Biographies

​Osha Lynette Smith-Davis
Whether exploring the joys of reading, family, and storytelling; discovering the wonders of animals and the natural world; expressing creativity through music and imagination; or valuing cherished friendships, each book encourages readers to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. Together, these titles highlight the importance of learning, compassion, and wonder while inspiring children to develop a lifelong love of knowledge, meaningful relationships, and the stories that shape our understanding of ourselves and others.

Beatrix and Her Friends: Celebrating the Life of Beatrix Potter. Anne Lambelet. (2026). Margaret Quinlin Books.
Lambelet's beautifully illustrated biography captures Beatrix Potter's lifelong love of animals and the natural world. From childhood, Beatrix surrounded herself with real and imagined animal companions, filling her nursery with pets, sketches, and paintings. Taught at home by governesses, she treasured countryside vacations where she could observe nature. Readers are introduced to Peter Rabbit, based on her pet rabbit, Peter Piper, and the many beloved animal characters inspired by her own experiences. The book highlights Beatrix's determination to share her stories, including her decision to self-publish The Tale of Peter Rabbit when others doubted its potential. Her passion for conservation is also celebrated as she worked to protect farmland and wildlife habitats in England's Lake District. An author's note and creative timeline enrich this engaging tribute to a beloved author whose animal friends continue to delight generations of readers. (PreK–Gr 3) 

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Blues Boy: The B. B. King Story. Alice Faye Duncan. Illus. by Carl Joe Williams. (2026). Greenwillow Books.
Duncan opens this biography with the lines, "The blues is a moan. The blues is a shout. The blues is a boy named Riley B. King...” setting the stage for the story of B. B. King, the "King of the Blues." Growing up in the segregated South, Riley faced poverty, discrimination, and the loss of his mother at age nine. Yet her parting words about kindness and doing good guided him. Music became a refuge and hope, helping him cope with grief and teasing from classmates. After purchasing his first guitar at age twelve, Riley taught himself to play and dreamed of a better future. Choosing music over cotton fields, he journeyed to Memphis's Beale Street, where his talent flourished. With his beloved guitar, Lucille, B. B. King found worldwide fame while sharing joy through his music. Richly illustrated, this biography features back matter, including a timeline and more about King's life and legacy. (PreK–Gr 3)

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Charley's Honky-Tonk Mission: The Story of America's First Black Country Music Superstar. Beatrice Winifred Iker. Illus. by Miguelina Milien. (2026). Kokila.
Charley Pride's remarkable journey from the baseball diamond to the Grand Ole Opry is beautifully captured in this engaging picture-book biography. Before becoming a country music legend and the first Black performer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Charley played baseball in the Negro Leagues while nurturing a lifelong love of music. Growing up in Mississippi, he sang and played guitar for family and friends, performing anywhere he could—from rodeos and state fairs to local sandlots. Aware of the divisions caused by race and religion, Charley believed music could bring people together and set out to "change the world one ditty at a time." The lyrical text and vibrant illustrations highlight his determination, talent, and kindness. After a baseball injury ended his athletic career, Charley, supported by his wife, Rozene, fully embraced music and achieved extraordinary success. Informative back matter explores his "Honky-Tonk Mission" and offers insight into his experiences living with bipolar disorder. (PreK–Gr 3) 

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Cowboys at the Ballet: The Story of Choreographer Agnes de Mille. Claire Wrenn Bobrow. Illus. by Ilaria Urbinati. (2026). Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
The vivid, image-rich language invites readers into the imaginative world of Agnes de Mille, while lively illustrations dance across the pages, capturing her creativity and determination. From an early age, Agnes dreamed of becoming a dancer. Despite family opposition, she began dance lessons at fourteen and soon entertained family and friends with her original performances. Although she struggled to conform to traditional ballet techniques, she refused to abandon her dream. Her journey took her to New York and later London, where she studied choreography and various dance forms while searching for her artistic voice. Inspiration finally struck during a visit to a Colorado rodeo, where the movements of cowboys sparked a fresh vision. Agnes ultimately transformed American dance through groundbreaking works such as Rodeo, Oklahoma!, and Carousel. Extensive back matter offers additional insights into her remarkable life and legacy. (PreK–Gr 3) 

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Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume. Selina Alko. (2026). Little, Brown and Company.
This moving verse biography offers readers a glimpse into Judy Blume's childhood, revealing her deep love of reading, family, and storytelling. Through poignant poems, readers follow Judy from childhood to adolescence as she navigates worries about war, airplane crashes, illness, and loss—feelings she often keeps hidden. Growing up Jewish in Elizabeth, New Jersey, during and after World War II, Judy is not encouraged to share her fears, so she invents stories to make sense of the world. Books become her refuge and inspire her dream of writing stories that help young people understand their emotions and realize they are not alone. Expressive illustrations enrich the narrative and invite deeper reflection. Extensive back matter, including a timeline, photographs, an author's note, and source notes, enhances authenticity. This beautifully crafted book will inspire young readers, writers, educators, and families alike. (Gr K–4)

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Piece by Piece: How Stephen Sondheim Made Musical Puzzles Come Alive. Erin Frankel. Illus. by Stacy Innerst. (2026). Calkins Creek.
The puzzle metaphor woven throughout both the text and illustrations makes this picture-book biography of Stephen Sondheim especially engaging. Frankel portrays Sondheim's love of learning, music, and storytelling as interconnected pieces that gradually come together to shape his extraordinary career. Readers gain insight into the creative process as Stephen carefully matches words to melodies, asking questions about character, emotion, and meaning. A life-changing friendship with Oscar Hammerstein II, the father of his friend Jamie, teaches him the value of practice, perseverance, and craftsmanship. Stephen goes on to write lyrics for West Side Story and create groundbreaking shows such as Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods. Ultimately, this is an inspiring story about curiosity and following one's passion. Rich back matter, including photographs, an author's note, a detailed timeline, and a bibliography, provides additional context for understanding the life and legacy of one of musical theater's greatest innovators. (Gr 2–5)

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Pope Leo XIV: First American Pope. Liz Sonneborn. (2026). Lerner Publications.
This informative biography introduces readers to Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, who was elected the first American pope on May 8, 2025. Raised on the South Side of Chicago in a devout Catholic family with French, Italian, and Creole roots, Prevost developed a strong faith through active participation in church life. Readers follow his journey from altar boy to St. Augustine Seminary High School, decades of missionary service in Peru as a priest and bishop, and ultimately to the papacy. As a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he values community and service to others. The book provides a clear overview of the Catholic Church and the responsibilities and challenges of leading it, along with his views on issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change. Photographs, a timeline, source notes, and a bibliography enrich this engaging and accessible account of Pope Leo XIV's life and legacy. (Gr 3–8) 

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Singing Justice, Singing Peace: The Story of Joan Baez. Monica Brown. Illus. by Molly Mendoza. (2026). Beach Lane Books.
This inspiring picture-book biography traces the early life of Joan Baez, whose passion for justice was shaped by family experiences and a desire to help others. The daughter of immigrants from Mexico and Scotland, she learned compassion and advocacy from her parents. Influenced by her father's concern for people facing poverty, as well as a childhood move to Iraq where she saw children going hungry, Joan dreamed of making the world a better place from a young age. Music became both a comfort and a calling, especially after she received a ukulele and later a guitar. Guided by the messages of Pete Seeger and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she used her voice to promote peace, love, and equality. Vibrant illustrations capture her journey and connections to civil rights leaders. An informative author's note provides additional context, making this an excellent resource for readers, educators, and families. (PreK–Gr 3) 

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Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry. Derrick Barnes & Christian Gregory. Illus. by Frank Morrison. (2026). Amistad Books for Young Readers.
This compassionate picture-book biography chronicles Dick Gregory's cross-country run in 1976 to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in America. Through powerful text and richly detailed illustrations, readers witness Gregory's determination as he ran 3,200 miles across 12 states—covering 50 miles a day and more than seven million steps. Along the way, he paused to rest, refuel, and speak with people about how many Americans struggled with hunger, unemployment, and homelessness. Gregory challenged communities to consider how they could become part of the solution. His journey culminated in New York City on July 4 with a three-day seminar on these issues. Written by Christian Gregory, Dick and Lillian Gregory's eighth child, the book offers a personal perspective on his father's commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry. Extensive back matter includes historical photographs, an author's note, and more about Gregory's run and the ongoing challenge of food insecurity. (PreK–Gr 3) 

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Talking Books: Audiobook Inventor Dr. Robert B. Irwin and a New Way to Read. Jenny Lacika. Illus. by Ashanti Fortson. (2026). Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
In this inspiring biography, Jenny Lacika introduces readers to Robert B. Irwin, a visionary whose determination transformed access to reading for people who are blind or visually impaired. After losing his sight at age five due to illness, Robert refused to let blindness limit his curiosity or love of learning. When local schools lacked the resources to teach him, he attended a boarding school where he learned Braille—a slow and challenging process that sparked his dream of creating a better way to enjoy books. Through perseverance, he became a teacher, advocate, and leader with the American Foundation for the Blind, helping establish services that expanded access to reading nationwide. His pioneering work eventually led to the development of talking books, paving the way for today's thriving audiobook industry. An author's note by Lacika, who relied on audiobooks because of her own visual impairment, adds a meaningful and personal connection to Robert's enduring legacy. (PreK–Gr 3) 

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Teaching for Change: How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights Movement to Voting Justice. Yvonne Clark-Rhines & Monica Clark-Robinson. Illus. by Abigail Albano-Payton. (2026). Quill Tree Books.
Written in a beautiful poetic voice by Septima Clark's granddaughter, this inspiring biography celebrates the life and legacy of a remarkable educator and civil rights leader. Accompanied by vibrant, expressive illustrations, the story traces Septima's journey from her childhood in South Carolina, where her father had been born into slavery and her mother was a free woman from Haiti. Determined that her daughter receive an education, her mother sacrificed greatly to make schooling possible. Septima carried forward the lessons of peace from her father and strength from her mother as she became a teacher at just eighteen years old. Committed to educational opportunity and racial justice, she taught children and adults alike, believing that "Literacy means liberation." Her work in citizenship schools empowered hundreds of thousands of Black Americans to become registered voters. Powerful text, striking artwork, authors' notes, and an extensive timeline make this a compelling tribute to a transformative leader. (PreK–Gr 3) 

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What Emma Wrote: The Woman Behind the Words on the Statue of Liberty. Ann D. Koffsky. Illus. by N. Tarcan. (2026). Apples & Honey Press.
This engaging biography introduces readers to Emma Lazarus, a young girl whose love of writing began long before she became the author of one of America's most famous poems. While her sisters played, Emma filled her time with stories, poems, and essays that so impressed her family that they compiled her work into a book. As she grew older, Emma wanted to write about real people and real problems. Hearing negative comments about newly arrived immigrants in New York, she sought out their stories and discovered connections to her own family's immigrant past. Inspired to help, Emma advocated for immigrants, assisted with relief efforts, and supported educational opportunities. Through both her actions and her writing, she helped change public perceptions of newcomers. The bold illustrations and compelling narrative bring her story to life, while informative back matter includes photographs and fascinating details about Emma and the Statue of Liberty, where her enduring poem continues to welcome generations of immigrants. (PreK–Gr 2) 

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​Osha Lynette Smith-Davis is a member of the Contributing Faculty for Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership.