Do you like to read books about writers? I enjoy all types of picture book biographies including those about creative figures, like artists, poets, and authors. Today I’m sharing three picture books about beloved writers: L. Frank Baum, J.M. Barrie, and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. While rather long for the youngest of children, I think these biographies would be great to share with kids in grade two through five (or even older… as I’ve said, I love a good picture book myself!).

The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Alfred A. Knopf, 2008)

This is a detailed biography of L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) from his childhood (pampered and creative), marriage and fatherhood (making up stories for his four sons), business ventures (founder of a theatre company, chicken breeder, travelling salesman, store owner, newspaper editor) to the publication of The Wizard of Oz and settling down in a mansion with forty birds and an enormous flower garden. I like how this book conveys the ups and downs of life with optimism. It ends with a one-page author’s naote, list of sources, and list of all the Oz books. The illustrations are a nice balance of playful and realistic. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Steve Adams (Dutton Children’s Books, 2010)

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the life of J.M. Barrie (1860-1937), I think you’ll enjoy this picture book biography. It describes his childhood, his passion for stories and theatre, his friendship with the Llewellyn Davies, and of course, the great success of Peter Pan. I love the illustrations and the quotes from his books and plays that appear on each spread. The text is quite detailed and ends with Barrie’s legacy, including giving the copyright for Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Hospital for Sick Children. The book ends with a selected list of Barrie’s writings. Recommended for ages 8 to 10.

The Pilot and the Little Prince: The Life of Antoine Saint-Exupéry by Peter Sis (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2014)

It’s been many years since I read The Little Prince and after reading this biography, I think I ought to pick it up again. Peter Sis ties together Saint-Exupéry’s passion for flying and adventure with his curiosity about what lies beyond human exploration. The story covers Sainte-Exupéry’s life (1900-1944) from beginning to end without being too long for young readers. What makes this book stand out are the whimisical illustrations that incorporate text that gives more details about the history of flight, world events, and Saint-Exupéry’s own life and family. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

You might also enjoy this post reviewing picture books about Virginia Lee Burton and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Do you know of any other picture book biographies about writers? I’d really like to expand my list.