10+ Best Feminist Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for empowering reads for your little one? Look no further! Our carefully curated list of feminist books for 7-year-olds is packed with stories that inspire and celebrate equality and strength. From tales of daring heroines to everyday adventures steeped in empowerment, these books are perfect for sparking meaningful conversations and building confidence. Keep reading to discover our favorite feminist picks for young readers!

Fun Feminist Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. Guided by her great-great-aunt Rose, she learns that failure is a stepping stone to success.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity, perseverance, and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and any child who needs a boost in confidence.

• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of bedtime stories about the lives of extraordinary women from the past and the present.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires girls to be ambitious and fight for their dreams by introducing them to role models from all walks of life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories about real-life heroes.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity, the spirit of inquiry, and the scientific method in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters and budding scientists.

• The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: Princess Elizabeth outsmarts a dragon to save her prince, but realizes she wants more than a less-than-brave prince.
  • Why we recommend this book: It flips traditional fairy tale narratives, promoting independence and self-respect.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy fairy tales with a twist and fans of strong female protagonists.

• Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: In this futuristic retelling, Cinderella is a talented mechanic who dreams of fixing fancy rockets.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines elements of a classic fairy tale with a modern twist on gender roles and career aspirations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love space, rockets, and challenging stereotypes.

Educational Feminist Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Biography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This picture book, inspired by her own childhood, tells the story of Malala Yousafzai wishing for a magic pencil to make the world a better place.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Awareness of global issues, empathy, aspirations, and literacy skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a powerful and accessible way for children to understand the impact of activism and the importance of education.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in real-life heroes and making a positive change in the world.

• Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Political Fiction
  • Synopsis: Grace Campbell, when she discovers there has never been a female president, decides to run for school president.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of electoral processes, leadership skills, and social studies
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young children to American politics and the concept of fair representation in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young leaders and children curious about politics and leadership.

• Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Political Fiction
  • Synopsis: Sofia Valdez is a young girl who advocates for a park to be built in place of a local landfill in her neighborhood.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Civic education, community involvement, leadership, and environmental awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to see themselves as leaders and shows the impact of community activism.
  • Perfect for: Young activists, environmentalists, and any child looking to make a difference in their community.

• I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
  • Genre(s): Biography, Children's Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This biography details the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, focusing on her numerous dissents and fights for justice.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of judicial processes, gender equality, and historical impact of individual actions
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of standing up for what's right and the power of dissent.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in law, justice, and influential women in history.

• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: The story follows Alice Rumphius' desire to travel the world, live by the sea, and make the world more beautiful, fulfilling all her goals as she grows older.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental consciousness, personal responsibility, and life goal planning
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to dream big and contribute positively to the world.
  • Perfect for: Dreamers, nature lovers, and any child looking to leave a positive mark on the world.

Challenging Feminist Books for 7-Year-Olds

• 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.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of loss, recovery, and community support, which are complex but presented in a way that is accessible to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of saving and working together towards a common goal.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning about family bonds, community, and overcoming adversity.

• The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Temple Grandin, a woman who revolutionized animal science with her unique ability to think in pictures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces children to neurological diversity and complex scientific concepts related to animal behavior.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates different ways of thinking and shows how unique traits can lead to groundbreaking achievements.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in science, animal care, and inspiring stories about overcoming personal challenges.

• Me... Jane by Patrick McDonnell
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: A heartwarming tale of a young Jane Goodall and her toy chimpanzee Jubilee, showing her early dreams of living among wildlife and her journey to becoming a world-famous conservationist.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents themes of environmentalism and conservation through the lens of a young girl's dream, which requires understanding of broader global issues.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires young readers to follow their passions and to understand the importance of caring for our environment.
  • Perfect for: Young environmentalists and animal lovers.

• The House That Jane Built: A Story About Jane Addams by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Kathryn Brown
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-fiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book recounts the life of Jane Addams, who built a house in Chicago called Hull House that became a safe haven for people in need.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with social justice, the history of community service, and the complexities of social reform.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about empathy, charity, and the impact one person can have on a community.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history, social work, and activism.

• Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-fiction, Historical
  • Synopsis: The story of Clara Lemlich, a young immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces labor rights, early 20th-century history, and the concept of strikes and protests.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the power of standing up for one's rights and the importance of fighting for fair treatment.
  • Perfect for: Young historians and future leaders interested in justice and workers' rights.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 7-year-old to feminist books, it's a fantastic way to open up discussions about equality and empowerment. To make the most out of this reading experience, here are some exercises that can help develop good reading habits while keeping the process engaging and fun.

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a small group of friends to read the same book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Encourages social interaction and critical thinking.
  • Tips: Keep the group size manageable, so everyone gets a chance to speak.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw a map or a timeline of the book's events and characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps in visualizing the story structure.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to make the map more intuitive and fun.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with friends or family members.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of characters and their motivations.
  • Tips: Don't worry about getting it perfect; focus on having fun and being creative.

• Question Jar
  • What it is: Write down questions about the story on slips of paper and put them in a jar.
  • How it helps: Encourages curiosity and deeper understanding of the text.
  • Tips: Pull out a question to discuss over dinner or on the way to school.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw pictures or make a comic strip based on the book.
  • How it helps: Boosts creativity and helps with visual memory of the story.
  • Tips: Share the drawings with family or friends to make it more rewarding.

Implementing these exercises can make reading feminist books not just educational but also incredibly fun for your child. Encourage them to explore different books and discuss the themes openly. Happy reading and learning!