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 kiddos about their legacies! Check out these 13 children's books that celebrate women in history.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
Written by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, illustrated by 60 female artists
This wildly popular children’s book offers 100 stories on 100 amazing women from history, including the likes of Cleopatra, Frida Kahlo, Julia Child, Joan Jett, and Michelle Obama, and many more. And it’s illustrated by more than 60 women artists worldwide! If you’ve already devoured this book and crave more, there’s a Volume 2, Rebel Girls Climate Warriors, one focussed on immigrant women, another that shares stories of Black women, and others!
A is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World
Written 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 ABCs pays tributes to some of the legendary ladies who have blazed trails, broken glass ceilings, and changed lives. And, because it’s a board book, the littlest kiddos can enjoy!
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
Written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky
How many women in science can your kiddo name? Well, after pouring over this colorful and engaging best-selling book, they’ll be able to name 50 amazing female engineers, biologists, mathematicians, and physicists! And maybe, just maybe, this book will inspire your daughter to become number 51.
Malala’s Magic Pencil
Written by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët
It’s impossible to learn about Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani peace activist, and not feel inspired by her bravery. In her beautifully illustrated book, Nobel Peace Prize winner Yousafzai shows kids of all ages that no one is too young—or too old, for that matter—to make the world a better place.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909
Written by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This picture book biography details the story of a young Ukrainian immigrant named Clara Lemlich who worked dawn till dusk in a garment factory under appalling conditions. Fed up and ready for change, she led the largest walkout of women workers America had ever seen. Truly inspiring!
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
Written by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
When the Apollo 13 astronauts famously said, “Houston, we have a problem,” Katherine Johnson, a whip-smart mathematician, used her calculations in orbital mechanics to help save the day. This colorful book tells her brave story.
Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La Juez que Crecio en el Bronx
Written by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez
This books shares the inspiring story of Sonya Sotomayor, who grew up in poverty in the Bronx and became the first Latina 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
Written by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
When Eugenie Clark was a child and saw a shark for the first time, she wanted to learn everything she could about these graceful creatures. Despite numerous obstacles, Clark went on to fulfill her shark dreams, teaching the world that sharks are better admired than feared—and that women can do whatever they set their minds to!
Here Come the Girl Scouts!
Written by Shana Corey, illustrated by Hadley Hooper
Whether you’ve got a Scout at home or not, kids will love learning the astounding story of how Girl Scouts came to be. The book tells the tale of one Victorian-era woman who refused to sit at home and be prim and proper. Instead, she spearheaded Girl Scouts and showed the world that girls can be great adventurers while serving their communities, too.
Dinosaur Lady
Written by Linda Skeers, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Dinosaurs are very much a girl thing! This book shares the story of Mary Anning, a bright and curious girl who discovered countless astonishing fossil near her home in England. Her sharp mind and numerous finds were so remarkable that they helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology!
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code
Written by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu
It was Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist, who taught computers how to, essentially, “speak English.” She also coined the term “computer bug,” and left her brilliant fingerprints all over computer coding. Oh, and she was a Navy rear admiral, too! This woman is fierce, bold, and incredibly bright. You and your child will be inspired!
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Maya Lin is a Chinese-American architect who shot to fame when, as a college student, her design for the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial won a national competition. Today, her breathtaking work now stands in Washington DC. In this book, children will adore learning about Lin’s artistic upbringing and how her iconic design came to be.
Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win
Written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky
For all the little sports fans out there, this is a beautiful story collection featuring 50 pioneering female athletes from the 1800s to modern-day Olympians. Kids will be raring to get active after reading about trailblazers in soccer, tennis, roller derby, archery, bodybuilding, and beyond!
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