Women’s Day Book List: Inspiring Stories for Children

Whether it’s a picture book about a fearless astronaut, a biography of a legendary activist, or a fun story about a girl following her dreams, these books can help kids both girls and boys understand the importance of gender equality, perseverance, and confidence.

Here’s a list of inspiring books that every child should read this Women’s Day!

This bestselling book is a must-have for every child’s bookshelf. It features 100 bedtime stories about incredible women, from scientists and artists to activists and athletes. Each story is short, engaging, and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Kids will learn about Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, Malala Yousafzai, and many more women who changed history.

Why Kids Will Love It: The stories are written like fairy tales, making them exciting and easy to understand. Plus, they show that real-life heroes come in all forms!

Best For: Ages 6+

Inspired by real-life women who refused to give up, this book tells the stories of 13 American women, including Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, and Oprah Winfrey. Each story highlights their struggles and triumphs, showing young readers the power of persistence.

Why Kids Will Love It: The stories are empowering, and the illustrations make these historical figures feel relatable.

Best For: Ages 5-9

Malala Yousafzai’s inspiring story of standing up for girls’ education is beautifully adapted for younger readers in this edition. It’s a powerful book that teaches kids about bravery, resilience, and the importance of education for all.

Why Kids Will Love It: Malala’s real-life story is both moving and inspiring, making children feel like they, too, can change the world.

Best For: Ages 10+

Rosie is a young girl who dreams of becoming an engineer, but when one of her inventions doesn’t work, she feels like a failure. With encouragement from her great-great-aunt, Rosie learns that failure is just part of the journey to success.

Why Kids Will Love It: The rhyming text and fun illustrations make it a delightful read, while the story teaches an important lesson about perseverance and innovation.

Best For: Ages 4-8

This classic children’s book flips the traditional fairy tale on its head. When a dragon kidnaps Prince Ronald, Princess Elizabeth outsmarts the beast and rescues him—only to realize she doesn’t need a prince after all.

Why Kids Will Love It: It’s funny, unexpected, and teaches kids that they can be their own heroes.

Best For: Ages 3-7

This book tells the true story of four African American women mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden—who helped NASA launch astronauts into space. Their contributions were crucial, yet they faced discrimination at every turn.

Why Kids Will Love It: It’s a fascinating mix of history, science, and inspiration, showing kids the power of intelligence and determination.

Best For: Ages 8-12

This beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to 40 pioneering Black women in history, from scientists and poets to aviators and spies. It’s an inspiring read that highlights women who made history despite the odds.

Why Kids Will Love It: The short stories and engaging artwork make history come alive!

Best For: Ages 6-10

When Grace learns that there has never been a female U.S. president, she decides to run for class president. This fun and educational book introduces kids to leadership, elections, and the power of determination.

Why Kids Will Love It: It’s a fun, engaging story that teaches kids about democracy while encouraging them to dream big.

Best For: Ages 5-9

Inspired by the life of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, this picture book follows a little girl who dreams of flying among the stars. Despite the doubts of others, she never gives up on her dream.

Why Kids Will Love It: The dreamy illustrations and inspiring story will capture their imagination and teach them to believe in themselves.

Best For: Ages 4-8

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Malala imagines having a magic pencil to solve problems in the world until she realises that education is the real key to change.

Why Kids Will Love It: The story is inspiring yet simple, making it perfect for young readers.

Best For: Ages 4-8

Books have the power to shape young minds, and these stories of strong, determined women can inspire kids to dream big and break barriers. Whether you have a daughter or a son, introducing them to these empowering books will help them grow up with respect for women and the belief that they, too, can make a difference.

This Women’s Day, take the time to read these stories with your child. Talk about the lessons they teach, encourage questions, and celebrate the amazing women who have shaped our world. After all, today’s young readers are tomorrow’s leaders!