’ Cowboy (Andrea Davis Pinkney)
The true story of cowboy, rodeo performer, and Hall of Fame inductee Bill Pickett.
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin (Jen Bryant)
The fascinating true story of artist Horace Pippin, who not only was an incredible artist but was also shot while serving in the U.S. military during World War I.
Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century (Carole Boston Weatherford)
Beloved opera star Leontyne Price grew up in small-town Mississippi in the 1930s but rose to fame with her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world.
Bad News Outlaws: Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves (Vaunda Micheaux Nelson)
An account of the life of former slave Bass Reeves, the first American Deputy U.S. Marshal who lived west of the Mississippi River.
Rap A Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles — Think of That! (Diane Dillon)
The lively, rhythmic biography of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, one of the most celebrated tap dancers in history.
Jackie Robinson: He Led the Way (April Jones Prince)
A wonderful introduction to Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player to play in the Major Leagues.
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville
An engaging look into the early life of gold medalist track star Wilma Rudolph.
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library (Carole Boston Weatherford)
The unique story of Arturo Schomburg, an Afro-Puerto Rican man who collected books about African-Americans and later donated them to the New York Public Library
Betty Before X (Ilyasah Shabazz)
The biography of American Civil Rights activist Dr. Betty Shabazz, the wife of Malcolm X, written by their daughter.
Fast Enough: Bessie Stringfield’s First Ride (Joel Gill)
The story of Bessie Stringfield, the first black woman to travel solo across the USA on a motorcycle.
Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas (Gwendolyn Hooks)
Young black medical assistant Vivien Thomas helped to develop a complex surgical technique for juvenile open heart surgery but wasn’t given credit because of his color.
It Jes’ Happened (Don Tate)
Former slave and sharecropper Bill Traylor discovers his ability to draw at the age of 81.
A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth (David A. Adler)
An introduction to the life of a former slave who spoke out strongly against slavery.
Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman (Alan Schroeder)
Originally named Araminta, or “Minty” for short, this book chronicles the early years of courageous Underground Railroad leader Harriet Tubman.
Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson (Kathleen Krull)
A portrait of the life of astronomer Neil DeGrasse Tyson, whose love of space from a young age inspired him to become a world-renowned scientist and astrophysicist.
Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker (Kathryn Lasky)
Born in 1867 shortly after the slaves were freed, Sarah Breedlove Walker grew up to become a successful businesswoman.
Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington (Jabari Asim)
The incredible story of Washington’s rise from slavery to become a renowned author.
Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist (Philip Dray)
A fascinating look into the life of former slave, journalist, and activist Ida B. Wells.
The Little Piano Girl: The Story of Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Legend (Ann Ingalls)
The interesting tale of jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams, from her early days as a piano prodigy to her later career as a professional musician.
Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams (Howard Bryant)
An engaging look at the childhoods and careers of the tennis stars, with particular focus on their relationship as sisters.
Run the Show Like CEO Oprah Winfrey (Caroline Moss)
The account of major event in the life of Oprah Winfrey, with ten key lessons for the reader to learn from her life.
I hope this inspires you and your children or students to read some wonderful picture book biographies for Black History Month! Did I miss any that you love? Let me know in the comments!