In honor of Mother's Day this coming weekend, we've selected My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream? by Jennifer Fosberry as this week's A Mighty Girl's top book pick. This beautifully illustrated picture book follows young Isabella as she spends the day imagining herself as different "women who changed the world."
Through the course of one day, with her mother's encouragement, Isabella imagines herself as Sally Ride, the astronaut; Annie Oakley, the Old West sharpshooter, Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist; Marie Curie, the scientist; and, of course, the most influential woman in her life, her own mother. At bedtime, Isabella discovers that she possesses many of the qualities that made these women great and decides that she is perfect just as she is -- a terrific affirmation of the value of being yourself.
"My Name Is Not Isabella" delivers a strong empowerment message while providing a wonderful introduction to women's history complete with short biographies in the back of the book. These qualities, along with the depiction of her loving and supportive mother and an emphasis on the importance of imagination, make this book is an all-around winner. Highly recommended for readers 4 to 8.
For more great books on women role models throughout history, visit A Mighty Girl's role model section.
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