Mama Feminista's Bookshelf: Books for Girls and Boys

Even though it is challenging to find books that represent girls in ways that are empowering, there are some beautiful books that feature girls which would be fun additions to any child's library.

 Some of our current favorites right now are:

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match, by Monica Brown (Ages 1-8*)

This bilingual book is aimed at kids 4-8, but even our one year old is engaged by the quirky and colorful illustrations. The text is presented twice, once in English and once in Spanish. My Marisol is 3 and this book is her favorite not only because it has her name in it (although that is so cool for a little kid), but because Marisol McDonald is a strong, independent, smart girl. 

The story begins by establishing that Marisol "doesn't match" because she has her Irish dad's red hair, and her Latina mom's brown skin.  She also likes to wear bright mismatched clothes in whatever combination pleases her. Even when she plays, she doesn't like to be limited to just playing one kind of game--she wants to play pirates and soccer. She tries to match one day and, thankfully, finds that matching is possible, but not that much fun. She decides, along with her teacher's support, to go back to being exactly who she is.

The story touches on issues of race and gender, but doesn't do it in an obvious way. The kids in the story are of different races, and it's never mentioned.  Most of all, Marisol McDonald's story shows that we don't need to conform in order to be loved. 

Chavela and the Magic Bubble, also by Monica Brown (Ages 1-8*)

This bilingual story is probably aimed at kids a bit older, but my 1 year old LOVES this book. She squeals with delight everytime we read it. I think it's because of the amazing illustrations which are rich and vibrant.  Like Marisol McDonald, the text is complete in both languages, so you don't need to know Spanish to get the whole narrative. The story is simple and sweet--little Chavela loves bubble gum and one day her abuela buys her a piece of magical gum. 

This gum takes her flying into Mexico to a chicle farm, where she meets a little girl who tells her of the farmers who harvest the chicle.  In the end, it turns out that the little girl she met was Chavela's own grandmother, sharing the family history as agricultural workers. The story is magical and tender. The relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter is portrayed lovingly and made me nostalgic for my own abuelita.

Ladybug Girl and Ladybug Girl at the Beach, by Jacky Davis and David Soman (Ages 1-8*)

You've probably heard of this popular series, but we love it too much to leave it out. Lulu is an independent, creative, funny, and kind girl.  There is so much to like about her character. She is shown playing independently in the stories--exploring the wood behind her house, playing on the beach and having all kinds of imagined and real adventures with her dog as her only company.  

Grown-ups are not central figures in the stories. It's about Lulu and her world. She does try to play with her brother, but when he leaves her out for being "too little," she finds ways to make her own fun.

One of the things I appreciate about these books, which you can see in the Beach book is that Lulu is drawn like a real girl, with a healthy little tummy. She isn't given a prematurely tiny waist and hips like what happend to Dora recently. (I'm still sad about that!) No. Lulu is a strong, healthy girl with a wild imagination who learns to overcome her fears and find adventures.

This is not just a great book for girls, though. Boys need to read stories like this too because this is what girls are really like. They are not all damsels in distress or princesses or mommies. They are kids, looking for an adventure, just like boys!  I think boys would be able to relate just as well to being told they are "too little" by a bigger kid or being afraid of the ocean. (All the books on this list would be well-suited to all kids.)

Color Kittens, by Margaret Wise Brown (Ages 1-5)

We were just given this book for christmas in a board book edition--yay for board books!  It's not about girls or race or anything, except colors and the fun that can be had making new colors and painting. But I'm listing it here because unlike MOST books with animals, including most Golden Books, the kittens are gender-free. Woohoo! No, seriously, WOOHOO! The kittens are never referred to as male or female, so we can make them girls if we want or leave them genderless. It is so refreshing not to have another animal book that is by default all about male animals.  

Also, it's a very very cute little book with adorable illustrations. It's fun to read and our girls enjoy the whimsical drawings.

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I plan to keep posting media that is either girl-positive or just plain not sexist. I hope you enjoy this beginning and I'd love suggestions for future inclusion in the series. We are always looking for books that depict gender equality, diversity, and all other healthy things.

Happy Reading!

*Note: the age range is just my estimation of what age child would enjoy this story. The publisher's have their own reading level guide, but I'm assuming we are reading to our children, so my ranges start earlier.

 

Comments

[turtlebella]

ooohh! Very excited! Especially for a book featuring a biracial kiddo (as my child is) but that doesn't hit you over the head with it. Thanks for this.