Staff Picks
Women's History Month: Books for Young Readers
- Caitlin B.
- Sunday, March 01, 2020
Collection
Looking to expand a young reader's knowledge of brave women? Check out this selection of board books, picture books, and short biographies that are sure to spark conversations about the women and girls (real and fictional) who inspire us all to dream big.
Want more books? Ask your librarian for their recommendations or call the Children's Room at Richland Library Main (803.929.3434). We can send books to your closest Richland Library location.
Mae Among the Stars
Published in 2018
When young Mae Jemison is asked by her teacher what she wants to be when she grows up, African American Mae tells her mostly white classmates that she wants to be an astronaut, a dream that her parents wholeheartedly support.
Rosie Revere, Engineer
Published in 2013
Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she's a brilliant who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her Great, Great Aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal to fly. Rosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt's dream come true. An aspiring young engineer must first conquer her fear of failure.
Ada Twist, Scientist
Published in 2016
Ada Twist is a very curious girl who shows perseverance by asking questions and performing experiments to find things out and understand the world.
A is for Awesome!
23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World
Published in 2019
Profiles historic and contemporary women who made a difference in the world, including Amelia Earhart, Georgia O'Keeffe, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Tina Turner.
She Persisted
13 American Women Who Changed the World
Published in 2017
Profiles the lives of thirteen American women who have left their mark on U.S. history, including Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Margaret Chase Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.
Here Come the Girl Scouts!
The Amazing All-true Story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
Published in 2012
A one hundreth anniversary tribute to the Girl Scouts founder describes how she rejected the conventions of Victorian culture and introduced her pioneer family's passion for service, adventure, and independence to the girls of her time.
Planting Stories
The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré
Published in 2019
"From the author of MONSTER TRUCK and STARRING CARMEN comes a gorgeous and lyrical story about Pura Belpré, a Puerto Rican librarian who changed the world"-- Provided by publisher.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
100 Tales of Extraordinary Women
Published in 2016
"To the rebel girls of the world: dream bigger, aim higher, fight harder, and, when in doubt, remember you are right"--Introduction.
Rosa
Published in 2005
The story of Rosa Parks and her courageous act of defiance. Provides the story of the young black woman who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger in Alabama, setting in motion all the events of the Civil Rights Movements that resulted in the end of the segregated south, gave equality to blacks throughout the nation, and forever changed the country in which we all live today. She had not sought this moment but she was ready for it. When the policeman bent down to ask "Auntie, are you going to move?" all the strength of all the people through all those many years joined in her. She said, "No." An inspiring account of an event that shaped American history. Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This picture-book tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed. Award-winning poet, writer, and activist Nikki Giovanni's evocative text combines with Bryan Collier's striking cut-paper images to retell the story of this historic event from a wholly unique and original perspective.
Dream Big, Little One
Published in 2018
Features female figures of black history, including pilot Bessie Coleman, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash.
Little Dreamers
Visionary Women Around the World
Published in 2018
"Brief, illustrated bios of women creators around the world"-- Provided by publisher.
I Am Jazz!
Published in 2014
From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way.
The Tree Lady
The True Story of How One Tree-loving Woman Changed a City Forever
Published in 2013
Learn about Katherine Olivia Sessions who brought trees to San Diego and created what eventually became Balboa Park.
Shark Lady
The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Published in 2017
At 9 years old, Eugenie Clark developed an unexpected passion for sharks after a visit to the Battery Park Aquarium in New York City. At the time, sharks were seen as mindless killing machines, but Eugenie knew better and set out to prove it. Despite many obstacles in her path, Eugenie was able to study the creatures she loved so much. From her many discoveries to the shark-related myths she dispelled, Eugenie's wide scientific contributions led to the well-earned nickname "Shark Lady"-- Provided by publisher.
Brave Girl
Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909
Published in 2013
An illustrated account of immigrant Clara Lemlich's pivotal role in the influential 1909 women laborer's strike describes how she worked grueling hours to acquire an education and support her family before organizing a massive walkout to protest the unfair working conditions in New York's garment district.
Alice Across America
The Story of the First Women's Cross-country Road Trip
Published in 2020
"The inspiring true story of Alice Ramsey, the first woman to drive a car across America in 1909." --Provided by publisher.
I Am Rosa Parks
Published in 2014
Recounts Rosa Parks' daring effort to stand up for herself and other African Americans by helping to end segregation on public transportation.
I Am Helen Keller
Published in 2015
"The story of Helen Keller, who learned to read and write despite being deaf and blind, and became an activist who fought for the rights of disabled people"-- Provided by publisher.
I Look Up To... Malala Yousafzai
Published in 2019
Presents an illustrated biography of the young Pakistani teenager who spoke up for children's education.
I Look Up to ... Michelle Obama
Published in 2018
If you can see it, you can be it! Introduce your child to your role models with this series of inspirational board books. It's never too early to introduce your child to the people you admire! This board book distills Michelle Obama's excellent qualities into deliciously illustrated little baby-sized bites, with text designed to share and read aloud. Each spread highlights an important trait, and is enhanced by a quote from Michelle herself. Kids will grow up hearing the words of this influential woman and will learn what YOU value in a person! The I LOOK UP TO . . . series aims to shine a spotlight on women making a difference in the world today, and to encourage young kids to follow in their footsteps!" -- ONIX annotations (10/08/2018).
I Look Up To... Misty Copeland
Published in 2019
Presents an illustrated biography of the African American ballerina.
I Look Up To... Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Published in 2018
"Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States...and an inspiring role model!"--Back cover.
I Look Up To... Serena Williams
Published in 2019
Presents an illustrated biography of the female African American tennis player and describes why she is someone to look up to.
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville
Published in 2016
Growing up in the segregated town of Clarksville, Tennessee, in the 1960s, Alta's family cannot afford to buy her new sneakers--but she still plans to attend the parade celebrating her hero Wilma Rudolph's three Olympic gold medals.
Wilma's Way Home
The Life of Wilma Mankiller
Published in 2019
"A picturebook biography of Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation."--Provided by publisher.
A Computer Called Katherine
How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon
Published in 2019
Biography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson.
Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine
Published in 2014
Inspired by a true story, when Queen Victoria is unable to go swimming without her subjects glimpsing her in a swimming suit, her husband, Prince Albert, comes up with an innovative solution so his wife can indulge in the healthy exercise.