BIOGRAPHY FOR CHILDREN
EECE 441
Spring 2003
P. Werre
A biography is the story of an individual’s life. However, a biography is more
than the factual account of a person’s life and accomplishments. A good biography
gives the reader insight into the character, motivating factors, and personality of the
individual. A good biography will capture the imagination of the reader and help them
to gain a greater understanding of others.
The study of biography will often lead the reader to recognize that the real lives of
individuals are more interesting and challenging than those of fictional characters.
Readers can be inspired by the struggles and accomplishments of real people.
Brief History of Biographies for Children
17th through 19th century (1600-1850)
 Affected by didactic themes of Puritan era, the Victorian emphasis on duty to
God and parents, the values associated wit the American frontier, and the belief
that children should be educated in a highly structured environment.
 Tools for religious, political, or social education.
 Reflected the belief that literature should save children’s souls.
mid-19th century (1850-1900)
 Acquisition of the American dream, i.e. power, fame, and wealth.
 Changed from a religious tool to a political tool.
Early 20th century (1900-1960)
 Emphasis on political freedom and democratic principles.
 Emphasis on moral development and responsibility toward others that resulted
in a sanitizing of biographies for children.
 Few biographies on women, African Americans, Native Americans and members
of other ethnic and racial minorities.
 Presented role models for political and social instruction.
 Biographies supported middle-class values and aspirations.
Late 20th century (1960-present)
 Traditional social, family, and personal values changed.
 More realistic depiction of subjects with a fuller and more honest treatment of
achievements and faults.
 Biographies of a variety of people, including women, minorities, great people
who were not famous, and ordinary people who did great things.
Evaluation Criteria for Children’s Biography
1. Does the biography meet the criteria for good literature? Emphasis of
characterization is of primary importance. Responsibility to portray their
subjects three-dimensionally.
2. Is the subject of the biography worth reading about?
3. Is the biography factually accurate in relation to characters, plots, and settings?
Are the events of a person’s life presented in a non-biased manner?
4. Does the biographer distinguish between fact and judgment and fact and fiction?
5. Does the biographer use primary sources when conducting research for the text?
Are these sources included in the bibliographies or other notes to the readers?
6. Does the biographer include photographs and other documents that increase the
credibility of the text?
7. If the biographer uses illustrations other than photographs, are the illustrations
accurate according to the life and time of the person?
8. Does the writing style appeal to readers?
9. Biographies for children should not simply be a slick series of texts published by
a publisher to sell to schools and libraries for the sole purpose of student book
reports.
Norton, Donna E. and Saundra E. Norton. Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature. 6th ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall, 2003.
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Biography for Children