Women’s History Month is almost over, but it’s not too late to check out some of our great children’s books featuring strong female characters. Browse our Women's History Month display in the Downtown Library Children's Area until the end of March—and celebrate women’s history throughout the year with books that inspire and delight young readers.
Here are just a few of our picture books:
Firebird
Written by Misty Copeland; illustrated by Christopher Myers
American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland encourages a young student like herself by telling her that she, too, had to learn basic steps and how to be graceful—and that someday, with practice and dedication, the little girl will also become a firebird. Includes a special author's note.
Rosie Revere, Engineer
Written by Andrea Beaty; illustrated by David Roberts
A young aspiring engineer must first conquer her fear of failure.
The Paper Bag Princess
Written by Robert Munsch; illustrated by Michael Martchenko
When a dragon comes along and burns all Elizaeth's clothes and smashes her castle, Elizabeth wears a paper bag until she recovers her possessions.
For kids just entering the world of chapter books, check out:
The Princess in Black
Written by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale; illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Who says princesses don't wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black!
Older kids—and those of us still kids at heart—love these upper elementary and middle grade chapter books:
The First Rule of Punk
Written by Celia C. Pérez
Twelve-year-old María Luisa O'Neill-Morales (who prefers to be called Malú) reluctantly moves with her Mexican-American mother to Chicago and starts seventh grade with a bang--violating the dress code with her punk rock aesthetic and spurning the middle school's most popular girl, in favor of starting a band with a group of like-minded weirdos.
Inside Out and Back Again
Written by Thanhha Lai
Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Written by Kelly Barnhill
An epic fantasy about Luna, a young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, who must unlock the powerful magic buried deep inside her. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her—even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she's always known.
To learn more about trailblazing women in history, take a look at Alex's post.