Need Feminist books for Kids

[annakiss]

My son hates princesses and girly stuff. I gotta go on a media diet with him and need some serious recommendations of a place to find radical/leftist/feminist/eco-conscious books that are good. Anyone?

[philomom]

Maid of the North and Tatterhood are two great books of short stories that riveted my son. We also enjoyed the Girls to the Rescue books, there's several of them.


Also, you could take him to a women's sporting event. Find him a dentist or doctor that's a woman, etc.... stuff like that.

[christinar]

My kids like The Princess Knight - I think the author is Cornelia Funke, and she also wrote Princess Pigsty - amusing, feminist-friendly (I think) take on princesses.

[flapjack]

I think hating princessses and girly stuff shows a lot of taste and could be a very good place to start: it depends why. Is he picking up on the fact that the princess phenomenon is really limiting a girls identity, or is he just in the girls suck phase of development?
We use Harry Potter a lot to talk about gender stereotypes (they do creep in, bless her), and also some of Jacqueline Wilson's books (especially Tracy Beaker.) Swallows and Amazons is another good one for creating an attitude where boys and girls can coexist without gender constraints, as are the Famous Five books. Right now, though, I'm more concerned with the books DS2 wants to read (Horrid Henry and Captain Underpants? Yeah, that's a nice role model for him.)

[fremontmama]

Pippi Longstocking is a great female hero. My daughter loves her stories.

[WeasleyMum]

Originally Posted by flapjack

We use Harry Potter a lot to talk about gender stereotypes (they do creep in, bless her), and also some of Jacqueline Wilson's books (especially Tracy Beaker.)

While Harry Potter isn't perfect re: gender stuff, it would be my reccommendation for having several strong, interesting, real female characters. Hermione, McGonagal, Mrs. Weasley (my favorite, obviously!), Tonks, Lily, Luna, Ginny-- none of them are vapid princesses.

[foreverinbluejeans]

My sons liked the Serendipity series of books by Stephen Cosgrove.

[BaBaBa]

Probably below your son's reading level but the Little Engine That Could is great because that little engine was female.

Very subtly presented.

[MsHiss]

subbing