10 Best Children Books to Celebrate International Women's Day
Every year, on the 8th of March, International Women's Day is celebrated to put the spotlight on the achievements of women around the world. A significant way to celebrate is by sharing books and stories about inspirational women through out the world who have made and continue to make a difference.
Before we dive in, let's have a look back at some of the sobering reminders why this celebration is so important. if you are like me, you'll wonder about the effrontery of some of the anectodal evidence shared here, given that it's 2023 not 1623.
Sometimes I despair. Sometimes I quake with disbelief. Being mum to 3 girls in a world which has so much learning to do about the basic need for gender equality gives me so much to ponder over...not forgetting the small matter of ensuring their intersectionality never puts them at a disadvantage.
Did you know that according to The Bogen Project, less than 40% of countries offer girls & boys equal access to education. The same project also found that, of the 770million illiterate people in the world, two thirds are women. Additionally, a UN Women report found that only 39% have equal proportions enrolled in secondary education.
According to In 2022, the U.K. gender pay gap was 6.6%? Time to break the bias. Equal pay for equal work surely must be the norm. Its too far in the day for lots of talk and performative nonsense. Just pay women already.
The story of bias gets even more bleak when intersectionality is thrown into the mix. Lets take the intersectionality of Black or Minority Ethnic Women in the UK for instance. 44% of this demographic report having been unfairly criticised whilst 37% report being subjected to excessive scrutiny or surveillance. This Trade Union Congress report found that 21% of Black and Minority Ethnic women felt they had been unfairly singled out for redundancy.
Need I share more? I thought not.
The above and tons of other instances show that the world still has a fair way to go before we attain gender equality let alone gender equity. Yet, there are ways we can make sure the next generation has better outcomes than us. Reading books to amplify the voices of women and normalise their greatness is one way. Below is a list of 10 children's books we found which fit perfectly with today's celebration.
1. First up is "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo for older kids 7-10years old with 100 stories about women who changed the world, from Ada Lovelace to Malala Yousafzai. A Kickstarter project which raised a whopping $675,614 ($635,614 over its goal of $40,000), each story is accompanied by a beautiful illustration, making it a great bedtime read. There is also an abridged version for children in the Early Years. It's never too early to start the work of gender equality. Bring your home or school library up to par with this brilliant addition.
2. In Malala's Magic Pencil, she recounts her true story in a way which makes it very accessible to young readers. In her account, Malala hopes readers will realize that every pencil can be magic because the real magic is “in you, in your words, in your voice.” Her most powerful message of ‘One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.’ comes through loudly throughout the book. So do the ability to speak up for others who can't speak for themselves and seeing boys and girls as equals. If there ever was a fantastic recommendation for today, this would be it. Malala's Magic Pencil cuts through several layers of diversity - a young person, a woman, a person of minority ethnic origin, A Muslim. A must have for every school or home library.
3. Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World could not have been written by anyone better than Kate Pankhurst, descendent of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst. In this recount, Kate Pankhurst created a highly wonderful and accessible book about women who really changed the world. Dive in to discover some incredible facts about some of the most amazing women on our planet, from incredible explorer and pilot Amelia Earhart and medical pioneer Mary Seacole, to fashion legend Coco Chanel to scientist Marie Curie, civil rights activist Rosa Parks and superstar novelist Jane Austen! This superb book has gone on to become an entire series and a hit musical! Its not one to miss!
4. I first came across Dreams for Our Daughters when I met Ruth Doyle's (the author) daughter in a Facebook Group where she advertised the book. Pitched as a glorious way of encouraging young girls to become leaders and believe in their worth and potential, I was sold from the get go. Having 3 girls made it an easy sell if I'm being honest. Reading it leaves you with this warm fuzzy feeling as it engages and inspires the reader to be and become all of themselves. Every daughter deserves to read this book not just mine. Whilst Dreams for Our Daughters has a suggested reading age of 3-7, I found even yours truly, a middle-aged mama was super empowered by this gem.
5. Michelle's Garden: Former First Lady Michelle Obama had a big, inspiring and exciting idea. Something she'd never done before. Something which wasn't going to be easy. She wanted to grow the largest kitchen garden ever at the White House. But she'd never gardened before! Where should she start? What tools did she need? What would she plant? This lighthearted and inspiring book teaches children that we all need help sometimes when learning things for the first time even if you are the First Lady of the United States. With the help of local students, staff at the White House and even Mr President himself, they didn't just grow a garden, they inspired a nation.
6. Who Do I See In The Mirror: Vese Aghoghovbia's picture book is a simple yet powerful book in which Philly, a little girl embarks on a journey to find out what makes her special. It reminds children to love who they are and that they are much more than their physical appearance. Who Do I See in the Mirror is a brilliant way to educate little girls on self-love and self-worth. Head over to the Philly and Friends website for a range of beautiful diverse gifts to accompany the book.
7. Who is Kamala Harris?: Whilst it's good to learn of women who inspired in the generations before, room must be made for contemporary inspirational trailblazers. As a politician, Kamala Harris has been a vocal champion of progressive reforms and women's rights. This exciting story details the defining moments of what led to her nomination and all the monumental ones since that have shaped her career and the future of America. Who is Kamala Harris is the perfect way for the younger generation to learn about the inspiring journey of Kamala Harris, the first Black Woman to be the Vice President of the United States of America who has never been afraid to speak her mind—and we're all the better for it.
8. I am Frida Kahlo: This book features Frida Kahlo, the renowned Mexican painter and activist. The survivor of a bus crash, she made her impact in art history for her unique way of looking at the world and integrating her own image and life into her paintings. A fun biography focusing on the traits which make our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. It recounts in a conversational way that works brilliantly for the youngest nonfiction readers making sure to always include the hero's childhood influences which is something young readers can especially relate to. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos. Whether your child(ren) is art-loving or not, this is a fabulous work of non-fiction to encourage and inspire living life on one's own terms.
9. Fantastically Great Women Who Made History is the eagerly awaited follow-up to Kate Pankhurst's mega successful non-fiction title, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World. None other than the descendant of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, this wonderfully accessible book for boys and girls alike is about the accomplishments and adventures of many more brilliant women from throughout history including:
- Harriet Tubman and her travel adventures in the Underground Railroad
- Mary Shelley, the incredibly talented author of the brilliant Frankenstein
- Valentina Tereshkova, the astronaut
- Noor Inayat Khan, Britain's first Muslim war heroine, a resistance agent in France during WWII
- Josephine Baker, the singer, dancer actress
10: Lubna and Pebble is a subtle yet powerfully told story which addresses the refugee crisis and really paints a picture for young readers about the impact of losing one's home and friends, wonder about where you will live, and wait for change in an uncertain world. For girls and boys, the story of Lubna and Pebble, in which Lubna finds a pebble and a felt-tip pen, gives Pebble a face, and gains a companion, helps children keep in mind that one of the simplest things they can do is to be kind and compassionate to others.
If you would like bundles or boxes of diverse and inclusive books like the above, please visit this collection for schools and corporates. What books are you reading this International Women's Day? Share your recommendations in the comments.