Presidents Books for Kids: Picture Book Biographies

Whether you are looking for some good President's Day books for the kids or just want to explore a little more about each of the presidents these picture book biographies will entertain and inform.

We love these books for classroom use because each of them uses a unique approach to teaching kids about the presidents. Some of them take a wide-angle approach to the leader, but some zoom in on a particular aspect with illuminates the kind of person they were.

Note: this post contains affiliate links that earn commission from qualifying purchases.

For older children: Presidential biographies for middle school that teach critical thinking

George Washington

Action Presidents: George Washington by Fred Van Lente, illustrated by Ryan Dunlavey. For kids who love to get their facts and stories in a comic book format, the Action Presidents series is a good place to start. Lente and Dunlavely fit a surprising amount of information and juicy tidbits in an amusing and entertaining package. (So far there are also Action President books about Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and JFK)

Dear Mr. Washington by Lynn Cullen, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. This is a funny picture book about the children of George Stuart, George Washington's portraitist. The story contains fun details about the life in the 18th century as described in the epistolary narrative by Charlotte Stuart.

John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith. Yes, I do realize that John and Paul were never president. This book is best appreciated by kids who already know their history, and also by adults. I always appreciate a children's book with jokes adults will find humorous. The book takes well-known characteristics about the men (Hancock's signature, Washington and the cherry tree, etc.) and turns them into a witty joke. Notes at the end of the book separate fact from fiction.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kaiman. I like Kaiman's balanced look at Jefferson. She discusses his intellectual life, friendships with the other "Founding Fathers," as well as contradictions such as the disconnect between his views on slavery and his actual practices. Kaiman's whimsical, colorful illustrations take readers on a journey through Jefferson's life that, unlike many picture book presidential biographies is not overwritten.

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by John O'Brien. This presidential biography celebrates Jefferson's intense love of books. It traces his life as it relates to books and his love of reading, from his origins and a book-loving kids to a father who insisted his kids read, to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, his Presidency and the founding of the Library of Congress. This is a lively discussion and portrait and includes an author's note with more detailed information.

MORE: Civics and government books for middle schoolers

John Quincy Adams

Dangerous Crossing: The Revolutionary Voyage of John Quincy Adams by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Greg Harlin. Here's a presidential adventure tale! This book tells the story of how, in 1778, John Adams took his son on a secret mission to France. I found this to be a fascinating and engaging tale about an event I knew nothing about. Vivid and detailed text describes the hardships as well as excitement of the voyage and the atmospheric illustrations add to the experience.

James Madison

Dolley Madison Saves George Washington is a nice change from the usual presidential biography. Life in politics is not all about making laws and fighting with Congress. Dolley was a popular first lady, whom many underestimated and wrote off as a "socialite." It was Dolley, however, who stepped up to the plate as the soldiers fled the White House during the War of 1812 and rescued valuable state papers from the mansion, as well as the now-famous portrait of the first Commander-in-Chief. Great fun but also a serious look at the importance of courage.

Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (and the Country) by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer, illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Not only is this a clever and quirky approach to a biography of the 19th century's greatest president, but it suggests that we all might approach life with a little humor.

Abe Lincoln's Dream. I'm a big fan of Lane Smith's illustrations, although I sometimes think as an author he doesn't quite hit the mark. However, I really enjoyed his unique take on Lincoln's story. A young African-American girl meets Lincoln's ghost on a White House tour. The two of them go flying across the country and share their dreams, both large and small, while also telling jokes. Quincy (the girl) fills Abe in on some of the progress the country has made, while also suggesting more progress is necessary.

MORE: Big list of books about African-American history

The Roosevelts

Teedie: The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt by Don Brown tells the story of Teddy as frail but intelligent boy who relied on his strong mind to overcome the shortcomings of his health. (He was asthmatic and didn't even know how nearsighted he was until the age of 13!) The focus is on Teddy's youth, but the book covers his rise as a child of one of New York's wealthiest families (I dislike when books gloss over the privileged background of many of the country's leaders; thankfully this book did not do that.) all the way through to his becoming a leading political figure and eventually the president.

The Camping Trip that Changed America by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mordecai Gerstein. After reading a book by naturalist John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt sought out the man to show him the wilderness. The two men went on a solo camping trip in Yosemite Valley (a gorgeous place I highly recommend visiting) and Muir regaled Roosevelt with stories of his experience as well as discussing the importance of protecting the land from development. The result of the trip was that Roosevelt went back to Washington and started a campaign to preserve the wilderness.  Gerstein's illustrations are full of movement that mirrors the exuberant, boyish fun the two men have on their adventure.

Amelia And Eleanor Go For A Ride. by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick. You would be hard pressed to discuss the years of FDR without mentioning his formidable wife. I love this book which captures Eleanor Roosevelt's adventurous, convention-defying spirit. In 1933, two convention-defying, risk-loving women sneak away from a stuffy dinner party and go for the ride in the sky! Brian Selznick's black and white pencil illustrations capture the era perfectly.

MORE: Picture book biographies of women in politics

John F. Kennedy

Kennedy Through the Lens: How Photography and Television Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Leader by Martin W. Sandler. This is a text heavy book that is geared for middle school kids and up but I found it fascinating and my kids enjoyed looking at the photos and we used them to discuss Kennedy's legacy as a President and the big role the visual media plays in current presidential life. My astute 10 year old drew parallels between JFK's children and the Obama girls. It's also a gorgeous book.

MORE: Books about the Civil Rights Movement

Barack Obama

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier. Acclaimed poet Nikki Grimes penned this biography within the framework of a mother and son watching Obama on the television, and the mother then telling the story of Obama's youth. The story focuses on Obama's childhood experiences in Hawaii, Indonesia, his relationship with his father and his search for a way to try and bring people together. A great talking point with your kids after reading this book would be how they view their own community, and what kind of leadership role they can take in it.

Books about All the Presidents

Yo Millard Fillmore!: (And all those other Presidents you don't know) by Will Cleveland and Mark Alvarez, illustrated by Tate Nation. This is not actually a picture book, yet my older son did enjoy looking through it even though he describes himself as "not that into history." Lots of random facts about each man and a clever way for remembering everyone's names keeps kids interested.

Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems About Our Presidents by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by John Hendrix. This look at the presidents through poetry is a fun addition to your President's Day reading. I don't really recommend reading them all at once; it can be a bit overwhelming, but use the book as a supplement or read a few poems each day. Since we incorporate poetry in our daily life, this was a fun book for us. An author's note includes a very brief biography of each man.

MORE: Books about elections and voting