Inspiring books for International Women’s Day to read with your child
March 8 is International Women’s Day, a special time that celebrates women’s worldwide fight for gender, social, and political equality. For 115 years, International Women’s Day has envisioned a more inclusive world for all women across the globe.
Why you should celebrate International Women’s Day with your kids
With that being said, International Women’s Day is the perfect opportunity to introduce some of those themes to your child through empowering and inspirational books, regardless of gender. You can engage in really important conversations about powerful women and breaking the bias. You can also talk about how powerful and strong girls are, and how we celebrate everyone’s individuality.
How books shape self-confidence and empathy
When children are young, they tend to connect most with storytelling which can encourage confidence and empathy. Introducing books about female leaders and changemakers can truly create a lasting impact on your little ones, inspiring a brighter and more inclusive future for our children- something that we all want!
What makes a book inspiring
Everyone has a different definition of what inspires them or moves them to take action. For International Women’s Day, in particular, we like books that feature strong female protagonists, real-life role models, and themes that emphasize kindness and courage. We also wanted to consider age-appropriate stories that your kids could relate to and learn from to get a better understanding of the themes surrounding this important day.
We found books that your budding readers will actually enjoy, so our books have colorful and fun illustrations, with stories that will keep your kiddos hooked on the book.
The best books for International Women’s Day to read with your young kids
Here is a list of our favorite inspiring books for International Women’s Day for young readers (and parents).
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont (opens in a new tab)
This book is about encouraging kids to love themselves by teaching them about self-confidence. It is all about embracing uniqueness and celebrating what makes everybody special.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin (opens in a new tab)
This book is about inspiring confidence in everything that your child will achieve. It features themes of self-esteem, growing up, and being brave to reach accomplishments.
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai (opens in a new tab)
Written by a girl's education activist, Malala, this book is about finding the magic in the world- even when times are hard. Malala faced barriers to education in her home country of Pakistan, and this book based on true-story is about rising above challenges and empowering girls to love and appreciate school.
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison (opens in a new tab)
This picture book is about 18 Black women in American history who have made a true impact on society and achieved extraordinary things, even in the face of adversity. These incredible women have made a lasting impact on generations of women and girls to come.
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio (opens in a new tab)
This book is about a girl named Grace who finds out there has never been a female United States president, so she decides to run for president in her school’s mock election. The lessons of this book include courage, determination, and empowerment.
The Bug Girl: A True Story by Sophia Spencer with Margaret McNamara (opens in a new tab)
Based on a true story, the book tells the tale of 7-year-old Sophia Spencer who was bullied for loving bugs by her classmates. Hundreds of female scientists rallied around her and encouraged her love of bugs and science, cultivating empathy, and self-confidence.
Extending the learning beyond the book
After you and your child finish reading, there are several activities you can plan to extend the learning beyond the wonderful book you choose to read.
Choosing a word and drawing a picture
You can ask your child to choose a word that connects to the story and draw something that represents the word. For example, if you read 'Malala’s Magic Pencil' by Malala Yousafzai, maybe the word your child connected with was ‘brave.’ So they can draw a picture that represents bravery to them such as trying a new sport or meeting a new friend.
Ask comprehension questions
Asking comprehension questions after reading, can assist you and your child further discussing some of the themes in the book. You can ask questions like “what lesson was the most important?” and “is this character strong, kind, or both?”
Try as she did
Connect the stories back to real life. Choosing a small activity related to the character’s effort can encourage confidence in your child. For example, you can tell your child instead of getting frustrated that they have to share toys with a sibling, they can share and be a good role model just like in Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio.
Learning with your child through inspiring books
International Women’s Day is a wonderful way to talk about themes like equality and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women throughout the world. With fun and inspiring books, you and your little one can celebrate all that women have accomplished. At Doona, we are committed to making the world a better place and celebrating the wonderful women in our lives, who have made such a large impact on us all. Happy International Women’s Day!
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