Women’s History Month Books in Chinese and English
March is Women’s History Month — a great time to read the best books about female leaders and activists. Since we’re raising bilingual kids, we’ve been exploring Women’s History Month books in English and Chinese. I’m excited to share our favorite nonfiction books to help you build your home or school curriculum!
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Women’s History Month picture books in Chinese and English
Luka Reading Robot can narrate some of these books in Mandarin. Youdao Reading Pen can help translate Chinese words, too.
马拉拉的神奇画笔 / 馬拉拉的魔法鉛筆 Malala’s Magic Pencil
Malala Yousafzai wrote this beautiful, kid-friendly memoir about discovering bravery through writing and speaking. She says, “My voice became so powerful that the dangerous men tried to silence me. But they failed.” *Compatible with Luka Robot.
- Simplified Chinese: JoJo Learning
- Traditional Chinese: China Sprout | Books.com.tw
- English: Amazon
水公主 / The Water Princess
International supermodel Georgie Badiel spent her childhood in Africa, walking miles to collect water for her family. She wonders why the water is dirty and hard to get. These experiences inspired her to create a charity that provides clean water, sanitation, and education to West Africa. *Compatible with Luka Robot.
- Simplified Chinese: JoJo Learning | Amazon
- Traditional Chinese: Books.com.tw
- English: Amazon
用圖像思考的女孩：動物科學家天寶‧葛蘭汀的故事 The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
This picture book biography details Dr. Temple Grandin’s life in kid-friendly rhyme. Dr. Grandin was a scientist with autism, and her unique way of thinking helped her connect with animals and invent improvements for farms worldwide.
- Simplified Chinese: Amazon
- Traditional Chinese: Books.com.tw | China Sprout | Little Kozzi Canada
- English: Amazon
物理天后 推翻宇宙定律的吳健雄 Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom
This Women’s History Month book features Dr. Wu Chien Shiung, a physicist who lived in a time when few women attended school. She was born in China and immigrated to the United States for her Ph.D. While facing sexism and racism, she made countless contributions to physics. The illustrations capture Dr. Wu’s journey from qipao to a white lab coat.
- Traditional Chinese: Books.com.tw
- English: Amazon
Read this: The Best 100 Picture Books That Celebrate Asians in English and Chinese
观察者 / 黑猩猩的好朋友：珍‧古德 The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps
Dr. Jane Goodall grew up observing animals around her home. As a curious scientist, she visited Africa to study chimpanzees. Troubled by the destruction of forests and the poaching of chimps, she traveled worldwide to advocate for animals. *Compatible with Luka Robot.
- Simplified Chinese: JD.com
- Traditional Chinese: Books.com.tw
- English: Amazon
Explore: Kids Love This Montessori Animals and Continents Activity (Chinese, Korean, English)
眼光獨到的女孩: 派翠西亞‧巴斯醫師的故事 The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath
Explore this: The Best Human Body Science Toys for Kids
有數學頭腦的女孩：工程師瑞‧蒙特固的故事 The Girl with a Mind for Math
自由的苹果 An Apple for Harriet Tubman
In the 1800s, Harriet Tubman spent long hours picking apples she could not eat. She was determined to be free and grow her own apple trees. Eventually, she escaped to the North and repeatedly risked her life to return and lead many African Americans to freedom. TRIGGER WARNING: Some illustrations suggest whipping. *Compatible with Luka Robot.
- Simplified Chinese: JoJo Learning
- Traditional Chinese: China Sprout
- English: Amazon
和平树 / 和平樹 Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa
This Women’s History Month book celebrates Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. Growing up, Wangari’s hometown in Kenya was filled with trees. Years later, when she visits her home, she is devastated by the rampant destruction of forests. She begins to plant trees and launches a career in environmental activism. *Compatible with Luka Robot.
- Simplified Chinese: China Sprout
- Traditional Chinese: China Sprout
- English: Amazon
小弗里达 Little Frida: A Story of Frida Kahlo
Born in Mexico, Frida Kahlo was known for her talent in painting portraits, self-portraits, and cultural art. This Women’s History Month book celebrates her bravery in overcoming illness and discovering art.
- Simplified Chinese: China Sprout
- Traditional Chinese: China Sprout
- English: Amazon
Related: 10+ Picture Books for Hispanic Heritage Month in Chinese, English, Spanish
Women’s History Month picture books in English
These picture book biographies spotlight more amazing American women in history, politics, and other empowering careers. Hopefully, they will be translated from English to Chinese in the future!
- Asian American Women in Science by Tina Cho
- Shark Lady: How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
- Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning by Linda Skeers
- The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee by Julie Yeung
- Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey
- Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh
Questions about Women’s History Month for kids
What are your favorite Women’s History Month books in Chinese and English?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you read any of these Women’s History Month picture books, please share in the comments below. If you have other must-read recommendations, we’d love to check them out!
Thanks so much for including Queen of Physics in your review! I’m delighted to hear that your daughter loves the book and loves science. I hope she will maintain that love and become a scientist one day!
Hi Teresa! It’s such an honor to see your message here! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a note – my daughter will be so excited to see this tomorrow :-). She truly loves the Queen of Physics book!