Female Historical Figures in Children’s Non-Fiction

March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate I’m highlighting some fantastic non-fiction books for kids about female historical figures. Some you are bound to recognize; others you’ve probably never heard of but need to get to know!

Be sure to also check out this post on picture books about great women in history your children need to know.

March is Women's History Month, and to celebrate I'm highlighting some fantastic non-fiction books for kids about female historical figures. Some you are bound to recognize; others you've probably never heard of but need to get to know! #womenshistory #edchat #herstory #kidlit #picturebooks #chapterbooks #homeschool

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I received review copies of some of these books, but no other compensation and I was not required to review them here. All opinions are my own.

Women’s history is an important topic to cover with ALL children – male and female. This year my sons’ fifth grade teacher (who happens to be female) has done a spectacular job of covering this topic. In fact, she has done such an incredible job that he helped me come up with this list of books. He reads the books on this list his younger sister and her friends.

Female Historical Figures in Children’s Non-Fiction

Exposing our sons as well as our daughters to both female and male role models will make them better husbands, friends, and coworkers. My son has three sisters, and he lives in a world full of women who he can collaborate with and admire. Early exposure to female role models teaches our daughters that the can do anything they like, and our sons that women make admirable coworkers and collaborators throughout life.

Female Historical Figures in Picture Books

Board Books Featuring Female Historical Figures

You’re never too young to learn about historic female figures! The Little Feminist Board Book set introduces children to:

  • Artists: Artists: Maya Angelou,  Joesphine Baker, Frida Kahlo and Ella Fitzgerald
  • Leaders: Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth I, Indira Gandhi and Hillary Clinton
  • Activists: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem and Malala Yousafza
  • Pioneers: Marie Curie, Sally Ride, Amelia Earhart and Billie Jean King

Picture Book Collections Featuring Female Historical Figures

She Persisted features 13 American Women who changed the world.

She Persisted Around the World features big dreamers from around the world: Marie Curie, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Viola Desmond, Sissi Lima do Amor, Leymah Gbowee, Caroline Herschel, Wangari Maathai, Aisha Rateb, J.K. Rowling, Kate Sheppard, Yuan Yuan Tan, Mary Verghese and Malala Yousafzai.

Herstory celebrates fifty inspiring and powerful women who changed the world.

Women in Science features fifty women of note who made discoveries in science, technology, engineering, and math. The book laso explains lab equipment, statistics about women currently working in STEM fields, and an illustrated glossary of scientific terms. The book covers a mix of well-known and lesser-known women.

Picture Books Featuring Individual Female Historical Figures

Whether or not you’ve heard of Dr. Patricia Bath, you NEED to read The Doctor With an Eye for Eyes! I love the way this series connects women’s childhoods to their future careers.

Did you know that Raye Montague transformed the course of ship design? Learn her story in The Girl with a Mind for Math.

The Girl who Thought in Pictures celebrates Temple Grandin’s exceptional ability for working with animals.

My son already admired Malal Yousafzai; he was amazed when he realized that she is only a decade older than him. Understanding that stories like this continue to take place in the 21st century is a critical piece of observing Women’s History Month. Malala’s Magic Pencil introduces children to her story.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes her Mark was the first picture book written about this Supreme Court Justice!

Learn the story of America’s first female veterinarian in Elinor McGrath: Pet Doctor! Alette Straathof’s illustrations are right on point, and I was amazed at how much information Jacqueline Johnson packed into this slim picture book without making it feel overly wordy. I also enjoyed the stories about other early female veterinarians from around the world at the end of the book.

Chapter Books for Kids Featuring Female Historical Figures

I Am Malala offers Malala Yousafzai’s story in an easy-to-read chapter book format.

The Diary of Anne Frank is a powerful first-person account of what it was like to be in hiding during World War II.

The Hiding Place is not technically a children’s book. However, it is one of my 13-year-old daughter’s all-time favorite books. It tells the story of the heroism of ordinary people during World War II who worked to save lives.

This list is a decent start, but it’s nowhere near exhaustive. What children’s non-fiction picture books and chapter books about female historical figures can you add to our list? Picture book recommendations are very welcome, but I am especially looking for more chapter books!

Women's History Month Series on Multicultural Kid Blogs
Join us for our annual Women’s History Month series, celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women around the world! Don’t miss our series from last year, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and find even more posts on our Women’s History board on Pinterest: Follow Multicultural Kid Blogs’s board Women’s History on Pinterest.
Participating Blogs
Biracial Bookworms on Multicultural Kid Blogs
Great Family Reads: Female Historical Figures in Children’s Non-Fiction
Mama Tortuga: Latin American Women that Transcended | Bilingual
MommyMaestra: 5 Printable Packets for Women’s History Month
Alizehmysoul: What’s need and the ways to record women’s history of our own family
Ketchupmoms: 8 Must-Read Books About Inspiring Women
Living Ideas
Mommy Evolution: Children’s Books About Women in Science
Don’t miss our Women’s History Month Activity Printables, on sale now! Women's History Month Activity Printables

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