The Feminist Board Books You’ll Love for Your Baby (and Why)

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Updated: October 21, 2023

Instill bravery, kindness, pride, and open-mindedness from the beginning with these incredible feminist board books. These books feature strong protagonists, diverse authors and illustrators, empowering messages, and inclusive representation.

Read the guide to feminist board books to learn how to select empowering children’s books for your baby, toddler, or classroom.

Feminist Board Books

B is for Baby by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank  

B is for Baby is a short story about a curious baby in West Africa. Using a repetitive /b/ sound, it helps babies recognize familiar words (like “brother” and “banana”) and learn new ones (like “bungalow” and “Baobob”). In my Midwest American classroom, I intentionally included books that introduce diverse homes and ways of life, creating opportunities for children to connect stories to their own experiences.

Feminist Features:

• BIPOC author and illustrator
• positive representation of BIPOC

Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer

This cheerful board book shows different acts of service. The text and illustrations make it easy for adults to share about empathy, kindness, and early social/emotional topics. For example, “Aw that child is crying. I love how the friend is hugging him now.” or “She is smiling. She looks happy.”

Feminist Features:

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

Families Can by Dan Saks, illustrated by Brooke Smart  

This book celebrates all kinds of families. Dan Saks’ series also includes Families Grow and Families Belong. These board books are perfect for teaching that families can all look different and that is okay.

Feminist Features:

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

Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison

This board book celebrates 18 inspiring Black women from American history, adapted from Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History. It is never too early to introduce the stories of extraordinary, world-changing individuals. History matters and this book empowers parents and early childhood educators to share important stories with babies and toddlers.

Feminist Features:

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

Tough Chicks by Cece Meng, illustrated by Melissa Suber

The three “tough chick” sisters in this story are high-energy and mischievous. The world wants them to conform and “be good.” But it turns out that busting stereotypes will ultimately save the day.

This book is text-heavy. I recommend beginning it as a fun exploration of animal sounds and “picture read” what the characters are up to. Over time, your child will be ready to discuss the deeper message hidden in this favorite book.

Feminist Features:

• strong female characters
• stories that challenge gender stereotypes

May We Have Enough to Share by Richard Van Camp

Featuring photos captured by Indigenous female photographers, this board book celebrates the significance of family, community, and caring for one another. Readers can glimpse Indigenous culture and the sweet moments shared between parents and children. A child’s or classroom bookshelf should always include books with real photographs, and I’ll always choose this one.

Feminist Features:

• positive representation of BIPOC
• BIPOC author and photographers

The Hair Book by Latonya Yvette, illustrated by Amanda Jane Jones

Visually, this board book is an absolute delight! The alliteration and the bold, bright graphics make it a joy to read. But there’s a deeper meaning, too—fostering pride while showcasing various hair types and coverings. As an infant teacher, I’d use this book to create a sense of belonging for the kids in my care.

Feminist Features:

• BIPOC author
• multicultural representation

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

The book’s main character learns that in a world of this or that, there is value in being neither. Neither is a celebration of diversity featuring colorful illustrations and familiar animals that babies and toddlers will love. As they grow, readers will uncover the book’s deeper message, learning about empathy and embracing their uniqueness with pride. 

Feminist Features:

• stories that challenge stereotypes

I Can Do It By Myself! by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Sara Gillingham

I added this book because it fosters children’s self-confidence and pride. Toddlers love to declare, ‘I do it!’ and we adults should celebrate those moments. Yes, honeybee, you can do it!

Feminist Features:

• strong female protagonist
• stories that challenge stereotypes

We Are Little Feminists: Families by Archaa Shrivastav

We are Little Feminists: Families is an award-winning board book, for good reason. This book (and the series) was created to fill the void on children’s bookshelves where there was a lack of representation of what real families actually look like.

Learn more about Little Feminist at the end of this post.

Feminist Features:

• diverse family structures
• positive representation of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities
• queer, South Asian author

Rosa Loves Dinosaurs by Jessica Spanyol    

Rosa loves dinosaurs and cars. This book series challenges gender stereotypes about toys. Explore the series to teach children the value of pursuing their interests in play (and life). I recommend using these books to gently empower children. For example, consider placing Rosa Loves Cars in the car center or Clive and his Babies in the dramatic play area of your classroom.

Feminist Features:

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

Homemade Love by bell hooks  

I studied bell hooks in a women’s studies class at Ball State. It’s a wonderful full-circle moment to share a book by the same author with a new generation. This sweet family story shows how caregivers can teach important values like forgiveness, grace, and peace-making through their relationships with children. I hope this story reflects the safe and loving environments we create for kids in our homes and classrooms.

Feminist Features:

• BIPOC author and illustrator
• positive representation of BIPOC

Little Feminist Book Club

Did you make it through this list and still want more books (delivered to your door with engaging, developmentally appropriate activities), check out Little Feminist. This company curates high-quality feminist books for children of all ages.

How to choose feminist board books

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

Educator’s Guide To Feminist Children’s Books

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 parent, I also want to see books with stories and illustrations highlighting the diversity of everyday 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 systems standing in the way of equity.

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 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.

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. Children need to see themselves, their loved ones, and their communities positively represented. Feminist books help children feel proud of their identities. 

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