Life
Feminism isn't just for women. If you follow along with the movement, you know that feminism is for both men and women, which is why you should start reading your children feminist books at a young age. The world of children's literature is flush with books of feminist nature, and the best part of feminist books? They're all about equality. Feminist books to read to your daughter are just the same as the feminist books to read to your son. It's wonderful how equality works out that way, isn't it?
Whether your son is interested in magical tales, fighting dragons, farm animals, tiaras, nature, or more, there's a feminist children's book waiting to join the rest of the books on his shelf. Each of the stories listed below makes you think, makes your children think, by framing the main character as able. Yes, something as simple as creating a character who's able, is feminist. Princesses who become knights, young boys who love extravagant words, chickens who find themselves in dangerous pickles... by reading your son stories that show everyone as able to conquer the same battles, you're passing down the notion of equality through something as simple as a children's book.
1
'Matilda' By Roald Dahl
Imaginative, smart, and determined, Matilda makes up for what she lacks in size by reading, being kind, and standing up for her beliefs. Matilda shows children that not all bullies are boys, not all heroes wear capes, and some of the most powerful things you can do start by finding kindness in your heart.
2
'The Wolves In The Walls' By Neil Gaiman
Convinced she can hear wolves in the walls of her home, Lucy convinces her family to take a look. When she winds up being right, Lucy must take charge in order to retrieve her favorite toy. The Wolves In The Walls is a tale of facing your fears, and conquering them, one step at a time.
3
'Louise, The Adventures Of A Chicken' By Kate DiCamillo And Harry Bliss
Louise the chicken is brave and strong, no matter what comes her way. After being abducted by pirates, she sails the seas and finds herself in more than one scrape. Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken shows children that courage can come from even the most unlikely suspects, and that even chickens can be brave.
4
'Rosie Revere, Engineer' By Andrea Beaty
When great-great-great Aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes to visit her great-great-great niece Rosie, a magical tale unfolds. Aunt Rose mentions she'd love to fly, and Rosie Revere, Engineer wastes no time making it happen. But when her invention does not fly, Rosie dubs the plan a failure. Aunt Rose teaches Rosie a valuable lesson about trying, success, failure, and never giving up.
5
'Pippi Longstocking' By Astrid Lindgren
Pippi Longstocking is about a girl who does what she pleases. A bit of a troublemaker, Pippi lives alone, and is never far from a ruckus. She even fights the strongest man in the circus. Rambunctious and energetic, Pippi is a tale about believing you can do anything, anything at all.
6
'Not All Princesses Dress In Pink' By Jane Yolen And Heidi Stemple
Not All Princesses Dress In Pink explains that princesses come in all shapes, sizes, and outfits. Some princesses wear sneakers and overalls, some princesses like to climb trees, some princesses like to play in the mud, and some princesses would rather play sports than sport a fluffy dress. This book teaches the importance of acceptance, and possibility.
7
'The Princess Knight' By Cornelia Funke
The Princess Knight tells the story of Princess Violetta, who wants to be as strong and as brave as her brothers. So she spends her nights practicing, determined to teach herself how to be the greatest knight in all the land. Soon she will be ready for battle, but sometimes battles come in different shapes and sizes, and sometimes, the battle is within.
8
'Me. . . Jane' By Patrick McDonnell
The true story of Dr. Jane Goodall, Me. . . Jane paints the story of Goodall's dreams becoming reality. In a field where women weren't widely accepted, Goodall dedicated her life to helping animals, and didn't let anyone get in her way.
9
'The Boy Who Cried Fabulous' By Leslea Newman
Roger loves exploring the world around him, but he loves describing it even more. His favorite word? Fabulous. His parents would rather their son see the world the way they do, so they ban the word from his vocabulary. The Boy Who Cried Fabulous teaches children that no matter your vocabulary, being exactly who you are is exactly who you're supposed to be.
10
'The Lorax' By Dr. Seuss
Although The Lorax may be a tale of corporate power, at its heart, it is about valuing human life over all else. And if that's not a feminist lesson, I don't know what is!
11
'Piggybook' By Anthony Browne
Mrs. Piggott is the only woman in a family of all boys. Her husband, her sons, they take her for granted as she cooks and cleans, irons and folds, makes the beds, and does nearly everything under the sun before she heads off to work. In Piggybook, Mrs. Piggott is undervalued, and her chauvinist piggy sons and husband don't realize how good they have it. A perfect book for exploring stereotypes and gender roles within the family.
