Are you a feminist? But then what does feminism mean? Most assume that feminist is a bunch of angry women who want to be a man. None take that women here are demanding equal rights. Feminism is Equalism. This International Women’s Day can we find some books about Indian women that inspire us. Today’s young readers, boys, and girls need stories beyond mythology. They should know about the women who created a better today.
Many of us grew up reading about great freedom fighters, leaders most of whom were men. Were women lagging behind in any sphere of life? No. But they were outnumbered. Most were left unsung. Fortunately, today our children can find books about Indian women who broken many barriers and led and still leading the way. Let’s find some incredible books for children about inspiring Indian women. There are still many more heroes to be talked about, covered in children’s books and discover.
Books for children about inspiring Indian women
Our Legendary Ladies Presents Anandi Gopal Joshi
Who was the first Indian female physician? The inspiring story of India’s first female doctor is covered in the board book. Author Megan Callea brings the life of the trailblazer woman with illustration by Anjali Kirtane, who closely follows the life of Anandi Gopal Joshi. The author has a series covering great women of diverse cultures.
Reader’s age: 2+ years
Little People, Big Dreams: Mother Teresa
Little People, Big Dreams by Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a critically acclaimed series and bestseller. Each book in the series discovers the life of exemplary people. In this particular book, the story of Mother Teresa is shown in a simple yet informative way. Her life story is an example of dedication to the poor and humanity. Words also weave phases from her quotes. At the end of the book, there are more facts and pictures.
Reader’s age: 4+ years
The Dot that went for a walk
Penned by three authors Sarada Akkineni, Reema Gupta, and Lakshmi Nambiar along with gorgeous artwork, the book features the life of 51 empowering Indian women. Choosing 51 from a huge list of over 200 women who have excelled in various fields like arts, science, defense and more must be a tough job, but well-executed one. The book also has a pictorial glossary and activity pages with memory exercise, quiz, stickers and drawing for young readers.
Readers age: 5+ years
Brave Women of India: 5 in 1
Amar Chitra Katha has been bringing stories about Indians, folklores, Panchatantra for years now. In this book, they cover the life stories of 5 women who motivate kids to be brave, thinker and pathbreakers. The five women in history presented by book are Rani of Jhansi, Rani of Kittur, Rani Abbakka, Sultana Razia and Kalpana Chawla.
Reader’s age: 5+ years
Get your copy: Amazon
She Can You Can: The A-Z Book of Iconic Indian Women
The non-fiction book written by Garima Kushwala covers biographies of iconic Indian women in alphabetical order of names. Each personality is covered with a brief of achievements and illustrations. The ladies featured in the list are pioneers in the field of science, engineering, politics, and arts. The book aims to inspire young kids.
Reader’s age: 8+ years
Purchase link: Amazon
Unstoppable: 75 stories of Trailblazing women
A collection of stories about women in Indian history. They were the forerunner of change. They shattered the rules around women for a better today. These women dared to dream and turned those dreams into reality. This book is remarkable as it also depicts the role of men and support provided. A support system always deserves applause. The book is a keeper with easy to understand words and lovely illustrations.
Reader’s age: 8+ years
Girl Power: Indian Women Who Broke the Rules
The title is enough to pull readers. Right? 50 women from the past and today who crushed norms of patriarchal society, caste barriers, physical limitations, and attitude. Neha J Hiranandani narrated the lives of such marvelous 50 Indian women with lucid words in graphic book format. Illustrations by Niloufer Wadia is stunning.
Reader’s age: 8+
Razia and the Pesky Presents
Razia Sultana was the only lady ruler of Delhi Sultanate. Her achievements as a worthy ruler were colorfully mentioned in history by historian Ibn Battuta. Taking the backdrop of history and fusing it with humor author Natasha Sharma recreated the era in the book. In the fictional adaptation, someone has been infuriating the Sultana by sending persky presents. Readers can understand the challenges Razia had to face being challenged for her gender over skill. Can she figure out who and why someone is sending her such presents?
Reader’s age: 9+ years
Amrita Sher-Gil: Rebel with a Paintbrush
Amrita Sher-Gil is one of the greatest Indian painters. The book covers her life, movements, and events that influenced her and photographs. The research by author Anita Vachharajani is intense and can be seen with the documented diaries, letters. The illustrations by Kalyani Ganapathy is enchanting. This is a gem of the book.
Reader’s age: 10+ years
Like a girl
“Like a girl” is a phrase that’s often tossed around with a negative undertone. We might have heard adults whining (adults pass down such words, right?) why are you running like a girl or hitting like a girl. Author Aparna Jain molded the phase to bring out real-life stories of 56 astounding Indian women from all walks of life. The illustrations by 26 brilliant illustrators are sheer dazzling to the stories. Read the book about Indian women who inspire, motivate and uplift you. It also pronounces their struggles without sugar coating.
Reader’s age: 10+ years
31 Fantastic Adventures in Science – Women Scientists in India
The unique book is omnium-gatherum with the stories of 31 amazing Indian women in diverse fields of science. They address problems and questions from astronomy to immunology. Some work on cosmic bodies another dig into computing cells. The highlighted women are thoughtfully chosen from thousands and their achievements are celebrated. With lucid text and colorful illustrations, the book is a must-read for science-engineering-technology-mathematics aspirants.
Readers’ age: 10+ years
Other than these books do introduce children at the right age to Rabindranath Tagore’s work. His literary works were much ahead of his time. He spoke greatly about women with individualist and independent thoughts.
You might like to read about Strong feminist characters in Rabindranath Tagore’s work
Have you read any of these books? Which are your favorite books for children about inspiring Indian women?
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Absolutely love this compilation. I am definitely going to take a look at them and maybe buy a few for my kiddos.
Hope your kids like them Surbhi. Thanks for visiting.
That’s surely a great list of books about inspiring women. I will share with my teenage daughter to choose any if she wants to read.
Great hope she takes a liking. Thanks for visiting Deepa.
Thanks for listing up incredible books for children about inspiring Indian women. I’ve not read any from the list. But love to read soon
Thanks for visiting Dr. Bushra.
Oh! this is a great list of inspiring Indian Women. I will be surely checking them out.
Good to hear that Niharika.
Thats an incredible list Pragnya for the kids to be inspired. I gifted my daughter ‘Good Night Stories of Rebel Girls. It also has collection of stories of girls who broke the path and achieved in their arena.
We have a copy for Good Night Stories and the book does have inspiring stories. My niece loves that one.
This is a great list of inspiring women and I’m going to get a few for my son soon. Thanks for sharing!
Pleasure Varsha.
I was wondering for books for my daughter to read as we are at home because of covid-19 time to utilise the days.
Of course, you can just utilize the time reading during social distancing.
The books review is really worth reading for children… It’s really good for children’s to make ready the books based on women sure will be checking out for my daughter…
Glad to hear that.
I will go a step further and say we feminist are not asking for equality but equal opportunities to explore our potentials in all walks of life.These books will be very inspiring for our children and expose them to the difficulties the previous generation has faced to come this far.
Guess we meant the same Preeti. Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for the list. These all are amazing. I will go for a buy some of the books. I hope my daughter would also like these.
Glad to know that Deepika.
This is an awesome list, I am going to give some of these to my son on his birthday this year. he loves to read and gobbles up books like a bookworm.
Awesome. Cheers to bookworms.
Wow this is great list of book and seems each one has inspiring story to tell. Will explore these amazing books properly. Thanks for sharing this info with us Pragnya.
Thanks, Surbhi. I hope your girls do like a few from here.
Indian history is full of inspiring women. They had limited resources but they made their names inspite of many hurdles. Thank you so much for introducing me to these books. I have read about Anandi Gopal and later watched a TV show. I would like to read this books before my kids..:) Will definitely check them out.
Glad to hear that, Alpana. I knew a movie or series was created last year showcasing the life of Anandi Gopal.