10+ Best Feminist Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for empowering reads for your little one? Look no further! Our curated selection of feminist books for 6-year-olds is perfect for sparking conversations about equality and inspiring confidence in every young reader. Whether you're looking for bedtime stories or something for independent reading sessions, these books are sure to resonate and entertain. Keep reading to discover our top picks for feminist books that are just right for 6-year-olds!
Table of Contents
Fun Feminist Books for 6-Year-Olds
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
- Synopsis: This book tells the story of Rosie Revere, who dreams of becoming an engineer. At night, she turns into a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who aspires to create amazing things.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages young readers to never give up on their dreams and shows that failure is just a stepping stone to success.
- Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who are interested in science and engineering.
- The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko
- Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Children's Fiction
- Synopsis: Princess Elizabeth dons a paper bag to rescue her prince from a dragon, only to find out he is less than appreciative of her efforts.
- Why we recommend this book: It flips the traditional princess narrative on its head, promoting independence and self-worth over appearance and conventional fairy tale endings.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and stories with unconventional heroines.
- Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Poetry
- Synopsis: This book features a series of poems about princesses who wear sneakers and hard hats, and who engage in activities from soccer to coding.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic read that challenges gender stereotypes and encourages girls to be proud of who they are and what they love.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rhythmic narratives and those looking to break free from traditional gender roles.
- Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt
- Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fairy Tale
- Synopsis: In this futuristic retelling, Cinderella is a talented mechanic who dreams of fixing fancy rockets. When the prince's ship breaks down, Cinderella must come to the rescue.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines elements of classic fairy tales with a strong, problem-solving female protagonist in a unique, engaging setting.
- Perfect for: Kids who love space adventure and stories with resourceful characters.
- Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
- Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity, perseverance, and the importance of scientific inquiry in a fun and accessible way.
- Perfect for: Young scientists and any kid with a curious mind and a penchant for asking "why?"
Educational Feminist Books for 6-Year-Olds
- Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Political
- Synopsis: When Grace learns that there has never been a female president, she decides to run in her school's mock election.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of electoral processes, leadership skills, civic education
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces the concept of elections and democracy through an engaging story, encouraging children to think about leadership and the importance of representation.
- Perfect for: Young leaders and any child interested in politics and governance.
- Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Political
- Synopsis: Sofia Valdez is a young girl who advocates for a local park in her community, showing that even the youngest citizens can make a big difference.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Community involvement, leadership, environmental awareness
- Why we recommend this book: It empowers children to see themselves as agents of change within their communities.
- Perfect for: Aspiring community leaders and environmentally conscious young readers.
- I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
- Genre(s): Biography, Children's Non-Fiction
- Synopsis: This book details the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, focusing on her numerous dissents and her fight for gender equality.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, understanding of justice and civil rights
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a compelling look at a pioneering figure in American law and demonstrates the power of perseverance and conviction.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in law, justice, and inspirational figures in history.
- Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët
- Genre(s): Biography, Children's Non-Fiction
- Synopsis: Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai shares her childhood wish for a magic pencil to make the world a better place, and how she continues her fight for education for all girls worldwide.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Awareness of global issues, inspiration for activism
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to dream big and work hard for change, showing them that they can be part of making the world a fairer place.
- Perfect for: Young activists and any child interested in global issues and education rights.
- She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
- Genre(s): Biography, Children's Non-Fiction
- Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to 13 inspirational American women who overcame obstacles and made significant contributions to society.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, inspiration for perseverance
- Why we recommend this book: It highlights the impact of women throughout American history and inspires children to persist despite challenges.
- Perfect for: Young readers who need encouragement to overcome obstacles and those interested in American history and women's contributions.
Challenging Feminist Books for 6-Year-Olds
- Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Inspirational
- Synopsis: The story follows Alice Rumphius, who aspires to make the world more beautiful, fulfilling a promise she made to her grandfather. As she grows older, she finds her own unique way to spread beauty through the simple act of planting lupines.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates themes of personal legacy and environmental stewardship, layered with rich, detailed illustrations that prompt deeper understanding and interpretation.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages readers to think about how they can make a positive impact on the world, blending a personal journey with a universal message of contributing to society.
- Perfect for: Young dreamers and future environmentalists.
- A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Family
- Synopsis: After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save their coins to buy a big, comfortable chair that they can all enjoy. It's a story of resilience and shared family goals.
- Why this book is challenging: The book tackles themes of loss, recovery, and community support with a narrative that respects the reader's ability to handle more serious topics.
- Why we recommend this book: It showcases the strength of familial bonds and community assistance, emphasizing the importance of saving and working together towards a common goal.
- Perfect for: Children learning about financial responsibility and the value of community.
- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Cultural
- Synopsis: Unhei, a young girl from Korea, is nervous about being teased for her name when she moves to America, leading her to consider choosing a new name. Her classmates come to appreciate her unique name and its special significance.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex concepts of cultural diversity and self-acceptance, encouraging readers to appreciate and embrace differences.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes cultural understanding and pride in one's heritage, which is crucial in our diverse society.
- Perfect for: Young readers grappling with their identity or adjusting to new environments.
- Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Cassie Louise Lightfoot, an eight-year-old in Harlem, dreams of flying above her constrained world to see the beauty and possibilities beyond her reach.
- Why this book is challenging: The blending of historical context with magical realism challenges young readers to interpret metaphorical storytelling, enriched by visually engaging artwork.
- Why we recommend this book: It empowers readers to dream beyond their limitations and recognize the boundless nature of their potential.
- Perfect for: Visionaries and young artists, as well as those interested in African American history and culture.
- Olivia by Ian Falconer
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good. She dreams big, has boundless imagination, and gets involved in all sorts of adventures.
- Why this book is challenging: Olivia's adventures and misadventures offer subtle lessons in problem-solving and emotional intelligence, wrapped in sophisticated humor and sassy dialogue that require a nuanced understanding.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates individuality and self-expression, encouraging young readers to embrace their unique traits and creativity.
- Perfect for: Spirited youngsters with a wild imagination and a flair for the dramatic.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Introducing kids to feminist books at a young age is a wonderful way to broaden their understanding of equality and empowerment. To make the most out of these reading experiences, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop good reading habits for 6-year-olds. These activities are not only fun but also educational, helping to reinforce the values and lessons found in feminist literature.
- Read Aloud Together
- What it is: Share the reading experience by taking turns reading pages or sentences aloud with your child.
- How it helps: Enhances vocabulary, improves reading fluency, and fosters a deeper understanding of the material.
- Tips: Change your tone and pitch to match different characters or emotions to make the reading session more engaging.
- Character Role Play
- What it is: After reading, act out scenes from the book with your child, each of you playing different characters.
- How it helps: Helps children understand and empathize with different perspectives and reinforces story comprehension.
- Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-playing more exciting and memorable.
- Story Map Creation
- What it is: Create a visual map of the story, including major events, characters, and settings.
- How it helps: Encourages organizational skills and helps children recall story details in a structured way.
- Tips: Use drawings, stickers, or magazine cutouts to make the activity more interactive and colorful.
- Discussion Time
- What it is: Set aside time after reading to discuss the story, focusing on the themes, characters, and any lessons learned.
- How it helps: Promotes critical thinking and personal connection to the story’s messages.
- Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book.
- Book-Themed Art Projects
- What it is: Create art projects related to the book, such as drawing a favorite scene or a new book cover.
- How it helps: Allows children to express creativity and engage with the story in a visual format.
- Tips: Provide a variety of materials like crayons, markers, glitter, and glue to inspire creativity.
By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you not only enhance the joy of reading but also deepen the understanding of important feminist themes. These activities are designed to be both fun and educational, providing a foundation for lifelong reading habits and a better appreciation of diversity and equality. Happy reading and exploring!