Resources & Recommendations

A selection of books, TV shows, movies, and websites for children of all ages that can help with the task of raising empowered girls.

Websites

Puberty and sex education videos: https://amaze.org/

Inclusive sex and relationship education: https://www.scarleteen.com/

Teen Help ~ Supporting and Empowering Youth: https://iamteenstrong.org/

Resources from the American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders: www.ANAD.org

Body image and eating disorder prevention: www.BeRealUSA.org

Birth control info and sex tips: Bedsider.org

Students against sexual harassment: https://sashclub.org

Educating students, families, and schools: https://stopsexualassaultinschools.org/

Books

Below are a few key reads that get a feminist star in my book (thoughtfully crafted, inclusive of bodies and genders, reproductive diversity, representation of interesting girls, etc).

For a very comprehensive guide to books, check out the fabulous website A Mighty Girl

Sex Positivity

The Family Book, by Todd Parr (ages 3-6)
What Makes a Baby, by Cory Silverberg (ages 3-7)
What's the Big Secret? by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown (ages 4-8)
My Mom's Having a Baby! by Dori Hillestad Butler (ages 3-9)
It's Not the Stork! (ages 4-8)
It's So Amazing,(ages 7-10)
It's Perfectly Normal (ages 10+) All by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley
Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up By by Heather Corinna , Isabella Rotman (9-14)
Dating Smarts: What Every Teen Needs To Know To Date, Relate by Amy Lang, MA
Sex, Teens, And Everything In Between by Shafia Zaloom
S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties by Heather Corinna
Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids About Sex, Love, and Equality by Bonnie J. Rough (a must-read for parents -- the earlier the better)

Body Positivity

Amanda’s Big Dream by Judith Matz (age 4+)
Your Body Is Awesome by Sigrun Danielsdottir (ages 4-7)
The Care and Keeping of You: Book 1 by Dr. Cara Natterson, (for girls ages 8+).
The Care and Keeping of You: Book 2 (The Book for Older Girls) by Dr. Cara Natterson (for girls 10+)
Celebrate Your Body 2 by Dr. Carrie Leff and Dr. Lisa Klein (for girls 10+)
Boy’s Body Book by Kelli Dunham (for boys 9-12)
Being You: The Body Book for Boys by Charlotte Markey, et al. (for boys ages 10-15)
Period by Natalie Byrne (for tweens and up)
A Girl's Guide to Puberty & Periods (An illustrated book for girls 9-14) By Marni Sommer et al.

How to (Not) Manage Weight

Empowered Girls

Boys need to hear stories about strong, competent, adventurous girls too!

Amazing Grace By Mary Hoffman (ages 3-5)
The Paperbag Princess By Robert Munsch (ages 4-7)
Chrysanthemum By Kevin Henkes (ages 4-8)
Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly By Alan Madison (ages 4-8)
Madam President The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics By Catherine Thrimmesh (ages 6-9 years)
One Crazy Summer By Rita Williams Garcia (ages 8-12 years)
Free Period By Ali Terese (ages 8-12)
Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood By Brittney Cooper et al (ages 13-18)

BIOGRAPHY SERIES:

TV & Movies

Commonsensemedia.org is a fantastic resource to check for age recommendations for all things media related. That being said, we’re often comfortable allowing our kids to see things rated as appropriate by CSM for slightly older kids.

The Rationale: Parents are often comfortable allowing their kids to view violence starting from a young age but strictly prohibit even mild sexual representation like a couple kissing in bed. Personally, we’d rather shield our children from violence than sexuality that expresses love. If we want our kids to be open with us when they’re teens, we have to make sex a safe topic. If we wait until they become self-conscious, we’ve missed the boat.

Preschool

Shows

Bluey
Doc McStuffins
Word Girl
Pete the Cat
Lilo & Stitch
Hilda
TOTS
Movies

Many of Hayao Miyazaki’s films including:
Ponyo,
Kiki’s Delivery Service
My Neighbor Totoro

Elementary

Shows

Anne of Green Gables
Movies

Inside Out
The Sound of Music
Annie
Matilda
The American Girl Doll Movies
A league of their own

For 11 and Up

Shows

Anne with an E
Gilmore Girls
Modern Family
Movies

Hidden Figures
Temple Grandin
Little Women
Wonder Woman

For 12 and Up

Shows

Jane the Virgin
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The Fosters
Movies

Hidden Figures
Temple Grandin
Little Women
Wonder Woman

Previous article: Stop Hitting Her: The Things I Did and Didn’t Do as a Witness to Domestic Violence

Resources & Recommendations

Websites

Books

Sex Positivity

Body Positivity

How to (Not) Manage Weight

Empowered Girls

TV & Movies

Preschool

Shows

Movies

Elementary

Shows

Movies

For 11 and Up

Shows

Movies

For 12 and Up

Shows

Movies