Birthdayographies

Welcome to Birthdayographies, where we celebrate picture book biographies one birthday at a time. Currently, almost 700 books are included and new titles are added regularly. Search for a picture book biography about a particular subject, or find out who shares a birthday with you.

(Unfortunately, during the recent platform switch, not all book covers imported.)

**Please note that I have a backlog of new titles to be added. If you’ve sent me your book’s information, please be patient. I might be seeking an intern to help me catch up.

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Today's Birthdays

Aug. 13, 1860-Nov. 3, 1926

Bull’s-Eye: A Photobiography of Annie Oakley by Sue Macy (National Geographic Children’s Books, 2001)

This book hits the target with its engaging text, period photos and drawings.

The online version of the PBS documentary of Annie Oakley on American Experience offers a program transcript, timeline, values, posters from the Wild West Show and other fascinating facts.

Katharine Lee Bates, author of words to America the Beautiful
Aug. 12, 1859-Mar. 28, 1929

Purple Mountain Majesties: The Story of Katharine Lee Bates and “America the Beautiful” by Barbara Younger, illustrated by Stacey Schuett (Turtleback Books, 2002)

Where do ideas come from? In this case, from majestic scenery. Inspired by view from Pikes Peak, Katharine Lee Bates began to write a poem that would become a national treasure.

View images from Pikes Peak Web Cam operated by the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado,  for a sense of Bates’ wonder.