It’s Women’s History Month and I’m sitting on my couch with a big stack of picture books featuring women who have changed the world. I’ll review them here in chronological order, from Hypatia to Venus and Serena Williams.
You might also be interested in my posts from previous years:
- 17 Picture Books Featuring Historical Heroines
- Picture Books for Women’s History Month (1)
- Picture Books for Women’s History Month (2)
- Picture Books for Women’s History Month (3)
Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia by D. Anne Love, illustrated by Pam Paparone (Holiday House, 2006)
You may not have heard of Hypatia (c.350/370-415), an Egyptian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician. This picture book is a lovely way to remedy that! It explains how Hypatia’s father educated her in subjects of all sorts in a time when girls did not go to school. She became famous for her wisdom and scholarship. I expected more plot (understandably the story ends before her violent death, which is covered in the author’s note) but enjoyed the illustration style very much. As well as giving more info about Hypatia the material at the end touches on the history of math and includes a short bibliography. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.
She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton, illustrated by Felicita Sala (Alfred A. Knopf, 2018)
I love the concept of this book, exploring how Mary Shelley (1797-1851) came up with her famous novel. The story mentions ghosts, science, ethics, loneliness. The atmospheric illustrations fit perfectly. I definitely found this picture book creepy and wouldn’t read it with young children! Recommended for ages 8 to 10.
Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon by Jeannine Atkins, illustrated by Michael Dooling (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1999)
Mary Anning (1799-1847) was a palaeontologist who made important discoveries. This book looks at a portion of Anning’s life as an 11-12 year old girl collecting fossils (“curiosities”) to sell, when she discovered the skeleton of an icthyosaur on the beach and spent almost a year digging it out. It’s a story of perseverance and keeping your eyes open to the world around you told in a serious tone with realistic, subdued paintings. The author’s note tells more about Anning’s life, especially the fossils she discovered. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.
Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon (Henry Holt, 2008)
This picture books does a great job making the issue of women’s rights accessible to children with simple language and fun illustrations. It covers Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s (1815-1902) childhood, marriage, and activism, as she met with other women who wanted to change society. It ends with the 1848 meeting at Seneca Falls where she urged that women should have the right to vote, and explains that her message rippled out across America. There is an author’s note giving more info about her and stating that it took 18 years after her death for women to get the vote in the Nineteenth Amendment (1920). A list of sources is also included. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2020)
Mary Walker (1848-1969) was born into slavery where she was given no opportunity to learn to read and write. After a long life of raising children, sharecropping, and doing odd jobs, she learned to read at age 116! The theme of freedom pervades the story. The collage-style illustrations are really neat. A one-page bio is included as well as photos on the end pages. Recommended for ages 7 to 9.
Fannie in the Kitchen by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2001)
I have fond memories of my mom making biscuits from her falling apart copy of the Fannie Farmer Cookbook. Thanks to this picture book I now know more about the real Fannie Farmer (1857-1915). Centering on a young girl named Marcia who learns to cook from Fannie, the story is accessible to children and has a satisfying plot. It includes tips from Fannie’s cookbook, a recipe for griddle cakes, and biographical information. The illustrations with period costumes and furnishings complement the story. Recommended for ages 5 to 9.
Eleanor, Quiet No More by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Gary Kelley (Hyperion Books, 2009)
This inspirational picture book covers the entire life of Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) in simple language, including many short quotations in an extra large font. The soft illustrations have a historical feel to them. The book ends with short author’s and illustrator’s notes explaining what Eleanor Roosevelt meant to them, a timeline, and a full page of sources. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.
Mermaid Queen by Shana Corey, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham (Scholastic, 2009)
Here’s another influential woman you may not have read about. Annette Kellerman (1886-1975) encouraged women to learn to swim and invented the modern bathing suit. Born in Australia she traveled to Europe and America (where she was arrested for wearing her racing suit on the beach!). You’ll appreciate the exuberant illustrations and three page author’s note. Sources are also listed. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Aldamay Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar (HarperCollins, 2019)
I love everything about this picture book: the central character, the playful illustrations, the sprinkling of Spanish phrases, the celebration of libraries, stories, language, and culture. It’s the story of Pura Belpre (1899-1982) a Puerta Rican immigrant who became a librarian and wrote her own books of folktales when she discovered that the library had no Spanish books. Included are a two-page author’s note, a variety of resources, and more info on the folktales mentioned in the story. Recommended for ages 5 to 9.
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra (NorthSouth Books, 2017)
Focusing on Frida Kahlo’s (1907-1954) pets is an interesting way to look at her life. Her independence, curiosity, and imagination shine through even as we read about the great hardships she faced. The illustrations have a folk art feel. The author’s note provides biographical info as well as a list of Kahlo’s paintings that include her pets. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen by Marissa Moss, illustrated by C. F. Payne (Simon & Schuster, 2004)
This picture book about Jackie Mitchell (1912-1987) focuses on a game she pitched against the New York Yankees, striking out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (at age 17!). It also goes back to her childhood, showing how hard she worked to become a pitcher. The text was the perfect length. Great illustration style too. An author’s note describes her life after the famous game. Even if kids don’t know the ins and outs of baseball they should appreciate this story of determination. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamiacan Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes (Owlkids Books, 2019)
Louise Bennett Coverley (1919-2006) wrote and performed in Jamaican patois. This picture book about her schooldays is fun and colourful, but kids will likely need help understanding it. Thankfully a two-page author’s note, glossary, and references are tremendous resources. I think this is a great way to introduce a tradition and culture kids may not be familiar with. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (HarperCollins, 2009)
This is a moving picture book written in free verse with lovely, large illustrations. It conveys both tragedy and victory in the life of Coretta Scott King (1927-2006) and the civil rights movement. It ends with a one-page bio of Coretta Scott King. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley(The Innovation Press, 2017)
This playful picture book presents the clear message that being different shouldn’t make you feel bad because it might lead to your greatest accomplishments. It tells the story of Temple Grandin (b. 1947), including the challenges of growing up with autism and the important work she has done. I found the rhyming text rather forced and didn’t love the illustration style. The extensive back matter includes a message from Grandin, fun facts about her, a timeline, detailed bio, photos, and a bibliography. Recommended for ages 5 to 7.
Ruby Head High: Ruby Bridges’s First Day of School by Irene Cohen-Janca, illustrated by Marc Daniau (The Creative Company, 2019)
Inspired by Norman Rockwell’s painting “The Problem We All Live With,” this story is told from the point of view of a schoolgirl who dreams about Ruby Bridges. Ruby describes her childhood and all she went through as the first black child to integrate into a white school in 1960. At the end you’ll find a reproduction of the painting and info about it, as well as a short paragraph about Ruby Bridges. Colourful illustrations and an inspirational message make this picture book an appealing choice to share with children. Recommended for ages 6 to 8.
Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome (Simon & Schuster, 2018)
If you’re looking for an inspiring story of female athletes, look no further. This picture book describes the childhood of Venus Williams (b. 1980) and Serena Williams (b. 1981) and their rise as tennis stars, ending at the 2002 French Open. It’s fairly detailed and somewhat technical and the sisterly bond is nice to read about. It’s got collage-style illustrations and ends with a long afterword, source notes, and book lists. Recommended for ages 8 to 10.