Must-Read Kids’ Books for Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women and also inspire a new generation of young women. As parents, we may have good intentions of educating our children about these important figures, but it’s a daunting task. After all, there are so many amazing women. We’ve simplified this complex topic with kid-friendly books that feature strong, successful women. Spoiler alert: boys will like them, too.

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World

by Susan Hood
This book pairs the story of fourteen revolutionary young women with a noteworthy female artist to depict her life. Learn about Mary Anning, Ruby Bridges, Frida Kahlo, Mae Jemison and more. For ages 4-8.

A is for Aretha

by Leslie Kwan
Spotlighting 26 Black women in music, this book celebrates the contributions of different women whose music encouraged joy and self-love and trailblazed paths for creatives in an ABC board book format. For ages 0-3.

Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean’s Biggest Secret

by Jess Keating and Katie Hickey
Meet Marie Tharp, who was the first person to map the Earth’s underwater mountain ridge, even though women weren’t allowed on research ships. For ages 4-8.

Little People, BIG DREAMS

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
This series introduces children to artists, trailblazers and dreamers who made a big impact on the world around them. The series features books about Helen Keller, a deaf and blind disability rights advocate, Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, Amanda Gorman, a young poet and activist, and many more. For ages 4 and older.

Love Is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement by Sandra Neil Wallace

This nonfiction picture book shares the story of Diane Nash, a civil rights leader who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis. She took command of the Nashville Movement for sit-ins to convince the mayor to integrate lunch counters and went on Freedom Rides to show support for integrating bus travel. For ages 4-8.

Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman

by Sharice Davids and Nancy K. Mays
Learn about Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas, in this picture book autobiography. For ages 4-8.

Mae Makes a Way: The True Story of Mae Reeves, Hat & History Maker

by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Mae had a dream to make one-of-a-kind hats, but the path for a Black female designer was unclear, so she left her home in the South to study at the Chicago School of Millinery. Read her story about becoming a successful entrepreneur in this book. For ages 7-10.

She Persisted in Science

by Chelsea Clinton
Part of the “She Persisted” series, this book explores women scientists who used their smarts, their skills and their persistence to discover, intent, create and explain. For ages 4-8.

Rebel Girls Powerful Pairs: 25 Tales of Mothers and Daughters

Read about incredible mother-daughter duos who have used their creativity, cleverness and unique talents to make or do something includible. Learn about Beyoncé and Blue Ivy, Marie Curie and Irène Joliot-Curie, Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and more. For ages 6 and older.

This Little Trailblazer

by Joan Holub
Learn about influential and trailblazing women in this board book. Part of the “This Little” series. For ages 3-5.

Because Claudette

by Tracey Baptiste
Learn about 15-year-old Claudette Colvin, whose activism launched the Montgomery bus boycott, when she refused to give her seat up to a white woman. For ages 6-8.

Like a Girl

by Lori Degman
Create, prevail, change the world – like a girl! This celebration of girl power highlights women who made a difference, from Simone Biles and Maya Angelou to Sally Ride and Helen Keller. For ages 4-8.

What Miss Mitchell Saw

by Hayley Barrett
America’s first female professional astronomer, Maria Mitchell, began her career by observing the stars from her home in Nantucket. The story of this advocate for women’s rights is told with engaging illustrations that will inspire budding scientists. For ages 4 and older.

Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life

by Laurie Wallmark
Actor or scientist? Movie star Hedy Lamarr was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. But she was also a brilliant inventor. This inspiring biography tells how Lamarr developed a groundbreaking communications system during World War II that is still used today. For ages 5 and older.

Muslim Girls Rise

by Saira Mir
Nobel Peace Prize winner, fashion designer, advisor to the president, filmmaker, model and more – this beautifully written book tells the story of 19 Muslim women who overcame great odds to change the world. For ages 6 and older.

The Skylarks’ War

by Hilary McKay
Clarry Penrose longs for independence, but her father doesn’t believe in education for girls. When war breaks out and Clarry’s beloved cousin is declared missing, she has to step out of her shell and into the wild world. For ages 10-14.

Make Trouble

by Cecile Richards
“To make change, you have to make trouble.” The young readers edition of Richards’ bestselling memoir encourages girls to take risks, make mistakes and make trouble along the way. For ages 10 and older.

Becoming RGB: Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s Journey to Justice

by Debbie Levy
This graphic novel is a fascinating look at Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s life and the experiences that led her to become a modern feminist icon. For ages 10 and older.

100 Women Who Made History

We love these books (which also include titles like 100 People Who Made History and 100 Scientists Who Made History) because they cover people from different time periods. In this one, young readers can learn about Joan of Arc, J.K. Rowling, Marie Curie and ninety-seven other incredible women. Plus, the format is full of cool pictures and fun facts, so it doesn’t read like a text book. For ages 8-12.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

by Margot Lee Shetterly
Based on the bestselling book and the Academy Award nominated movie, this picture book tells the story of four black women who overcame obstacles in the 1960s to succeed as mathematicians at NASA. Kids will love the illustrations and fun science explanations. Most important, this true story is fascinating and inspiring to both boys and girls. For ages 4-8.

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

by Rachel Ignotofsky
For the STEM-loving child, this book tells the stories of remarkable women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Kids will enjoy the thoughtful illustrations and other fascinating facts–such as the rates of women currently working in STEM fields. For ages 10 and older.

My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream?

by Jennifer Fosberry
The first in Fosberry’s popular Isabella series, this colorful picture book follows Isabella as she pretends to be female heroes such as Sally Ride, Rosa Parks and even her own mother. Other books in the series include Isabella: Star of the Story, Isabella: Girl on the Go and Isabella: Girl in Charge. For ages 4-8.

Find more books about amazing Black women here.

-Elsa Simick, Emily Webb and Mary Williams