Picture Books to Inspire and Empower this International Women’s Day

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

Malala 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 of her own. 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.”

• Borrow Malala’s Magic Pencil

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.

• Borrow Rosie Revere Engineer

Coming to England

Floella Benjamin

A story about the triumph of hope, love, and determination. Coming to England is the inspiring true story of Baroness Floella Benjamin: from Trinidad, to London as part of the Windrush generation, to the House of Lords. Beautifully illustrated by Diane Ewen, this wonderful story shows how courage and determination can always overcome adversity.

• Borrow Coming to England

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!

• Borrow The Mega Magic Hair Swap!