Women are still passionately fighting for their rights in 2020, which is why it's so crucial for parents, educators, and caregivers to teach kids about the importance of gender equality.
If you're searching for some resources to help educate young kids on respect, empathy, resilience, and self-esteem, we've complied a list of informative, inspiring, and engaging children's books that all touch on the subject of gender equality.
From adorably illustrated board books for babies to more advanced, in-depth stories that are based on real women who've changed the world, here are 11 children's books that will help teach your kids about gender equality.
ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be?
By Sugar Snap Studio and Jessie Ford, Illustrated by Jessie Ford
ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be? is a colorful board book that teaches young girls they can be anything they set out to be in life. The book simultaneously teaches career ambitions and the alphabet. While going through each letter — A to Z — Ford identifies 26 possible career paths for girls. From astronaut to zoologist, the book highlights a variety of creative, cool, and impactful careers that girls can aspire to pursue.
Written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Think Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison is a perfect book for all the little dreamers in your life. By highlighting 18 women trailblazers — from noteworthy writers and artists to leaders in science and activism — the board book aims to remind kids that they're never too small to think big. The book shines a spotlight on the achievements of women such as Mary Blair, a modernist painter and animator who worked on beloved Disney films including Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland; Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental activist and the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize; and Zaha Hadid, an architect from Iraq who made history in 2004 by becoming the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
My First Book of Feminism (for Boys)
By Julie Merberg, Illustrated by Michéle Brummer Everett
It's never too early to teach boys about gender equality, and if you're searching for the perfect intro to feminism for your toddler, My First Book of Feminism (for Boys) is a great choice. Julie Merberg strives to teach young boys the importance of respecting girls and women, fighting for their rights, and respecting their boundaries. The book, which touches on topics like equal pay, consent, and gender stereotypes, is ideal reading material for inspiring young allies.
A Is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World
By Eva Chen, Illustrated by Derek Desierto
If you're looking for another way to simultaneously teach your child about the alphabet and accomplished women in history, A Is for Awesome! is a great resource. Eva Chen's book educates kids on 23 exceptionally talented women who've made history, such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Malala Yousafzai. The book, which features absolutely delightful illustrations by Derek Desierto, is sure to encourage your little one to try and change the world.
By Jayneen Sanders, Illustrated by Amanda Gulliver
Jess and Ben, the two main characters in Jayneen Sanders' No Difference Between Us, are twins who are learning that the similarities between boys and girls far outweigh the differences. Sure everyone has different appearances, taste in food, and hobbies, but at the end of the day we're all human beings with feelings and aspirations. The book teaches lessons on empathy, gender equality, respect, acceptance, and self-esteem. And it includes open-ended questions throughout to encourage discussion between kids and adults. There are also more in-depth discussion questions at the end of the book to keep the learning going.
By Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts
Andrea Beaty has mastered the art of lifting up young girls through her stories. Ada Twist, Scientist, which was inspired by mathematician Ada Lovelace and physicist Marie Curie, tells the tale of a curious young girl named Ada with big ambitions and a love of problem solving. If you're a fan of Ada's journey, we also encourage you to check out some of Beaty's other books, such as Rosie Revere, Engineer and Sofia Valdez, Future Prez.
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
By Chelsea Clinton, Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Chelsea Clinton's second children's book, She Persisted was inspired by one of the most powerful feminist phrases of the modern era. The book highlights the careers of 13 influential women: Virginia Apgar, Nellie Bly, Ruby Bridges, Claudette Colvin, Florence Griffith Joyner, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Sally Ride, Margaret Chase Smith, Sonia Sotomayor, Maria Tallchief, Harriet Tubman, and Oprah Winfrey. (It also includes a surprise reference, as well. Can you guess who?) If you're a fan of She Persisted you can also check out the companion books, She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History and She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game.
By Roda Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington
"If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible." That's what Little Mae's mom told Mae when she expressed her dreams of becoming an astronaut as a child. That message stuck with Mae and encouraged her to follow her dreams. Mae Among the Stars was inspired by the real-life journey of Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel to space. It's a touching, inspiring tale that will remind young girls they can achieve their ambition with hard work and support.
By Malala Yousafzai, Illustrated by Kerascoët
Nobel Prize-winning activist Malala Yousafzai shares her wisdom with kids in Malala's Magic Pencil. The book was inspired by a time in Malala's childhood in Pakistan when she wished for a magic pencil that could fix the world's problems. Though she never obtained a super-powered writing utensil, she realized that she could work to identify and solve problems herself. So that's what she did. Malala's Magic Pencil takes young kids on an enlightening journey of self-discovery. And kids can also enjoy Malala: My Story of Standing up for Girls' Rights.
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World
By Susan Hood with illustrations from 13 women
If you're looking to shake things up a bit, this book of poems by Susan Hood is a perfect investment. The unique book shares stories of 14 noteworthy women — including paleontologist Mary Anning, painter Frida Kahlo, and civil rights activist Ruby Bridges — who all began making invaluable impacts in the world when they were young. In addition to being written and edited by women, 13 women provided illustrations for the book. What better way to show children that women have the power to do whatever they set their minds to?
A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon
By Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison
A Computer Called Katherine tells the true story of Katherine Johnson, the masterful mathematician whose brilliant mind and determination helped America reach outer space and put a man on the moon. You may know Katherine from the popular Hidden Figures books or movie, but before she was helping make history at NASA she was a kid. A Computer Called Katherine depicts Johnson's childhood and follows her educational journey all the way to NASA. The book teaches kids about racial and gender equality while enforcing the importance of overcoming gender stereotypes, fighting for your rights, and pursuing knowledge and subjects you're passionate about.
Topics Activism Books Social Good
