Experts Tell Us the Best Feminist Children’s Books

Dr. Justine Green’s children’s book titled Completely Me is based on her own life, disability, and coming-of-age journey. Completely Me is a powerful story about a little girl who never noticed there was something different about herself, until others pointed it out instead. When she stands up for herself, the people around her learn the important lesson of self-acceptance, that everyone is different in their own unique ways, and that those imperfections are what make you perfect. Author Justine Green was born with Atresia and Microtia. Microtia is a condition where the outer ear does not develop properly and Atresia is the absence of the ear canal, leaving her deaf in her left ear. Knowing she was different from birth, and boasting three reconstructive surgeries under her belt, Justine learned to read lips and worked hard through school. She used her disability as motivation instead of an excuse, and ultimately found her life’s purpose through these challenges. Her passion for inspiring others moved her to write a story based on her own life, Completely Me, to teach readers to love themselves and others, and that everyone’s imperfections are what make them perfect – which she created when she was laid off from her school last year due to the pandemic.

Co-authored by a dad who wanted more empowering books for his daughters, The Startup Squad is a Macmillan-published book series that follows four sixth grade girls as they launch new businesses and develop their friendships. Each book includes actual business tips for girls as well as a profile of a real-life girl entrepreneur.

A book to inspire young girls that they can set out for adventure. Exploration is not just for the boys. Girls can be gutsy and adventurous.

I read this book to my two young daughters and had their complete attention as they listened to the amazing accomplishments of Marie Curie during a time in history when women were not expected to be great scientists. It’s a wonderful book that is apart of a great series highlighting important heroes.

This book is about a girl named Emma Freke who is in search to find her very own identity at such a young age. I love to read this book for my niece as it is very empowering and with a good choice of words that is perfect for middle schoolers. And middle school is a time when many kids feel freakish just like what Emma feels in the story. At 12 years old, she is almost 6 feet tall with bright red hair. It’s kind of hard to pretend to be invisible with those sorts of looks and you know kids, they can be very playful that it hurts. Then of course there’s that name, which her mother didn’t bother to say aloud before writing it on the birth certificate, Emma Freke. That when pronounced slowly, will be “am a freak”. It was very interesting how the book pointed out how diverse people can still be exclusive, like in groups and circles. Emma had faced so many challenges in this book. So if you’re into stories that are more real-life-like, then this book is for you.

Meet Deja, a creative, compassionate 3rd grader with a secret dream to transform her school. With a little bit of help from an unlikely source, she acquires a secret superhero identity and unique powers. She’s now an unstoppable undercover superhero, known as Donut Girl. She laces up her purple sequin high tops and gets to work. Armed with sprinkles, icing, and love, Deja is a formidable force against the evil powers spreading unrest within her school. Deja shows the power that girls/women process and what girls/women can accomplish.