March 8, 2020
I glanced through my small collection of books at home, I saw some marvellous women hiding between their covers.
Some you may know, others may be new…I chose them from a host of many others for their qualities that spoke to me.
So here’s 20 Books with the girls and women who’s qualities I admire for Woman’s Day 2020.
In no particular order:
1. Nana for showing Grace that she can be anything she wants to be. Grace for thinking beyond the box she was put in. Both from AMAZING GRACE
2. DRUM DREAM GIRL for her tenacity to follow the rhythms of her heart despite the naysayers around her.
3. Nana from JULIAN IS A MERMAID for letting Julian BE.
4. Moyna from THE WHY-WHY GIRL for keeping on questioning.
5. Baba Zarrah from THE STORY BLANKET for teaching us that every question has an answer if only we look for it.
6. Millie from MILLIE’S MARVELLOUS HAT for teaching the grown-ups and us how to imagine the hat we want to wear.
7. The women from THE KEEPING QUILT for rooting us with the importance of tradition and family.
8. Mrs Chew from THE ART OF MRS CHEW for always having Trisha’s back.
9. Miss Moore from MISS MOORE THOUGHT OTHERWISE for giving us all the gift of children’s libraries.
10. Yasmin from BOOK UNCLE AND ME for standing up for what she believed in.
11. The Unicorn Lady from I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS for spinning tales and weaving magic, encouraging thinking, dreaming and questions.
12. Paloma from THE GIRL OF THE SEA OF CORTEZ for her sixth sense about nature (the sea) and the need to protect it.
13. SHE MADE A MONSTER: HOW MARY SHELLY CREATED FRANKENSTEIN…although a real person, her presence in a picture book, makes her eligible for my list…for daring to take on a challenge, imagining, creating and going down in history!
14. The Art teacher from THE DOT for being an inspiration to all teachers and Vashti from THE DOT for not just embracing her art, but for being an inspiration and generously passing it on.
15. Morrigan Crow from NEVERMOOR for being Wundrous and challenging fate.
16. Xiomara for speaking up with integrity and rhythm and soul Caridad for her brand of friendship. Both from THE POET X.
17. Paati from THE MYSTERY OF THE SECRET HAIR OIL FORMULA for her brains and wackiness.
18. The Witch from ROOM ON THE BROOM for always creating the space to include everyone.
19. Luna Lovegood from HARRY POTTER for her dottiness, dreaminess and unique personality.
20. THE TICKETY TALE TELLER for her determination to spread joy with her stories and books.
There are so many more….but I’m going to stop at 20 and would love for you to share some of your favourite women/girls from children's literature.
Do share some of your favourite women from children's books in the comments…so that they continue to inspire us in many ways.