Children's books with strong female lead

Childrens media and books are packed with gender stereotypes. I dont recall thinking much of them being women as a kid, but as i got older, i did notice that there were few strong lead female characters in a lot of literature. Female athletes in romance novels, warrior girls, historical y. Chelsea clinton shares her favorite kids books with. Childrens books featuring bold and brave girls are both becoming easier for parents to find, and also cover a large range of topics. The collection includes a wide variety of fictional picture books along with many picture bo. Find curated book lists for a selection of authors, genres, topics, and occasions. Books with strong female characters if you think girl books are just about princesses, romance, gossipy schoolgirls, and vampires, think again. This list of the best kids books about strong female characters is sure to include a new favorite for the voracious young reader in your life. Jones one of the funniest characters i read when growing up, pretty much anything by virginia lee burton especially mary anne the steam shovel, and library lil. Firsttime childrens author centers new book series on. Uma thurman is, for lack of a better word, totally badass. The lead characters were 50% more likely to be male than female, and male villains were eight times more likely to appear compared to female villains.

Children s books with strong intelligent females nov 2003. Data gathered by the observer, along with with market research company nielsen, confirms this through indepth analysis of the 100 most popular childrens picture books of 2017. Jan 31, 2017 15 movies with strong female protagonists to watch with your kids updated january 31, 2017 6. Jul 23, 2019 another recent study of the top 100 australian picture books published in 2017, found that it was more common for a book to have no lead character than a female lead character. Ive found its easy to come across childrens books with wonderful male heroes, but now that im expecting a little girl, i want more books with female heroines for my daughters sake, as well as my. Weve selected a pile of books with universal appeal for kids of different ages and tastes, from bestselling picture books. This selection of childrens books features some of the most loved, influential and independent female characters for children aged six to eight. Characters with speaking parts were also much more likely to be male, and 31 of the books had all male characters while only six had all female characters. A mighty girl s top recommended read aloud chapter books are perfect for reading aloud with elementaryaged children or as independent reading for older children. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.

These 8 books tell the stories of strong women who bust through gender norms like a grand master busts through wooden boards. The desire to read more books about girls like herself inspired 11yearold marley dias to take action. Ten empowering female characters in childrens books books. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting justice, she recounts her life from a bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself. Children s books with a female lead who is admirable. Here, we list over 35 childrens books with strong female characters that center on admirable girls and womeneither real or fictional. Whether youre looking for a picture book for bedtime or an issuebased book to help your child understand a controversial concept, explore recommendations for children s books here. Childrens books with nonwhite characters berkeley parents. Jan 04, 2016 18 childrens books with female characters by joanna goddard a couple months ago, a reader named claire asked a great question. Jan 20, 2018 male characters are twice as likely to take leading roles in childrens picture books and are. As a mom of two daughters, im always on the hunt for books featuring strong female characters. Im wondering if anyone out there has recommendations for children s books that have strong, capable, intelligent female characters and dont reinforce the crazy beauty focus, bodyimage neuroses and gender stereotypes that abound everywhere.

Picture books, middlegrade fiction, young adult fiction, nonfiction middle schoolhigh school and poetry. A mighty girl s special feature on the top 100 mighty girl picture books features our carefully selected collection of gorgeously illustrated and beautifully written picture books all starring fantastic mighty girl characters. Kill bill 2003 the bride uma thurman for the record, there are several tarantino classics which feature a strong female lead pulp fiction, true romance, from dusk till dawn, but kill bill has to take the cake. The first hispanic and third woman appointed to the united states supreme court, sonia sotomayor has become an instant american icon. Top read aloud books starring mighty girls best of a. Top female characters from childrens books scholastic parents. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.

Children should have representation in their own media, and these lovely ladies have done just that. Study of childrens books reveals gender bias in favor of. Dec 10, 2015 12 books with badass female characters. The lead characters were 50% more likely to be male than female. Today, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite strong. Her books were notable for their strong lead female characters.

The undefeated caldecott medal book kwame alexander. Today, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite strong girls in middle grade fiction, with both classic female characters, like ramona quimby and julie of the wolves, to newer voices like emma greystone in the greystone secrets series by. Jun, 2016 these women hold a special place in many children s hearts, and that s a good thing. The most comprehensive study of 20th century childrens books ever undertaken in the united states has found a bias towards tales that feature. Introduce your child to 20 childrens books with strong female characters. Great books for boys this article and list of books recommended for boys come from the national children s book and literacy alliance. May 04, 2011 the most comprehensive study of 20th century children s books ever undertaken in the united states has found a bias towards tales that feature men and boys as lead characters.

This is unacceptable granted, that was a small sample size, but it is an example of what i see everyday. It includes a list of books recommended by the horn book in these categories. Jan 17, 2017 9 books with black female lead characters. Books with strong female characters common sense media. Best childrens books with strong female leads 417 books. Books with strong girl characters berkeley parents network. Top 20 female characters from childrens books scholastic.

Weve rounded up 21 children s books that every black kid needs to read or have read to them. Nov 11, 2014 i was reshelving picture books in the library the other day, and happened to notice that of the twelve in my arms, only two featured a female lead and one of those books was about getting a haircut and the other was about being a princess. Top 100 a mighty girl picture books best of a mighty girl. Jun 12, 2015 through books, women have been teaching other women for generations.

Mar 19, 2018 the books explore themes of family dysfunction, death, and the bonds of friendship with your kids, and throughout the girls are learning important life lessons. With equality becoming more and more prevalent in pop culture, children s shows are trying to keep up with good female characters. Chelsea clinton, former first daughter and momoftwo. There are plenty of great books featuring strong female main characters in compelling stories that are sure to appeal to boys as well as girls. I am surrounded by amazing women and i want to see them in the books i read with my kids. Childrens books with a female lead who is admirable.

Chelsea clinton shares her favorite kids books with strong female characters chelsea clinton, former first daughter and momoftwo, shares her favorite books to read to daughter charlotte and son. Gender bias uncovered in childrens books with male. Through books, women have been teaching other women for generations. But finding early chapter books with bold leading ladies can be surprisingly difficult. A mighty girls special feature on the top 100 mighty girl picture books features our carefully selected collection of gorgeously illustrated and beautifully written picture books all starring fantastic mighty girl characters. Firsttime childrens author centers new book series on strong female lead firefighter characters wysk march 19, 2018 books career gender girls 0 comments 2 min read.

Even the world of childrens picture books is riddled with casual sexism. It all starts with the purchase of a fateful pair of jeans in the first book of the series. Children s picture books with strong females children s picture books with strong, independent, resourceful female characters. This list is subjective for sure, and only comprised. Mar 20, 2017 the characters you expose your daughter to at a young age help define her which means they should all be strong women who bust through gender norms like a black belt through plywood.

Our female ancestors had it pretty tough, but they still managed to grace the pages of. Here are 28 empowering books with strong female characters. No more than 33 percent of childrens books in any given year featured an adult woman or female animal, but adult men and male animals appeared in 100 percent of the books. See more ideas about chapter books, books and good books. Classic kids books with strong female characters age 68. A great resource for multicultural books is let s hear it for the girls this book lists and describes 375 books for readers 214 that have strong female characters and many are multicultural. After much searching and some trial and error, ive found several books that inspire and engage my girls. Children s picture books with strong, independent, resourceful female characters. Our female ancestors had it pretty tough, but they still managed to grace the pages of books in style, shutting down the. Mar 30, 2017 childrens media and books are packed with gender stereotypes. A mighty girls special feature on the top 100 mighty girl picture books features. Shows like outlander and the handmaids tale are revealing a big appetite for the femaledriven fantasy genre. The hunger games by suzanne collins, divergent by veronica roth, catching fire by suzanne collins, mockingjay by suz. Chelsea clinton shares her favorite kids books with strong female characters.

Break stereotypes and celebrate authentic feminine power by sharing stories that feature strong female characters. Weve selected a pile of books with universal appeal for kids of different ages and tastes, from bestselling picture books to young adult novels in just about every. Some of my favorite childrens books featuring strong female characters are strega nona she speaks softly and carries a big stick, junie b. Childrens picture books with strong females 255 books. For readers who are tired of reading about females only as family caretakers andor as princesses who are rescued by a prince.

No doubt youll also delight in revisiting these classic kids books with strong female characters from your childhood too. I love strong female characters because they mirror the girls and women in my own life. Her book something from nothing, adapted from an old yiddish tale, won the. Now, usually usually wouldnt encourage name calling, but, well, this prince sounded like a real jerk and he deserved it. To celebrate this, ive compiled a list of 12 books that feature badass female characters.

The paper bag princess written by robert munsch and illustrated by michael martchenko. Mar 19, 2018 firsttime childrens author centers new book series on strong female lead firefighter characters wysk march 19, 2018 books career gender girls 0 comments 2 min read. If you think girl books are just about princesses, romance, gossipy schoolgirls, and vampires, think again. Alices curiosity and wideeyed wonder inspire anyone to explore the unknown and take an. Aug 20, 2019 35 brilliant books with strong female protagonists updated 2019 by iris last updated august 20, 2019 as we celebrate national womens history month, here are 35 great books featuring some of the most awesome and inspiring female characters ever created. You can view age recommendations for a specific book on its product page under the details section or filter by age range on the left menu. Ten empowering female characters in childrens books. Early chapter books with fierce female characters brightly. These 8 books, which tell stories of doctors, pilots, and other empowered young girls will help you do just that. In celebration of womens equality day, here are ten of our favorite strong female characters in childrens books. Jan 23, 2018 gender bias plagues almost every facet of society. Phoebe gilman april 4, 1940 august 29, 2002 was a canadianamerican childrens book author and illustrator. Any childrens book with a female heroine who tricks a dragon then calls her prince a bum is alright by us.