The 6 best books for rebel girls

Here come the girls! Writer (and mother to a mighty daughter) Misti Traya selects six brilliant recent books for rebellious, strong girls…

When we were young, most books about girls followed old tropes. If protagonists were female, they were usually princesses who needed saving or textbook good girls who did as they were told. But now it’s 2019! And it’s time for a change. Girl power is everywhere: #stronggirls #bravegirls #likeagirl are all popular hashtags for a reason.

Here are some of our favourite stories that celebrate strong, fierce, funny, clever girls in all their girlish glory…

1) Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

These collections about trailblazing women have become fixtures in the firmament of feminist literature for little ones. Unlike most fairy tales, the women in these pages, never need saving. They are also all real. Each woman featured stood in the face of adversity and more than held her own. There are doctors, scientists, artists, warriors, and politicians.

From Boudicca to Michelle Obama, your child is sure to discover a heroine they adore. There’s also a Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Volume 2 – and lots of Rebel Girl fun including podcasts and more fun at rebelgirls.co.uk

Published by Particular Books. Buy on Amazon. Buy on Waterstones.com.

2) Little People, BIG DREAMS: Coco Chanel

by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Ana Albero

Little People, BIG DREAMS is another great series featuring amazing women from different walks of life. The first few books were about fashion designer Coco Chanel, artist Frida Kahlo, scientist Marie Curie, aviator Amelia Earhart, and civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

The series has expanded and now includes lots of other women including suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, and even some men. Sets of books have been bundled together by theme so you can buy “Women in Science” or “Women in Art.” These charming books really empower little people to dream big and the illustrations are great.

Published by Lincoln Children’s Books. Browse the series on Amazon here.

3) Ladybird Tales of Adventurous Girls

This is one of our favourites right now. It offers readers a new take on traditional tales from all over the world. In these stories, wit, bravery, and kindness prove more potent than beauty or any prince’s kiss.

The fantastic children’s author Jacqueline Wilson provides an introduction.

Published by Ladybird. Buy on Amazon.  Buy on Waterstones.com

4) Power To The Princess

by Vita Murrow

This book gives children 15 stories of modern princesses that are packed with girl power. Each one faces a big challenge and overcomes it with cunning. Not that fairy godmothers who magically solve problems with a wave of their wand aren’t appreciated.

These stories tick lots of boxes: self-image, confidence, LGBTQ, friendship, advocacy, disability, and entrepreneurship. It’s a smorgasbord of can-do stories and equality.   

Published by Lincoln Children’s Books. Buy on Amazon. Buy on Waterstones.com.

5) Rosie Revere, Engineer

by Andrea Beaty

Rosie Revere tugs at my heartstrings (as does Beatty’s first book in this series, Iggy Peck, Architect). No matter how many times we read it, we always cry. Rest assured they are happy tears. This tale of an engineering triumph emphasises the importance of persistence. It teaches children to never give up.

When young Rosie builds a helio-cheese-copter that crashes, she is deeply embarrassed. That’s when her Great-great-aunt Rose tells her “Your brilliant first flop was a raging success! Come on, let’s get busy and on to the next!” She handed a notebook to Rosie Revere, who smiled at her aunt as it all became clear. Life might have its failures, but this was not it. The only true failure can come if you quit.” Excuse us, we need a tissue.

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers. Buy on Amazon. Buy on Waterstones.com

6) Ada Twist, Scientist

also by Andrea Beaty (we love her!)

This poses the important question “why?” Young Ada is desperate to know how things work and why. And by “things”, we mean everything. Hers is a scientific mind and she is curious about everything in the world around her. She experiments and hypothesizes and speculates and experiments again. Sometimes she gets scolded by her parents who don’t know what to do with their inquisitive child. Sometimes the mess left behind by her trials earns her a timeout in the Thinking Chair. This just leads to more questions.

Eventually Ada’s family gives in and joins her on a lifelong quest for knowledge.  As a family, they commit themselves to helping her get the answers.

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers. Buy on Amazon. Buy on Waterstones.com

Happily ever after..

Your child is sure to enjoy and be inspired by these books. We love them in our family: they are such a welcome change from the many ill-fated princess stories of our childhood. That said, and we only dare whisper, we still love a bit of Disney. Really though it is nice to have options.

That’s what feminism is all about: equality and empowering girls to be whoever and do whatever they want, no matter the narrative, just like boys always have.   
Misti Traya is a writer from London and mum to a 7-year old daughter.

At the Children’s Furniture Company we believe kids’ furniture should be practical but with a sprinkle of magic dust. Find the perfect children’s bookcase for your little rebel here.