Toys & Books

30 Amazing Feminist Children’s Books Every Kid Should Read

written by Ojus Patel

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Photo by: @thewilddecoelis
Photo by: @thewilddecoelis

Feminism is something that always stirs up a bit of controversy, though at its root, the concept is very simple: feminism is the belief in full equality of sexes. If you share this belief and are a parent, you’ve undoubtedly been on the hunt for some awesome feminist children’s books, and there are plenty.

Here’s the thing, though. Reading about amazing women and the struggle of women shouldn’t just be for young girls. If the fight for equality is going to advance, it’s imperative that all people, and all children, are aware and committed to this belief. Believing in equality also includes helping young boys understand that they, too, have the ability to be who they are without having to fit into the archaic societal stereotype of a “big, strong, tough man.”

Researchers say children absorb stereotypes, including about gender roles, by age 3. Books have the power to open young minds to new perspectives and offer a broader sense of what the world can be. When children read books that break gender stereotypes, research has found they reach for less stereotypical toys and broaden their future goals.

Here are 30 of our favorite feminist children’s books for young children (and their parents).

Jessica Love
Julián Is a Mermaid
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Roda Ahmed & Stasia Burrington
Mae Among the Stars
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Jess Keating & Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
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Rhonda Leet & Megan Walker
Franny's Father Is a Feminist
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Christian Trimmer & Madeline Valentine
Teddy's Favorite Toy
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Chelsea Clinton & Alexandra Boiger
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
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Chelsea Clinton & Alexandra Boiger
She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History
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Debbie Levy & Elizabeth Baddeley
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
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Andrea Beatty & David Roberts
Rosie Revere, Engineer
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Andrea Beatty & David Roberts
Ada Twist, Scientist
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Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko
The Paper Bag Princess
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Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Paris Rosenthal & Holly Hatam
Dear Girl,: A Celebration of Wonderful, Smart, Beautiful You!
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Paris Rosenthal, Jason Rosenthal & Holly Hatam
Dear Boy,: A Celebration of Cool, Clever, Compassionate You!
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Jennifer Adams & Carme Lemniscates
I Am a Warrior Goddess
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Anna Membrino, Fatti Burke
I Look Up To Michelle Obama
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Julie Merberg
My First Book of Girl Power
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Joan Holub & Daniel Roode
This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer
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Cece Meng & Melissa Suber
Tough Chicks
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Vashti Harrison
Dream Big, Little One
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Kelly DiPucchio & LeUyen Pham
Grace for President
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Patricia Toht & Lorian Tu-Dean
Dress Like a Girl
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Grace Byers & Keturah A. Bobo
I Am Enough
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Malala Yousafzai & Kerascoet
Malala's Magic Pencil
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Eva Chen & Derek Desierto
Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes
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Susan Hood
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World
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Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein & Citlali Reyes
The Life of - La Vida de Selena
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Eva Chen & Derek Desierto
A Is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World
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Robb Pearlman & Eda Kaban
Pink Is for Boys
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Cynthia Leonor Garza
Lucia the Luchadora
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This article was originally published on May 4, 2019 and has been updated for timeliness. 

 

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