8 Empowering Feminist Books For Boys And Girls | HuffPost Life

'We need more children’s books with female main characters.'

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Life editor at HuffPost UK

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Many kids love to read books (over and over again) so next time you’re browsing the bookshops, why not find a title that is empowering?

It’s never too early to get children reading and learning about gender equality and breaking down stereotypes from a young age. And however subtle, those little messages can go a long way.

B.J. Epstein, senior lecturer in literature and public engagement at the University of East Anglia told HuffPost UK: “We need more children’s books with female main characters, and we especially need books with strong female main characters.

“How can girls have dreams if they don’t have role models? Sometimes it’s hard to imagine a way to live if you don’t see people doing it, and I think girls are done a disservice by the lack of literature that features strong females.”

So whether it’s for your child, your niece, your nephew or your friend’s child, we’ve rounded up eight empowering and feminist reads for boys and girls.

She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton

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Clinton's book features the stories of 12 girls and women who “didn’t take no for an answer” and changed the world.
Age range: Four- to eight-years-old.
Buy: £9. Amazon.

Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole

Cole's main character is a princess who does not wants to get married and wants to find her independence. So that's exactly what she does.
Age range: three- to five-year-olds.
Buy: Amazon, £5.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

An illustrated book that has the messaging you can be who you want to be, you'll be brilliant and people will love you whatever.
Age range: Three- to seven-year-olds.
Buy: Amazon, £14.99.

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Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls

Dubbed a 'feminist bedtime book', this book introduces kids to 100 remarkable women and their extraordinary lives. It aims to be "empowering, moving and inspirational".
Age range: Three- to 18-year-olds.
Buy: Amazon, £14.

The Boy Who Cried Fabulous

Main character Roger describes most things as "fabulous", but his parents ban it from his vocabulary. This book shows children supporting Roger with his describing words and all the "fabulous" things he has to say.
Age range: Three- to seven-year-olds.
Buy: Amazon, £2.

Rose Revere, Engineer

Rose breaks a stereotype of young girls and dreams of becoming a great engineer. She works with her aunt on an invention and despite it not going the way she planned, she's reminded you can only truly fail if you quit.
Age range: five- to seven-year-olds.
Buy: Amazon, £7.69.

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Not All Princesses Dress in Pink

A book that shows princesses "come in all kinds", showing girls jumping in mud puddles, climbing trees, playing sports and making messes - all while wearing their tiaras.
Age range: Four- to eight-year-olds.
Buy: Amazon, £13.

Free to Be: You and Me

This book celebrates individuality and challenges gender stereotypes of boys and girls, hoping to empower kids to be who they want to be - not who they're told to be.
Age range: Three years old and up.
Buy: Amazon, £11.99.

Before You Go

Best Books For Toddlers

I Want My Potty(01 of12)

The Little Princess hates nappies, and thinks there must be something better. At first she thinks the Royal potty is even worse - but she learns to love it. This book is especially appealing to children who are potty training - and their parents! The first in the series of Little Princess books.

Princess Smartypants(02 of12)

Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. But being a rich and pretty princess means that all the princes want her to become their wife. Princess Smartypants fights to preserve her independence in this hilarious twist on the fairy-tale tradition and stereotypical dull princesses. The late Babette Cole is a deserved favourite among parents. Prince Cinders is excellent too.

Room on the Broom(03 of12)

From former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson and longtime collaborator illustrator Axel Scheffler comes this much-loved tale about a witch and her gang of friends. While flying with her cat on her broomstick, the wind blows a witch's hat from her head. Luckily, a friendly dog rescues it and, as a reward, is invited to travel with them on the broom. Throughout the tale, she encounters a series of other characters who each help the witch to recover various possessions that she loses along the way - but will there be enough room on the broom for them all? Expressive illustrations and rhythmical reading from the creators of The Gruffalo and many more favourites.

Aliens Love Underpants(04 of12)

Underpants are a source of humour whatever your reading age, even, it appears, when it comes to aliens. Careful examination of the pictures reveals that these aliens are totally obsessed by underpants, dropping from spacecraft to nab them. So that's what happens to all those missing pants in your home!

The Tiger Who Came to Tea(05 of12)

Sophie and her Mummy are having tea in the kitchen when in walks a hungry tiger who asks to stay to tea. After eating everything, he moves on to Daddy's supper and cleans out the fridge and drinks all the water from the tap.This simple (and anarchic) l picture book from Judith Kerr is a true classic with an enduring appeal for children and parents. Just don't let your toddler try drinking tea from the teapot spout like my sister did!

Where the Wild Things Are(06 of12)

When Max puts on his wolf suit and shouts at his mother, he is sent to his room without any supper. But then, his bedroom turns into a magical world and he sets sail across the sea to where the wild things are and becomes King of the Wild Things.First published in 1963, this classic picture book by Maurice Sendak evokes the imagination of childhood.

We're Going On A Bear Hunt(07 of12)

Follow a father and his family as they go out in search of a bear. They wade through the grass, splash through the river, squelch through the mud and even negotiate a snowstorm on their way. But what will they find in the cave on the other side of the dark forest? Michael Rosen's repetitive text has a musical charm that lends itself perfectly to reading aloud, and children enjoy joining in with actions and words.

When Mum Turned Into A Monster(08 of12)

The cousins are coming to tea and Mum is busy cleaning, shopping and cooking. Sam and his sister are no help at all; they just bicker and whinge and create even more mess. Meanwhile, something very strange is happening to Mum. Look for the clues in the pictures!

I Love You, Blue Kangaroo(09 of12)

Every night Blue Kangaroo falls fast asleep, cuddled in Lily's arms. But as new toy animals start arriving, Blue Kangaroo worries that there just isn't enough room for him anymore. When he goes missing, Lily looks everywhere for him and it turns out NONE of the other toys mean as much to her as her first and favourite Blue Kangaroo.

Daddy's Sandwich(10 of12)

Daddy, would you like a sandwich, with all your favourite things...? One little girl is one a quest to make her father the perfect sandwich made of some rather unusual things. What would you put in your dad's sandwich? (credit:Pip Jones)

Not Now, Bernard(11 of12)

Bernard's got a problem. He's found a monster in the back garden but his mum and dad are just too busy to notice. So Bernard tries to befriend the monster… and that doesn't go quite to plan. Loved by children and adults for nearly 40 years, David McKee's iconic picture book still resonates for children who know only too well what it feels like not to have their parents' full attention.

Willy The Wimp(12 of12)

Willy wouldn't hurt a fly - he even apologises when someone hits him. The suburban gorillas call him Willy the Wimp. Then, one day, Willy answers a body-building advert ... with hilarious results! Willy is the star of several more book by multiple-award-winning author-illustrator Anthony Browne.

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