March is Women’s History Month and while we believe that the accomplishments of women should be celebrated all the time, today we wanted to specifically highlight children’s books that feature women who have made significant contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Below are ten women that we think you should celebrate and know more about!
1. Wangari Maathai
Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace, by Jen Cullerton Johnson, illus. by Sonia Lynn Sadler
This title brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Purchase the book here. Check out the Teacher’s Guide here.
2. Melba Doretta Liston
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illus. by Frank Morrison
Brimming with ebullience and the joy of making music, this is a fitting tribute to a trailblazing musician and a great unsung hero of jazz.
Purchase the book here. Check out the Teacher’s Guide here.
3. Augusta Savage
In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage, by Alan Schroeder, illus. by JaeMe Bereal
Here is a compelling portrait of unique Harlem Renaissance sculptor Augusta Savage.
Purchase the book here. Check out the Teacher’s Guide here.
4. Anna May Wong
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story, by Paula Yoo, illus. by Lin Wang
Anna May Wong was one of the first Chinese-American movie stars and took a stand against the stereotypical roles that were handed to her.
Purchase the book here. Check out the Teacher’s Guide here.
5. Jane Goodall
I Am Jane Goodall, by Brad Meltzer, illus. by Christopher Eliopoulos
Learn about Jane Goodall, the scientist and conservationist who is famous for her work with chimpanzees.
Learn more about the book here.
6. Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer, by Robert Burleigh, illus. by Raul Colon
Henrietta Levitt was the first person to discover the scientific importance of a star’s brightness—so why has no one heard of her? Learn all about a female pioneer of astronomy in this picture book biography.
Learn more about the book here.
7. Maria Merian
Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian, by Margarita Engle, illus. by Julie Paschkis
This is the story of one young girl who took the time to observe and learn about insects, and in so doing disproved a theory that went all the way back to ancient Greece.
Learn more about the book here.
8. Ada Byron Lovelace
Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine, by Laurie Wallmark, illus. by April Chu
Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, develops her creativity through science and math. When she meets Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Ada understands the machine better than anyone else and writes the world’s first computer program in order to demonstrate its capabilities.
Learn more about the book here.
9. Maria Tharp
Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor, by Robert Burleigh, illus. by Raul Colon
This illustrated biography shares the story of female scientist, Marie Tharp, a pioneering woman scientist and the first person to ever successfully map the ocean floor.
Learn more about the book here.
10. Margaret E. Knight
Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor, by Emily Arnold McCully
As the inventor of the machine that makes the square-bottom paper bags we still use today, this introduction to one of the most prolific female inventors will leave readers inspired.
Learn more about the book here.
Also check out our STEM collections:
Adventures Around the World Collection
Water Collection – World Water Day
Who did we miss? Let us know in the comments!
