WHAT IS BIOGRAPHYPresented by Marquita Lloyd

AndJoyce Roberts

What is the connection to children's literature?

The oldest children's books written were biographies

These books discussed and described the lives national and cultural heroes.

Today in the US, biographies are more inclusive and feature people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and walks of life.

Vietnam was the turning point in biographies. Exposure oriented journalism became the trend. This type of journalism delve below the surface resulting in a more realistic outcome. A more realistic picture of heroes has been the result.

What happened in the 1970’s

Since 1970 children have been given a wider representation of noteworthy people.

Jean Fritz wrote an authentic biography in 1973. “ There, what happened, Paul Revere”. She added key facts , keyed to specific

pages of the book. Her conversational writing style drew readers to the book.

Why include Biography in a literature program?

Children can learn from the lives of others.

They can see how a persons life choices render either a positive or negative result. Students can see the link between the subjects life in both a social and historical context.

Through biographies children come to understand the people who shaped history, created inventions, discovered scientific principles, composed music, crafted works of art, and contributed to their local communities.

How does Biography differ from Historical Fiction?

Historical fiction may tell the story using fictional characters. Historical biographies are about real

people and are based on known facts in a

historical context. Incidents, dialogue and people are not invented or imagined as they are in historical fiction

The evolution of Biography

Biographies for children were generally poorly written, details invented, and contained lots of exaggeration of the positive side of the subject. Earlier biographies were bland and unrealistic.

Cont’d

From ancient times the prevailing thought was that children should only be exposed to individuals of the highest moral character and values. In the first half of the twentieth century, the

subjects of most biographies were white males who were politicians are who contributed in some way to society. They were portrayed as persons of high moral character and good role models for children.

Current trends

The current trend in children's biographies is the publication of book series and collections.

These types of collections follow a

specific format and include the same types of information for each individual.

Types of Biographies

Partial BiographiesAuthors select a segment of a persons life

andexplores it in depth and detail. Complete BiographiesThe author recounts a persons life from

birth to the present or to a persons death. Collective BiographiesThese books describe the lives of several

people who have something in common.

Autobiographies and Memoirs

In both, writers write about themselves. Children learn how writers became

successful as writers. A memoir differs from a autobiography in

that it shares events from the authors life

based on his or her recollection. Memoirs are becoming increasingly

popular in children's literature.

Con’td

The lives of all kinds of peopleSubjects of biographies for children in this

categoryare about people past and present. They include Stories about people in all kinds of occupations

from aviators to zookeepers. Picture BooksText and illustrations are combined to portraya persons life. In these books ordinary people Experience extraordinary events and inspireothers with their courage and determination.

More about picture books

In the 80’s and 90’s Photo biographies became very popular and recognition was given to the picture book.

Fictionalization

It was believed that children should not be

exposed to the less savory realities of life such as discrimination violence or abuse. Fictionalization was an accepted practice in earlier biographies. Conversations, scenes. and events were added without historical facts.

Criteria for evaluating Biographies

Is the person someone whose life will be of interest to young readers?

Has the author presented the person in such a way that readers can identify with him or her as an authentic, believable human being?

Is the information about the person accurate?

Has the writer written in an engaging style?

How biographies work

Information is filtered through the mind of the writer.

It is up to the writer to decide what to include and what to omit from his writing.

Writers must also decide what to offer as truth and in what order of importance.

Major Writers of Biographies

David Adler Russell Friedman Jean Fritz Diane Stanley