Remember the Ladies: 25 Children's Books on Women in Politics

I Look Up To... Michelle Obama

"I look up to Michelle Obama. Let me tell you why..." Introduce your baby, toddler, or preschooler to a woman you admire with this book from the I Look Up To... series. This detailed board book distills Michelle Obama's excellent qualities into delicious little bites, with vibrant illustrations that are appealing for babies and toddlers but text that's interesting enough for preschoolers. Each spread is accented with a quote from Michelle Obama herself, encouraging kids to follow in the footsteps of this inspiring woman.

Miss Lady Bird's Flowers: How A First Lady Changed America

Lady Bird Johnson brought her own mission to the White House: flung into service for a grieving nation after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Ms. Johnson turned to how she had coped with grief in her own youth upon the death of her mother. The wildflowers of East Texas gave her solace, and her goal was to share their beauty with all Americans with the launch of the Highway Beautification Act which was informally known as Lady Bird's Bill. This gorgeous book, complete with flower resources, captures how a First Lady can serve her country in unexpected ways.

Leave It To Abigail: The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams

When Abigail was born, girls were supposed to be meek and quiet — but she refused. She asked questions, and she married who she pleased: a country lawyer named John Adams. When the Revolutionary war broke out, she managed his farm and demanded that John and his fellow Founding Fathers "remember the ladies." And when it was time to represent their new country to the nobility of Europe, she didn't flinch from standing shoulder to shoulder with kings and queens! This exuberant tribute to a forward-thinking and independent-minded woman from early American history, filled with bold, energetic artwork, has plenty of verve — just like its subject.

Lady Bird Johnson, That's Who! The Story of a Cleaner and Greener America

Before she was First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, Claudia Alta Taylor was a lonely, shy girl. But she loved nature, leading to her nickname, Lady Bird. She overcame her shyness to run a company — at a time when few women did — and she took charge of her family's finances, too. And when her husband, Lyndon Baines Johnson, became president, she decided to use her new position as First Lady for something special: preserving America's natural beauty. She encouraged policies that kept roadways and waterways beautiful — and in the process, made people proud of where they lived. This vibrant picture book biography of Johnson will inspire young environmentalists to find their own ways to care for their world!

Michelle Obama: First Lady, Going Higher

A girl who grew up on the South Side of Chicago became a lawyer, a girl's rights advocate, and the first African American First Lady of the United States! In this Level 3 Step Into Reading book, kids will learn how Michelle Obama's parents' lessons about hard work and refusing to give up propelled her to Princeton, to Harvard Law School, and finally into the White House. Her parents also taught her the importance of serving a community and giving back to others in need — something else she embodied throughout her career. This book, perfect for newly independent readers, will fascinate kids with the realization that their hero was once a girl just like them. For another option for young readers, we recommend Michelle Obama: First Lady and Superhero from the I Can Read series for ages 4 to 6.

Dolley Madison: Parties Can Be Patriotic!

Dolley Madison was one of the most memorable first ladies; from her lavish parties for Washington, D.C.'s elite to her famous rescue of George Washington's portrait before the British burned down the White House, people across the country knew about her exploits. It's no wonder that some believe that Madison inspired President Zachary Taylor to coin the term "First Lady." Part of Krull's new biography series for young readers, Women Who Broke The Rules, this book brings this unique woman to life.

Mary Todd Lincoln: I'm Usually The Smartest Person in the Room!

To some, Mary Todd Lincoln seemed like a contradiction: a woman raised in the South who firmly supported her husband's quest to save the Union. Often ill herself, she still made time to visit wounded veterans in hospitals, even writing letters home for them when they could not. This book provides an intriguing glimpse into a life full of tragedy — including witnessing her husband's assassination — that never shook her loyalty to her country. For more books from this early reader biography series, visit our Women Who Broke The Rules Collection.

America's First Ladies Coloring Book

This is a creative way to learn about more about the First Ladies! This coloring book features forty-four drawings of not only First Ladies, but also daughters and other female relatives of presidents past and present. The line drawings depict each woman in authentic settings associated with their roles. Text beneath each image provides interesting facts about the woman in question and events in history that occurred during her time in the White House.

Who Was Jacqueline Kennedy?

The private and bookish Jacqueline Kennedy found herself the focus of the world's attention when her husband, John F. Kennedy, won the American presidency. In the White House, the young and glamorous First Lady dedicated herself to restoring the neglected rooms of the historic building, and her style and charm made her an icon who is still recognized today. This book from the popular Who Was? biography series celebrates a woman whose public and private lives have fascinated the world for generations.

Become A Leader Like Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama grew up with a close-knit family that believed in the importance of education. She worked hard at school, got into Princeton and Harvard, and qualified as a lawyer. She knew she wanted to give back by helping other girls believe that they could achieve their dreams. And when her husband, Barack Obama, became President, that gave her an opportunity to be a role model to a whole nation. In this book from the Work It, Girl series you'll learn all about this inspirational leader — and discover 10 tips from her life that you can apply to your own exciting career. For another excellent book for tween readers about Obama, we recommend Who Is Michelle Obama? for ages 8 to 12.

A Take-Charge Girl Blazes a Trail to Congress: The Story of Jeannette Rankin

Jeannette Rankin was a born leader, even as a child tending to her family's horses (or her little brothers and sisters.) And as an adult in San Francisco, when she saw poor children struggling to survive, she was determined to help! But in the early 1900s, women like Jeannette weren't even allowed to vote. So Jeannette started campaigning for women's suffrage, both in her home state of Montana and across the country. And when Montana granted women's right to vote, Jeannette ran for office, becoming America's first Congresswoman. This vivacious picture book captures the determination and drive of his pioneer of American politics, perfect for fans of I Dissent and Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice.

Isabella: Girl In Charge

The little girl from My Name Is Not Isabella is back, and this time, she's urging her parents along through the morning of a very special event! Unfortunately, in her family's democracy, a two-to-one vote says she still has to eat breakfast and brush her teeth. But as she campaigns her way out the door, Isabella pays tribute to women who were the first to hold a variety of political offices in a celebration of women in American politics. Featured women include the first female mayor, Susanna Madora Salter, the first female governor Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman elected to Congress Jeannette Rankin, and the first female Cabinet member Frances Perkins.

A Seat at the Table: The Nancy Pelosi Story

When Nancy Pelosi was a child, her father was a politician — the mayor of Baltimore — and her mother worked behind the scenes, feeding and listening to marginalized citizens who came looking for help. She grew up believing in service, but at first she thought she'd have to stay behind the scenes too. When a friend asked her to run for Congress, she decided to take a chance — and kicked off a 33-year long career, which included becoming the only woman in history to be Speaker of the House! Including a reference to the events of January 6, 2021, and with backmatter that features an interview with Pelosi herself, this is an inspiring story of one woman's journey to finding her voice in government and encouraging other women to do the same.

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight

While she came to the country's attention as a First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton has gone on to do much more, including her work as Secretary of State and her current candidacy for President. This biography shares stories of Clinton’s childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut, her education through law school, her experiences as First Lady of Arkansas and of the nation, and her earlier attempt to earn the Democratic presidential nomination. Complete with inspirational quotes and messages, this story of determination through both successes and failures is a joy to read. For two more picture books about Clinton, we recommend Hillary and Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead, both for ages 4 to 8.

She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm

At the age of three, Shirley Chisholm was leading games in her Brooklyn neighborhood; by college, she was a debate team champion who never backed down when she knew her point was sound. She fought for the rights of women and minorities in her community, but she wanted to do more. So in 1964, she became the first Black woman elected to the New York State Assembly — and then in 1968, the first Black women elected to Congress. She fought for anyone who was neglected: children, students, people in poverty, Native Americans, and many more. And in 1972, she pushed even further, and became the first Black woman to run for president of the United States. This inspiring picture book biography celebrates a trailblazing woman who opened doors for generations still to come.

A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth joined the Army determined to make a difference — but in the midst of her service, she suffered a devastating injury. She recovered, adapted to her new prosthetics, and set her sights on another way she could serve: politics. She became the first Thai American member of Congress and the first woman with a disability to serve in the House and Senate. And she even pushed to change the Senate chamber rules to allow her to bring her 10-day-old daughter in, so she could be there for a critical vote! Written and illustrated by Thai American creators, this picture book biography is a tribute to one of America's most dedicated politicians — one that will inspire a new generation to find ways to serve their communities.

Who Is Hillary Clinton?

With all the news swirling about Clinton's place in history as the first female nominee from a major political party, tweens may be curious to learn more about Clinton's life. This new release, part of the popular Who Was...? biography series, talks about Clinton's life, from childhood — including the now famous response she got when she wrote to NASA about becoming an astronaut — to her time as First Lady and then to her political career. This accessible biography also provides tweens with background about recent history that they may not have been aware of prior to the current presidential election.

A Woman In The House (And Senate)

How Women Came to Washington and Changed the Nation

Did you know that Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, won her seat at a time when many women in America still couldn't vote? Beginning with the women's suffrage movement and going all the way through the results of the 2018 election, Ilene Cooper deftly covers more than a century of U.S. history in order to highlight the influential and diverse group of female leaders who opened doors for women in politics as well as the nation as a whole! This updated edition of Cooper's book, complete with lively illustrations and archival photographs, also includes a glossary, index, and chart of all the women who have served in Congress. It's a great way to introduce tweens and teens to women in the broader political world.

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey (Young Readers Edition)

Kamala Harris is a pioneering vice presidential candidate — and it was the values and influences of her childhood that led her to a political career. In this young readers edition of her adult memoir The Truths We Hold, Harris tells her own story and explores how her family and community taught her to fight for fairness and justice. She examines her work as a lawyer, an attorney general, and a senator, and lays bare the professional and personal challenges she faced along the way. Most importantly, she tells young readers that, when things seem darkest, it's time to step up: "Do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight."

Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House

The women in this book were teens when Barack Obama announced his presidential run — and as young adults, they got to join his White House team. In this fascinating anthology, ten young former staffers tell their stories of life in the busy, stressful, hilarious, and humbling world of politics. Their tales remind young readers that mistakes are an inevitable part of life (even when you have to confess them to the President) and that there's an important role for young women in government. This inspiring and intimate look at the young women of Obama's presidency also includes encouragement and tips for girls who dream of their own political career.

When Penny Met POTUS

Penny's mother works for the President of the United States, so she's heard the phrase POTUS lots of times, but she doesn't really know what it means. So she lets her imagination run wild, trying to picture who — or what — POTUS is! Fortunately, after spending a day at her mother's workplace, Penny gets a much better idea of what it means to be POTUS. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this playful book full of humor and fun, and parents will particularly like the empowering message that great heights are possible if you work hard.

If I Were President

Kids often wonder what exactly a president does! Told from the perspective of several different children, this book outlines some of the duties and responsibilities of the president, as well as some of the benefits. The children imagine themselves creating laws, making decisions that might not be universally appreciated, handing out medals, and even eating double desserts! This fun take on the job of president touches on everything from Air Force One to throwing out the first pitch of a baseball game.

Heidi Heckelbeck for Class President

Young witch Heidi Heckelbeck's class is preparing for an election: they need a new class president! Heidi is so excited that she immediately launches her candidacy. But once she does, she's a little daunted by the process: she needs to advertise with posters and give a speech to her classmates, and she's not even really sure what a class president does! Fortunately, in the process, she not only learns what being class president means: she also gets a better understanding of the political process and the importance of democracy. This early chapter book series, with easy language and fun illustrations on most pages, is the perfect choice to inspire beginning readers with the power of politics.

Well-Behaved Women T-Shirt

For the perfect reminder that success in politics requires challenging the status quo, check out this great shirt featuring Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's famous quote, "Well-behaved women seldom make history"! This shirt is also available for Mighty Girls of all ages and sizes, from newborns to adults, and comes in long and short sleeved versions as well. It'll be the perfect shirt to wear the day she wins her first election!