Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi Y. Stemple
Jane Yolen does it yet again. This book empowers young girls to be who they want to be, dress how they want to and do what makes them happy- all while wearing their princess crown. It was not too long ago that girls had to fit into a certain mold. They had to act a certain way, dress a certain way and grow up to have a certain job. It is different for our girls now- we want them to be who they are, celebrate who they are and love who they are. This book is a great celebration for all girls!
Amelia to Zora: Twenty Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee
If you want to celebrate a lot of women who made a difference this is the book for you. Every letter of the alphabet is represented by a different woman who fought for equal rights and paved the way for women everywhere. Some of the women you will know and recognize like Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Theresa and Oprah. But you have probably never heard of Grace Cooper who was the first woman to earn a doctorate degree in mathematics from Yale or Wilma Mankiller a chief for the Cherokee Nation. Learn about many different women and their contributions to our world.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker's Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel
Clara was just a young girl who immigrated to New York. She knew it was was wrong when young girls had to work in garment factories all day in poor working conditions and for low wages. She decided things had to change. At first she tried small strikes- but it was not enough. When she would strike she would get fired and beaten and sometimes arrested. Clara knew the women needed a giant strike to make a difference, so she made a speech at a union meeting. Her speech started the largest walkout of women workers in US history, some of who are only 12 years old. All winter the girls picketed. Rich women and college girls joined them- all women united for their rights. Clara's strike changed working conditions in New York and encouraged women to do the same in Philadelphia and Chicago. The last line says, "Proving in America wrongs can be righted, warriors can wear skirts and blouses and the bravest hearts may beat in girls only five feet tall." Women have come a long way, thanks to the many women like Clara who fought for what they knew was right. Let's continue to be warriors.
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough
Miss Annie Moore is an example of another woman who had ideas and the grit and determination to make those ideas a reality. Annie loved to read and be read to but children were not allowed to go inside libraries, much less take a book home from the library. When Annie grew older and heard that libraries were hiring women as librarians she quickly packed her bags and headed to Brooklyn so she could go to the Pratt Institute Library school. When she got her first job as a librarian she began making changes in how libraries served children. She created fun spaces for the children to read, provided story times and made sure there were great books available. Her ideas and opinions about children and books caught on. Slowly libraries around the county and the world began copying Miss Moore and her ideas for children's libraries. We can thank Miss Moore for the wonderful children's libraries we have today, because with out her there would be none.
Helen's Big World by Doreen Rappaport
Doreen Rappaport beautifully tells the story of Helen Keller starting when she was born to when she lost her sight and hearing at 2 years old. Then she goes on to tell of Helen's struggles and accomplishments. You can tell how close Annie Sullivan and Helen were. Annie took every opportunity to teach Helen about the world and what was in it. Because of Annie's determination Helen was able to learn and grow and see the world. Helen was able to fight for rights of women and people who were blind. She did not let her deaf and blindness stop her from doing anything and Helen Keller accomplished a lot more than other people in her life. Her story is an inspiration to all.
Happy Reading!
Laura
See also:
Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?
