International Women’s Day takes place this Friday, March 8th. This day is about celebrating the achievements of women around the world in all sorts of different fields and accomplishments, as well as raise awareness against bias and advocate for women’s equality. If you are looking for some great picture books to share with your students this week, you have come to the right place!
Here are some of my favorite books to share with your students to help kick-start a discussion about this important day.
A Girl Like You – Frank Murphy
Such an inspiring, diverse, inclusive, and lovely book that empowers girls to be anything that they want to be! A perfect book to share on International Women’s Day, it encourages girls to defy stereotypes and embrace whatever it is that makes them most happy. LOVE this one!
The Paper Bag Princess – Robert Munsch
Don’t forget the classic Paper Bag Princess when celebrating International Women’s Day! This revolutionary book busted gender stereotypes when it was released in 1980. Since then, generations of girls have fallen in love with this classic story of girl-power. Who can forget the shock when Elizabeth finally rescues the prince, he doesn’t even say thank you, and will have nothing to do with her until she’s dressed like a ‘real princess’? SUCH a great book for inferring and a perfect one for celebrating women power! Available in FRENCH.
Malala’s Magic Pencil – Malala Yousafzai
As the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, Malala Yousafzai inspired many by her courage to fight against the Taliban for girls right to education. While a difficult subject, this story is written with younger readers in mind and does an excellent job of simplifying the concepts. A great book for discussing global education, as many children do not realize what a privilege it is to go to school.
The Trailblazing Life Of Viola Desmond (A Civil Rights Icon) – Rachel Kehoe
This new book tells the story of Canadian civil rights activist Viola Desmond, involved in desegregating her community long before Rosa Parks kept her bus seat for herself, thank you very much. On November 8, 1946, Viola was arrested for refusing to move from the “whites-only” section of a Nova Scotia movie theater. Her heroic act inspired community leaders across the country and made her a symbol of courage in the fight against inequality and racism across Canada. EVERY Canadian needs to know the story of this inspirational woman!
Our House Is On Fire (Greta Thunberg’s Call To Save The Planet) – Jeannette Winter
This story follows Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and her journey from learning about climate change in school to deciding to do something about it. An inspiring story could be linked to themes including climate change, letting your voice be heard, activism, etc. Written by one of my favorite authors, Jeanette Winter, who is eighty years old and was so moved by Thunberg’s speech at the Geneva Climate Conference, she wrote this book. Information page included in the back of the book. Available in FRENCH and YouTube as a read-aloud.
Amelia Earhart (Little People Big Dreams)– Maria Isabel Sanches Vegara
I could have picked any number of women from the Little People, Big Dreams collection – an inspiring biography series for younger readers with simple, easy-to-understand language and stylish, quirky illustrations. This book follows Amelia Earhart, whose strong will and self-belief helped her overcome gender prejudice and technical problems to become the first female flier to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean. I learned a lot when I read this book!
Autumn Petier, Water Warrior – Carole Lindstrom
A brilliant introduction to Canadian environmental and Indigenous rights activists Grandmother Josephine Mandamin and her great-niece Autumn Peltier and their work as water protectors in their community. It’s beautifully written, with an emotional foreword from Autumn Peltier and helpful notes at the end. The art is gorgeous!
Sisters In Science (Marie Curie, Bronia Deuska And The Atomic Power Of Sisterhood) – Linda Elovitz Marshall
A new release so I thought I would include it, this is the fascinating true story of Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and her sister Bronia, two trailblazing women who worked together and made a legendary impact on chemistry and health care. I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about Marie Curie and her equally brilliant but not equally as known sister, Bronia. What these women did, and how they managed to do it! WOW!
Lion On The Inside (How One Girl Changed Basketball) – Bilqis Abdul – Qaadir & Judith Henderson
The inspirational true story of Bilquis Abdui-Qaadir, a passionate Muslim basketball player who faced discrimination when she was told she could not wear her hijab when playing. Bilquis takes a stand – she won’t sacrifice her hijab for basketball…and bravely sits out. With the help of her teammates, Bilquis eventually changes the rules of basketball. This is such an inspirational story about staying true to yourself, your beliefs, your culture, and your dreams. Wonderfully illustrated.
Fantastically Great Women Who Saved The Planet – Kate Pankhurst
Fantastic narrative non-fiction book, teaching children about a range of inspirational women, many of whom I had never heard of before, who have helped to save the planet. Each page is interestingly designed, with readers often having to go on a trail across the pages, following arrows and lines as they read. A great book for slightly older learners for both Women’s Day and Earth Day.
Fierce Women Who Shaped Canada – Lisa Dalrymple
Fierce is a terrific book that shines a light on ten Canadian women who have faced incredible challenges and done amazing things, but whose stories are largely unknown. The book is well written in a narrative non-fiction style that brings each woman’s story to life in a way that middle grade readers can relate to. Middle grade readers will engage with the women and their feats of courage and determination. Great for reading aloud – one woman at a time.
Canadian Women Now & Then (More Than 100 Stories Of Fearless Trailblazers) – Elizabeth MacLeod & Maia Faddoul
Excellent middle grade picture book anthology of over 100 mini-biographies of fearless female Canadian trailblazers. Well written, single page stories of inspirational women in the past and present, from doctors, to lawyers, to sports athletes, to movie and YouTube stars. Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully inclusive!
Adrienne Gear - Reading Power Ltd. 