Herstory: Books for Children that Inspire Action

I decided, that this holiday season, my focus, when it comes to my children (and all children), will be books, specifically books about extraordinary women and girls who refused to accept inequality, bigotry and fear as status quo. It started with the purchase of I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes her Mark by: Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. It was recommended by a reader and while I knew Fable would appreciate it -- I didn't realize how deeply and profoundly it would resonate with her.

shared with Fable's permission

A few days later, I once again went shopping... purchasing a larger selection of books for Fable and her younger sisters as well as those in the extended family. (I also made a list of books we don't-yet-have but would like in our book shelf, for next time we go to the library.) At home, I created a stack of books that inspired ACTION, LEADERSHIP and DISSENT in small children. Because saying NO to what is so is often the only way to say yes to what is right. Because children NEED to know that their voices matter -- that by speaking out and standing up, they can AND WILL change the world. Because there IS such thing as superheroes. Because I would much rather my kids FIGHT and CHALLENGE me than acquiesce and fall in line. Respecting adults is one thing. Blindly following them is quite another.

And with that, today on Mom.me I posted: 15 Fierce Books about Fearless Females (written by fearless females, because that matters, too.) 

These books include Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers and Visionaries who Shaped our History by: Kate Shatz,  Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words by: Karen Legget Abouraya, illustrated by L.C. Wheatley, Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier, The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist" by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton and much more... 

Surrounding children with brave voices who speak directly into the microphone and refuse to accept or normalize inequality and fear-based government is necessary and important right now. Reading is power. Books change lives. Education is the key to lasting change. And now, more than ever, we are all in need of heroes.

I cannot WAIT to see what our children do. I have already, in the last four weeks seen NOTICEABLE change in my children and I marvel every day as they harvest their truths and find, in four very distinct and unique-to-them ways, their power. Books, films, these things matter. That said, please go take your family to see Moana. If ever there was a time that we needed this film, it's now. I will say nothing more. It is INCREDIBLE. I SOBBED. IT'S PERFECT.

"See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me

And no one knows, how far it goes

If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me

One day I'll know, how far I'll go..."

BOOM.