Empowering Gift Ideas for the 3-7 Year-Old Set
By: Heather Arnet
As a feminist with six nieces (all under 12 years in age), and the mom of an eight-year old, like many of you I am well aware that many girls still want princess-related presents come birthday and holiday time (thanks in large part to the Disney empire). While we celebrate the news that Disney has decided to stop making princess films, (and can only hope they start hiring some innovative women writers and directors to star dreaming up some smart fearless leading female PIXAR characters), their decision comes on the tails of their newest princess release “Tangled.” So, since this news may not impact the requests by your daughters and nieces this season, we have developed a very cool list of alternative princess-related and other cool girl books that speak to the theme, but in empowering ways. The books below are mostly illustrated picture books for girls ages 3 – 7; and, their titles alone should tell you that they will be a fun and empowering read for the young, dynamic, smart, fierce, funny, strong, complex and wonderful princess in your life.
Enjoy!
Heather Arnet and everyone at the Women and Girls Foundation
www.wgfpa.org
“Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? (Hardcover),” by Carmela LaVigna Coyle (Author), Mike Gordon (Author), Carl Gordon (Author)
“Princess Grace,” by Mary Hoffman ONE OF THE ONLY PRINCESS BOOKS with an African-American main character!
“The Paper Bag Princess 25th Anniversary Edition: The Story Behind the Story,” by Robert Munsch (Author), Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)
“Princesses Are Not Quitters (Paperback),” by Kate Lum (Author), Sue Hellard (Illustrator)
“Princess Smartypants (Hardcover),” by Babette Cole (Illustrator)
“The Princess Knight (Paperback),” by Cornelia Funke (Author), Kerstin Meyer (Illustrator)
“Cinder Edna (Paperback),” by Ellen Jackson (Author), Kevin O’malley (Illustrator)
“Princess Furball (Paperback),” by Charlotte Huck (Author), Anita Lobel (Illustrator)
“The Ballad of the Pirate Queens (Paperback),” by Jane Yolen (Author), David Shannon (Illustrator) One of Heather’s favorites about two women pirates!!!
“Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World,” by Jane Yolen (Author), Christine Joy Pratt (Illustrator)
“A Weave Of Words (Hardcover),” by Robert D. San Souci (Author), Raul Colon (Illustrator) A beautiful tale of international princess stories of women with strength and grace.
“To Space and Back (Paperback),” by Sally Ride (Author), Susan Okie (Author)
“Wonder Woman: Amazon Princess (Wonder Woman) (Paperback) ,” by Nina Jaffe (Author), Ben Caldwell (Illustrator)
“Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England (Hardcover) ,” by Diane Stanley (Author)
“Grace for President (Hardcover),” by Kelly DiPucchio (Author), LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)
“Madam President (Hardcover),” by Lane Smith (Author)
“Rock ‘n Roll Camp for Girls: How to Start a Band, Write Songs, Record an Album, and Rock Out!” by Carrie Brownstein
Heather Arnet is CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation (WGF), working to achieve equality for women and girls in Southwest Pennsylvania.