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Original poster

Books with strong girl characters?

65 replies

Flojo99 · 02/02/2015 21:10

I'm trying to find inspiring books for my 2yo daughter. Very few seem to have strong female lead characters - it just seems to be princesses that don't really do anything practical. My son had Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam and loved them, and as well as them being brilliant stories I liked it that he was learning about things he could be when he grew up.

My daughter isn't that interested in princesses and shows a lot more interest in her brother's books. I'm happy to read them to her, but I don't want her to think it's only boys that have strong practical jobs - and I don't want her to think girls can't be at the centre of things.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

OP posts:
KatherinaMinola · 05/02/2015 15:29

Maisy (the little mouse) is decent too - gentle stories, nice bright illustrations. Not an absolute favourite, but useful in the mix.

KatherinaMinola · 05/02/2015 15:27

There's also A Squash and a Squeeze and Room on the Broom (but I do take exception to the fact that nearly all female characters in books are princesses, old ladies or witches. Or cats).

Still, we do enjoy these. Also Tony Ross's Little Princess series (in which the heroine is not at all princess-like).

KatherinaMinola · 05/02/2015 15:25

Gruffalo's Child
Tiger Who Came to Tea
Tilly and Friends Series
Monkey and Me

...are all suitable right now. Also maybe:

Blue Kangaroo series (Emma Chichester Clark)

In a year or so try:

Katie Morag (whole series)

IsadoraQuagmire · 05/02/2015 15:19

She might like princesses better if she reads Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole. I used to love reading that book (still do actually Smile
She's a princess who rides a motorbike, doesn't want to get married and turns a prince into a frog Grin

BlueChampagne · 05/02/2015 13:51

Cinderella's Bum

mrsmortis · 05/02/2015 12:02

The Worst Princess is a brilliant picture book. My girls love Princess Sue.

fizzycolagurlie · 04/02/2015 03:27

Judy Brown's PIRATE PRINCESS books. There are 4, Portia, Pancake, Pandora and Poppy (4 books).

I read them to my two DC (one boy one girl) and they loved them. So funny. And then when they were a bit older they read them to themselves (still do).

SophieBarringtonWard · 03/02/2015 23:05

Pirate Girl
The Princess Knight

SophieBarringtonWard · 03/02/2015 23:03

Katy's Kit Car - brilliant book.

My mum used to change our stories so Stephen became Stephanie etc. depends on the pictures I suppose.

rocket74 · 03/02/2015 23:00

Bog baby is my 2.5 yr old favourite story. Two girls explore and find a bog baby in the woods. Their mum rocks too when it all goes a bit wrong.

AuntieStella · 03/02/2015 22:50

Try Ella's Big Chance as a contrast to the usual Cinderella.

Tzibeleh · 03/02/2015 22:45

Harriet the Spy (when she's a bit older!)

Winnie the Witch books

You Choose (you make up your own story by choosing characters, props, locations, etc. Absolutely brilliant.)

ReallyBadParty · 03/02/2015 22:38

Oh, just popped on to say the night pirates but beaten to it!

UnacceptableWidge · 03/02/2015 22:23

Great thread OP.
willbe watching with interest.
A mighty girl is a great website, thanks for that...BUT...is there a UK equivilant?

TenMinutesEarly · 03/02/2015 22:08

Olivia the pig is another great character.

TenMinutesEarly · 03/02/2015 22:06

Emily Brown is great and takes on heads of state. I seem to remember there being a few books.

Agree with the posters who said Charlie and Lola and Pippi long stocking. Dd also loves Matilda (as does ds)

KERALA1 · 03/02/2015 22:03

Dora the explorer not bad for littilies. Loads when's older my 8 year old adores pippi long stocking, laura ingalls wilder and goth girl

avocadogreen · 03/02/2015 22:00

The Night Pirates is fab- about a gang of girl pirates who let a boy come on their adventure Smile Others off the top of my head...

Meg and Mog
Winnie the Witch
Madeline (gorgeous stories and pictures too!)
Tilly and friends
Pip and Posy (I think one is a boy and one is a girl?)
Ingenious Jean
Charlie and Lola
Lulu's shoes /Lulu's food (I think there might be a few more Lulu books too)

And another vote for Maisy, my DD was obsesded with her at that age!

BlueChampagne · 03/02/2015 21:50

Octonauts or Chuggington stories? Fairly gender balanced.

BlueChampagne · 03/02/2015 21:47

Another one for the future I'm afraid: Sophie and the Shadow Woods

Original poster
Flojo99 · 03/02/2015 21:12

Thanks for all these suggestions - some great ideas though my DD will have to wait a year or two before she can enjoy some of them! I've found this book on Amazon - it looks quite new and gets good reviews.
www.amazon.co.uk/Tara-Binns-Eagle-Eyed-Pilot-1/dp/0993008208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422997863&sr=8-1&keywords=tara+binns
It looks like there will be a series of them - has anyone read it?

OP posts:
Takver · 03/02/2015 18:48

Agree, once she gets a bit older there's loads of choice - def. Clever Polly, and then I'd add the Sophie stories by Dick King Smith.

IIRC Maisy Mouse is pretty cool for little ones.

Arsenic · 03/02/2015 03:51

Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf in a year or two (my all time favourite Grin )

catsofa · 03/02/2015 03:32

Was also goint to suggest Pippi Longstocking, those books are brilliant!

catsofa · 03/02/2015 03:32

Try books called "Hello Aurora!" and "Aurora and the Little Blue Car", by Cath-Anne Vestly. They're lovely books, very well written, about a little girl whose mum goes out to work while her father stays home to take care of her and her brother.

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