As I was researching the sections for my book, Open Hearts, Open Minds, I did a lot of soul searching about my own childhood education. While I was skilled in the history of white males, my knowledge of historical women, especially women of color, was severely lacking. As an educator and a mom I am consciously changing the narrative for my own children and the children I educate. Making a cultural shift towards educating through an anti-bias lens can seem like an overwhelming task. One of the easiest ways to tackle a lack of diversity is by filling your bookshelf with a thoughtful collection of high quality children’s literature. The books mentioned in this post will help you create a learning environment with Amazing Women in Picture Books Children Should Know.
This post contains affiliate links. I received some of these titles from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMAZING WOMEN IN PICTURE BOOKS CHILDREN SHOULD KNOW.
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath 
I am loving the books The Innovation Press is putting out. This series by Julia Finley Mosca is brilliant. The lyrical element of the story makes the historical topics approachable to young children. Prior to receiving this book I was not aware of Dr. Patricia Bath. I love that this picture book exposed my children (and me) to such a brilliant woman we would not have otherwise known about.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
This is another brilliant book published by The Innovation Press. Through the same lyrical storytelling, Julia Finley Mosca brings the reader into the life of Temple Grandin. I adore how this story begins with Grandin’s childhood sharing the unique aspects of her being that made her the adult she is today.
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement 
Often when children are taught about the Women Suffrage Movement the focus is on Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. While these women are important let us not forget the Black women who were equally fighting for their rights. Voice of Freedom gives Fannie Lou Hamer the stage her life deserves through gorgeous illustrations.
Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya
I found this book while I was looking for diverse books on activists for my book, Open Hearts, Open Minds. Wangari Maathai is an amazing woman who began the Green Belt Movement in Africa to combat deforestation. In 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In addition to the powerful story I am in love with the vibrant illustrations that bring to life the story of Wangari Maathai.
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
This true story from Gambia tells how one woman, Isatou Ceesay, grew a movement that educated people on the importance of recycling plastic bags. Prior to her activism plastic bags were just dropped in the streets after using them, or burned. Both of these actions were reeking havoc on the environment, animals and people of Gambia.
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
Native American stories were greatly lacking from my own childhood education. I’m an 80s kid who was taught that we celebrate the Pilgrims for being so nice to the “Indians”, always referring to Native Americans in past tense. Oh my, do we have some work to do on the education of Native American tribes. This book touches on the time period when Native American children were sent to boarding schools in the US in an effort to assimilate the children into Euro-American culture. The children were forced to cut their hair a certain way, not speak their indigenous languages and given Euro-American names. This is the true story of Zitkala-Sa who found comfort in music during her time in one of the residential schools. She would go on to be an Native American rights activist.
Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
The illustrations in Harlem’s Little Blackbird immediately drew me in. Florence Mills is the daughter of two former slaves who was a famous Broadway singer in the 1920s. She used her talent and fame to support other black artists as well as fight for civil rights.
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Interested in learning more about incorporating an anti-bias, multicultural education into your own home or school learning environment? Check out my book Open Hearts, Open Minds here or purchase it here. 
