books for big-minded little girls

mavisBLUE is not only all about cute prints for little people, we're also all about sourcing great reads too. We've recently done our 'girl-power' reading research and found 10 books that are sure to have your little girl standing tall, reaching for the stars and crushing many of those clumsy, archaic gender norms! Read on...

Reading to my girls has become not only one of my girls' favorite night-time traditions but it's also become one of mine. The act of snuggling up with a great book and my two little ones each night is an event I'll always cherish. It's also inspired me to dig a little deeper in my search for more content as my girls' begin to figure out what inspiring pursuits they might dive into. It's a girls world and I want them to dream BIG!

mavisBLUE is proud to endorse these 10 amazing reads plus, we've linked them to AMAZON so you can easily scoop a few new titles for your collection in only a few clicks:  

THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS

I love all of Robert Munsch's books but Paper Bag Princess will always be an all-time favorite.  Princess Elizabeth is clever, heroic and when push comes to shove, she can let a boy know when he's being a "bum"!

Plus, Canadian content alert, Munsch is a canuck! 

OF THEE I SING​

A magical book from a truly inspiring leader. Barrack Obama hits a home run with this wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated (Loren Long) book of letters to his daughters. 

GOOD NIGHT STORIES
​FOR REBEL GIRLS

I saw this book at Land of Oz Toys in Rhinebeck, NY and had to have it. What a wonderful compilation of women-inspired success stories. My girls love the illustrations and enjoy choosing who they'll learn about each night. I love reading them stories of strong women. This book was 100% crowd-sourced which I adore and the second version is due out in November. 

DO PRINCESSES WEAR HIKING BOOTS?


​When my youngest daughter told me that "princesses only wear dresses!", I flipped my lid and then immediately searched out images of Kate Middleton in pants. I also ordered this book which offers a funny twist on letting little princesses know that they're still on the hook for chores, riding bikes and eating their bread crust too! 

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THE PRINCESS KNIGHT

Think Disney BRAVE but a little more gritty. This original and adorable first novel by Cornelia Funke has lead character, Violet taking on her own brothers in a jousting tournament. The only catch: she'll have to do it disguised as a boy. Follow along with her adventures as she crushes gender norms as a knight to show her kingdom that girls can do it too! 

SHE PERSISTED

Having an inspirational female leader as a mother must have been pretty amazing! So amazing, I think it has inspired Chelsea Clinton to pass it on by way of her first novel, She Persisted. This impressive passion project outlines 13 inspirational women who never took NO for an answer and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted. 

HARRIET THE SPY​

Remember Harriet the Spy from our younger years?...well, she's still around and as relevant as ever! Harriet is an extremely intelligent and ridiculously curious little girl who is faced with a pretty big dilemma when her friends find her overly truthful journal that documents her unflattering 'spy' observations about all her buddies. 

MATILDA

Matilda is an extraordinary girl with many amazing abilities yet, her parents think she's a nuisance and her Headmistress has it out for her. Read how Matilda uses her cleverness, whit and perseverance to prove she's a little girl not to be messed with. Plus, once your hooked on Dahl...you'll want to continue reading--The BFG, James and the Giant Peach and don't forget the Twits. 
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ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER

"You can only truly fail, if you quit" are wise words from great-great-great Aunt Rosie (Rosie the Riveter) to little Rosie. Introverted little Rosie is quiet at school but at night she's an accomplished inventor--see what she dreams up to help inspire her favorite family member!

ADDED BONUS: Check out: Quiet Power if you've got a quiet or introverted little one--great parent read! Also, Ada Twist the Scientist is a great follow-up! 

GIRLS WHO CODE

BOOM! Lean In for little girls.

​As Amazon notes "this book is part-how to, part girl empowerment, and all fun from the leader of the movement championed by Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Dorsey, and other giants of tech.  Since, 2012, the organization Girls Who Code has taught computing skill to and inpired over 10K+ girls across America." Now it's founder Reshma Saujani, wants to inspire your little girl to consider coding too!"

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So, what do you think? Did we miss any? Send us a note below if you love these books too or, add your 'must-reads' so we can continue to grow our library of girl-inspired reads. Happy snuggling!