13 Kids' Books That Celebrate Amazing Women in History
From artists and scientists to activists and inventors, incredible women have helped change almost every aspect of modern life—and it’s never too soon to teach your kids about their legacies! Check out these 13 children's books that celebrate women in history.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
This wildly popular children's book started as a Kickstarter campaign. The hardcover book offers 100 stories on 100 amazing women from history and is illustrated by more than 60 women artists worldwide.
A is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen, illustrated by Derek Desierto
From A-melia Earhart to X-traordinary Y-ou and your Z-illion of adventures to come, the fashionista’s A-B-C’s pays tributes to some of the legendary ladies who have blazed trails, broken glass ceilings, and changed lives.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
If you asked your child how many women in science they could name, what would they say? Well, with this colourful and engaging book, they'd say 50. And maybe, just maybe, this book will inspire your daughter to become 51!
Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët
It is impossible to learn about Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani peace activist, and not feel inspired by her bravery. In her beautifully illustrated book, Yousafzai shows kids of all ages that no one is too young or too old to make the world a better place.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
In 1909 a young Ukrainian immigrant named Clara Lemlich led the largest strike in US history. It was called the Shirtwaist Makers Strike, and it was in protest of the mistreatment of immigrant workers, particularly girls and women. This children's book details her story.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
When Apollo 13 famously said, "Houston, we have a problem," Katherine Johnson, a whip-smart mathematician, would use her calculations in orbital mechanics to help save the day. This colourful book tells her brave story.
Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La Juez que Crecio en el Bronx, by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez
Sonya Sotomayor is the incredible and inspiring story of a young Hispanic girl who grew up in poverty in the Bronx. She would later become a U.S. Supreme Court Judge, proving that nothing could hold her back. This bilingual book celebrates her accomplishments in both Spanish and English.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Would you ever swim with sharks? When Eugenie Clark was a kid, she saw a shark in an aquarium and began to dream big. Then, when the world told her that girls couldn't swim with sharks because they are scary and ugly, Clark went out to prove them all wrong.
Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure by Shana Corey, illustrated by Hadley Hooper
This is the astonishing story of how one Victorian-era girl refused to sit at home and be prim and proper. She wanted to show the world that girls can be adventurers while simultaneously serving their communities. So, she founded the Girls Scouts. Talk about girl power!
Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
When we think of paleontology, we might be under the impression that it's been mostly men who have discovered dinosaur bones and artifacts deep within the earth. But it was Mary Anning, a bright and curious girl, who helped found the science of paleontology after she made countless astonishing fossil finds near her home in England. She proved that girls could be extraordinary scientists.
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu
Grace Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist who taught computers to "speak English." She coined the term "computer bug," and she made countless improvements and inventions in the world of computer coding. She was also a Navy rear admiral. This woman was fierce and bold and incredibly bright.
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Maya Lin is an American architect who shot to fame when she was still a college student. Lin won a national competition for the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial that now stands in Washington DC.
Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win by Rachel Ignotofsky
For all the little sports fans out there, this is a beautiful collection of women in sports. It covers trailblazing women from record breakers to Olympians and improbable stories of overcoming obstacles as far back in history as the 1800s to modern-day gold medal achievements.
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