Book List: Women's History Month

Happy Women's History Month:

Here are just a few of my favorite Children's Nonfiction Books to Get You Started

Books Pictured:

Little Leaders: Vasti Harrison

Count on Us by Amy Nathan

Almost Astronauts by Tanya Lee Stone

Girl Rising by Tanya Lee Stone

Bold Words from Black Women by Tamara Pizzoli (Review coming soon)

Let Me Play by Karen Blumenthal 

Yankee Doodle Gals by Amy Nathan

 

What others do you recommend for ages 7-11?

Picture Book Review: Who Says Women Can't be Computer Programmers?

The story of Ada Lovelace, the woman recognized as the first computer programmer.

I loved this book. It was fascinating, particularly the end notes. 

I love the illustrations.

I love Ada's intelligence and how her mother wasn't a fan of her imaginative side and tried to block it. Instead, her daughter learned plenty of math. However, she used both to unlock her full potential.

Another great picture book about women pushing boundaries and not holding themselves back. A must have book for school and public libraries.

Review: Girl Rising

From Goodreads:

Girl Rising, a global campaign for girls’ education, created a film that chronicled the stories of nine girls in the developing world, allowing viewers the opportunity to witness how education can break the cycle of poverty.

Now, award-winning author Tanya Lee Stone uses new research to illuminate the dramatic facts behind the film, focusing both on the girls captured on camera and many others. She examines barriers to education in depth—early child marriage and childbearing, slavery, sexual trafficking, gender discrimination, and poverty—and shows how removing these barriers means not only a better life for girls, but safer, healthier, and more prosperous communities.

My Thoughts: I haven't seen this film (yet) but man was this book ever powerful. First - the pictures were great and very vibrant. I love how the book had details about the girls after the movie ended. I also loved the back of the book for the How to Help section because after reading this, you DO want to help. I loved this book because these girls were strong, determined, intelligent, brave, and inspiring. A heartbreaking reading but so inspiring at the same time. 

Cover Thoughts: Powerful
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Purchase for ALL libraries. Share this book and talk about it - with everyone! 

Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Barbie

Tanya Lee Stone delves into the doll's history including the creation of Mattel and why Ruth Handler felt the need for a doll for older girls. After they finally made the doll, they needed to figure out how to market her. Barbie's clothes became a hot topic as they were luxurious items and mostly purchased in addition to the doll.

Stone collected stories of Barbie: how girls played with them, what their mothers thought of the doll, and how the girls felt about the doll. With such a controversial figure, Barbie made a splash into many childhoods.

My Thoughts: I devoured this book. I loved reading about how Mattel was born and Ruth's ideas. I loved reading about the fashion of Barbie. I loved reading the reactions of people to the doll; she was either loved or hated. I loved how the author handled the controversy of the doll. I loved the layout of the book - tons of photos of the different dolls and shoes on the bottom on the pages next to the page numbers. It was such an interesting read.

*I do have to say that I might not have read this book if it wasn't do the author. I LOVED her previous book Almost Astronauts.*

Cover Thoughts: I love the cover! It's absolutely perfect.

Source: Inter-Library Loaned

My Barbie Story: As I was reading this book, I remembered the stages of interaction with Barbie. At first it was to play house/school/dating. My sister and I shared some items. I think she had a horse and a blow up pool. We had a locker that turned into an apartment - dorm room style. Later we turned Barbie into a fashion piece and once we found the right outfit, we stopped playing. I don't remember mutilating Barbie, but I do remember cutting one doll's hair. Both my grandmothers would make clothes for our dolls. There are a few favorite outfits that I still remember.

Do you have a Barbie story?

End of Women's History Month: Almost Astronauts

Women were considered to be "cheaper" to send to space - but they couldn't pass the requirements to allow them into the program. There were several women who desperately wanted to be allowed into space. NASA refused. Men underwent strenuous testing that women couldn't possibly endure. Except that they did. With one man behind the idea - he tested Jerrie Cobb in secret. She knew that she had to be tough; she never complained and furthermore she excelled at the tests. Twenty-four other women were tested - half of them passed. But they were told by NASA and the government that women would not be accepted into the space program. For one reason: they did not perform the requirements. The requirement (waived for John Glenn) consisted of flying for the army - an option only available to men. NASA did not change the rule until 20 years later. By that time, it was too late for the Mercury 13 to pursue their dreams. But they watched other women lead men into space; it was both bittersweet and a long time coming. 

My Thoughts:  I had never heard of this story before; it was a real eye opener. I devoured this book. It was amazing. I've never been so interested in space before. I loved hearing about the secret cover-ups and shocking tales from NASA. The history combined with personal tales and dreams from the Mercury 13 made for a very powerful and emotional read.

While we take March to celebrate Women, it's something that we should celebrate daily. Here's to all the women who have gone before us making it possible for us to be who we are today. We could have never been here without you!