10 of the best feminist books for children

  • 6 to 12+ years

Sally, an author, shares her favourite children’s books to celebrate the publication of her story about the Suffragette movement: Things A Bright Girl Can Do.

Sally recommends

1. Princess Smartypants

Babette Cole; Puffin 

Princess Smartypants doesn’t want to get married – she wants to ride around on her motorbike doing whatever she wants and stay a Ms forever. Feminist fairy tale retellings are rather old hat now, but this was one of the first, and one of the best.

2. Zog

Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler; Alison Green Books 

Anyone with small children knows why Julia Donaldson is so well-loved and so popular. I can’t wait until my little boy is old enough to read this story of a princess who wants to be a doctor and the dragon who doesn’t want to roast her alive.

3. Little People, Big Dreams series

Eng Gee Fan, Isabel Sanchez Vegara and others; Frances Lincoln

Series of picture books documenting the lives women such as Frida Kahlo, Agatha Christie, Maya Angelou and Ella Fitzgerald. A nice mix of well-documented and more unusual names, with very simple storytelling making these accessible to young readers.

4. Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

Kate Pankhurst; Bloomsbury

A lively picture book celebration of lots of really great women. Every primary school library should have this book.

5. Pippi Longstocking

Astrid Lingren; Oxford University Press 

Apparently, Sweden has more female MPs than anywhere except Rwanda, and they think it’s down to Pippi. She’s the strongest girl in the world: as brave as a lion, as rich as a nine-year-old with an enormous chest of gold and as eccentric as… Well, let’s be honest, there’s really no one else like Pippi, is there? I have never wanted to be anyone as much as nine-year-old me wanted to be Pippi Longstocking.

6. Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls

Elena Favilli, Francesca Cavallo; Particular Books 

Potted biographies of lots of great women – not just rebels (although many of them are), but scientists, writers, artists, politicians, etc. A great ethnic and historical mix too, and lots of women who did great things as children and teenagers.

7. Opal Plumstead

Jacqueline Wilson; Corgi 

Jacqueline Wilson’s historical novel about a young girl working in a sweet factory who becomes involved with the Suffragettes. I’m a big Jacqueline Wilson fan, so I’m certain you’re in safe hands here.

8. Hazel

Julie Hearn; Oxford University Press

When Hazel’s father takes her to the 1913 Epsom Derby, she doesn’t expect her life to be changed forever. But as she watches a Suffragette step in front of the King’s horse, so begins Hazel’s fight for justice – not just politically, but in her own family.

9. Until We Win

Linda Newbery; Barrington Stoke

Super-accessible YA novel, for teenagers with a reading age of eight, about a young girl who joins the Suffragette movement by Costa-award-winning Linda Newbery? Yes, please!

10. Sally Heathcote: Suffragette

Not technically a children’s book, but every secondary school library should have a copy of this graphic novel about Emmeline Pankhurst’s (fictional) maid. An accessible and meticulously researched introduction to Suffragette history.

  • Zog

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2011 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Zog is a keen dragon at Dragon School who aims to be the best in his class and win a golden star.

  • Little People, Big Dreams: Maya Angelou

    by Lisbeth Kaiser, illustrated by Leire Salaberria 

    2016 6 to 12 years 

    • Historical
    • Picture books

    This inspiring biography for young readers focusses on writer, speaker and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.

  • Pippi Longstocking

    by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Child 

    2010 6 to 12 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Classics

    Follow Pippi Longstocking on her amazing adventures as she moves into Villa Villekulla with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase of gold coins.

  • Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World

    by Kate Pankhurst 

    2016 6 to 12 years 

    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Written and illustrated by a direct descendant of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, this colourful picture book is full of facts about 13 inspirational women from history, showcasing their achievements in a fun and accessible way.

  • Princess Smartypants

    by Babette Cole 

    1986 6 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Princess Smartypants is rebellious, independent, and very happy being single – but her parents want her to get married and settle down! This hilarious picture book has a subversive protagonist and a strong message about choosing your own destiny.