20 Books About Inspiring Women You Should Read to Your Kids

Stories of women who changed the world.

March 04, 2025

By: Amanda Mushro

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Photo By: Catherine Delahaye

Teach Your Kids About Women Who Broke Boundaries

Grab one of these books about inspirational women who worked hard to break boundaries and fight for what they believed in. History wouldn’t be the same without these brave women, and now is the perfect time to honor them.

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist

Eugenie Clark dedicated her life to studying zoology. She was a professor and a writer who was fascinated with sharks. Because of her work with these amazing sea creatures, much of the world realized that sharks needed to be better appreciated and protected.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11

Malala's Magic Pencil

In this picture book, Malala Yousafzai, who was the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, tells the story of her childhood in Pakistan. She talks about her quest to make the world a more peaceful place, and how a magic pencil would make the world around her better.

BUY IT: Amazon, $10

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre

This book is a kid-friendly biography of Pura Belpre, who was a storyteller, puppeteer, New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, and a champion for bilingual literature.

BUY IT: Amazon, $9

What Miss Mitchell Saw

This book tells the story of Maria Mitchell, America’s first professional female astronomer. As a child, Maria Mitchell stood on her rooftop with her telescope to look at the stars. One night, she saw something unusual — a comet no one had ever seen before! This discovery paved the way for her to become an astronomer and chase her dreams.

BUY IT: Amazon, $13

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

Maria Sibylla Merian was one of the first naturalists to observe live insects and one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. Until her discovery, people thought bugs were born out of mud and "beasts of the devil." However, she changed science and the way bugs are studied.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11

Mae Among the Stars

This beautiful picture book tells the story of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison. When Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space, and she imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars. This book is a great read for kids aged 4-8 years old.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11

The Story of Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo made history by creating beautiful paintings and she is one of the most celebrated artists in the world. Frida went through a life-changing accident that would have made many people want to give up, but she fought to overcome setbacks and followed her passion to make the world a more colorful place.

BUY IT: Amazon, $6

Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History

Celebrating the rad women in history, this book is a great read for tweens and teens.

BUY IT: Amazon, $9

Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines

This book tells the story of Maya Lin, the visionary artist-architect who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Kids can learn about her life, upbringing, and her inspiration for creating one of the most iconic memorials in our country’s history.

BUY IT: Amazon, $17

Before She Was Harriet

Today, we know the story of Harriet Tubman and her work with the Underground Railroad. However, this story dives into her life before those days. She was a slave, a spy, a nurse, and a suffragist — and this book documents these moments in her life.

BUY IT: Amazon, $7

A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon

This inspiring book tells the true story of mathematician Katherine Johnson, who was made famous in the award-winning film "Hidden Figures." Learn how she proved everyone wrong by zooming ahead of her classmates, starting college at 15, working for NASA and putting a man on the moon!

BUY IT: Amazon, $13

She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World

Author Chelsea Clinton introduces 13 inspirational women who never took no for an answer and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted. Kids will learn about Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar and others.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11

A Is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World

As a great choice for your youngest readers, this ABC book offers inspiration about awesome women representing every letter of the alphabet. A is for Amelia Earhart, B for Beyoncé, M for Malala and R for Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Learn about awesome women in history, and up-and-coming game-changers with a little ABC fun.

BUY IT: Amazon, $6

What Is the Women's Rights Movement?

This is a great book for teaching elementary and middle school kids about Women’s Rights leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Gloria Steinem and Hillary Clinton. This book takes kids throughout U.S. history and talks about women who have fought for equality. From demanding the right to vote, to equal rights and opportunities for women at home and in the workplace, this book celebrates how far women have come and what more needs to be done.

BUY IT: Amazon, $5

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

Inspire future scientists and mathematicians with this book that highlights 50 notable women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The book is full of beautiful art and fun infographics about STEM topics such as lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields and an illustrated glossary.

BUY IT: Amazon, $10

Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge

Did you know the Brooklyn Bridge was built by a woman named Emily Roebling? Not many people knew about Emily and her work, but this book tells the story of how she took charge of construction when her husband, who was the chief engineer, got sick. She supervised every aspect of the project while he was bedridden, and she continued to learn about things only men were supposed to know, like math, science and engineering.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19

Strong Girls Gift Set

This box set introduces young readers to trailblazers like Sacagawea, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman and Jane Goodall. The books are full of important information about their lives and also offer a timeline and photos of each woman.

BUY IT: Amazon, $42

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! This book helps kids discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation's oldest student. Inspire your kids to set their minds to a goal and work for it — no matter how young or how old.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Girls Gift Set

This book contains stories about 100 amazing women who were scientists, painters, judges, engineers and more. The tales cover well and lesser-known women throughout history.

BUY IT: Amazon, $6

Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure

This book depicts the fascinating history behind the Girl Scouts and introduces readers to Juliette Gordon Low, otherwise known as Daisy, who founded the organization. Combining her ancestors’ passion for service with her own adventurous spirit and belief that girls could do anything, Daisy started the group we know today. Over a hundred years later, the Girl Scouts continue to have adventures, do good deeds and make a difference.

BUY IT: Amazon, $16

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