March is Women’s History Month. I love being a mom, but it is incredibly challenging sometimes. I feel like things such as picky eating, potty-training, and toddler tantrums are fairly easy to handle. But when it comes to the deeper stuff like religion, racism, sexism, and the like, I find myself needing to find relatable resources as we try to teach our children. I want them to learn history and be encouraged that they can break through barriers and make a difference, too.
Books to Celebrate Women’s History Month
In honor of Women’s History Month, I am sharing six books that tell stories of strength, heroism, bravery, intelligence, and fearlessness. All these books center around powerful women in history.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
by Rachel Ignotofsky
This wonderful collection shares some enormous contributions to science made by women throughout history. It features mathematicians, paleontologists, writers, doctors, and so much more. A New York Times best seller, this book is sure to be a favorite for children and adults alike.
Rachel also published Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win. This super cool book shows women’s growing participation in sports, including a timeline dating back to the ancient Olympics. She includes athletes such as Althea Gibson, Bobbi Gibb, Babe Didrickson Zaharias, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Michelle Kwan, among others.
A Computer Called Katherine
by Suzanne Slade
Katherine Johnson (made famous by the award-winning film Hidden Figures) was a mathematician who, after starting college at 15 years old, became a teacher and eventually joined NASA. Her contributions and calculations helped pioneer America’s first manned flight into space. This inspiring true story gives just a small glimpse of Katherine’s early love for learning, allowing children to see how seemingly ordinary skills like counting can actually be something that can impact history.
“Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing.” — Katherine Johnson
For Such a Time as This: Stories of Women from the Bible, Retold for Girls
by Angie Smith
In her second children’s book, best-selling author Angie Smith features 40 women of the Bible in both the Old and New Testament. Women such as Eve, Rebekah, Esther, the woman at the well, and many other familiar (and unfamiliar) names are featured. Each story includes a summary depicting attributes of God and thoughtful applications. With beautiful imagery and encouragement throughout, this one is great for everyday reading.
Malala’s Magic Pencil
by Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai (New York Times best-selling author and Nobel Peace Prize winner) thoughtfully wrote and illustrated this book inspired by her own childhood growing up in Pakistan. As a child, Malala wished for a magic pencil that could change the world around her like getting an extra hour of sleep in the mornings (who wouldn’t love that?!). As she grew older, she began learning that there were perhaps more important things to desire. She realized that she could work hard and be part of making a difference.
“My voice became so powerful that the dangerous men tried to silence me. But they failed.” — Malala Yousafzai
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World
by Susan Hood
This delightful, award-winning poetry collection is entirely written, illustrated, edited, and designed by women. Amazon notes this as being “a poetic and visual celebration of persistent women throughout history.” That description could not be more accurate. From inspiring stories, thoughtful quotes, and beautiful illustrations, this book introduces historical women that are not well-known, but who are incredible and noteworthy. The book also gives additional resources about each woman for those who want to dive deeper and learn more.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
by Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli
This book includes stories of women with world-changing power like writers, architects, supermodels, ballerinas, and surgeons. Another incredibly illustrated offering, this book sets out to educate, encourage, and inspire. And I can’t lie: I chose this one because it includes Simone Biles. I am low-key obsessed with her. I mean, she HAS to be superhuman or something.
If you are interested in finding more books for Women’s History Month, check out this Top 10 List from another passionate contributor. Have you read any books that would be a great addition to this list? We’d love to hear in the comment section below!
