Find a compelling subject for a biography. Talk to teachers and find out if there are historical figures they'd like more information about. Ask kids which people interest them. Read through histories and look for characters who deserve their own story. Find people whose life stories inspire you.
Research the subject. Read through old newspapers and books. Visit museums and historical sites. Try to talk to people who knew the biographical figure. In her biography of Puritan Anne Hutchison, author Joan Kane Nichols drew on trial transcripts, journals and letters.
Organize your facts. Make sure you've covered major topics. You'll need information about the subject's birthplace, family life and educational background. Include major events that influenced her life and struggles she overcame.
Write a first draft. A biography for kids is often shorter than one for adults. Many biographies range from 40 to 96 pages long. Find a book directed to a similar age group as your biography and try to match the length.
Show the first draft to kids. Ask them what parts are interesting and what parts slow. Make sure they understand what they're reading. You want to make sure you're directing your story to the right age group. Show the first draft to teachers and parents. Read the manuscript out loud and listen to how the words sound.
Write another draft. And another, until the book is as polished as possible. The simplicity of a good biography for kids can disguise the hard work that went into writing it. Make your biography as good as it can be.