Our favourite children’s books about feminism and gender equality

This rhyming picture book follows Rosie Revere, a young girl who dreams of being an engineer. Despite staying up late every night to create her own inventions, Rosie always keeps them a secret. It takes a visit from her great-great-great aunt Rosie to help Rosie realise her dreams are both worth sharing and pursuing! We love how this book challenges gender stereotypes by depicting girls and women as problem-solvers and inventors, whilst also showing the importance of women as mentors.

Rocket loves attending her local library and is heartbroken to discover it’s closing down! Inspired by her idol Rosa Parks, she decides to lead a peaceful protest to demonstrate the power of the library. We love how this book shows how Rocket is inspired by women from the past and how she, in turn, uses this inspiration to become a leader in her own community.

Mari is a young girl getting ready for her first protest. When she asks her mother what her sign is, her mother tells her 'A message for the world'. Inspired by a young girl who participated in the January 2017 Women’s March in America, this feminist picture book demonstrates the importance of protesting for women and girls' rights, showing that you’re never too young to advocate for a better world!

This black and white text-focused book provides an accessible introduction to feminism. Designed to be read aloud, it answers important questions like: what is feminism? Why is feminism important? Can everyone be a feminist? If you’re not sure where to begin exploring gender equality with children, this book is a great place to start.

This poetic picture book follows Julian, a young boy who is enraptured when he sees three women in beautiful costumes. Julian dreams of being just like them – a mermaid! This picture book is a joyful exploration of imagination and creativity. It pushes back against ideas of how boys 'should' dress and celebrates how inspiring everyday women can be.

When Addie discovers the truth about the witch trials in her Scottish town, she decides to campaign for a memorial to be erected in memory of the women who were killed. Throughout her campaign, Addie faces numerous setbacks, including not being taken seriously because she is both a young girl and autistic. Despite this, she approaches each situation with both determination and self-belief. We love how this book advocates for standing up against bullying and harassment and demonstrates the need for systematic change for both girls and women and neurodiverse people. Please note: this book contains instances of derogatory language towards neurodiverse and disabled people.

When the Taliban took control of Swat Valley in Pakistan, girls like Malala were banned from going to school. Despite this, Malala spoke out – and when she was fifteen, she was shot by the Taliban. Since then, she has advocated for girls and women and their right to an education. We love how this book shows the importance of challenging discrimination against women, standing up for women’s rights and advocating for systematic change to make the world a more equal place. Please note: this book discusses the violence that Malala experienced.

Astrid was excited to start roller derby summer camp – that is, until her best friend says she wants to do ballet instead. Despite a rocky start, Astrid perseveres with the goal of winning her spot as part of the Rose Bud Rollers. This graphic novel beautifully illustrates that there’s no one way to be a girl or woman – whether you’re interested in dance or roller skating, you can be inspired by the trailblazers who came before you!

Inspired by the real story of the Muslims of The Grand Mosque in Paris, this book follows Saffiyah, a young girl who feels powerless in the face of World War II. As the Nazis begin to occupy Paris, she is determined to play her part, joining other Muslims who use an underground passage from her mosque to lead Jewish families to safety. We love how this book shines a light on a passage of history that is often overlooked, challenges the stereotyping of young Muslim girls and demonstrates the importance of standing up against unjust systems. Please note: this book depicts life during WWII, including racism and discrimination.

This graphic novel follows Bree, a young girl forced to confront her fear of water when the only class still available at her new school is swimming. Despite her initial fears, Bree finds a community – even if her team are the underdogs stuck between fierce opposition and the potential closure of their pool. Bree finds a mentor in Etta, her neighbour who teaches her about the generational impact of the exclusion of Black communities from swimming pools. We love how this novel demonstrates the importance of standing up against prejudice and the power of coming together as a community. Please note: this book depicts racism.

Set in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1950s, this book follows Birdie, a mixed-race girl who is sent to live with her aunt. There, she faces prejudice and racism both at home and within the village. When she discovers Mr Duke, the village’s last pit pony, she discovers a new form of friendship. Horrified at his treatment, Birdie hatches a plan to save him. As a character, Birdie leaps off the page and, as a story, this novel shines a light on the power of empathy and kindness. Please note: this book depicts racism.

Hazel doesn’t have a lot of friends at school – she’s too focused on winning the upcoming speech competition. When her speech rival Ella confesses she’s being harassed online by Tyler, the school’s 'golden boy', Hazel is determined to prove what Tyler has been doing and stop it from happening to other girls. Despite being for middle-grade-aged readers, this novel is an excellent introduction to sexual harassment and sexist bullying. Please note: this book depicts sexual harassment and online bullying.

Minni is a young girl growing up in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited – waiting for water, in fact, often impacts her ability to go to school. When Minni notices that richer communities have unlimited access to water, she decides to address the inequality head-on. This novel is excellent for prompting discussions around the right to water and education, as well as how gender inequality is worsened by other forms of injustice.