Leading Ladies

We get many requests for recommendations regarding positive role models for children and particularly, strong female leads in picture books. So we’ve come up with a selection of our most prominent picture book heroines.

Poppy And The Blooms by Fiona Woodcock (Simon & Schuster)

Four endearing, skateboard-wielding wildflowers find out that the last green space in the city is about to be paved over they know they need to take action!

Rapunzel by Bethan Woollavin (Two Hoots)

Another uniquely dark and resoundingly comical twist on a classic tale. The scene is set as our well-loved, golden-haired princess is found locked in her tower, under the curse of the evil witch, destined for a life of captivity… Or is she?

Little People, BIG DREAMS series (Quarto Kids)

Here are some brand spanking new editions to the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series. We take a closer look at a range of incredible people from designers, writers, artists and scientists.

Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez (Nobrow)

A truly imaginative story which addresses insecurity and creativity in one glorious technicolour bundle, with an edgy twist. Such an enchanting tale, presented in a series of varied panels and stunning spreads, this makes for a truly compelling read.

Ada’s Ideas by Fiona Robinson (Abrams Young Readers)

In this enthralling story, comes an exquisite interpretation of Ada Lovelace’s extraordinary life. The daughter of the infamous poet Lord Byron and the mathematician Anne Millbanke, Ada was destined for great things.

Women In Science by Rachel Ignotofsky (Wren & Rook)

A kaleidoscopic introduction to a diverse range of incredible women, some you’ll know well, others not so well. From Marie Curie to Valentina Tereshkova, you’ll be sure to learn something new along the way and undoubtedly take inspiration from these notable women.

Hilda And The Stone Forest by Luke Pearson (Nobrow)

These empowering fantasy reads are packed with intrigue and adventure as we follow the tale of our blue-haired protagonist. In this fifth instalment we find Hilda, with a number of familiar faces from previous stories. It’s one not to be missed.

Sleeping Beauty by David Roberts & Lynn Roberts-Maloney (Pavilion)

Offering a fresh take on these quintessential tales, the Roberts siblings have created a fairy tale that is way more current and more accessible for a wide and varied audience.

Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts (Abrams)

Championing strong female leads and embracing women in science, this refreshingly welcome diverse character encompasses all that can be great about inquisitive and persistent minds everywhere.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst (Bloomsbury)

Packed with a group of diverse, strong and quite frankly, astounding females, this is all the inspiration you’ll need to prepare your children for their own trailblazing adventures.

Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts (Abrams Kids)

Rosie is an inspirational lead character for young creators and engineers. Where most people see rubbish, Rosie sees a moving component of a great engine or a fundamental part to her latest invention.

I’m a Girl by Yasmeen Ismail (Bloomsbury)

This book triumphantly celebrates being who we are in glorious watercolour.

It also cleverly re-enforces not to allow gender stereotyping to pigeon-hole us and how we should embrace our differences.

Jill & Dragon by Lesley Barnes (Tate Publishing)

Enter Jill, our protagonist and a truly formidable leading lady. Jill shows compassion for the poor shackled dragon and duly invites him along to live with her.

There, she shares all the things she loves to do in the hope of finding the dragon’s own special talent.

Cloth Lullaby by Amy Novesky & Isabelle Arsenault (Abrams Kids)

A visually captivating, melodic tribute to Louise Bourgeois, an artist who was way ahead of her time. This story provides an insight into the childhood of Louise Bourgeois and the influential relationship between her and her mother.

Poka & Mia – Football by Kitty Crowther (Tate Publishing)

Crowther creates a quirky, strong-willed female character in this series of stories. A tenacious heroine who doesn’t give up easily and proves herself to be an integral member of the football team.

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith (Scholastic)

We love a good twist on a classic fairytale, especially when it includes a laugh-out-loud, vividly vibrant African adventure. This time the setting is new territory and Little Red finds herself in a safari adventure, to visit her spot-riddled Auntie Rosie.

This is Sadie by Sara O’Leary & Julie Morstad (Tundra)

Sadie has a wonderfully wild, active and colourful imagination. She has a natural ability to turn a cardboard box into an enormous boat or cushions into an elaborate castle and up in the tree tops she chats to the birds. Sadie is our understated but never the less our eponymous heroine.