Women's History Month for Kids
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Book Lists
Nina by Call Number: X 92 SIMONE, N.Nina Simone was a musical child. She sang before she talked and learned to play piano at a very young age. With the support of her family and community, she received music lessons that introduced her to classical composers like Bach who influenced her music throughout her life. She loved the way his music began softly and then tumbled to thunder, like her mother's preaching, and in much the same way as her career. During her first performances under the name of Nina Simone her voice was rich and sweet but as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam, Nina's voice soon became a thunderous roar as she raised her voice in powerful protest in the fight against racial inequality and discrimination.
Mae among the Stars by Call Number: XE AHMED, R.When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering. She wanted to be an astronaut. Her mom told her, "If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible!" Little Mae's curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.
Indelible Ann by Call Number: X 92 RICHARDS, A.A folksy, larger-than-life picture book biography about Ann Richards, the late governor of Texas who has inspired countless women in politics today.
Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers by Call Number: XE MISHRA-NEWBERY, U.Loujain watches her beloved baba attach his feather wings and fly each morning, but her own dreams of flying face a big obstacle: only boys, not girls, are allowed to fly in her country. Yet despite the taunts of her classmates, she is determined to do it especially because Loujain loves colors, and only by flying can she see the color-filled field of sunflowers her baba has told her about. Eventually, he agrees to teach her, and Loujain's impossible dream becomes reality and soon other girls dare to learn to fly.
I Am Mozart, Too by Call Number: X 92 MOZART, M.Nannerl and Wolfie love playing the harpsichord together. They are so talented, the Mozart siblings perform all over Europe for packed audiences in beautiful concert halls. Even Empress Maria Theresa requests that they stop in Vienna to play especially for her. But then Nannerl does something naughty: She starts writing music of her own. Papa fumes. Girls are not allowed to compose! Girls belong behind the curtain. While Wolfie's solo career takes flight, Nannerl must settle for a life offstage. But it doesn't stop her from pursuing her dreams in secret.
One Wish: Fatima Al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University by Call Number: X 92 AL-FIHRI, F.Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors. As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true.
Malala's Magic Pencil by Call Number: X 92 YOUSAFZAI, M.As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. But as she grew older, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true.
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Call Number: X 92 KAHLO, F.The fascinating Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is remembered for her self-portraits, her dramatic works featuring bold and vibrant colors. Her work brought attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and she is also renowned for her works celebrating the female form. Brown's story recounts Frida's beloved pets-two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn-and playfully considers how Frida embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal.
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Call Number: X 92 LIN, M.As a child, Maya Lin loved to study the spaces around her. She explored the forest in her backyard, observing woodland creatures, and used her house as a model to build tiny towns out of paper and scraps. The daughter of a clay artist and a poet, Maya grew up with art and learned to think with her hands as well as her mind. From her first experiments with light and lines to the height of her success nationwide, this is the story of an inspiring American artist.
Love Is Loud by Call Number: X 92 NASH, D.Diane grew up in the southside of Chicago in the 1940s. As a university student, she visited the Tennessee State Fair in 1959. Shocked to see a bathroom sign that read For Colored Women, Diane learned that segregation in the South went beyond schools—it was part of daily life. She decided to fight back, not with anger or violence, but with strong words of truth and action.
Harriet's Ruffled Feathers by Call Number: X 92 HEMENWAY, H.Harriet Lawrence Hemenway loved hats. She loved them with ribbons and flowers, embroidery and pearls. And feathers! What was better than a hat with grand, glorious feathers? But then Harriet discovered that millions of birds died so that she and her friends could soar at the height of style. A passion for fashion was one thing, but this was feather-brained! So Harriet led the charge to take feathers out of fashion, getting laws passed that made it illegal to buy or sell wild bird feathers. In 1896, she and her fellow bird protectors founded the Massachusetts Audubon Society, which grew into a national organization that still protects birds today!
The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything by Call Number: X 92 MITCHELL, M.Perfect for fans of STEM, this inspiring picture book biography tells the extraordinary story of pioneering astronomer Maria Mitchell.
The Corgi and the Queen by Call Number: X 92 ELIZABETHIntroduces young readers to Queen Elizabeth II and her four-legged canine companion Susan, a Pembroke Welsh corgi full of love and tail wags, showing how this pair forged an unbreakable bond from princess-hood to queendom.
Hidden Figures by Call Number: X 920 LEEDorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good. They participated in some of NASA's greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America's first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world. In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as "colored computers," and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career.
Her Name Was Mary Katharine by Call Number: X 92 GODDARD, M.As a businesswoman and a newspaper publisher in Revolutionary America, Goddard paved the way for influential media. Her remarkable accomplishments as a woman defied societal norms and set the stage for a free and open press. When the Continental Congress decreed that the Declaration of Independence be widely distributed, one person rose to the occasion and printed the document—boldly inserting her name at the bottom with a printing credit: Mary Katharine Goddard.
I Dissent by Call Number: X 92 GINSBURG, R.Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the first picture book about her life as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable. Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what's right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book about the Notorious RBG, tells the justice's story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements.
Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Call Number: XE RYAN, P.On a brisk and cloudless evening in April 1933, Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt did the unprecedented: they stole away from a White House dinner, commandeered an Eastern Air Transport plane, and took off on a glorious adventure--all while dressed in their glamorous evening gowns!
Shaking Things up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Call Number: X 920.72 HOOFresh, accessible, and inspiring, Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist—to the next generation of activists, trail-blazers, and rabble-rousers. From the award-winning author of Ada’s Violin, Susan Hood, this is a poetic and visual celebration of persistent women throughout history.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Call Number: X 92 GRANDIN, T.When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!
The Tree Lady by Call Number: X 635.092 HOPA seed of hope, watered with determination and pruned by a brave voice calling for change, turns San Diego from a desert into land lush with trees when Kate Sessions launches a movement to bring life to seemingly dead land. Learn about Katherine Olivia Sessions who brought trees to San Diego and created what eventually became Balboa Park.
Grace Hopper by Call Number: X 92 HOPPER, G.Grace Hopper coined the term “computer bug” and taught computers to “speak English.” Throughout her life, Hopper succeeded in doing what no one had ever done before. Delighting in difficult ideas and in defying expectations, the insatiably curious Hopper truly was “Amazing Grace” . . . and a role model for science- and math-minded girls and boys. With a wealth of witty quotes, and richly detailed illustrations, this book brings Hopper's incredible accomplishments to life.
Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge by Call Number: X 92 ROEBLING, E.It was the first trip across an engineering marvel that had taken nearly fourteen years to construct. The woman's husband was the chief engineer, and he knew all about the dangerous new technique involved. The woman insisted she learn as well. When he fell ill mid-construction, her knowledge came in handy. She supervised every aspect of the project while he was bedridden, and she continued to learn about things only men were supposed to know: math, science, engineering. Women weren't supposed to be engineers. But this woman insisted she could do it all, and her hard work helped to create one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.
Ablaze with Color: a Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Call Number: X 92 THOMAS, A.Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.
Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the 20th century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.
The Brilliant Calculator by Call Number: X 92 CLARKE, E.Long before calculators were invented, little Edith Clarke devoured numbers, conquered calculations, cracked puzzles, and breezed through brainteasers. Edith wanted to be an engineer to use the numbers she saw all around her to help build America. When she grew up, no one would hire a woman engineer. But that didn t stop Edith from following her passion and putting her lightning-quick mind to the problem of electricity.
A Book, Too, Can Be a Star by Call Number: X 92 LENGLE, M.When Madeleine L'Engle was very small, she often found herself awake at night, marveling at the stars. They guided her throughout her life, making her feel part of a big and exciting world, even when she felt alone. They made her want to ask big questions―Why are we here? What is my place in the universe?―and let her imagination take flight. Books, too, were like stars―asking questions and proposing answers. Books kept Madeleine company, and soon, she began to write and share her own. But would other people see the wonder she found in the world?
Jackie and the Mona Lisa by Call Number: X 759.5 ROVJackie Kennedy loved the arts. And America loved Jackie Kennedy. The first lady knew she had the country's attention--what would she do with it? Encourage Americans to appreciate art, of course! She turned the White House into a historical site filled with some of America's most treasured artifacts and pieces of art. She brought Shakespearean theater to the White House and ballerinas to the South Lawn. And most epically, she brought the Mona Lisa to the states (much to the chagrin of many Parisians) to encourage Americans to visit museums--and it worked! An inspiring story about one of the nation's most influential first ladies.
Maya's Song by Call Number: X 92 ANGELOU, M.This unforgettable picture book introduces young readers to the life and work of Maya Angelou, whose words have uplifted and inspired generations of readers. The author of the celebrated autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya was the first Black person and first woman to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration, and her influence echoes through culture and history. She was also the first Black woman to appear on the United States quarter.
To the Front! by Call Number: X 92 BARTON, C.During the Civil War, Clara Barton—one of the first women to receive permission to serve on a battlefield—snuck her supply wagon to the head of a ten-mile wagon train to deliver provisions to the Antietam Battlefield. On the bloodiest day in American history, Clara and her team of helpers sprang into action as they nursed the wounded and dying, cooked meals for soldiers, and provided doctors with desperately needed medical supplies and lanterns so they could operate through the night.
A Life of Service: the Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth by Call Number: X 92 DUCKWORTH, T.This picture book biography chronicles the life of Tammy Duckworth, beginning with her childhood in Thailand and leading to her groundbreaking election as a U.S. Senator. Powerful details about Duckworth's childhood and her experiences in the National Guard impart a sense of the senator's resilient spirit; the book concludes on a hope-filled call to action of more work to be done.
The Girl Who Built an Ocean by Call Number: X VILLEPREUXPOWER, J.While studying life along the seashore, Jeanne Villepreux-Power discovered and became fascinated by the argonaut - or paper nautilus. Jeanne wanted a way to bring this piece of the ocean home with her, and that's she came to build the world's first aquarium—an invention that would pave the way for countless scientific discoveries in the years to come...
We Got Game! by Call Number: X 796.082 WEIInspire kids to be their best selves and get involved in social change with this stunning anthology about thirty-five amazing women in sports around the world and throughout history.
Nellie vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race around the World by Call Number: X 910.41 HANIn this real-life adventure, groundbreaking journalists Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland race against each other–and the clock–as they circle the globe by ship, train, and foot. Join these two stereotype-shattering reporters as they prove that not only is traveling around the world possible, but that women are just as curious, capable, and courageous as any man.
Girls Solve Everything by Call Number: X 920 THIWomen all over the globe are asking questions that affect lives and creating businesses that answer them. Like, can we keep premature babies warm when they're born far from the hospital? Or, can the elderly stay in their homes and eat a balanced diet? Women are taking on and solving these issues with their ingenuity and business acumen. How did they get their ideas? Where does the funding for their projects come from? And how have some of these businesses touched YOUR life? Girls Solve Everything answers these questions, inspiring today's kids to learn from entrepreneurs and take on some of the world's biggest problems, one solution at a time.
Women in Art by Call Number: X 704.042 IGNWomen in Art highlights the achievements and stories of 50 notable women in the arts--from well-known figures like painters Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keefe, to lesser-known names like 19th-century African American quilter Harriet Powers and Hopi-Tewa ceramic artist Nampeyo. Covering a wide array of artistic mediums, this fascinating collection also contains infographics about artistic movements throughout history, statistics about women's representation in museums, and notable works by women. Women in Art celebrates the success of the bold female creators who inspired the world and paved the way for the next generation of artists.
Women in Science by Call Number: X 509.252 IGNWomen in Science highlights the contributions of fifty notable women to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from the ancient to the modern world. Full of striking, singular art, this fascinating collection also contains infographics about relevant topics such as lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields, and an illustrated scientific glossary. The trailblazing women profiled include well-known figures like primatologist Jane Goodall, as well as lesser-known pioneers such as Katherine Johnson, the African-American physicist and mathematician who calculated the trajectory of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Call Number: X 920.72 FAVGood Night Stories for Rebel Girls is a children's book packed with 100 bedtime stories about the lives of extraordinary women from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 female artists from all over the world. This must-have volume brings readers on an empowering journey, introducing them to the real-life adventures of trailblazing women from Elizabeth I to Malala Yousafzai. The unique narrative style of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls transforms each biography into a fairytale, filling readers with wonder and a burning curiosity to know more about each hero. Each woman's story is also accompanied by a full-page, full-color portrait that captures her rebel spirit.
Herstory by Call Number: X 920.72 HALMove aside history--it's time for herstory. Celebrate fifty inspiring and powerful women who changed the world and left their mark in this lavishly illustrated biography compilation that's perfect for fans of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and She Persisted. Throughout history, girls have often been discussed in terms of what they couldn't or shouldn't do. Not anymore. It's time for herstory--a celebration of not only what girls can do, but the remarkable things women have already accomplished, even when others tried to stop them.
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Call Number: X 92 BAKER, J.In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.
The Code Breaker -- Young Readers Edition by Call Number: X 576.5 ISAThis biography of Jennifer Doudna, a genetic researcher who won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Emmanuelle Charpentier for their work with CRISPR--a genome-editing system instrumental in the development of COVID-19 vaccines--is based on the 2021 adult title of the same name. This version covers Doudna's life and career, including technical explanations of her groundbreaking work in molecular biology and RNA research. Doudna's story serves as an inspirational model for young women who intend to pursue a career in science.
The Lady and the Octopus by Call Number: X 92 VILLEPREUXPOWER, J.Jeanne Villepreux-Power was never expected to be a scientist. Born in 1794 in a French village more than 100 miles from the ocean, she pursued an improbable path that brought her to the island of Sicily. There, she took up natural history and solved the two-thousand-year-old mystery of how of the argonaut octopus gets its shell. In an era when most research focused on dead specimens, Jeanne was determined to experiment on living animals. And to keep sea creatures alive for her studies, she had to invent a contraption to hold them - the aquarium.
The Woman Who Split the Atom by Call Number: X 92 MEITNER, L.As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early 20th century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field, like having her name listed on her own research papers. Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she suddenly had to face not only sexism, but also life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the world: the splitting of the atom.
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