We all want our daughters to become the strong women we know they truly are [1], and it's a mother's job to show them the way, both through words and actions. One easy way to start raising a feminist [2]? Stock her library with books that prove girls rule [3] — and always have. From historical tomes that detail the amazing accomplishments of women throughout the centuries and in modern day to books that will teach little ladies they can wear tutus and take charge, the following 25+ books are all about girl power. Start reading, and teach the girls in your life that the future is female and they can lead the way.
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink
Whether they like pink or loathe it, little ladies will love Not All Princesses Dress in Pink [4] ($12, originally $18), which shows that girls can jump in mud puddles, climb trees, play sports, and make messes in an empowering story about girls' unlimited potential.
She Persisted
Chelsea Clinton's She Persisted [5] ($13, originally $18) tells the story of 13 diverse women, including Harriet Tubman, Sonia Sotomayor, and Sally Ride, who helped change America through their tenacity, doing what was right despite overwhelming odds. The follow-up, She Persisted Around the World [6] ($13, originally $18), tells the story of 13 more game-changing women in the fields of science, the arts, sports, and activism.
Here We Are
Here We Are: Feminism For the World [7] ($10, originally $17) offers teens advice from 44 writers, dancers, actors, and artists, including Mindy Kaling and writer Roxane Gay, on everything from "body positivity to romance to gender identity to intersectionality to the greatest girl friendships in fiction."
Malala's Magic Pencil
Malala's Magic Pencil [8] ($13, originally $18) is Nobel Peace Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Malala Yousafzai's first picture book, inspired by her own childhood and inspirational for girls of all ages.
Grade For President
In Grace For President [9] ($9, originally $17), author Kelly DiPucchio gives readers a fun introduction to the American electoral system, teaches the value of hard work, courage, and independent thought, and proves that girls should be presidents, too!
Willow Finds a Way
In Willow Finds a Way [10] ($17), a quiet girl wishes she could find a way to say no to her bossy classmate and discovers a creative solution to a common grade-school problem. Her heartwarming tale will inspire your little citizen to stand up for what's right.
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls
This "most funded book in crowd funding history," Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls [11] ($35) features short, page-long bios on 100 smart, successful, gritty women from around the world, including Freda Kahlo, Jane Goodall, and Cleopatra. The follow-up Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls 2 [12] ($35) features 100 more bedtime stories about extraordinary women, including Nefertiti and Beyoncé.
Princesses Wear Pants
Today host Savannah Guthrie's Princesses Wear Pants [13] ($12, originally $18) follows the unflappable Princess Penelope Pineapple, who knows how to get the job done while staying true to herself. The book "challenges gender stereotypes in the name of individuality, showing girls it's not how they look, but what they do that matters."
Madeline
Fearless French girl Madeline [14] ($7, originally $19) remains an icon 60 years after she was first introduced for a reason. A red-headed rebel laughs in the face of tigers and makes scars look cool. Girl power done right.
Girls Who Rocked the World
A fun and inspiring collection of stories, Girls Who Rocked the World [15] ($11, originally $20) provides 46 illustrated examples of strong, independent female role models, from Harriet Tubman to Coco Chanel, each with her own story of how she created life-changing opportunities for herself and the world. Young girls will also love the profiles of teenagers who are making a difference right now.
Princess in Black
The first in a series of five books (number six comes out this Fall), Princess in Black [16] ($12, originally $15) tells the story of Princess Magnolia, who loves wearing frilly dresses and black ninja gear. The book flips the typical damsel in distress story and proves girls' inherent power.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl
Marvel's very own supergirl, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl [17] ($10, originally $14) is the story of 14-year-old Doreen Green, who is starting a new school and trying to make new friends, all while hiding her squirrel powers (and her tail!). She's a superhero girls can get on board with!
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
An inspiring picture book biography of the great Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I Dissent [18] ($12, originally $19) tells the history of the Supreme Court Justice in fun and interesting ways, teaches readers how important fighting for justice is, and shows us that you can disagree with someone and still be kind.
Elizabeth Leads the Way
Elizabeth Leads the way [19] ($10, originally $19) looks at the life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton from childhood to her emergence as a pioneering leader of women's rights. In the early 19th century, she went to college and later organized like-minded women to challenge women's right to vote.
Wonder Women
Thorough and easy to read, Wonder Women [20] ($8, originally $17) tells the stories of 25 women in science, medicine, espionage, innovation, and more. You may not have heard all of their names, but after reading this book, you'll be glad your daughter did.
I Like Myself!
An ode to self esteem, I Like Myself! [21] ($11, originally $18) encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves in both silly and serious ways.
I Am Enough
Picture book I Am Enough [22] ($13, originally $19), written by Empire actress and activist Grace Byers, is an ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another.
The Paper Bag Princess
Making its debut almost 40 years ago, The Paper Bag Princess [23] ($16, originally $20) has been called one "of the best children's books ever written," and features a heroine who tricks a dragon and calls her prince a bum (he deserves it). It's the perfect vehicle to teach girls to stand up for themselves.
Rad American Women A-Z
A collection of short stories about 26 female trailblazers, Rad American Women A-Z [24] ($10, originally $15) includes women who've made significant contributions, ranging from political activist Angela Davis to novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. For even more female bad*sses, also check out Rad Women Worldwide [25] ($11, originally 16).
Matilda
In Roald Dahl's classic tale, bookworm and warlock Matilda [26] ($12, originally $17) teaches girls about the power of reading, pranks, and telekinesis, while encouraging independence and individuality.
Ada Twist, Scientist
Ada Twist, Scientist [27] ($12, originally $18) tells a story about the power of curiosity through a girl who is on a mission to use science to understand her world. The book is a celebration of STEM, perseverance, and passion from the authors of fellow girl-power book Rosie Revere, Engineer [28] ($12, originally $18).
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World [29] ($10, originally $17) features beautifully illustrated portraits of 50 notable women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including Jane Goodall and Katherine Johnson, the African-American physicist and mathematician who calculated the trajectory of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Also check out Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win [30] ($12, originally $17), which includes trailblazers, Olympians, and record-breakers in more than 40 sports.
LIfe in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina
Ballerina Misty Copeland, the first African American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, talks about believing in yourself and following your dreams no matter what stands in your way in Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina [31] ($12, originally $18).
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville
Clarksville, TN, native Alta can only think about one thing the night before the big parade: Wilma Rudolph, three-time gold medalist in the 1960 Olympics. Even with holes in her shoes, Alta is The Quickest Kid in Clarksville [32] ($14, originally $17), but when a new girl with shiny new shoes comes along and challenges Alta to a race, she must dig deep to see if she's a true champion. The book is a story of dreams, determination, and the power of friendship.
Imogene's Last Stand
Imogene's Last Stand [33] ($14, originally $17) is about a little girl whose first words are "four score and seven years ago," who finger paints a path of the Oregon trail in preschool, and who, by grade school, is saving the historical society from being torn down. Girl power, indeed.
Olivia
A pig with a purpose, Olivia [34] ($5, originally $8) is a girl who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to admit it. A modern classic and Caldecott award winner, Olivia teaches girls that individuality and speaking up is a pig's prerogative . . . and theirs, too.
Gertie's Leap to Greatness
In Gertie's Leap to Greatness [35] ($11, originally $17), a spirited young girl is on a mission to become the greatest fifth grader in the universe. It's a grand plan, but with Gertie's level of determination, she might just achieve it.
My First Amelia Earhart
Part of the Little People, Big Dreams series, My First Amelia Earhart [36] ($8, originally $15) follows Amelia Earhart, whose will and self-belief helped her overcome great obstacles to become the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Also check out the series' books about other female greats, including Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Coco Chanel.