Women’s history picture books for kids

Jan 15, 2024 Ellipse 37

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March has just begun, and you know what that means: Women’s History Month is here! It’s time to celebrate all the contributions of women throughout history and across the globe. No matter what your child’s gender, they can learn a lot from women’s achievements in the past.

The National Women’s History Alliance best sums up why every child can benefit from learning women’s history, stating.

“History must tell the whole story. For girls, knowing women’s achievements expands their sense of what is possible. For all of us, knowledge of women’s strengths and contributions builds respect and nourishes self-esteem — crucial to all children and adults now, and in the years to come.”

Celebrating the achievements of all kinds of people helps kids grow into young global citizens with true respect for others. It also expands your child’s mind and prepares them for life in a diverse and increasingly globalized world. Without further ado, here are Wondrfly’s Women’s History Day Book Recommendations for Kids!

She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton

The Book

This storybook, by former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton, profiles the lives of 13 amazing and diverse women and their contributions to American history.

Why it Matters

It’s so important for young people to have role models, regardless of their gender. She Persisted presents girls with a solid selection of representation in a variety of fields, across several races, religions, cultures, and heritages. It’s a great place for your little one to start looking for the inspiration to achieve their dreams.

She Persisted is available on Amazon, here.

Because Claudette by Tracy Baptiste

The Book

Many people know the story of Rosa Parks, but less commonly heard is the tale of Claudette Colvin, a fifteen-year-old girl who, like Parks, refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a bus. However, Colvin’s civil disobedience took place on March 2nd of 1955, while Parks’ occurred nearly 7 months later on December 1st. In fact, Claudette’s decision not to surrender her seat was the actual instigating event of the Mongomery Bus Boycott, not Parks’, as many people believe.

Why it Matters

Kids need to know that they’re never too young to start standing up for what they believe is right. Knowing that a teenage girl’s actions inspired an entire protest movement will convince them of this beyond a doubt.

Because Claudette is available on Amazon, here.

What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett

The Book

This is the story of Maria Mitchell, the first-ever woman to become a professional astronomer. It’s a terrific pick for kids who crave scientific, investigative activities.

Why it Matters

Girls are all too commonly underrepresented and underserved in fields such as science and mathematics, as well as many others. This tale of a woman breaking into a heretofore exclusively male space shows kids that there are no limits to what they can achieve.

What Miss Mitchell Saw is available on Amazon, here.

Muslim Girls Rise by Saira Mir

The Book

This anthology contains brief, pithy, and easy-to-digest biographies of 19 Muslim women who overcame significant obstacles to achieve their goals in the 20th century.

Why it Matters

The obvious benefit of this book for young Muslim girls is that they get to see themselves represented in potential role models from a variety of backgrounds. For others, it offers an important look into the accomplishments of people we may not often hear about, because of their marginalized status in the West.

Muslim Girls Rise is available on Amazon, here.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

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The Book

This simplified, picture-book version of the famous and lauded book, Hidden Figures, is the story of four black, female mathematicians who overcame both sexism and racism to participate in NASA’s most successful projects.

Why it Matters

Sadly, there’s often a lack of intersectionality in children’s literature. People are often portrayed as having one simple obstacle to overcome, or one “label” that makes them “different”. This just isn’t the case. Most people have intersecting qualities that cause them to experience struggles or barriers because of societal norms. This book helps expose kids to intersectional feminism by showing how different types of discrimination, such as racism and sexism, can interconnect, and what those experiences are like.

Hidden Figures is available on Amazon, here.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy

The Book

This book emphasizes the achievements of the late, great Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by taking kids on a journey through her dissenting arguments throughout history.

Why it Matters

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s story reminds kids that they shouldn’t be afraid to stick to what they believe in, even if it means standing out from the crowd, or not having the most popular opinion. It also teaches kids how to respectfully express their differences and disagreements.

I Dissent is available on Amazon, here.

Looking for more ways to get your child reading? Check out Wondrfly’s blog on storybook-inspired, fun, and educational activities your child can do at home. Remember, if you live in the Jersey City of Hoboken area, Wondrfly is the top new tool to help you find kids’ activities near you. Search our platform today, and start exploring what your local area has to offer!