Are you studying the women who’ve left lasting legacies in the world of literature in your homeschool? You’re in luck: I’m sharing our favorite children’s books about women authors to help you learn.
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Some of these children’s books about women are ideal for younger readers while some are geared toward upper elementary and middle school kids.
Also, most of these books tell the stories of women authors who have inspired readers from many generations, but some on this list shine the spotlight on modern day women writers.
Regardless which of these books you dive into, I’m confident you and your kiddos will love digging into the stories of the incredible women celebrated in these pages.
Children’s Books About Women Authors
Before we jump into the book list, keep in mind that this list doesn’t come close to representing all women authors. That said, I’m watching and ready to update this list whenever new kid-friendly books come along. Until then, here are my favorite reading selections about women authors.
Also, the links in the overviews below all lead to Amazon. If you prefer to support local bookstores through your purchases, see my Bookshop.org list. It has most of these titles, plus lots of extras not covered here.
1. Harriet Beecher Stowe and the Beecher Preachers
You’re likely familiar with Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, but are you familiar with how it came to be? Harriet Beecher Stowe and the Beecher Preachers tells the remarkable story in chapter book form and inspires readers to speak out against injustice and evil however they can.
If you have a hard time finding it, look for Who Was Harriet Beecher Stowe?. It’s another good biography option for kids wanting to explore her story.
2. Rise: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou
Although it’s a picture book, Rise! is a wonderful way for older kids to learn about Maya Angelou’s early years in Arkansas, her work as an activist, and her prolific poetic and literary offerings.
There’s also a Maya Angelou book in the Little People, Big Dreams series. It’s an ideal option for exploring Angelou’s life and work with early elementary kiddos.
3. House of Dreams: The Life of L.M. Montgomery
Do you have an Anne of Green Gables fan in your family? I certainly do; that’s why I can’t wait to introduce my kids to House of Dreams. With more than 300 pages, it’s a great way to lean about Lucy Maud Montgomery, the incredible author who brought it all to life.
Want more reading suggestions about L.M. Montgomery? Look for Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat, the Little People, Big Dreams book about her, and Lucy Maud Montgomery: Creator of Anne of Green Gables from the I Can Read series.
4. Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
This one is a lovely picture book biography if you want to explore the life and literary impact of Jane Austen, my personal favorite of these women authors. Better yet, it features charming illustrations, a timeline, and popular quotes from Austen’s novels.
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen isn’t your only option for learning about this English novelist. Here are some others to consider:
- Who Was Jane Austen?
- Jane Austen (Little People, Big Dreams)
- Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel
- Jane Austen for Kids: Her Life, Writings, and World with 21 Activities
5. Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird
Don’t want to wait until the middle school or high school years to introduce your kids to To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee? With Alabama Spitfire they can get to know the groundbreaking author now and become acquainted with her story and how it influenced her bestselling novel.
Also worth noting, Tru and Nelle is a fictionalized account of Haper Lee’s friendship with Truman Capote. It’s a good reading option for older kids wanting to learn more about either of these famous writers.
6. Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary
Just Like Beverly is a nonfiction picture book that shines the spotlight on well-loved children’s author Beverly Cleary.
Got an older kid wanting to know more about Beverly Cleary? Her autobiography, A Girl from Yamhill, is a great read for middle grades and up.
7. Who Is J.K. Rowling
If you’ve got a Harry Potter fan in your family, Who Is J.K. Rowling? is definitely one to add to your reading list. It covers Rowling’s personal background and love of literature while also telling the story behind the Harry Potter series.
Can’t get enough of all things J.K. Rowling? I’ve got a J.K. Rowling Unit Study you’ll enjoy!
8. She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein
I love She Made a Monster! It’s a fun picture book about Mary Shelley and her most famous novel. It includes an author’s note with quite a bit of biographical information and boasts lovely illustrations.
Other Mary Shelley options include Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein, and Mary’s Monster (best for middle school and up), and Mary Shelley from the Little People, Big Dreams series.
9. Pioneer Girl
Not to be confused with Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiography by the same name, Pioneer Girl details Wilder’s childhood in picture book form.
You may also want to look for Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder? or Laura Ingalls Wilder: Young Pioneer if you’ve got an older kid who would prefer a more detailed Laura Ingalls Wilder biography.
10. Invincible Louisa
Invincible Louisa is a children’s biography about Little Women creator Louisa May Alcott. It’s around 200 pages and contains a detailed timeline at the end, making it a great choice for upper elementary and middle school kiddos who wish to learn more about this influential author.
If you can’t find Invincible Louisa, look for Stepping into Louisa May Alcott’s World, Lousia May’s Battle, or the Louisa May Alcott book from the Childhood of Famous Americans series.
11. The Brontes: Children of the Moors
The Brontes is a great picture book introduction to Anne, Charlotte, and Emily Bronte and their contributions to classic literature.
12. Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box
Step into the lovely world of Beatrix Potter with this book by David McPhail. It beautifully shares Potter’s story and how the English countryside inspired her to paint, write, and create an imaginative world with Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, and their fun-loving friends.
Prefer a chapter book Beatrix Potter biography? Who Was Beatrix Potter? is a great option for older kids who want to learn about the author of the beloved Peter Rabbit books.
Looking for more books about inspiring women who’ve made the world a better place? We’ve also got book lists about women in space and women artists. :)