Inspiring Books for Young Girls

“Dream bigger, aim higher, fight harder. And, when in doubt, remember…you are right.”

– Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo – Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

We live in a world where women are often viewed as less-than. There are places where girls are not even allowed the right to an education…places where women are taught to sit back and be quiet. In the United States, women earn lower wages than men for performing the exact same jobs. And the number of professional women working in the fields of science, math, engineering, and technology are vastly disproportionate. While great strides have been made for women’s rights, there is still a long way to go. I want my daughter to know that she can do anything…that she can be anything…that anything is possible, as long as she sets her mind to it, works hard, and never gives up. The world is her oyster, and I want her to be inspired to prove people wrong…to speak her truth…to affect change…to stand up for what’s right…to be the change we need in the world.

One way for my husband and I to teach our daughter that she can accomplish anything, is to introduce her to a wealth of amazing women that have truly changed the world, in these Inspiring Books for Young Girls!

We love sharing these phenomenal stories with our little nugget! One night we were reading about Hillary Rodham Clinton, and we shared this quote:

“To every little girl who dreams big, I say: Yes, you can be anything you want — even president.”

I will never forget how our daughter looked over at her daddy and happily exclaimed, “I can be anything I want to be!” She was smiling from ear to ear. Woohoo! Girl Power!

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
- Our little nugget fell in love with this beautiful children’s book, written by Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Piece Prize. When Malala was young, she dreamed of having a magic pencil (much like one in a cartoon that she always watched). She wanted to use it for things that would bring her family happiness. As she grew older, and her education (along with the education of other girls in Pakistan) became threatened, she dreamed of a magic pencil that would end war and poverty, and draw boys and girls together as equals. What she discovered was that her very own pencil and paper…along with her powerful words and courage to share her story…were all the magic she needed!
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
- This empowering children’s book shares the stories of 100 extraordinary women from all around the world! It’s definitely one for the bookshelf. My husband and I enjoy perusing the pages and learning more about these magnificent women. We love being able to read one or two of the stories with our daughter every night…from Frida Kahlo, Julia Child, and Michelle Obama…to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Misty Copeland, and Rosa Parks. Our little nugget jumped for joy after discovering the two female pirates that are featured in the book! This book provides a wonderful compilation of simple biographies that show young girls that they truly can do anything, and be anything they want to be…they can conquer the world!
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca
- When Temple Grandin was little, she did not speak and several doctors told her mother that there was something wrong with her, and that she should be sent away. Temple’s mother held her ground and stood tall for her daughter, who would later be diagnosed with autism. Temple’s brain presented things visually, in pictures. Her unique way of thinking allowed her to make a special connection with the animals on her aunt’s farm…which later in life, led Temple to create groundbreaking improvements to farms around the world. She became a brilliant scientist and earned three college degrees. That once silent little girl is now a very well-known speaker…giving speeches across the globe! This powerful tale is another that our little nugget wanted to read over and over and over again. She was especially thrilled to learn that Temple lives in Colorado…just like us. 🙂
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
- This beautifully-illustrated book shares the stories of 40 incredible black women who changed the world. Being black and female often meant (and unfortunately still often means) being invisible. But these women…these poets, activists, physicians, lawyers,, entertainers, pilots, teachers, artists, scientists, generals, astronauts, and athletes…these women dared to go after their dreams; dared to demand what they deserved; dared to make the world a better place. From Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Ella Fitzgerald, Katherine Johnson, Maya Angelou…their stories are powerful and full of hope, courage, and inspiration. Our daughter (an enthusiastic mini gymnast), loves reading about Dominique Dawes – the first black person of any nationality, or gender, to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics!
I am Jane Goodall by Brad Meltzer
- When I was a little girl, I loved learning about Jane Goodall…the amazing and inspirational woman who became the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, by observing them in their natural environments in Africa. During a time when girls were expected to become nurses, secretaries, and teachers…Jane wanted to travel and study animals. Her mother always told her, “If you really want something, work hard for it. If you don’t give up, you’ll find a way.” So, Jane worked hard, never giving up…and now she is one of the most well-known primatologists and anthropologists of our time, with numerous awards and accolades under her belt. She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, as well as the Roots & Shoots Program – bringing together youth to work on environmental, conservation and humanitarian issues. This cute book by Brad Meltzer was the perfect way for me to introduce our daughter to such an amazing woman.

The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca
- We loved the story of Dr. Temple Grandin so much, that we decided to pick up the second installment in this series about amazing scientists. Growing up in New York during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath was determined to be a doctor. She experienced racism, poverty, and sexism on her quest to become an eye doctor, but no obstacle could stop her. She accomplished many amazing things…most notably, she developed a game-changing treatment for blindness.
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood
- This empowering book shares the remarkable stories of 14 inspiring young women who broke down barriers, reached for the skies, and changed the world. I love how these stories prove that you don’t have to be a grown adult to change the world…young people have been creating powerful change for generations. In the pages of this book you will find stories about the first known female firefighter in the US, journalists, inventors, undercover operatives, activists, artists, and more. Our little nugget was thrilled to see Malala in this book too!
I am Helen Keller by Brad Meltzer
- Helen Keller is the remarkable woman who learned to read, write, and speak after suffering a horrible illness (before turning 2-years-old) that left her both deaf and blind. She could no longer see or hear…making communication incredibly difficult. She became frustrated and angry…until she met the teacher that would change her entire life – Ann Sullivan. With the help of her incredible teacher, Helen went on to become the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree. She became an activist for numerous types of social change. Her story proves that nothing can stop us, as long as we never give up.
I am Amelia Earhart by Brad Meltzer
- After reading Brad’s stories about Jane Goodall and Helen Keller, how could we pass up the chance to read about Amelia Earhart? A girl who discovered her love of flying at a very young age…who went on her very first airplane flight at 23-years-old. Amelia worked numerous odd jobs to pay for her flying lessons. And she became the very first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean all by herself…during a time when distant ocean travel was only done by ship.
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark
- Since my husband is a software engineer, I was thrilled to come across this children’s book about Grace Hopper – the woman who revolutionized computer coding! As a young girl, Grace was always taking gadgets apart and trying to put them back together…she wanted to know how everything worked. At a time when most women were taking classes in motherhood and family at Vassar College, Grace enrolled in math and physics. She went on to attend graduate school at Yale University…there was only one other woman in her class. After graduate school she joined the Navy, where she worked on some of the very first computers that were ever built. She is most notably recognized for coining the term “computer bug” when referring to a coding error, as well as teaching computers how to speak English…making the field of computer programming that much more accessible. She retired from the Navy at the age of 80!
Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Paris Rosenthal
- This beautiful children’s book is a love letter written to girls of all ages…reminding us of our power, strength, and value. I love how it illustrates the complete normalcy in wanting to dress up in fancy pink frills one day, while wanting to jump in mud puddles the next! 🙂 We are reminded to be kind to ourselves, to keep asking questions, to listen to our brave side, to reflect, and to never lose our sense of wonder. I love this book so much…it’s one that every girl, and every woman, should have on their bookshelf!

Some of our other favorite girl power books (that are not pictured) are as follows:

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Pirate Pink and Treasures of the Reef by Jan Day

I’m so proud of the strong, independent, smart, caring, and funny little girl that our daughter has become…and I can’t wait to watch her grow into the remarkable woman she is destined to be.