You don’t need a special month to read great books about women who changed the world, but Women’s History Month is a great time to add some new stories to your shelves. Here are some of the books we’ve been loving that tell the stories of great women past and present.
Marie Curie: Little People, Big Dreams by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. We love pretty much all of the “Little People Big Dreams” series! Our favourites are this one about Marie Curie, the one featuring Maya Angelou, and the one about Jane Goodall, but it’s hard to pick favourites really! We especially love the photos in the back that show how the main character grew throughout her life.
Mae Among the Stars: The Story of Mae Jemison by Roda Ahmed is one of a few great books about Mae Jemison, who is the first Black American woman to travel in space. If your kids are into space like mine are, they might also like Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker, which tells the tale of Katherine Johnson’s mathematical achievements which helped to get astronauts to the moon.
Little Melba and her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Browne is a fun telling of the life story of Melba Doretta Liston, who is one of the unsung heroes of early jazz music.
I look up to Misty Copeland by Anna Membrino is an introduction to America’s first Black prima ballerina for the very youngest children. Older children who are interested in dance might like a longer story like A Girl Named Misty by Kelly Starling Lyons.
Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotton by Laura Veirs tells the story of Libba Cotton, a young Black girl who wrote the world’s most famous folk tune ‘freight train’. Some of the content in this book is a bit mature for the youngest readers, but is easily passed over. The illustrations are lovely! You can hear the author Laura Veirs, who is a musician, sing the song.
If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold tells the story of Rosa Parks through words and incredible illustrations. Ringgold is best known for her textile art work, but this book fits perfectly into any art study you might be doing about her.
Mama Miti: Wangari Mathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli tells the story of Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize by founding the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which addressed the deforestation that was risking the country’s future.
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel tells a different kind of story - the true tale of a girl who was assumed to be male at birth. The book, written by Jazz herself, introduces young readers to words like ‘transgender’ in a practical, common sense way.
Rad Women Worldwide by Katie Schatz is a great collection of one-page biographies of world-changing women from around the world. It’s perfect for seeing what catches your child’s interest!