As a mom, I want my son to grow up with strong role models of all genders. People who are smart, brave, kind, funny, talented, confident and oh-so-amazing. But, as I scan bookshelves, every book seems to have a male protagonist, and finding a book with a strong female lead has been, well, not easy.
The outdated stereotypes are everywhere – think princesses locked up in high castles waiting for Prince Charming to save the day or frivolous representations of girls focussed on chit-chat or their appearances. There’s more. Girls eaten up by big bad wolves (male, again), male characters who can fly and have superb adventures (Peter Pan), Gulliver’s Travels. Need I go on?
But we can change the narrative by introducing children to books with strong, inspiring leads of all genders from young. Here are my favourite children’s books that celebrate women.
‘Mulan’ by Yi-Hsuan Wu
Mulan is an interactive board book based on the Disney movie by the same name. While it is still unsure if Mulan was a real character or fictional, her story is inspirational, nonetheless. The interactive nature of the book makes it ideal for toddlers and preschoolers. Push, pull and turn mechanisms bring Mulan’s brave adventure to life as the dutiful daughter transforms into a soldier, trains for battle and rides her white horse. This well-loved tale is beautifully imagined for a new generation by children’s illustrator Yi-Hsuan Wu.
For ages: 2-5; buy here.
‘Three Little Vikings’ by Bethan Woollvin
Three brave little Viking girls save the day in this bold and funny adventure story for little rebels. In the story, three independent girls refuse to be cowed by the community chieftain and find their own answers to problems with the help of books. It’s a story that will resonate with independent, book-loving children who enjoy stories of defiance and bravery.
For ages: 2-5; buy here.
‘The Paper Bag Princess’ by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko
This is an extremely popular children’s book from the 2000s that needs a resurgence! It has sold over 7 million copies. Munsch flips the damsel-in-distress storyline by making the princess the heroine. Princess Elizabeth saves the ungrateful Prince Ronald from being held captive by a dragon, but decides to go her own way in the end when she does not get the respect she deserves. A lesson in self-respect and independence.
For ages: 3 and above; buy here.
‘Mary Wears What She Wants’ by Keith Negley
Mary Wears What She Wants, by Keith Negley, is one of my absolute favourite picture books. It’s vibrant, powerful, and a perfect story to read about the power of voice. The book is inspired by the life of Mary Edwards Walker, a trailblazing doctor who challenged the norms of her time by defying traditional clothing expectations. This story encourages all children, regardless of gender, to stand tall and stick to their ideals.
For ages: 4 and above; buy here.
‘Malala’s Magic Pencil’ by Malala Yousafzai
Written by the youngest Nobel Prize laureate herself, this beautifully illustrated picture book introduces Malala’s story to a younger audience. It’s an inspiring read about the power of education and how one voice can change the world. In Malala’s Magic Pencil, she describes how, growing up in the beautiful Swat Valley, she loved going to class but her right to attend school was threatened just because she was a girl. So, she decided to speak out… One book, one teacher, one child and one pen can change the world.
For ages: 5 and above; buy here.
‘Little People, Big Dreams: Marie Curie’ by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Frau Isa
Part of the best-selling Little People, Big Dreams series, this book tells the story of Marie Curie. When Marie was young, she was unable to go to college because she was a woman. But when she was older, her scientific work was respected around the world. Her discoveries of radium and polonium dramatically helped in the fight against cancer, and she went on to win the Nobel Prize for Physics! The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to toddlers. Your little one will enjoy the stylish and quirky illustrations too.
For ages: 5 and above; buy here.
‘The Dot that Went for a Walk’ by Sarada Akkineni, Reema Gupta & Lakshmi Nambiar
There aren’t that many books that focus on Indian women; this book is one of those rare gems. The pages introduce us to 51 amazing women from India who’ve accomplished great things in their lives. With stunning illustrations by female artists in India, this book introduces young readers to extraordinary women from the past and the present like Rani Laxmi Bai, Indira Gandhi, Indra Nooyi, PT Usha and Mithali Raj.
For ages: 5 and above; buy here.
‘A Dinosaur Ate My Sister’ by Pooja Puri
A laugh-out-loud time-travel adventure that’s a mix of Hitchhiker's Guide and Jurassic Park. Esha Verma, a genius inventor, along with her snotty apprentice Broccoli and his cunning pet tortoise, is determined to win the legendary Brian Trophy – the ultimate inventing prize. Her entry? A time machine. But the day before the competition, Esha’s big sister hijacks the time machine and gets lost in the Cretaceous age. What happens next? Read this fun-filled, wacky book to find out.
For ages: 8 and above; buy here.
‘A Problematic Paradox’ by Eliot Sappingfield
Think of this book like a sci-fi Harry Potter with an unforgettable heroine. Nikola Kross is sent to an unusual school for geniuses that’s peopled by kids like her — and also some non-human students. She’s having trouble fitting in, especially because no one knows what to make of her extraordinary talents, which are about to put the school in a whole heap of danger! This book encourages perseverance, the use of individual talent and highlights the importance of acknowledging strengths and weaknesses.
For ages: 10 and above; buy here.
The author is an economist and full-time millennial mother, struggling to cope with daily chores.
