10+ Best Feminist Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect way to introduce the little ones to big ideas? You're in the right place! Our curated list of feminist books for 3-year-olds is packed with delightful reads that celebrate empowerment, equality, and the strength of being oneself. These books are not only fun but also carry powerful messages that will resonate with your toddlers. Keep reading to discover our top picks for feminist books for 3-year-olds that are sure to inspire and entertain!

Fun Feminist Books for 3-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, a young girl who dreams of becoming an engineer. Using her imagination, Rosie loves to turn trash into treasure and, despite setbacks, learns the importance of perseverance.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of one's dreams, even when facing failure.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and future innovators.

• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: A collection of bedtime stories about the lives of extraordinary women from all over the world and throughout history, from Queen Elizabeth I to Serena Williams.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers inspirational stories that celebrate the achievements of women, encouraging young girls to dream big and fight for their rights.
  • Perfect for: Little ones who could use a bedtime story filled with real-life heroines.

• I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Poetry
  • Synopsis: This is a lyrical ode to self-confidence and kindness, following a young girl who learns to embrace her unique qualities and spread love.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes self-esteem and acceptance, teaching children the importance of loving themselves and respecting others.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning to find their place in the world and appreciate diversity.

• 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 scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages scientific exploration and curiosity, showing that it's okay to ask questions and seek answers.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any child with a curious mind.

• Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book highlights princesses who wear sneakers and jump in the mud, play sports, and do all sorts of activities typically not associated with princesses.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down gender stereotypes, showing that girls can be anything they want to be.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy unconventional stories and those looking to break free from traditional roles.

Educational Feminist Books for 3-Year-Olds

• A Is for Awesome! by Eva Chen, illustrated by Derek Desierto
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Alphabet Book
  • Synopsis: This vibrant ABC board book introduces young readers to iconic women throughout history, from A for Amelia Earhart to Z for Zaha Hadid.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet knowledge, historical awareness, vocabulary building
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines learning the alphabet with inspiring tales of women who have made a significant impact on the world.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn their letters and families who want to instill a sense of inspiration and empowerment early on.

• She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book tells the stories of 13 American women who changed the world through their tenacity and persistence, even when others tried to stop them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, resilience, understanding of perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of persistence and courage, showcasing how women have played crucial roles in history despite facing numerous challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need role models to demonstrate the power of determination and persistence.

• Feminist Baby by Loryn Brantz
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This humorous board book follows a confident little girl who does what she wants and doesn't conform to typical gender roles.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-expression, identity exploration, early gender role understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and lively introduction to the idea of feminism, promoting independence and self-confidence from an early age.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who are beginning to develop their personalities and parents who wish to encourage non-traditional gender roles.

• Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: In this futuristic retelling of the classic Cinderella story, Cinderella is a talented mechanic who dreams of fixing fancy rockets and uses her skills to save the day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, introduction to mechanical concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It twists a familiar fairy tale into a story of empowerment and self-reliance, with a strong female protagonist who loves engineering.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and those interested in space and engineering.

• Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: Inspired by her childhood wish, Malala Yousafzai tells the story of how she wished for a magic pencil to make the world a better place, and how she continues to work toward that goal.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Awareness of global issues, inspiration for activism, understanding of rights and education
  • Why we recommend this book: It's written by a Nobel Peace Prize winner and provides a powerful message about the importance of education and fighting for one's beliefs.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in real-life heroes and anyone inspired by stories of courage and advocacy.

Challenging Feminist Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This story follows Princess Elizabeth, who plans to marry Prince Ronald. When a dragon kidnaps Ronald and burns down her castle, Elizabeth dons a paper bag and sets out to rescue him, challenging traditional princess stereotypes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative subverts typical fairy tale roles, presenting complex themes of independence and self-respect.
  • Why we recommend this book: It flips the classic damsel-in-distress trope on its head, empowering young readers to value themselves for who they are, not for how they look.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales with a twist and those learning about self-worth and independence.

• Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: In this book, Olivia is having an identity crisis. There are too many ruffled, sparkly princesses around, and Olivia has had quite enough. She wants to do something unique and sets out to make a statement.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses issues of individuality and conformity through rich, engaging text and detailed illustrations that challenge young readers to think critically about identity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to embrace their uniqueness and shows that it's okay to stand out from the crowd.
  • Perfect for: Kids who feel different and are looking to see their feelings reflected in a character who dares to defy norms.

• Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Political
  • Synopsis: Sofia Valdez is a little girl with big dreams of improving her community and one day becoming the president. She takes on a project to turn a local landfill into a beautiful park.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book introduces young readers to civic responsibility and leadership, topics that are not commonly explored in children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes activism and leadership, inspiring children to take action in their communities and to dream big about their futures.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young leaders and any child interested in making a positive change in their community.

• 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 be the first. She starts her political career in her school's mock election.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex concepts such as elections, democracy, and the electoral college, tailored for young readers to grasp.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the electoral process in an accessible way and encourages girls to aspire to leadership roles.
  • Perfect for: Young girls and boys alike who are curious about politics and leadership.

• Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: Princess Smartypants does not want to get married; she enjoys being independent and having fun with her pets. She sets impossible tasks for her suitors to keep her single status.
  • Why this book is challenging: It challenges traditional narratives by presenting a heroine who values her independence over marriage, a concept to provoke thought in young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous take on personal choice and the rejection of societal expectations, promoting independence and self-determination.
  • Perfect for: Independent young readers who appreciate humor and tales of unconventional princesses.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your little ones to the world of feminist books is a fantastic way to start conversations about equality and respect early on. Here are some fun and engaging exercises that can help your 3-year-old develop good reading habits while exploring these powerful themes.

• Picture Book Parade
  • What it is: Organize a small parade where your child can show off their favorite feminist books.
  • How it helps: This exercise makes reading a fun and social event.
  • Tips: Let your child choose their favorite book and maybe even dress up as the main character!

• Story Match-Up
  • What it is: Create cards with images from different feminist picture books, and ask your child to match them with the correct book.
  • How it helps: Enhances visual memory and helps with understanding story context.
  • Tips: Keep the game simple with not more than three to four books at a time.

• Read and Craft
  • What it is: Read a feminist book together and then do a related craft.
  • How it helps: Combines reading with creative play, which can help in retaining interest and understanding.
  • Tips: Choose crafts that are simple and safe for your child to do with minimal assistance.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Encourage your child to act out their favorite scenes from the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and empathy by putting themselves in the character's shoes.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make it more engaging and fun.

• Book-Based Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Create rhymes or simple songs based on the themes or characters of the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances language skills and helps in memorizing key details from the books.
  • Tips: Keep the rhymes simple and repetitive for easy recall.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading an interactive, enjoyable, and meaningful experience. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you're setting a strong foundation for both literacy and a lifelong appreciation for equality and diversity. Happy reading!