Little People, Big Dreams Books in Order

A childhood fascination with flight grows into Amelia Earhart’s determination to become a pilot and attempt extraordinary journeys. This illustrated biography follows her aviation achievements and ambitions, with a timeline and photographs introducing young readers to her life.

Learning to sew in an orphanage gives young Coco Chanel a skill that will transform her future. This illustrated biography follows her path through performing and hatmaking to fashion design, with additional facts and a timeline for young readers.

Young Agatha loves reading but imagines different endings for the stories she encounters. This illustrated biography traces that curiosity into a career creating ingenious crime novels and memorable detectives, with a timeline introducing children to the writer’s life.

Growing up amid war in the Netherlands, Audrey Hepburn dreams of dancing and later studies ballet in London. This illustrated biography follows her move toward stage and film stardom, with a timeline and photographs exploring her life for children.

Ada’s childhood imagination and mathematical ability develop into an unusual partnership with inventor Charles Babbage. This illustrated biography introduces her pioneering work on an early computing machine, with a timeline and historical information helping children explore her life.

Forced into hiding with her family in Amsterdam, Anne Frank records daily experiences and hopes for peace in her diary. This illustrated biography introduces children to her life and enduring writing, supported by historical photographs and a timeline.

A child who prefers sketching outdoors grows into an artist with a distinctive way of seeing landscapes. This illustrated biography follows Georgia O’Keeffe from New York to New Mexico, with additional facts introducing children to her life and creative work.

Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman escapes and repeatedly risks returning south to help others reach freedom. This illustrated biography introduces children to her courage and determination, with historical photographs and a timeline supporting the story of her life.

Growing up in a large family in the English countryside, Jane Austen develops a love of reading and storytelling. This illustrated biography follows her creation of independent heroines and witty novels, with historical information and a timeline for children.

Denied opportunities in segregated Missouri, Josephine Baker moves to Paris and becomes a celebrated performer. This illustrated biography follows her work onstage, in the French Resistance and for racial harmony, with photographs and a timeline introducing her remarkable life.

After losing her mother, Lucy Maud Montgomery finds refuge from a difficult childhood in books and imagination. This illustrated biography follows her path toward creating Anne of Green Gables, with a timeline and historical photographs for young readers.

A stolen bicycle leads young Muhammad Ali toward boxing, where disciplined training and confidence help shape his future. This illustrated biography follows his rise to heavyweight champion, with historical photographs and a timeline introducing children to his life.

Introduced to movies as a child in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee later teaches martial arts in America while pursuing acting. This illustrated biography explores his determination to overcome limited opportunities and become an international star, with supporting historical facts.

Inspired by music and dance, young David begins writing songs before developing the theatrical identities that distinguish his performances. This illustrated biography follows David Bowie’s creative development, with a timeline and photographs introducing children to his musical life.

Growing up with little money in Tennessee, Dolly starts performing locally before moving to Nashville to pursue music. This illustrated biography follows her rise as a singer and her commitment to helping others, with historical photographs and a timeline.

A rebellious teenager develops convictions about fairness, religious unity and peaceful resistance. This illustrated biography follows Gandhi’s journey toward leading protests against British rule in India, with historical photographs and a timeline helping children understand his life and ideals.

Encouraged by her mother despite unequal opportunities for girls, Maria studies medicine and becomes interested in children’s development. This illustrated biography follows her creation of a new approach to education, with historical photographs and a timeline for young readers.

A childhood filled with imaginative storytelling grows into Mary Shelley’s creation of Frankenstein. This illustrated biography introduces young readers to the author behind the famous novel, using historical photographs, a timeline and additional facts to explore her life.

Rudolf discovers his love of dance early but must wait until seventeen to enter ballet school. This illustrated biography follows the demanding training and performances that shape his career, with historical photographs and a timeline introducing children to his life.

After childhood polio threatens her ability to walk, Wilma persists through treatment and discovers a talent for running. This illustrated biography follows her journey toward Olympic success, with historical photographs and a timeline introducing young readers to her life.

Young Alan finds comfort in numbers and friendship, then turns increasingly toward codes after a painful loss. This illustrated biography introduces children to Turing’s work deciphering Enigma and his contributions to computing, with historical photographs and a timeline.

Singing in her father’s church choir helps young Aretha develop the voice that will define her career. This illustrated biography follows her journey into rhythm and blues stardom, with historical photographs and a timeline introducing children to her life.

Stories enchant Astrid during her happy childhood on a Swedish farm, inspiring an appetite for reading and invention. This illustrated biography follows that early fascination toward her writing career and creation of Pippi Longstocking, with historical photographs and a timeline.

A go-kart given to four-year-old Ayrton sparks an enduring love of racing. This illustrated biography follows Senna’s rise through Formula One and his support for education in Brazil, with historical photographs and a timeline introducing children to his life.

Beginning tennis at eleven, Billie Jean sets herself an ambitious goal and works toward becoming the world’s best. This illustrated biography introduces her sporting achievements and commitment to breaking barriers, with historical photographs and a timeline for young readers.

Approaching his hundredth birthday during the pandemic, veteran Tom Moore decides to raise money by walking laps of his garden. This illustrated biography connects that fundraising effort with his earlier life, exploring perseverance and collective generosity for young readers.

A shy child with a strong sense of justice grows into a leader opposing dictatorship in the Philippines. This illustrated biography follows Corazon Aquino’s journey toward the presidency, with a timeline and historical photographs supporting the story for children.

Collecting specimens and reading science books, young David develops a fascination with wildlife that shapes his future. This illustrated biography follows Attenborough’s move into broadcasting and conservation, with historical photographs and a timeline introducing children to his life.

Music offers young Elton refuge before formal training and a partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin launch his career. This illustrated biography follows his creative success, personal struggles and charitable work, with a timeline and historical photographs for children.

A childhood longing for adventure sends Ernest Shackleton toward the Antarctic, where disaster tests his leadership and determination. This illustrated biography introduces his explorations and struggle to bring his companions to safety, with historical photographs and a timeline.

Growing up in a large Indigenous Australian family, Evonne discovers a talent for tennis and dreams of Wimbledon. This illustrated biography follows her journey from a local club toward the international courts where she becomes a champion.

Distressed by the climate crisis and the inaction around her, young Greta begins protesting outside Sweden's parliament. This illustrated account follows how a solitary school strike grows into a movement that gives young people a public voice.

Jesse Owens grows up working in Alabama's cotton fields before a school coach recognizes his running ability. His story leads to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where athletic excellence becomes a challenge to the racism surrounding him.

A Liverpool schoolboy forms a band that will help transform popular music. This illustrated biography follows John Lennon's development as a songwriter and Beatle, alongside the commitment to peace that becomes another defining part of his public life.

After losing her mother, Louise turns to drawing as a way to express difficult feelings. Her story follows the transformation of those images into sculpture and the use of art to confront memories, fears and personal experience.

An encounter with racial exclusion helps young Martin recognize the injustice around him. This illustrated biography follows his growth into a minister and civil rights leader who uses words and collective action to challenge discrimination.

A boy in a poor Brazilian neighborhood develops his football skills using an improvised ball. Pelé's story follows that early determination toward World Cup success and the influence he later uses beyond the football pitch.

Growing up among inventors in California, Steve develops a fascination with computers and joins a friend in building a company from a garage. This illustrated biography follows the ideas and ambitions behind his influence on everyday technology.

Charles struggles to fit into school but remains intensely curious about plants, animals and the world around him. A voyage to South America helps shape the ideas that lead him to transform scientific understanding of life.

When his father is imprisoned for debt, young Charles must leave childhood comforts for factory work. This illustrated biography follows his path through several occupations toward storytelling, showing how early hardship informs his concern for poor children.

A boy who treasures stories first dreams of performing onstage, then discovers a different creative path through writing. This biography follows Hans Christian Andersen toward the imaginative tales that draw meaning from ordinary life and speak directly to children.

Playing with her grandmother's colorful fabric scraps sparks Iris's lifelong love of clothes and design. This illustrated biography follows her distinctive approach to personal style and the recognition that comes to her unusually late in life.

Childhood visits to civil rights marches help Kamala imagine a future spent helping others through law. This illustrated account traces her education and public service toward her election as the first woman to become United States vice president.

Malala loves school, but a regime that forbids girls' education turns learning into an act of resistance. After surviving an attack for speaking out, she continues campaigning for the right of girls everywhere to study and choose their futures.

Young Norma Jeane dreams of acting through an unsettled childhood spent in several homes. This illustrated biography follows her transformation into Marilyn Monroe, exploring the ambition and anxiety behind one of cinema's most familiar public images.

Growing up in poverty, Mary searches the dangerous cliffs near her home for shells and bones. Her discoveries help reshape knowledge of prehistoric life, even while exclusion from scientific institutions makes recognition for her work difficult.

Megan discovers confidence and belonging on the football pitch as a child in California. Her story follows sporting success with the United States team alongside her determination to advocate for women and LGBTQ+ people in sport.

Rejected from a school basketball team, young Michael returns to practice with renewed determination. This illustrated biography follows the effort behind his development from a competitive child into an Olympic athlete and celebrated professional basketball player.

A childhood love of television comedy leads Mindy toward theater, writing and performance. Her story follows early creative partnerships, work on The Office and the development of her own shows, tracing the persistence behind a multifaceted entertainment career.

Rosalind grows up in a family that values learning and turns her abilities toward science. This illustrated biography follows her work with X-ray crystallography, her contribution to understanding DNA and the struggle for recognition of her achievements.

Encouraged by her mother to be independent, Ruth pursues education and a legal career in the face of unequal expectations. Her story follows teaching, advocacy and service on the Supreme Court, with gender discrimination at the center of her work.

Stevie's musical gifts emerge while he is still a child, leading him toward a life of performance and songwriting. This illustrated biography follows his inventive sound, distinctive voice and use of music to address the world around him.

Growing up in Japan, Yoko uses imagination to cope with loneliness and later wartime hardship. Her journey leads to experimental art in New York, creative friendships and a partnership with John Lennon that links artistic work with hopes for peace.

Alexander does not fit easily into school, but his curiosity finds direction when he begins collecting plants. This illustrated biography follows the passion that turns him into an explorer, traveling widely to observe and document the natural world.

A love of reading and the challenge of speech difficulties shape Amanda's early relationship with words. This illustrated biography follows her determination to become a poet, leading to national recognition and her performance at the 2021 presidential inauguration.

Seeing a ballet performance inspires Anna to dance, but her first audition ends in rejection. Her story follows the practice and persistence that lead to professional training, performances across Russia and a company that brings her dancing around the world.

Raised in a family of wrestlers, Dwayne initially dreams of a football career. When that ambition falters, he turns to the wrestling ring and later acting, building a new path from disappointment through discipline and reinvention.

A boy growing up with little money discovers that singing gives shape to his hopes. This illustrated biography follows Elvis from a school talent show to recording at Sun Studios and the performances that establish his place in rock music.

Florence rejects the comfortable life expected of her to care for sick and poor people. Nursing wounded soldiers exposes dangerous hospital conditions, inspiring her campaign for cleaner care and the practices that help transform the profession.

Aware from childhood that women are treated unequally, Gloria uses journalism to challenge accepted ideas about gender. This illustrated biography follows her development into a feminist organizer and speaker, connecting her writing with wider efforts for social change.

A child in an immigrant family begins working early and finds a place in entertainment. From trapeze work and card tricks, Harry develops the escape performances that turn practical skill and showmanship into an international reputation.

After an early illness leaves Helen deaf and blind, she and her family search for ways to communicate. Teacher Anne Sullivan opens new possibilities, beginning a journey through education toward public advocacy for the rights of disabled people.

Frequent change and the loss of his parents lead young John toward nature, friendship and imagined worlds. This illustrated biography follows the storytelling impulse that grows into J. R. R. Tolkien's richly populated tales of hobbits, wizards and distant lands.

Laverne feels unable to live openly as herself, but dance and acting offer a place to express who she is. This biography follows her move to New York and the performing career that helps expand transgender visibility on television.

Watching astronauts as a child makes Mae wonder why no women are among them. Her love of science leads through medical training and service abroad toward NASA, where she becomes the first Black woman to travel into space.

Marcus grows up loving football while his family sometimes struggles to afford food. His story follows his development at Manchester United and the childhood experiences that later drive his campaign to ensure children receive meals during school closures.

A childhood airplane ride sparks Neil's fascination with flight. This illustrated biography follows his studies, naval service and work as a pilot toward Apollo 11, where he takes the first human steps on the Moon.

A young boy from South Africa grows into a leader determined to challenge apartheid. This illustrated biography follows Nelson Mandela through resistance and imprisonment toward freedom and the presidency, emphasizing the persistence behind his campaign for equality.

Fascinated by science and numbers, Nikola follows an unconventional path into electrical invention. This illustrated biography traces his work from Europe to the United States and the ideas that contribute to advances in power systems and remote control.

Pablo grows up in an artistic household, learning to paint with guidance from his father. His story follows moves to Barcelona and France, where experimentation helps him develop the work that changes the direction of twentieth-century art.

Young Elizabeth enjoys animals and imagines a quiet life in the countryside. Her uncle's abdication unexpectedly places her father on the throne, beginning the education and preparation that will lead her into a very different future as queen.

An athletic young Canadian loses a leg after a cancer diagnosis and resolves to help others facing the disease. Terry's story follows his extraordinary Marathon of Hope, using endurance running to raise money and attention for cancer research.

Wilma grows up proud of her Cherokee heritage, then experiences a difficult move from Oklahoma to San Francisco. Her story follows the understanding of injustice that leads her into activism and leadership as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Young Albert finds school difficult but loves exploring how things work through mathematics and physics. This illustrated biography follows his independent curiosity toward the ideas about space and time that establish him as a transformative scientific thinker.

David knows early that he wants to draw and devotes himself to developing that ability. This illustrated biography follows his artistic education, success in California and continual experimentation with ways to portray people, landscapes and the world around him.

Born in Zanzibar and educated in India, young Farrokh discovers singing and piano before pursuing music in London. This illustrated biography follows his transformation into Freddie Mercury, whose performances with Queen bring his theatrical imagination to audiences around the world.

A serious road accident changes Frida's teenage life and confines her to bed, where she begins painting. This illustrated biography follows the way she transforms physical pain, emotional experience and determination into the self-portraits for which she becomes known.

Hedy grows up curious about machines while developing talents for music and acting. This illustrated biography introduces the performer whose scientific interests persist alongside her screen career, revealing the inventive mind behind a familiar Hollywood image.

A toy chimpanzee sparks young Jane Goodall’s fascination with animals. This illustrated biography follows her journey into wild chimpanzee research and her work protecting animals, showing children how curiosity can grow into a lifelong commitment.

Growing up in Germany’s Black Forest, Jürgen Klopp discovers a passion for football that takes him from playing to coaching. This illustrated biography introduces young readers to his approach to teamwork and his career leading major clubs.

Charles grows up knowing he will one day become king, while developing interests in nature and helping others. This illustrated biography follows his environmental campaigning, charitable work and journey from childhood to the British throne.

Young Leo Messi loves playing football in Rosario, but a growth condition threatens his ambitions. This illustrated biography follows his move to Barcelona, his development as a player and his journey toward leading Argentina at the World Cup.

Lewis Hamilton’s childhood love of cars leads him from remote-controlled races to go-karting and Formula One. This illustrated biography follows his determination in a sport where he faces racial barriers, alongside his advocacy for greater inclusion.

Curious about how the world works, Louis Pasteur investigates tiny organisms that can cause disease. This illustrated biography introduces children to his experiments, discoveries and development of vaccines, following the questions that shaped his scientific life.

Marie Curie pursues a scientific education despite the barriers facing women. This illustrated biography follows her research into radioactivity, her discoveries of new elements and her path toward Nobel recognition, introducing children to her persistence and curiosity.

Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Michelle Obama learns to value education and hard work. This illustrated biography follows her studies, legal career and life as First Lady, including her efforts to expand opportunities for girls.

Young Agnes feels called to a religious life and eventually travels to India as a nun. This illustrated biography follows Mother Teresa’s work caring for people facing poverty and illness, and the charitable community she builds around that mission.

Inspired by his sister’s music lessons, young Mozart begins playing and composing while still a child. This illustrated biography follows his early performances and musical development, introducing readers to the composer behind celebrated symphonies and operas.

After moving from Jamaica to London, Olive Morris encounters racism and witnesses police brutality. This illustrated biography follows her community activism, her defense of Black people’s rights and her determination to challenge injustice in Britain.

Diana’s concern for others shapes her life from childhood through her years as a princess. This illustrated biography introduces her public charitable work, including support for people with AIDS and campaigns against landmines, alongside her personal struggles.

Young Shakira fills her days with singing, songwriting and dancing, but her first album finds little success. This illustrated biography follows her persistence, international music career and efforts to improve educational opportunities for children in Colombia.

As a boy, Stephen Hawking looks at the stars and wonders how the universe works. This illustrated biography follows his studies at Oxford and Cambridge and the scientific curiosity that leads to his research into black holes.

Steve Irwin grows up helping his parents care for injured wildlife in Australia. This illustrated biography follows his work with crocodiles, his television career and his efforts with his family to protect animals and their habitats.

Vanessa Nakate sees how drought and climate change harm families in Uganda and begins campaigning for action. This illustrated biography follows her international activism and her determination to ensure African communities are heard in the climate movement.

Growing up in Baghdad, Zaha Hadid is curious about design and creates her own bedroom layout. This illustrated biography follows her architectural education, her distinctive ideas and her journey toward designing buildings around the world.

Young Antoine de Saint-Exupéry dreams of flying while enjoying books, experiments and writing. This illustrated biography follows his adventures as a pilot and the experiences that help shape his stories, including his creation of The Little Prince.

Quiet young Beyoncé loves singing and dancing, finding confidence through performance. This illustrated biography follows her journey from local talent shows to Destiny’s Child and a solo career, alongside her work beyond the stage.

Shy young Kylie Minogue loves music but initially struggles to perform in front of others. This illustrated biography follows her growing confidence, television acting and return to singing as she builds an international pop career.

Young Lenny Henry entertains his family by copying television characters and uses humor to confront bullying. This illustrated biography follows his comedy and acting career, his campaigning for inclusion and his part in founding Comic Relief.

Growing up in Montréal, Leonard Cohen notices beauty in ordinary things and finds comfort in writing after his father’s death. This illustrated biography follows his poetry, travels and eventual move into songwriting, tracing the development of his artistic voice.