We have an article on empowering books for girls, but we don’t want anyone to think that these books are only for girls. It’s essential that we read books about strong women to boys, too! That’s why we’ve compiled this list of feminist books for boys, made up of board books and picture books for young readers.
Of course, feminist themes aren’t always explicit in books like these (although many are!). Sometimes, feminism can be represented simply through showing characters who work together for a better society or characters who express feelings and show empathy.
Feminist Board Books for Little Boys and Girls
A Is for Awesome! 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
Feminist Baby: He’s a Feminist Too! by Loryn Brantz
It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
This Little Collection boxed set by Joan Holub
My Body by Jill McDonald
Feminist Picture Books for Young Readers
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Today I Feel… An Alphabet of Feelings by Madalena Moniz
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Teddy’s Favorite Toy by Christian Trimmer
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
Lovely by Jess Hong
Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
Chapter Books with Feminist Themes
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different by Ben Brooks
Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older
These books aren’t just for boys! But we’ve broken them down to make it easier on you–parents or gift givers–as you build a collection of empowering books for kids of all genders!
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Feminist Board Books for Little Boys and Girls
A Is For Awesome! 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen
Book Details
- 32 pages
- 1-5 years
Why stick with the plain old ABCs when you can have Amelia (Earhart), Beyoncé, and Coco Chanel? This board book with lively illustrations depicts feminist icons, each with a short description and a personal quote.
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
Book Details
- 24 pages
- Ages 1-4 years
- Bilingual edition The Feelings Book / El libro de los sentimientos also available
The Feelings Book vibrantly illustrates the wide range of moods we all experience. Kids and adults will appreciate Todd Parr’s quirky intelligence as he pays special attention to the ever-changing, sometimes nonsensical emotions that we all feel. Targeted to young children first beginning to read, this book will inspire kids to discuss their multitude of feelings in a kid-friendly, accessible format, told through Parr’s trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes.
Feminist Baby: He’s a Feminist Too! by Loryn Brantz
Book Details
- 22 pages
- 0 – 3 years
A cute companion to Feminist Baby, this book is all about Feminist Baby Boy, who loves learning, being himself, and being in touch with his feelings. This board book celebrates the joys of childhood while teaching that feminism is for everyone.
It’s Okay to be Different by Todd Parr
Book Details
- Combines acceptance of others with simple pictures
- 32 pages
- 2-5 years
In this colorful book with playful humor, Todd Par tells children (and adults!) to be yourself and embrace what makes you different. Whether you have an invisible friend; feel mad, embarrassed, or proud; need a helping hand; or like to eat mac and cheese in the bathtub, this book offers the perfect affirming message for anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out.
This Little Collection Boxed Set by Joan Holub
Book Details
- Set of 4 board books
- 1-5 years
- Includes This Little President, This Little Explorer, This Little Trailblazer, and This Little Scientist
This feminist board book set may not call itself by such a name, but it is made up of the epitome of empowering books for toddlers.
Good for even very young readers, this collection teaches children about great scientists, explorers, presidents, and female trailblazers–many of the most empowering figures in history!
My Body by Jill McDonald
Book Details
- 26 pages
- 0-3 years
Young children are fascinated by their eyes, ears, nose, fingers, and toes. Here’s a Hello, World! board book that teaches toddlers all about the human body, with shapes, sizes, colors, and super-simple facts.
Hello, World! is a series designed to introduce first nonfiction concepts to babies and toddlers. Told in clear and easy terms and featuring bright, cheerful illustrations, Hello, World! makes learning fun for young children.
Feminist Picture Books to Empower Young Readers
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Book Details
- 32 pages
- Ages 3-8
- Great for kids interested in STEM
This tells the story of Ada Marie Twist, an African American second-grade scientist whose experiments wreak constant havoc. As Ada attempts to solve the mystery of a stinky smell, she develops a hypothesis and uses the scientific method, trial and error, and more. Full of fun STEM activities for littles and quite the crowd pleaser!
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Book Details
- Caldecott Honor wining book
- 32 pages
- 2-7 years
When Farmer Brown’s cows began leaving him typewritten notes, that’s when his troubles started — and the animals’ fun commenced! This silly story will leave your kids giggling while also teaching them the value of banding together.
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Book Details
- 32 pages
- 3-8 years
- Great for kids interested in STEM
Rosie dreams of becoming a great engineer, and her room becomes a secret workshop where she constructs ingenious inventions from odds and ends. From hot dog dispensers to helium pants and python-repelling cheese hats, Rosie’s creations would astound anyone—if only she’d let them see.
But Rosie is afraid of failure, so she hides her inventions under her bed. That is, until her great-great-aunt Rose (also known as Rosie the Riveter) pays her a visit. Aunt Rose teaches Rosie that the first flop isn’t something to fear; it’s something to celebrate. Failure only truly happens if you quit. And so, Rosie learns to embrace her passion, celebrate her missteps, and pursue her dreams with persistence.
This empowering picture book encourages young readers to explore their creativity, persevere through challenges, and celebrate the journey toward achieving their goals. Whether you’re a budding engineer or simply love stories of resilience, Rosie Revere, Engineer is a delightful read for all ages.
Note: My son absolutely LOVES Rosie – he thinks the pictures of her inventions are hilarious and loves to turn and twist the book when her cheese copter flies then crashes!
Today I Feel… An Alphabet of Feelings by Madalena Moniz
Book Details
Beautifully illustrated by Madalena Moniz’s subtle watercolors, Today I Feel . . . follows a child through a whole range of emotions, from adored to curious to strong. Not all of the emotions are positive and not all of them are simple, but they are all honest and worthy of discussion with a young child.
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Book Details
- 40 pages
- 2-7 years
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? The sparse text of this book leaves lots of room for Julián’s beautifully illustrated imaginations.
Teddy’s Favorite Toy by Christian Trimmer
Book Details
- 40 pages
- 4-9 years
Teddy has a lot of cool toys. But his very favorite doll has the best manners, the sickest fighting skills, and a fierce sense of style.
Then one morning, something truly awful happens. And there’s only one woman fierce enough to save the day. Can Teddy’s mom reunite Teddy with his favorite toy?
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
Book Details
- 32 pages
- 3-8 years
When the fiercest dragon in the whole world smashes Princess Elizabeth’s castle, burns all her clothes, and captures her fiancé, Prince Ronald, Elizabeth takes matters into her own hands. With her wits alone and nothing but a paper bag to wear, the princess challenges the dragon to show his strength in the hopes of saving the prince. But is it worth all that trouble?
Readers the world-over have fallen in love with this classic story of girl power.
Lovely by Jess Hong
Book Details
- 32 pages
- For 4-8 year olds
Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely!
Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
Book Details
- 40 pages
- 2-7 years
The diverse characters in this book encourage all children to enjoy what they love to do, whether it’s racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up.
Chapter Books with Feminist Themes for Grade School Children
The Princess in Black Series 1-3 by Shannon Hale
Book Details
- 1st 3 books of the series
- 6-9 years
Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different by Ben Brooks
Book Details
- 160 pages
- 6-13 years
It’s an accessible compilation of 75 famous and not-so-famous men from the past to the present day, every single one of them a rule-breaker and stereotype-smasher in his own way. Entries include Frank Ocean, Salvador Dali, Beethoven, Barack Obama, Ai Weiwei, Jesse Owens, and so many more-heroes from all walks of life and from all over the world.
Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older
Book Details
- 288 pages
- 8-12 years
The storytelling in this fantasy makes it believable that there are dinosaurs on earth during the Civil War. Little known episodes from history bring the teen squad together. Led by Mags, who can communicate with the dinosaurs, the children set out to do battle in NYC in this first of a trilogy that ends with the squad on the back of a pterodactyl, flying south.
Why Should I Read My Boys Books About Feminism?
Boys don’t just need to read books about feminism, they need to read books that show strong women, and that are written by such women.
Boys need to be able to get a window into the lives of powerful women, to see women as inspiring figures for everyone, and to be able to draw on these figures as a reference for their own decisions in the world.
Yes, girls must have opportunities to see themselves reflected in books. They should get as many chances as possible to see female-identifying protagonists written by female-identifying authors addressing important messages.
However, we MUST also read these books to young boys.
If you are looking for children’s books for the special boys in your lives, take a look at all of our recommendations of books about empowering girls and women.
Board Books To Empower Toddlers and Preschoolers
Books About Girls are for EVERYONE
Shannon Hale, author of Princess Academy and Princess in Black, has been a staunch defender of the idea that that books about girls should be for everyone.
In a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote:
“Stories make us human. We form bonds by swapping personal stories with others, and reading fiction is a deeply immersive exercise in empathy.
So, what happens to a culture that encourages girls to read books about boys but shoos boys away from reading books about girls What happens to a boy who is taught he should be ashamed of reading a book about a girl?
For feeling empathy for a girl? For trying to understand how she feels? For caring about her? What kind of a man does that boy grow up to be?”
We couldn’t have said it any better ourselves! No little boy should ever feel ashamed for reading a book about a girl. One more time for the folks in the back: books about girls are for everyone.
What are your favorite feminist books for boys? Tell us about them in the comments!
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