TOP 6 Picture Books every little girl needs in her world
Books have the magical power to transport and transform all in one spectacular bang! Stories can carry meaningful messages, detail the lives of some very important women in history or help to introduce new ideas through story. This is a small selection of my favourite picture books, ones that resonated with me and Clarke adored too.
Rosie Revere Engineer
Written by Andrea Beaty & Illustrated by David Roberts
I love this series of books – the stories have readability and bright bold illustrations to discus. Rosie is quiet during the day but at night she’s a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter!) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal—to fly—Rosie sets to work building something to make her aunt’s dream come true. But…her invention doesn’t fly but rather hovers for a moment and then crashes, Rosie defeated. But Aunt Rose insists that it is raging success: you can only truly fail, she explains, if you quit. LOVE LOVE LOVE this message!
The Most Magnificent Thing
Written & Illustrated by Ashley Spires
She has a great idea – she is going to make something that will be the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows how it will looks and how it will work. She will make it and it will be perfect – um, wrong. She tries and fails and tries and fails again. Almost about to quit for good she tries one last time. This is a picture book that every little girls needs to be read at least once!
Not all Princesses Dress in Pink
Written by Jane Yolen & Heidi Stemple & Illustrated by Anne-Sophie
I am not a fan of the title ‘princess’ but this book helps to break some myths around the ‘pink princess’ notion by proving that princesses come in all kinds. Girls can jump in mud puddles and climb trees, play sports and make messes—all while still being princesses!
Violet the Pilot
Written & Ilustrated by Steve Breen
I stumbled upon this book in our local library and grabbed it without actually turning a page – what an excellent surprise! Violet is a tinkerer from a young age, building elaborate flying machines by the time she’s 8! The kids at school tease her so she decides to build something to enter the upcoming Air Show to win a ribbon and their respect. But on her way there she is needed for a rescue mission – and shines.
Interstellar Cinderella
Written by Deborah Underwood & Illustrated by Meg Hunt
This was another fab library find – a fantastic fairytale retelling with an independent heroine and a ‘stellar’ happy ending. With a little help from her fairy-godrobot Cinderella will go to the ball but when the Prince’s ship has mechanical trouble its a lucky thing Cinderella is there to jump to the rescue with the help of her trusty toolbox
What do you do with an idea
Written by Kobu Yamada & Illustrated by Mae Besom
A charming story of what happens when you have an idea and as you have confidence in it so the idea grows. It’s a story to inspire and welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next.
That rounds out my list of picture books every little girl needs in their life – there are so many amazing picture books out there I could keep going for days. Are there any you think that should have made the TOP 6 ? Please let me know
