Friday 8^th March marks International Women’s Day – and we have the perfect resources to help blind and visually impaired children and young people feel included in learning and celebrations.

To mark the occasion, we’re shining a light on Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst. The book takes readers on a journey to meet inspirational women from history who have fought for justice, followed their hearts and dreams, and achieved amazing things.

This was a labour of love for Living Paintings. We loved the original book, so when the opportunity to bring the inspirational women included to life for blind and visually impaired children arose – we grabbed it with both hands! It truly is one of our favourite books in our collection.

In our accessible version for blind children and young people, we’ve created tactile versions of the famous paintings, artworks of photographs of the trailblazing women featured in the original book so readers can understand what these inspirational women looked like. Audio guides tell each of heir stories in an immersive and entertaining way, taking the words from Kate Pankhurts fabulous writing. Readers include Imelda Staunton, Victoria Coren Mitchel, Nina Sosanya, Juliet Stevenson, Sophie Morgan and Gaby Roslin.

Our lovingly adapted version of the book is designed for children and young people aged 11-14, linking into Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 learning at school and home. Our pack also includes suggests further activities that blind and visually impaired children can do, inspired by the work of these fantastically great women.

Meet inspirational women from history

Jane Austen

Mary Seacole

Anne Frank

Marie Curie

Frida Kahlo

Rosa Parks

Sacagawea

Emmeline Pankhurst

Coco Chanel

Gertrude Ederle

Agent FiFi

Amelia Earhart

Order your copy

If you’re not already a member of Living Paintings free postal library for blind and visually impaired children, you can join here. Joining or borrowing won’t ever cost you a penny.

There are simply too many fantastically great women to include in one pack, so we have split the book into two!

Part one contains Jane Austen, Mary Anning, Emmeline Pankhurst, Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks and Anne Frank

Part two contains Sacagawea, Mary Seacole, Coco Chanel, Amelia Earthart, Gertrude Ederle and Marie Christine Chilvers ‘Agent Fifi’

• Order Part 1
• Order Part 2