10 Empowering Picture Books for Women’s History Month

My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream?, by Jennifer Fosberry and Mike Litwin
How great would it be to wake up as someone famous in history? Even just for pretend. And that’s just what Isabella does when one day she decides to spend her time pretending to be amazing women like Annie Oakley and Rosa Parks. A wonderful glimpse into feminist history while showing the beauty of a good old fashioned game of pretend.

The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds
One little dot on a blank piece of paper. Who would suspect that a girl who believes she lacks any artistic ability can have an incredible adventure just from one little dot? A story to help during those moments of self-doubt and insecurity. And a lesson in drawing life with our own unique colors.

The Matchbox Diary, by Paul Fleischman and Bagram Ibatoulline
Four generations of one family—all seen through the mementos found in one small matchbox. A beautiful, pull-at-your-heartstrings story that gives readers a chance to hear stories of another time in history as told through the knickknacks saved by a great-grandfather. This is a book that you’ll want to read together with your whole family.

The Mermaid in the Shoe, by K.G. Campbell
When you are surrounded by a sea of sisters, it’s hard to find your own place in the world. That’s the struggle that Minnow faces as one of Neptune’s 50 daughters. But when she finds a strange unknown object, she soon figures out how to carve our her own path in a crowded world.

The Seven Chinese Sisters, by Kathy Tucker and Grace Lin
Girls need to see the power of their own hard work and determination, but they also need to see the strength that comes in working together as women. When one sister is taken by a dragon, the six others must band together to save her. Beautiful illustrations perfectly accompany a female-empowerment tale of family love.

Grace for President, by Kelly DiPucchio and Leuyen Pham
When Grace enters a world no girl has gone before—her school presidential election—a world of adventure and new experiences challenge her. An entertaining story with a well-told explanation of the voting and Electoral College process that even adults can learn from!

Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
The power of failure: a lesson that all children need to learn. But when Rosie thinks all her inventions are useless, it’s the surprising words of her Aunt Rose that make her realize that with every failure comes a new opportunity to succeed.

Violet the Pilot, by Steve Breen
When Violet is taunted at school for her love of building and flying planes, she has the choice to either quit or come back even stronger. Hoping to impress everyone, she enters an air show competition and learns what’s really important when flying high in the sky. A humorous but poignant story of still daring to do the things you love, even when the world around you doesn’t understand.

The Girl Who Wouldn’t Brush Her Hair, by Kate Bernheimer and Jake Parker
When the world around her keeps telling her what to do with her hair, a little girl takes matters into her own hands and takes a stance. A great positive message about how we each determine our own sense of beauty, and standing up for what we believe in.

Amazing Grace, by Mary Hoffman
When Grace decides she wants to try out for the school play, her classmates stop her. It’s Peter Pan! How can she be Peter Pan if she’s a girl? And she’s not white? But just when she’s about to let her hopes fade away, Grace’s family reminds her that any dream is possible. An inspiring story of breaking down cultural barriers and doing what you truly love—even when others doubt you.
What are your favorite empowering books to read to young girls?