A Guide to Feminist Children's Books

Eric Jackson
Book shopping is difficult for my niece because so many children's books send such negative or anti-feminist messages to young girls. Here is the list of books I've either bought or will buy my niece. If you're looking for books with affirming feminist messages then these books will appeal to you.

Princess Smarty Pants

by Babette Cole (Author, Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 978-0399243981

Wacky pictures with a silly story all about a princess who enjoys being a "Ms." Her parents, the King and Queen, command that she finds a prince. She sets out by putting her suitors through a series of humorous tests.

Paper Bag Princess

by Robert N. Munsch (Author) & Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 978-0920236161

A beautiful princess is about to wed when a dragon attacks and steals the prince. With all of her clothes burned off the princess dons a bag and sets off after her prince only to be rejected for not looking like a princess when she saves him. She scorns the prince and lives happily ever after. A personal favorite.

Minty - a story of young Harriet Tubman

by Alan Schroeder (Author) and Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 978-0140561968

This book is an uplifting fictional account of Harriet Tubman's life growing up in slavery and the driving forces that led her to start the Underground Railroad.

What Does Mrs. Claus Do?

by Kate Wharton (Author) and Christian Slade (Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 978-1582461649

I like to think of this book as if Mrs. Claus is an undercover spy on behalf of Christmas. With an almost "Where is Mrs. Clause" feeling the book will delight young readers searching from illustration to illustration for Mrs. Clause.

Grace for President

by Kelly DiPucchio (Author) and LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

ISBN-10: 0786839198

Grace runs against the most popular boy in school for class president. Who will be the winner?

Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter

by Diane Stanley (Author/Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 978-0064410953

This story is a retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin with a feminist point of view.

The Princess and the Dragon

by Audrey Wood (Author/Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 978-0859537162

A wonderful story about how perceptions can be a good and bad thing. A princess who roars like a dragon meets a dragon.

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?

by Carmela LaVigna Coyle, Mike Gordon, and Carl Gordon

ISBN-13: 978-0873588287

In rhyme a little girl bugs her mother about what princesses do. A little sappy, but still a good read.

Skateboard Mom

by Barbara Odanaka (Author) and JoAnn Adinolfi (Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 978-0399238673

Moms can be cool and little boys can be understanding.

Kate and the Beanstalk

by Mary Pope Osborne and Giselle Potter

ISBN-13: 978-1416908180

Replace shiftless Jack with a clever girl and you have a smart retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Published by Eric Jackson

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