This year, we are excited to celebrate Women’s History Month with these new children’s books about inspirational women throughout history. From groundbreaking scientists to trailblazing politicians and award winning athletes and artists, there are tons of powerful women on this list that kids can look up to. Check out more books about inspirational women in my Girl Power series!

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Courageous First Ladies Who Changed the World

Written by Heidi Poelman and illustrated by Giovana Medeiros

This colorful board book introduces young readers to influential First Ladies who made a mark on American history. From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, the easy to read text and colorful cartoon illustrations highlight the works of these strong women. There is a powerful quote by each First Lady featured, and anecdotes about their childhood and what inspired them.

Eleanor Makes Her Mark: How Eleanor Roosevelt Reached Out, Spoke Up, and Changed the World

Written by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

This book shares the life story of Eleanor Roosevelt, and how she made her mark on the world. The easy to read text shares snippets of her life from childhood through adulthood, showing how her experiences shaped her and her goals. In the illustrations, Eleanor is usually wearing red, making her stand out amongst the other people. The back of the book includes a scrapbook of her life with photos and information on important events, as well as questions and information to help kids make their own marks on the world.

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Marjory Saves the Everglades: The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Written by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon

This brightly colored book starts with a quote from Marjory Stoneman Douglas about the beauty of the Everglades. The book follows her life story, ranging from her first visit to Florida as a girl, through her dedication to preserving the Everglades. The text includes quotes from her, as well as tons of information about all the things she learned about the Everglades. Throughout the book, the illustrations use vibrant colors to show the beauty of the land she wanted to save, and the wildlife living in it. The back of the book includes an author’s note, tips from Marjory for protecting the environment, and a timeline of her life.

Mary Seacole: Bound for the Battlefield

Written by Susan Goldman Rubin and illustrated by Richie Pope

This illustrated biography tells the story of Mary Seacole and her heroic work caring for soldiers on the battlefield. The thorough text walks the reader through her childhood and her work taking care of patients, as well as the prejudices that she faced. The brightly colored illustrations show the work she did on the fields. They are done in a way that isn’t too scary or traumatic for kids reading the book. This is longer than a picture book and not every page has images, so it is meant for older kids.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World

Written by Elena Favilli

This entry in the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls series focuses on 100 immigrant women who changed the world. Each two page spread focuses on an influential woman and the mark she made on the world. The text shares details about each woman’s life, her accomplishments, and her journey from one country to another. The illustrations use vibrant colors and bold style to highlight each woman and the things that made her who she was.

Code Breaker, Spy Hunter

Written by Laurie Wallmark and illustrated by Brooke Smart

This fascinating book introduces kids to Elizebeth Friedman and her life’s work cracking codes and deciphering secret messages. The text explores her life story, from her childhood spent reading and studying languages, to her work for the Army, the Coast Guard, and the CIA, and eventually her breaking of the Enigma code. There are tons of quotes from Friedman hidden in the illustrations, as well as secret codes and messages. The back of the book includes information about codes and ciphers, and an opportunity for the reader to crack a Caesar cipher.

Send a Girl: The True Story of How Women Joined the FDNY

Written by Jessica M. Rinker and illustrated by Meg Hunt

Brenda Berkman was the first professional female firefighter in New York City, and this book shares her journey. The easy to read text follows her through her childhood, and the hurdles she faced trying to succeed in a job that was considered a “man’s job”. The illustrations highlight her determination and the highs and lows that she experienced while attempting to change the face of the FDNY. The back of the book includes a note from the author, and more information about Brenda Berkman.

A Most Clever Girl

Written by Jasmine A. Stirling and illustrated by Vesper Stamper

This book shares the story of Jane Austen, and how her love for stories lead her to find her voice as a writer. The easy to read text shares how Jane loved to read as a kid, and how she used her wit and her mind to turn the popular stories of the day on their heads, and create stories she would want to read. The illustrations highlight the ups and downs of her life and how they affected her writing. The back of the book includes notes from the author and illustrator, quotes from her famous novels, and resources for fans of Jane Austen’s work.

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Flying High

Written by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Simone Biles is a world class gymnast, breaking records all over the world. This book shares her life story, starting with her childhood spent in foster care and with her grandparents, through her years of practice and competition, and eventually her success at the Olympics. The illustrations highlight her colorful outfits and remarkable stunts, which will be familiar to those that admire her and follow her career.

Headstrong Hallie!

Written by Aimee Bissonette and illustrated by David Hohn

This book tells the story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the first female Fire Guard hired by the US Forest Service. The story shares how Hallie’s childhood love for the forest and fear of fire inspired her to fight for her dreams and become a fire guard, at a time when the US Forest Service didn’t hire women. The illustrations are beautiful, highlighting the landscape that Hallie loved, and the terrifying fires that she was determined to fight. The back of the book includes an author’s note detailing the life and career of Hallie Morse Daggett.

Related Post: Children’s Books about Women in STEM

We Wait for the Sun

Written by Dovey Johnson Roundtree and Katie McCabe and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

In this beautifully illustrated book, a young Dovey Johnson Roundtree heads into the woods with her Grandma Rachel to find the sweetest blackberries. As they wait for the sun to start a new day, her grandmother shares her wisdom. The gorgeous illustrations are full of deep, rich colors, and highlight the love between grandmother and grandchild. The back of the book includes more information on Dovey Johnson Roundtree and how the lessons from her grandmother shaped her path to become a trailblazer in the civil rights movement.

Sarah and the Big Wave

Written by Bonnie Tsui and illustrated by Sophie Diao

This true story introduces readers to Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to ride the waves at Mavericks. The text explores how Sarah grew up wanting to surf, even when people thought girls shouldn’t be surfing. The illustrations show the many hurdles she had to overcome, including finding equipment that would work for a woman when everything was made for men. In the back of the book, there is a timeline of milestones for women and surfing, from the 1600s to 2020.

The Stuff Between the Stars

Written by Sandra Nickel and illustrated by Aimee Sicuro

This picture book biography teaches kids about Vera Rubin, a female astronomer who changed the way we look at the universe. The story starts by sharing her childhood interest in space, and follows her through her years of research. It also shows the hurdles that she had to conquer, not being taken seriously as a female astronomer. The illustrations are beautiful, with space imagery swirled throughout the book. The back of the book includes an author’s note and a timeline of Vera Rubin’s life.

Baseball’s Leading Lady

Written by Andrea Williams

This chapter book introduces readers to the life and career of Effa Manley, the only woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The book is broken into 3 parts, detailing the history of black players in baseball, and Effa Manley’s groundbreaking career as manager and co-owner of the Newark Eagles. The book includes old photographs and the back of the book contains pages of source notes, a bibliography, and tons of resources.

What are your favorite new children’s books about inspirational women? Share your favorite books for Women’s History Month in the comments!

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