I got a LOT of conflicting messages when I was a little girl. My dad would say “you can be anything you set your mind to” but then I had a teacher that told me that I wouldn’t need to do anymore math than what was done at a grocery store–since I’d never be more than a trophy wife. I hated it. I hated it and was so confused. I don’t want that for my girls. I want my daughters to be proud and strong and, as my dad encouraged me–to be anything they want to be. So, I’m setting out on a mission. I want to buy them EVERY ONE of these 35 Great Girl-Power Books for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers. Watch-out, world, here my daughters come…
It still bothers me today that my second grade teacher had such a horrible affect on me and my self-confidence. For a long time, I truly felt I couldn’t do math. That I couldn’t be a scientist or an engineer…or, what I really wanted to be, an astrophysicist. (let that sink-in for a second)
I feel like that one teacher–that one moment in time–really changed the course of my life and, rather than building me up as a teacher should, she brought me down.
Not that I’m not perfectly happy with my life now, but I do feel that I had a lot of self-confidence problems as a result of her callous comment–and just because I was pretty and blonde. In second grade. Gimme a break.
I pray my daughters will never have their own version of this horrid moment. But, I’m realistic and I know the world we life in. So, I’m going to give them a good foundation so that, should the moment arise, maybe it’s easier for them to brush-off the thoughtless and look to their strengths.
Here’s to having great girl-role model books to help build that foundation and inspire my tiny girls to greatness of their own.
Great Girl-Power Books for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers
Paid links:
The Paper Bag Princess (Munsch for Kids)Rosie Revere, EngineerRed Is the Color Of…Ninja Red Riding HoodGoing PlacesNot All Princesses Dress in PinkCinder EdnaGabby: Wonder GirlGrace for PresidentWho Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell (Christy Ottaviano Books)Pink is Just A Color and So is BlueEvery Cowgirl Needs Dancing BootsThe Tough PrincessBrave Margaret : An Irish AdventureThe Princess and the PizzaPetunia, the Girl who was NOT A PrincessPepperKelly Finds a WayDaredevil: The Daring Life of Betty SkeltonMaya Was GrumpyThe Princess KnightIgraine The BraveMolly the Brave and Me (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3)Violet the PilotBlueberries for SalDangerously Ever AfterThe Sandwich SwapTwelve Dancing UnicornsNot One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong GirlsDo Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to DreamO’Sullivan Stew (Picture Puffins)East o’ the Sun and West o’ the MoonThe Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the ChimpsMy Uncle Emily
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So, join hands with me in girl-power-ville and let’s get these 35 Great Girl-Power Books for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers to all the girls. Because they all deserve that foundation–that chance to be great. Share the list–pin it, post it on your wall, do whatever. But let’s get these books to our daughters and their friends. Let’s change the world.