25 Best Feminist Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

Are you looking for a list of feminist board books for babies and toddlers? Reading these books will introduce your child to our diverse world while empowering them to be brave, proud, kind, and open-minded.

After plenty of research and exploring, I chose these books for their protagonists, authors, messages, and/or representation. Keep reading to learn how to choose feminist board books for your baby or toddler.

How do I choose feminist board books for my baby or toddler?

When choosing feminist board books for your baby or toddler, look for books with:

• strong female protagonist and characters
• stories that challenge stereotypes
• BIPOC authors and illustrators
• diverse family structures
• multicultural representation
• positive representation of:
  • people with disabilities
  • BIPOC
  • LGBTQ+ community

But, here are 25 feminist board books to get you started:

25 Feminist Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison

This book is a celebration of inspiring black women throughout history. It features 18 different women, including Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Katherine Johnson, and more.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• BIPOC author
• positive representation of BIPOC
• stories that challenge gender stereotypes

ABC What Can She Be? by Jessie Ford

This book asks readers to think about all the amazing things women can be. It features 26 different careers, from astronaut to zookeeper.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• stories that challenge gender stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC

B is for Baby by Atinuke  

A curious baby goes on an adventure with their big brother. They travel from one village to another in West Africa.

Feminist Features:

• BIPOC authors and illustrators
• positive representation of BIPOC

Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer

In this book, readers learn about different acts of service. You and your child can explore the playful, brightly colored illustrations looking for moments of kindness.

Feminist Features:

• illustrations that challenge gender stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC and people with disabilities

She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton

This book is about 13 different women who faced adversity and never gave up. The women featured include Harriet Tubman, Sally Ride, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ruby Bridges, and more.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• challenging gender stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC and people with disabilities

Dream Big by Joyce Wan

This book highlights strong women from history using minimal words and adorable illustrations. 

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• challenging gender stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC

Tough Chicks by Cece Meng

The three main characters in this story are playful, high-energy, and mischievous chick sisters. The other characters want the chicks to just “be good.” Turns out, all their “bad” behavior ends up saving the day.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• stories that challenge gender stereotypes

Families Can by Dan Saks  

This book celebrates all kinds of families. I also suggest Dan Saks’ Families Grow and Families Belong if you adore this book.

Feminist Features:

• diverse family structures
• multicultural representation
• positive representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community

Baby Loves Science box set by Ruth Spiro

This book set includes four books: Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering, Baby Loves Thermodynamics, Baby Loves Coding, and Baby Loves Gravity. Each book introduces basic scientific concepts and highlights how anyone can pursue an interest in STEM.

Feminist Features:

• challenging gender stereotypes
• strong female characters
• positive representation of BIPOC

The Wizard of Oz – Penguin Bedtimes Classic by L. Frank Baum     

The Penguin Bedtime Classics are the perfect introduction to classic stories. Check out Jack and the Beanstalk and Alice in Wonderland too.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• positive representation of BIPO

Corduroy by Don Freeman

This beloved classic story features a black female character. A little girl goes to a department store and befriends a teddy bear named Corduroy. 

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• positive representation of BIPOC

Neither: A Story About Being Who You Are by Arlie Anderson

The main character of this book learns that in a world of this or that, there is value in being neither. This book uses unique, multicolored characters to celebrate diversity.  

Feminist Features:

• stories that challenge stereotypes

One Whole Bunch by Mary Meyer 

 One Whole Bunch is a simple, colorful counting book about a boy gathering flowers. Board book version available through Amazon.

Feminist Features:

• stories that challenge stereotypes

I Can Do It By Myself! by Stephen Krensky

I Can Do It By Myself! is part of the Empowerment book series by Stephen Krensky and Sara Gillingham. This book is about a young girl who proudly completes daily tasks independently.    

Feminist Features:

• strong female protagonist
• stories that challenge stereotypes

Clive and His Babies by Jessica Spanyol

In this book, the main character is a boy named Clive who adores caring for his baby dolls.

Feminist Features:

• stories that challenge stereotypes

Rosa Loves Dinosaurs by Jessica Spanyol    

Some might find it odd that Rosa loves playing with dinosaurs, but this book challenges stereotypes about genders and toys. Check out more books in the series to see how Rosa plays with cars and balls.

Feminist Features:

• stories that challenge stereotypes
• positive representation of people with disabilities

Homemade Love by bell hooks  

This sweet, rhythmic book by poet bell books shares about families and love.

Feminist Features:

• BIPOC author and illustrator
• positive representation of BIPOC

Someday by Alison McGhee

In Someday, a mother tells her daughter about the exciting adventures she will have in the future.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• stories that challenge stereotypes
• diverse family structures

Be Brave Little One by Marianne Richmond   

In this book, readers will explore different ways to be brave.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• multicultural representation
• illustrations that challenge stereotypes

The Way I Feel by Janan Cain

This book introduces babies and toddlers to emotions and how emotions affect our behaviors. Parents and educators can use the verses to help children explain their feelings.

Feminist Features:

• strong female protagonist
• positive representation of people with disabilities

In the Snow by Elizabeth Spurr

This story shares a charmingly ordinary day in a child’s life. The adventurous main character spends a snowy day exploring and playing outside.

Feminist Features:

• strong female protagonist
• stories that challenge stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC

Women in Sports by Rachel Ignotofsky

This book introduces readers to a diverse collection of strong female athletes in sports from soccer to roller derby to bodybuilding to refereeing. This book series also includes books on women in science and women in art.

Feminist Features:

• strong female protagonists
• stories that challenge stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC

All Kinds of Kindness by Judy Carey Nevin

This book explores different acts of kindness. The colorful, artistic illustrations include a diverse cast of characters. Also, I must note that my nature-loving heart was so happy that the children saved a spider.

Feminist Features:

• stories that challenge stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC and people with disabilities

We are Little Feminists Book Set by Archaa Shrivastav and Brook Sitgraves Turner

The Little Feminist Book Club published these board books to showcase families and children’s real, diverse experiences.

Feminist Features:

• BIPOC authors and illustrators
• multicultural representation
• diverse family structures
• stories that challenge stereotypes
• positive representation of BIPOC, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community

Little Feminist Book Club

While researching and curating this list of feminist board books, I realized once again how valuable the work of Little Feminist truly is. This company dedicated itself to finding high-quality feminist books for children of all ages. They also help BIPOC authors and illustrators publish and promote their children’s books.

So if you made it through this list and still want more books (particularly books delivered to your door with engaging, developmentally appropriate activities), check out Little Feminist.

No posts

Why I Wanted to Make This List

While I love that feminist board books have become more accessible, I didn’t set out to create a list of books that simply displayed “feminist” on the covers.

Greenwashing is a thing. You know, it’s when companies put the words “natural,” “eco-friendly,” and “plant-based” on their various green packaged products. Companies do this regardless of the environmental impact or actual “natural” ingredients of their products.

I get the vibe that book publishers have done the same thing with feminism.

The term feminism is being used to sell books. And hey publishers, please keep making the word common and comfortable. I support that. Plus these publishers are highlighting powerful, outstanding female historical figures. I support that too. 

So my joy at seeing the word “feminist” in a children’s book section is limited. As an educator and a stepparent, I also want to see books with stories and illustrations highlighting the diversity of every day life. I want books that challenge gender stereotypes and racial bias.

We need more than “it’s okay to say ‘feminist.'”

Instead, we need books that empower readers to be brave and to disrupt any systems standing in the way of equity.

So what are equity, feminism, and feminist books? Keep reading.

What is feminism?

Feminism is the belief in and advocacy for equity for all people.

Equality is giving everyone the same resources and opportunities.

Equity is creating an equal outcome by creating/delivering resources and opportunities based on the needs of individuals and groups.

I truly did my best at a simple definition.

What is a board book?

This definition is much simpler. But I did write a post on board books if you want to learn more.

A board book is a type of children’s book made out of thick cardboard pages. Board books are usually intended for babies and toddlers because they are durable and easy to hold.

So, then what is a Feminist Board Book?

A feminist board book will include diverse characters and experiences and/or have BIPOC or LGBTQ+ authors and illustrators. They are not books that simply say the word “feminist” on the cover.

Keep reading to learn why you should include feminist books in your home or classroom library.

Why should I share feminist books with my baby or toddler?

Babies and toddlers are just beginning to understand themselves and the world. Feminist books introduce the diversity of the human experience. They empower readers to be brave, proud, kind, and open-minded.

Lizzy, an Early Childhood Educator from Easy Gentle Parenting, also points out: “Children need exposure to the diverse experiences of the world to develop stronger empathy and understanding. It’s important for children to understand the obstacles others face in the world.”

Feminist books combat the negative stereotypes and messages children learn about others. Early readers need to see themselves, their loved ones, and their communities positively represented. Feminist books help readers feel proud of their identities. 

And children who love themselves give space for other humans to do the same.