Top 5 Children's Books to Raise a Feminist
If you have to have a child, at least make sure she's the next Gloria
In honor of this week’s fantastic podcast guest, writer of badass tween novels Radhika Sanghani, I have decided to give the (probably) few parents who read this blog a helpful list of how to raise a feminist child, preferably daughter (if you have to have a baby, at least have a girl). I come by this knowledge honestly, I was raised by a wildly feminist group of women including a mother who went to a women’s college in the 70s, so, I know of what I speak. There have been, for a long time, fantastic feminist children’s books. In fact, one of the reasons I never experienced the gap in literature about strong girls that so many women talk about is that I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction which frequently feature powerful girls. So the first note is: give your child a lot of fantasy novels! And have her watch Jurassic Park many times, Dr. Sattler and Lex are incredible examples of strong women. Plus it’s good to instill a strong love for Jeff Goldblum into your child as early as possible.
But I digress, here are five books to buy for every child on your list or, if you don’t know any children, buy them for yourself. They’ll still make you tear up a little even as a grown up.
The Paper Bag Princess- A princess fights a dragon, rescues a prince, and then decides she’s better of without him. A++++++
Grace for President- I. Love. This. Book. A little girl decides to run for class president and makes me cry along the way. This book for president. This book 2028.
Click Clack Moo- Cows on strike!! Teach your kids to be feminists and pro-union! A win win.
A Wrinkle in Time- A brilliant and brave little girl steps into a parallel world to save her father. This book was so important in my childhood, even now I can remember certain scenes vividly. One of the many great fantasy and sci fi books that feature strong young girls.
Harriet the Spy- When I was a girl I loved Harriet so much that my mother had to ban me from eating tomato sandwiches for fear of a citrus overload. Harriet is bold, inquisitive, fearless, and learns a powerful lesson with humility. Her imagination is endless and her independence should be an example to every little girl. Also the new animated show on Apple TV is INCREDIBLE.
For older girls including grown up girlies I recommend the greatest feminist book of all time, The Gate to Women’s Country, The Education of a Woman, The Deed of Paksenarrion, and The Widow Clicquot about one of my great heroes but you’ll hear more about her soon.
It is my experience that you find what you’re looking for so if you are looking for media about strong girls and powerful women, you are going to find it. Luckily, there are endless stories to choose from.
Choose the Bear
This week’s pod guest is the awesome Radhika Sanghani, author of six books and counting, including the badass tween novels Here to Slay and The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie. I was lucky enough to hangout with Radhika in my Soho House hotel room in London and we had a really fun conversation over tea. Radhika is living a super interesting, multi-faceted life and I was fully inspired by our chat. Available wherever you get your pods!
Also, I have to talk about last week’s guest. I was traveling (see WATCH below to find out what Broadway shows I saw and recommend) and then super sick so I didn’t get a chance to write a post about the super fun interview, also in my London room, with my friend and former fabulous publicist Charlie Bonner. Charlie is so fun and hilarious and I promise you do not want to miss his episode!
What to do with yourself
Watch
If you happen to be in or going to New York, I have to recommend the three shows I saw last week. First of all, Denzel was fantastic in Othello. Jake was good too, she said begrudgingly. I was wary because the reviews have not been good but a friend of mine said that she thinks the problem is that the bar for Denzel is SO HIGH that nothing can ever match up to it and maybe that’s it? Also the ticket prices are definitely high but I bought mine the second they were released so I paid the same price I pay for most shows. That being said, it was really good and if you have a chance to catch it before they close I highly recommend it.
Maybe Happy Ending IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!! Everyone has been talking about this show, Broadway Reddit has been losing its mind, and they are right!!!! I cannot get over how good this show is. It’s sweet, it’s beautiful, the set design is the most modern and creative that I have ever seen in my life, I just literally do not have words for how much I love this show. WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN KOREAN THEATRE??? I MUST KNOW!!!
Death Becomes Her is absolutely hilarious. Megan Hilty is a comic genius and although I was devastated that Jennifer Simard wouldn’t be in the show, her understudy Natalie Charle Ellis was absolutely incredible. I cannot even tell you how funny this musical was. And Michelle Williams??? YES. She looked and sounded absolutely fabulous. I hope this runs forever.
Also, the new Printemps just opened in Manhattan and it is gorgeous. When I was 19 I went to Printemps in Paris for the first time (it’s a legendary French department store) and it was the first time that I saw a makeup floor full of makeup for black women of all shades. I was floored, and I have loved Printemps ever since. The new one in New York is truly the most beautiful department store I have ever entered. It’s worth a visit!
Ok for those folks who are not heading to Broadway any time soon, I’ll keep the watch recs short: The Residence on Netflix is absolutely brilliant, The Rookie on Hulu is hilarious (watch this clip if you need convincing), The Studio on Apple TV is funny and smart and creative and probably Seth Rogan’s best work so far.
Read
Only one rec today: Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte is a brilliantly written book that takes you inside the head of deeply lonely people and the positive and mostly negative ways that they operate in their search for relationship.
That’s all! If you like this substack, share it with a friend!