Women's History Past & Present: Books for Kids

Books for kids , both fiction and nonfiction that chronicle the lives of extraordinary women, examine historical movements, and address feminist issues.

Updated February 23, 2024
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She persisted : 13 American women who changed the world
Clinton, Chelsea
Chelsea Clinton introduces tiny feminists, mini activists and little kids who are ready to take on the world to thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted. Throughout United States history, there...
Muslim girls rise : inspirational champions of our time
Mir, Saira
Little Leaders meets Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls in this gorgeous nonfiction picture book that introduces readers to nineteen powerhouse Muslim women who rose up and made their voices heard. Long ago, Muslim women rode into battle to defend their...
Out of the shadows : how Lotte Reiniger made the first animated fairytale movie
Robinson, Fiona
Out of the Shadows is an innovative picture book biography about an unsung hero of early animation. Lotte Reiniger (1899-1981) was a German film director and animator best known for The Adventures of Prince Achmed, which was released in 1926 and...
Phenomenal Aoc : The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-cortez
Denise, Anika Aldamuy/ Lora, Loris (ILT)
A 2023 Pura Belpré Honor Book (Illustrations) An inspiring biography of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from Pura Belpré Honor-winning creators Anika Aldamuy Denise and Loris Lora! In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest congresswoman in America....
Jovita wore pants : the story of a Mexican freedom fighter
Salazar, Aida
**A CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK** The remarkable true story of Jovita Valdovinos, a Mexican revolutionary who disguised herself as a man to fight for her rights! * "Graceful . . deft . . . mesmerizing. . . . Bravery and determination prevail in this inspiring tale." --...
Hidden powers : Lise Meitner's call to science
Atkins, Jeannine
From the acclaimed author of Finding Wonders and Grasping Mysteries comes a gorgeously written biography in "deliberate, delicate verse" (Kirkus Reviews) about the pioneering Jewish woman physicist whose scientific prowess changed the course of World War II. ...
Good night stories for rebel girls : 100 tales of extraordinary women
Favilli, Elena
A contemporary classic, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls reinvents fairy tales, inspiring girls with the stories of 100 heroic women. Readers will rule ancient Egypt with Cleopatra, make groundbreaking discoveries with Marie Curie, fly through the sky with Amelia Earhart, and defy gravity with...
Shirley Chisholm dared : the story of the first black woman in congress
Williams, Alicia R.
Discover the inspiring story of the first black woman elected to Congress and to run for president in this picture book biography from a Newbery Honor-winning author and a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning illustrator. Meet Shirley, a little girl who asks...
A Life of Service : The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth
Soontornvat, Christina/ Phumiruk, Dow (ILT)
Thai American creators portray the inspirational and barrier-breaking life of Senator Tammy Duckworth in a picture-book tribute to an extraordinary woman. Senator Tammy Duckworth has logged a long list of "firsts" during her tenure as the first Thai American woman elected to...
Ada Lovelace cracks the code
Purtill, Corinne
From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes a story based on the exciting real-life adventures of Ada Lovelace, one of the world's first computer programmers. Growing up in nineteenth century London, England, Ada is curious about absolutely everything. She...
Junko Tabei masters the mountains
Ohlin, Nancy
From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes the historical novel based on the life of Junko Tabei, the first female climber to summit Mount Everest. Junko is bad at athletics. Really bad. Other students laugh because they think she is small and weak. Then...
Grasping mysteries : girls who loved math
Atkins, Jeannine
Learn about seven groundbreaking women in math and science in this gorgeously written biographical novel-in-verse, a companion to the "original and memorable" (Booklist, starred review) Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science. After a...
Sonia Sotomayor
Medina, Meg
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds! In this chapter book biography by Meg Medina, the award-winning author of...
Malala Yousafzai
Saeed, Aisha
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Malala Yousafzai! Growing up as a girl in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai had to...
Temple Grandin
Miller-Lachmann, Lyn
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Temple Grandin! In this chapter book biography by beloved author Lyn Miller...
A kids book about : feminism
Mcilroy, Emma
This is an unapologetic take on feminism as a thing that everyone can embrace, no matter their gender. It tackles ideas around equality, bias, and discrimination because of gender. It also empowers young girls and boys to embrace feminism and show up for others when they're being treated unfairly.
Game changers : the story of Venus and Serena Williams
Cline-Ransome, Lesa
An ALA Notable Book "Every page is splashed with vibrant color and eye-catching patterns, and the figures of the women themselves are full of energy, speed, and tension." --Shelf Awareness (starred review) Venus and Serena Williams are two of the...
Remembering Rosalind Franklin : Rosalind Franklin & the Discovery of the Double Helix Structure of DNA
Stone, Tanya Lee/ Powers, Gretchen Ellen (ILT)
★ "[A] compelling introduction to an extraordinary scientist." --Booklist, starred review ★ "Poignant ... Enlightening .... students with an appreciation for learning about lesser-known historical figures and an interest in science...
Shaped by her hands : potter Maria Martinez
Freeman, Anna Harber
Chicago Public Library Best Informational Books for Younger Readers 2021 Kirkus Best Picture-Book Biographies of 2021 STARRED REVIEW! "Through masterful storytelling and graceful illustrations, this impactful title embodies Maria Povika...
Fall down seven times, stand up eight : Patsy Takemoto Mink and the fight for Title IX
Bryant, Jen
The only picture book biography about unsung hero Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. From a young age, Patsy Takemoto Mink learned that striving for goals came with challenges. But she also learned to never give up. As the Japanese...
Nina : a story of Nina Simone
Todd, Traci N.
A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Honoree!   This luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy. ...
Muzoon : a Syrian refugee speaks out
Almellehan, Muzoon
"Muzoon takes readers on her perilous and ultimately hopeful journey from refugee child to advocate for others in need." -Malala Yousafzai, bestselling author and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize When her family had to flee Syria, 14-year-old Muzoon was told to pack only the...
Latinitas : celebrating 40 big dreamers
Menéndez, Juliet
Dream big with the Latinitas in Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers. Discover how 40 influential Latinas became the women we celebrate today! In this collection of short biographies from all over Latin America and across the United States, Juliet Menéndez explores the...
All rise : the story of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, is an inspiration and role model to children of all ages. Award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford tells her story of perseverance, dignity, and honor in this uplifting picture book biography filled with...
Holding her own : the exceptional life of Jackie Ormes
Todd, Traci N.
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book * Robert F. Sibert Honor Book An evocative picture book biography about the prolific life of Jackie Ormes, whose groundbreaking cartoons became some of the first empowering depictions of Black women in America! Jackie Ormes made...
Deb Haaland : first Native American cabinet secretary
Doerfler, Jill
In 2021, Deb Haaland made history as the first Indigenous cabinet secretary. Serving as Secretary of the Interior, Haaland has championed climate and the rights of Native peoples. Discover Haaland's early life, her political career, and more.
Deb Haaland
Goodluck, Laurel
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Deb Haaland! A 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Honor Book! ...

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