by Linda Skeers, Copyright © The Institute Inc.

Are you inspired or motivated by a famous or historical person? Do you want to introduce a child to a historical hero and role model? Do you pull your hair and run away screaming when you think about doing the massive research necessary to write a biography?

If you feel daunted and intimidated by writing a full-length biography, take heart. Think picture book length. By zooming in on one fascinating facet of someone's life, you can expose children to that person without devoting years of your life to exhaustive research. Think of that person's whole life as a pie while you concentrate on one single slice.


Choose Their Childhood

Children love hearing about what historical and famous people were like as children. They may discover they like the same things or look at life through similar eyes.

In MINTY -- A STORY OF YOUNG HARRIET TUBMAN, Alan Schroeder tells the captivating story of a young girl with a dream of freedom. Harriet "Minty" Tubman is shown as a bold, outspoken child of slavery, determined to make a difference.

Kathryn Lasky gives us a glimpse into the boyhood of one of our most famous storytellers. A BRILLIANT STREAK -- THE MAKING OF MARK TWAIN highlights events in Twain's youth that influenced him in his literary career.

Can you imagine the composer Handel as a child? M.T. Anderson captured his spirit in his book HANDEL WHO KNEW WHAT HE LIKED. It's a look at a mischievous child who once smuggled a clavichord into the attic when his father refused to let him study music. His determination shines through as he refused to give up on his dream.

ELEANOR by Barbara Cooney shows what Eleanor Roosevelt's life was like long before she became First Lady. She was a lonely child living among the wealthy during the turn of the century. Children will be drawn to her spunk!


Unlikely and Unusual Heroes

History is full of wonderful characters that have made contributions or changed lives. People that children can learn from and look up to. People like Bill Pickett.

Bill who? BILL PICKETT -- RODEO-RIDIN' COWBOY by Andrea Pinkney is a rip-roaring look at cowboys of the Old West. Bill Pickett invented 'bulldogging' when he was only ten years old by biting a steer in the lip and bringing it to the ground. Pickett grew up to be the most famous black performer on the rodeo circuit and the first African American inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Satchel Paige had a lifetime of "firsts". Lesa Cline-Ransome in her book SATCHEL PAIGE portrays highlights of the first African American to pitch in a World Series and to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Kids will love learning how Paige started pitching as a kid by throwing rocks at chickens when his mom needed a plump one for dinner!

Shana Corey's delightful book YOU FORGOT YOUR SKIRT, AMELIA BLOOMER! brings us an unusual and spunky heroine. Amelia Bloomer rebelled against the uncomfortable "proper" ladylike fashions of her day. It's a fun look back at the early days of women's rights and one of the women who changed the future of fashion forever.


One Defining Moment

Don't become overwhelmed by every detail of a person's life. Pinpoint one specific event that boldly characterizes someone's personality.

David A. Adler does this to perfection in his book AMERICA'S CHAMPION SWIMMER -- GERTRUDE ENDERLE. Enderle's fierce determination to swim the English Channel faster than any man is evident throughout her story. The spotlight shines on the historic details of that famous event.

Karen B. Winnick chose a unique slant in her book MR. LINCOLN'S WHISKERS. It's based on actual letters written in October 1860 from young Grace Bedell to Abraham Lincoln advising him to grow a beard -- and his reply. It's a snippet of Lincoln's life children probably aren't familiar with.


Personality Traits to Treasure

Are you awed by someone's honesty, generosity or determination? How can you share a strong personality with young readers so their spirit practically leaps off the page?

Bravery. Daring. Strength. These are a few of the words that come to mind when you read Andrea Davis Pinkney's DEAR BENJAMIN BANNEKER. Banneker was born free when most blacks were slaves. He was an astronomer, mathematician and scientist. His courage and determination are shown when he wrote to the Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson in 1791 to voice his views on the horrors and injustice of slavery. This is the story of their heartfelt correspondence.

LOU GEHRIG -- THE LUCKIEST MAN by David A. Adler does not dwell on his disease and death, but rather on his remarkable character, stamina and determination. These traits helped Gehrig cope with the biggest battle of his life -- being diagnosed with a fatal disease.

DUKE ELLINGTON by Andrea Davis Pinkney shows what you can accomplish with a heart dose of determination and inner strength. Ellington became one of America's greatest composers and his contributions to jazz music are legendary. All because he was determined to share the "feel of the music" with others -- despite the hardships and obstacles in his way.


People and Places

Are you interested in an important time period in history? Did a small article in an old newspaper catch your eye? Little known historical tidbits make great foundations for compelling stories.

FREEDOM SUMMER by Deborah Wiles is based on a true event. When the Civil Rights Act of 1964 opened public swimming pools to all races, one town filled their pool with tar rather than allow blacks and whites to swim together. Segregation, prejudice and civil rights are brought to life by two boys and their friendship during a difficult time in American history.

Doreen Rappaport's FREEDOM RIVER is based on the true story of John Parker -- a courageous man determined to help a slave family escape along the Underground Railway. Details of their escape draw the reader in to the plight of the characters.

A BAND OF ANGELS by Deborah Hopkinson is based on the Jublilee Singers. This singing group refused to quit in the face of adversity and continued to perform songs born in the days of slavery -- powerful, emotional songs. It goes beyond the Jubilee Singers to tackle issues such as racism, poverty, education and the power of music.


Facts and Fiction Swirled Together

Sometimes the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred. When a factual event is explored from a fictional view, a new type of story emerges.

A good example is Pam Munoz's AMELIA AND ELEANOR GO FOR A RIDE. Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt take to the skies for a night flight after a White House dinner in April 1933. In the Author's Note are the "facts" the author worked with and the reasons some things were omitted or changed. The book captures the daring and adventurous spirit of these two women.

Louise Borden took a unique view of the early days of aviation in her book GOOD-BYE, CHARLES LINDBERGH. The book is based on Harold Rea Gilpin, a Mississippi farm boy who saw Lindbergh fly over his father's farm. In the book, character Gil Wickstrom is in Mississippi in 1929. Borden captures the awe a boy has for his hero, and the reader comes away with a sense of the wonder and excitement Lindbergh stirred in the nation.

Michael Bedard doesn't simply tell readers about poet Emily Dickinson. In EMILY, a little girl lives across the street from a mysterious recluse in a yellow house. Through her eyes readers get a glimpse of the poet's quiet life.

Don't be intimidated by researching every detail of a person's life from birth to death. Pick an important trait or defining moment and narrow your focus. By using a small slice of life, writers can introduce readers to an amazing array of historical heroes and fascinating figures.

Linda Skeers is a former school and public librarian. She is currently working on fiction and nonfiction projects. This article can be found in the "Writing Tips" section of the Institute for Children's Literature.