March is Women’s History Month and one great way to celebrate is to go to my friend, Margo Tannebaum’s joint blog, KidLit Celebrates Women’s History Month. For the month of March, Margo of The Fourth Musketeer and her partner in this endeavor, Shelf Employed, have lined up guest bloggers to celebrate children’s books featuring women in history. Both are children’s librarians with wonderful blogs!!
Today is my turn for Picture Book of the Day, so I thought I would jump on their bandwagon and cover five picture books of women to celebrate and learn about in honor of Women’s History Month.
I hope you share with me your favorite children’s book celebrating a woman who made a difference. Thank you!
Women’s History Month Picture Book of the Day
It’s such a small world, but last year I won a pile of books from KidLit Celebrates Women’s History Month and I have chosen a few from that treasure trove. (Thank you, Margo!!).
Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina, illustrated by Eric Velasquez
With the 2014 Winter Olympics recently completed, the Olympics was on my mind and I was delighted to learn about Alice Coachman who I had never heard of. Told in lyrical free verse, Alice grew up in rural Georgia where there were no high jump facilities. Undaunted, she used sticks and rags to create her own equipment.
I was heartened to learn that many helped Alice go after her dream. Her teachers bought her shoes, shorts, and socks. She earned a place on the Tuskegee Golden Tigerettes, a famous team that helped her develop her skills into that of an Olympic athlete. In 1948 during the London Olympics, Alice Coachman became the first African American to win a gold medal. And this lovely picture helps to make history as well! [free verse picture book, ages 6 and up]
Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage by Claire Rudolf Murphy, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
For the work of a day,
For the taxes we pay,
For the laws we obey,
We want something to say.
(From a political postcard)
What I loved about this Susan B. Anthony story told through the eyes of a young girl Bessie is that it is actually true!! Bessie Keith Pond was a real girl who lived in Berkeley, California. In 1896, she knew Susan through her mother and aunts, all staunch Suffragists who were active during the California campaign to gain the vote for women.
Bessie’s best friend Rita grew up with a more traditional father and we watch them side by side as they both try to support the women’s right to vote. In this powerful way, we see what women were up against and how difficult the battle truly was.
The right for women to vote could also impact child labor laws and make workplaces safer for women who worked in factories. Both Rita and Bessie contribute money to this cause after some children who worked in factories offered up some hard-earned change. I think this message that everyone can make a difference at any age is also a great one.
Referendum #6 to give women the right to vote ultimately failed to pass but the lesson is here is to keep on trying and that’s a good one for us all. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Pure Grit: How American World War II Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific by Mary Cronk Farrell
Pure Grit tells the story of several nurses in detail as well as the general story of the first American women — 79 of them who were left behind when MacArthur was forced to retreat from the Philippines and were taken prisoner by the Japanese. They were subjected to hunger, disease, and repeated bombing. Not only did all 79 survive but they also took care of the wounded soldiers, saving thousands of lives.
They are the unsung heroines of WWII (and there are many!). This advanced picture book is an homage to the 79 heroes of WWII. It tells of their story, their contributions, and their pure grit. [advanced picture book, ages 10 and up]
I have two picture books about Josephine Baker!
Jazz Age Josephine: Dancer, Singer — Who’s That Who? Why, That’s Josephine Baker to You! by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Told in rhyme and accompanied by vibrant illustrations that sing with energy, this picture book tells the story of Josephine Baker by focusing more on her impoverished childhood and her rise to fame as a celebrated dancer who was the toast of Paris. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Told in free verse with a chapter describing the different periods of Josephine Baker’s life, this advanced picture book can be read as a chapter book. It’s the perfect hybrid of pictures, text, and chapters to introduce a child to the fascinating life of an American icon. It would be especially good for a reluctant girl reader who likes to dance. [advanced picture book, ages 7 and up]
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Great choices! What amazing women. I always wonder what such strong-willed women might have been capable of achieving if they hadn’t first had to overcome obstacles and atrocities like slavery, not being allowed to vote, inequality, poverty, war, etc.
Hi Elle,
So many amazing women to celebrate and yet so little time. Good thing March is a longer month but still … we could and should celebrate them all year. I’ll bet there are 365 of them out there in children’s books! It is amazing to me how long women fought for the vote to win it. I know what you mean …
You know this is right up Little Miss HISTORY’S alley! Thanks for posting.
Hi Barbara,
I can’t wait to see Little Miss History and how she visits some of these places and events!! I love your series!!!
Thanks for these great titles, Mia! I wasn’t familiar with the Susan B. Anthony one, so I’ll definitely check it out.
Here are some other great titles:
Tanya Lee Stone: Elizabeth Leads the Way (Elizabeth Cady Stanton) & Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors (Elizabeth Blackwell)
Gretchen Woelfle: Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence
Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride
And a few on aviation (other than Amelia Earhart)
Marissa Moss: Sky High (Maggie Gee)
Louise Borden: Fly High (Bessie Coleman)
Tami Lewis Brown: Soar, Elinor! (Elinor Smith)
And there are so many other great picture book biographies on women, particularly women artists.
Ones on Georgia O’Keeffe are some of my all-time favorites:
Rachel Rodriguez: Through Georgia’s Eyes
Jeannette Winter: My Name is Georgia
Jen Bryant: Georgia’s Bones
I also love Jonah Winter’s Frida (on Frida Kahlo–amazing illustrations by Ana Juan!)
And Me, Jane by Patrick McDonnell is so sweet and touching. It’s one of my very favorite books.
Time to stop! I could go on & on!
Thank you for your wonderful book recommendations, as usual, Maria!! I love having my kids read picture book biographies! It is such a great, easy, and pleasant way to learn about people who made a difference.
I forgot to add above that the Sojourner Truth book is by Andrea Davis Pinkney!
Hi Maria,
I love Andrea Davis Pinkney. Every single book that she is involved in has such integrity! I am a huge fan of her books!
From LinkedIn Group: Elementary Teachers of America
Denise Nicklaus
Retired Librarian/Reading Teacher – St. Augustine School
Women’s History was one of my favorite units to cover. If you are interested in covering female athletes, a great start is “Wilma Unlimited (Wilma Rudolph). Great cross over for Black History Month, as well. Wilma overcame many obstacles through perseverance. She overcame racial, social, physical, natural obstacles. Another great story about a female athlete is “Playing to Win” and “Nothing But Trouble” about Althea Gibson. There are so many wonderful books about strong women today to inspire both boys and girls. I always found the month was not long enough for me to honor these dynamic women.
From my LinkedIn Group: Elementary School Teachers of America
I found being a children’s librarian very rewarding. I shared my love of reading with children for 20 years until my school was unjustly closed. I always enjoyed using literature that was useful for developing positive character traits in my students. We learned about obstacles that all human beings face whether male or female, old or young, black or white. All of these characters overcame diverse obstacles, persevered, were determined, self-confident, outspoken when they needed to be and were compassionate. They knew how to make lemonade when they were given lemons in life. Role models for us all. Just loved teaching!
By Denise Nicklaus
Thank you Denise for your inspiring comment!
I like how some of them are in verse, fun to read. Touch the Sky sounds very inspiration. I will be looking out for it! I also liked Who Said Women Can’t be Doctors? about Elizabeth Blackwell.
Hi Ann,
Thanks for that great book recommendation. I have heard so many great things about the Elizabeth Blackwell book. I was surprised by the number of biography picture books in free verse too … but I love how they turned out! The story is so powerful told through poetry!
This is a great list to celebrate famous women! Thanks for sharing with Afterschool Link Up!
Thanks so much for stopping by Natalie!! I love Afterschool link up!
This is an awesome resource for Women’s History. Thanks for taking the time to link up at the Homeschool Linky Party. Hope to see you again Thursday!
Hi Keisha,
Thanks so much for stopping by!!