Girl Power Books for Children of All Ages: 15 of the Best
Our list of the best girl power books explores princesses, trailblazers, engineers, and more. In today’s world, girls are learning to be more courageous, to use their voices, and to shoot for the stars. Our role as adults is to help them find inspiration and achieve their dreams. Girls can wear pink or blue, skirts or pants, tiaras or helmets, fire hats or lab coats. Not only do these books provide encouragement and inspiration, but also the courage to embrace our differences. The books also showcase powerful women in history. Here are 15 Reading Boots favorite girl power books for children of all ages.
Girl Power Books for Ages 0-3
I Can Do It Too!
I Can Do It Too!, by Karen Baicker. Kids love to be able to do and try things on their own. This colorful board book celebrates a girl’s growing independence with her favorite repetitive phrase.
ABC What Can She Be?
ABC What Can She Be?, by Sugar Snap Studio and Jessie Ford. Girls can be anything they dream to be when the grow up. When the world is at their fingertips, girls can have careers from A to Z. Bright images and short, simple sentences make this alphabet board book great for young readers.
Dream Big, Little One
Dream Big, Little One, by Vashti Harrison. This board book focuses on important black women in American history. With vibrant pictures and simple wording, this bedtime book will inspire young readers of all ages.
This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer
This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer, by Joan Holub. This rhyming board book uses bright images and simple text to describe powerful women in history. In addition, the multicultural book embraces women from all cultures and walks of life.
Girl Power Books for Ages 3-6
I Will Be Fierce
I Will Be Fierce, by Bea Birdsong. A little girl decides to face a new day with determination and courage. Starting with putting on her armor, she becomes a hero who makes friendships and conquers the school day. With extraordinary analogies to the everyday activities, young girls will discover their own courage and confidence.
Dress Like a Girl
Dress Like a Girl, by Patricia Toht. In beautifully illustrated pictures, a slumber party takes an empowering turn. From sports to public service, from outer space to science, girls can put on any career attire they want. Young readers will be wrapped up in the rhythmic, rhyming tone and uplifting message.
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink, by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple. Princesses come in all types. They can wear stinky socks, baseball mitts, or sparkly crowns. This book sends the message that girls can do anything. Likewise, using a rhythmic pattern, this book inspires young readers to be themselves.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell. Molly Lou Melon is small and has buck teeth. However, her grandma always told her to walk proud and smile big. How will Molly Lou react when she meets a bully at her new school? The watercolor pictures, crisp prose, and positive message will motivate children of all ages to embrace their differences.
What Does a Princess Really Look Like?
What Does a Princess Really Look Like?, by Mark Loewen. Princess stereotypes are thrown out the window when a little girl creates her own princess vision. Not only does her princess have smarts in her head, but also a voice to speak kind words. With simple, easy-to-follow text, young readers will discover that princesses are brave, kind, and determined.
Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots
Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots, by Rebecca Janni. Nellie Sue has new dancing shoes to suit her cowgirl flair. Although she wants to dance with friends, the glitter girls would rather pirouette than hoedown. This cute book shows that tomboys, cowgirls, and girly girls can find middle ground to dance and be friends.
Girl Power Books for Ages 6-8
Dear Girl
Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal. Written as a letter, mother daughter team reminds your girl that she is strong, powerful, and special. Whether she likes to be pink or to jump in puddles, each girl is perfect the way she is. With beautiful artwork and simple text, this is a nice book for the special reader in your life.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, by Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli. Packed with short stories about inspirational women, this bedtime book offers 100 different role models for your child. In addition, the book covers women from all cultures, backgrounds, and time periods. Read with or to your young reader as she learns the importance of hard work and not quitting.
Rosie Revere, Engineer
Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty. Creative Rosie dreams of becoming an engineer but fear of failure leads her to hide her inventions. Once her great-great-aunt shows her that flops are not failures, she learns not to give up. The detailed images and rhythmic text will inspire your reader to shoot for the stars.
Grace for President
Grace for President, by Kelly DiPucchio. When Grace’s teacher introduces the US presidents, Grace is appalled that there aren’t any girls on the list. In an introduction to elections, hard work, and independent thought, young children can draw inspiration and courage from Grace’s journey. Bright, detailed images and simple text make this a child-friendly book.
You can use this interactive strategy with this book!
The Water Princess
The Water Princess, by Susan Verde and Georgie Badiel. Inspired by Georgie Badiel’s childhood, this book tells the tale of a young girl’s desire to have clean drinking water. Instead of crowns, the girls wear heavy pots on their heads as they collect water each day. This beautifully illustrated book sheds light on a young girl’s determination and a problem still facing the world today.
Empower and inspire your daughter with these girl power books!
Get your Reading Boots on and enjoy the journey!