Celebrating International Women’s Day: Books to Inspire and Empower

When we choose which picture books to adapt into accessible tactile, braille and audio experiences for blind children, there are lots of things we consider. A good story and engaging illustrations are a must! But children learn so much about the world and themselves from their books – and blind children shouldn’t miss out on the important, beautiful messages because they can’t access the illustrations that bring the story to life. 

Every year, we mark International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate the achievements of women and promote equal treatment and representation. No girl should ever feel like she can’t achieve something because of her gender, that her voice won’t be heard, or that she isn’t good enough. So, to mark this day, we’ve delved into our collection to bring you a few of our favourite books that can inspire and empower your little readers.

Malala’s Magic Pencil

Malala Yousafzai

This beautiful story depicts female education campaigner Malala growing up in Pakistan. On television, she watches a story of a boy with a magic pencil that gives him the power to do whatever he wants. She longs for a magic pencil to solve the issues in her life, too. But soon, she realises her pencil doesn’t need magic powers. Her voice is her power. She can change the world with a normal pencil – by writing speeches and calling for change. Ultimately her “voice became so powerful that the dangerous men tried to silence me. They failed.”

Rosie Revere, Engineer

Andrea Beaty

Rosie dreams of becoming a great engineer. In secret, she creates weird and wonderful gadgets and gizmos. Why in secret? Because her Zookeeper uncle once scoffed at her dreams and laughed at the cheese hat she designed to protect him from the snakes!. But when Aunt Rosie appears on the scene, Rosie begins to understand that she can be anything she wants to be and that failures can help grow success.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

Kate Pankhurst

This book is bursting with astounding women who achieved amazing things, including Jane Austen, Emmeline Pankhurst, Frida Khlalo, Amelia Earhart and Rosa Parks. It’s a wonderful celebration of what women can achieve if they follow their dreams and use their voice. The story comes in two editions. Guess what? We have both!

The Mega Magic Hair Swap

Rochelle Humes

Mia and Rose are best friends but not two peas in a pod! Both girls wish they could have the others hair; but when their wish is granted – they soon learn that having perfect hair is not all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, they realise their hair was pretty perfect just as it was. We love this lovely story celebrating differences and loving yourself from head to toe!