Feminists come in all shapes, sizes and ages. And it’s never too early to teach children about gender equality. To that end, we’ve rounded up 10 age-appropriate feminist books for various aged kids—from tykes to tweens. Purchase these books for your kids, grandkids, friend’s kids, or anyone to add to their bookshelf.
Recommended ages: Baby to 2 years
Author-illustrator Loryn Brantz proves you can be a feminist at any age with this pint-size page-turner. Watch as Feminist Baby learns that she can be (and do) whatever she wants—whether it’s making noise or throwing toys.
Purchase Feminist Baby on Amazon for $11.16.
Recommended ages: Baby to 5 years
This colorful collection comprises four board books categorized by artists, leaders, activists, and pioneers. Little readers will make the acquaintance of world-changing women such as Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, Harriet Tubman, and Billie Jean King. (Though recommended for readers up to 5 years of age, the pithy content is probably best for those 3 and under.)
Purchase Little Feminist book set from Anthropologie for $14.99.
Recommended ages: 3 to 7 years
Not so much a feminist manifesto as a call to action on behalf of all people, A is for Activist instills the importance of acceptance. Richly illustrated by Nagara, this ABC book will engross and entertain.
Purchase A Is for Activist from Barnes & Noble for $16.
Recommended ages: 3 to 8 years
Treat the little girl or boy in your life to an empowering trip around the world courtesy of Willow Willpower. This imaginative heroine has long dreamed of flying, and after a trip to a local museum where she’s introduced to the legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart, she sets her sights on becoming a bona fide pilot—all while introducing readers to some of the globe’s most famous sights. (Plus, this book gets bonus points from us: It’s made with vegan ink and eco-friendly paper.)
Purchase Willow Willpower on Blooturtle for $14.95.
Recommended ages: 4 to 8 years
The Supreme Court Justice gets the picture-book treatment with this charmer from author Debbie Levy. This biography traces The Notorious RBG’s life from childhood to her standing in the nation’s highest court, told through the lens of her many disagreements or “dissents.” The lesson of this book is that sometimes you have to disagree to make a difference.
Purchase I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark on Amazon for $16.
Recommended ages: 5 to 8 years
The former First Daughter borrows the famous feminist battle cry to tell the inspiring stories of 13 American women—Nellie Bly, Sonia Sotomayor and Florence Griffith Joyner among them—who never gave up. Consider it the next step up from the Little Feminist book set.
Purchase She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World from Target for $13.50.
Recommended ages: 5 to 9 years
When Grace learns that there’s never been a woman president, she decides to be the first. Through a mock election, readers learn about both the electoral process and the value of hard work.
Purchase Grace for President on Amazon for $14.64.
Recommended ages: 8 to 12 years
Foster feminism and an interest in STEM with the historic tale of NASA’s pioneering black female mathematicians, who were integral to the space program’s early success. And, yes, buy it for them even if they have already seen the Taraji P. Henson-starring film.
Purchase Hidden Figures from Barnes & Noble for $5.50.
Recommended ages: 9 to 12 years
Another engrossing read given the big-screen treatment, A Wrinkle in Time proves that fiction is often as powerful a teaching tool as fact. L’Engle’s sci-fi classic follows 13-year-old heroine Meg Murry on a transformative quest to find her missing father. The dazzling story will open a new world to any child.
Purchase A Wrinkle in Time from Shop Disney for $8.95.
RELATED: A Wrinkle in Time film challenges audiences in all the right ways
Recommended ages: 12 and up
An ode to non-conformity, Jerry Spinelli’s YA novel centers around the vibrantly eccentric Stargirl Caraway. Previously homeschooled, the teen enrolls at a public high school blissfully unaware of the mores and cliques that rule her classmates. Though Stargirl’s peers initially find her naiveté embarrassing, they soon come to realize her positive energy and loving nature may actually be worth celebrating.
Puchase Stargirl on Amazon for $9.55.
Know of any other feminist books for kids? Let us know in the comments!
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