March is Women’s History Month, and there’s no better time to use your nighttime reading to spotlight who runs the world … girls!
Women’s History Month: For the Preschool/Elementary Crowd
These are great books to rotate into your bedtime reading routine.
She Persisted
Written by Chelsea Clinton, this anthology covers such notable and diverse ladies as Sally Ride, Harriet Tubman, and Sonia Sotomayor. Also, check out She Persisted Around the World and She Persisted in Sports (also by Chelsea Clinton). I love that these books touch on some well-known women and include some lesser-known women that deserve the spotlight.
Malala’s Magic Pencil
Written by Malala Yousafzai herself, it’s a beautiful retelling of her story through the “magic pencil” that she dreamed of as a child, and the illustrations are gorgeous.
I Dissent
Written by Debbie Levy, the fun illustrations take us through the life of the notorious RBG and her remarkable achievements. I especially love the part that highlights her close friendship with Antonin Scalia despite their ideological differences.
Hidden Figures
Written by Margot Lee Shetterly, this book for younger audiences was adapted from the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award-nominated movie of the same name. This book covers a lot of ground (segregation, blatant sexism and racism in the workplace, the civil rights movement, and the space race!) and is sure to spark some conversation.
Women’s History Month: For Young Adults
Start your own mother-daughter book club and read these novels alongside one another, and then watch the movies!
Dumplin’
Written by Julie Murphy, this funny and soulful YA novel will not only introduce girls to positive body image but the timeless music of Dolly Parton; what’s not to love?! Read it together, then go and watch it on Netflix.
Moxie
Jennifer Mathieu writes this YA novel following high schooler Viv as she experiences a feminist awakening, is cheered along by her punk rock mom, and starts a revolution. The movie releases on Netflix on March 3!
Hunger Games
Okay, I know most of us have heard or even read this series by Suzanne Collins, but I have to remind myself that it was intended for a YA audience! And again, you could (re)read them together and finish with an epic movie binge.
Women’s History Month: For Moms
I know it can be hard to set aside time for ourselves, but your time will be well-spent with these biographies/autobiographies. Bonus: they’ve all been turned into amazing documentaries/films!
Becoming
Michelle Obama. After you finish her autobiography, check out the documentary with the same name on Netflix.
I Am Malala
Malala Yousafzai. He Named Me Malala is the accompanying documentary available to rent through Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Apple TV.
Hidden Figures
Margot Lee Shetterly. If you haven’t seen the movie, do so immediately!
Notorious RBG
Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik. The documentary titled RBG can currently be found on Hulu, but you can also rent it through Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Apple TV.
There are countless other children’s books, novels, biographies, and films that feature truly remarkable women throughout history, too many to list here. But I hope this sampling inspires you and the women in your lives. Happy Women’s History Month!
