Let’s Go, Girls! 12 Picture Books That Celebrate Girl Power
by Naima Jasmine Russell
“Girl power,” the empowering phrase celebrating girls’ strength, confidence, and limitless potential to shape their futures, wasn’t popular until the mid-1990s. Teaching young girls that their voices matter, their dreams are valid, and their power lies in being true to themselves starts early. Picture books are a fantastic tool for inspiring meaningful conversations while planting seeds of resilience and self-belief. They show girls they can be anything they want — and change the world while they’re at it!
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Girls on the Rise
Available from:“We are where change is going.” The youngest presidential inaugural poet in US history, Amanda Gorman, delivers a strong rallying cry for young people. This original poem celebrates girlhood in all its shapes, sizes, beauty, and forms. With brilliant illustrations by Loveis Wise, Gorman’s rhythmic words encourage girls to march together in the face of fear toward the future they want for themselves.
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What Are Little Girls Made Of?
Available from:When you read classic nursery rhymes, you realize how damaging images like the helpless, voiceless, damsel in distress female character are seeded into the minds of girls at a young age. Author Jeanne Willis flips the classics on their heads in this funny and empowering rewrite. Little Bo Peep rescues her sheep, Georgia Porgie’s harassment is stopped, and Humpty Dumpty has a Black woman doctor.
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Girls With Guts!
Available from:Before Title IX gave women equal treatment in sports in 1972, sports were not very accommodating to women. Through tidbits of history and fun illustrations, readers are introduced to groundbreaking women like Althea Gibson, Frances Willard, and Melpomene in Ancient Greece. All these women dared to sweat, train, and assert themselves as athletes.
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A Girl Can Build Anything
Available from:“A girl can build many things. / A girl can build anything.” Drills and drivers and paintbrushes, oh my! A diverse group of six girls design and build to their heart's content, with help from their grownups. This ode to self-expression encourages girls to build anything they can dream up, whether it’s on paper, made of wood, or made of people.
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Girls on Wheels
Available from:Three girls go to a skate park in India to brave their fears. Anila, who has just recovered from a broken arm, wonders if she is ready to try skating again. With the help of her friends, Sana and Damini, she overcomes her nerves, faces down a group of taunting boys, and more than proves herself. This book is girl power on wheels.
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Angélica and la Güira
Available from:Before Angélica’s vacation in the Dominican Republic ends, Abuelito gives her a family heirloom — a güira — and speaks about its ancestral history. Back in Washington Heights, NY, Angélica plays the güira at home and on the streets, bringing family and community together. Readers will appreciate Angélica’s resilience and power as she searches for belonging and uses music to connect to her roots.
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Bravo, Anjali!
Available from:In the sequel to Always Anjali, our brave heroine refuses to let anyone make her feel bad for being good at something. Anjali loves playing the tabla, a set of North Indian drums, but some people say it’s an instrument only for boys. When her music teacher announces a concert, will Anjali rise to the occasion?
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I Am a Masterpiece!
Available from:Real-life tween actress Mia Armstrong considers Down Syndrome her superpower. It allows her to see the world differently, which makes her a masterpiece. Even when strangers stare because she looks different, she doesn't let that stop her from letting her light shine. This book is a must-have for every bookshelf!
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My Brave Little Girl
Available from:Actress Hilary Duff imparts lovingly sentimental wisdom and encouragement in her first picture book. With a soft, soothing color palette, the illustrations feature a diverse group of girls walking through their days with love, kindness, confidence, and bravery. This title would make a beautiful graduation gift for kindergarteners and high schoolers alike.
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The Girls
Available from:Winner of the Waterstone Children’s Book Prize Illustrated Book of the Year 2019! This charming story follows four diverse friends, Sasha, Lottie, Alice, and Leela, as they journey through life together. By sharing their hopes, fears, and dreams, they harness the power of female friendships and stand together during their most significant moments. While the target age for this book is 4-8, it would also make a sweet gift between adult friends.
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Women Who Rock, Pop, and Hip-Hop!
Available from:Speaking of gifts, check out this boxed set of Little Golden Book Biographies that tell the life stories of six of the world’s most influential and talented singers. The set highlights Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, and Barbra Streisand. These vocal powerhouses rose above the odds in their industry to become icons.
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The Spark in You
Available from:If you have never read a book by author-illustrator Andrea Pippins, I urge you to pick one up. It’s a feast for the eyes. Your inner creativity lights you up, and acting on your ideas (creating something) can be powerful. This fun book is set against the backdrop of the Brazilian Carnival and includes instructions for making a Carnival mask in the back matter.
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