Girl PowerReading togetherFor grown-ups

A little reading time,
a little more courage.

16 picture books to explore together, with gentle questions and little things to try.

For a grown-up and a curious 5-year-old.

A lovely place to start

Let tonight's mood choose the book.

For a little courageAs Brave as a LionFor finding a friendMeesha Makes FriendsFor an imaginative eveningWhat If…

Your bookshelf

Open a book's guide and take your time.

Big ideas

Ambitious Girl

A girl discovers that having big hopes is something she can feel proud of.

Meena Harris

Written by Meena Harris
Illustrated by Marissa Valdez

The story

A girl sees a woman on television being criticised for speaking confidently and wanting to achieve things, which makes her wonder about the words people use.

Her story explores the challenges girls and women have faced, along with the possibilities that earlier generations have helped open up.

Words used to discourage someone become starting points for thinking about determination, confidence and hope.

The book encourages girls to value their ideas and ambitions as they imagine what they might do in the future.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What's something you'd like to learn to do?
  • Who could help you practise?
  • What could you say when a friend tells you their big idea?

A little thing to try

10 min
My next little step

You'll need Paper, Crayons

  1. Draw something you'd like to learn, make or try.
  2. Ask your grown-up to help you choose 1 small step towards it.
  3. Draw that step beside your idea and choose a time to try it together.

For your grown-up

For a 5-year-old, explain ambition as having something you'd love to learn or do, then bring the conversation back to a small, enjoyable next step.

About the book: Little, Brown publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Being yourself

Amoya Blackwood Is Brave

Amoya's gran helps her remember the lively, confident person she is.

Chantaie Allick

Written by Chantaie Allick
Illustrated by Aaron Marin

The story

Amoya enjoys joining in, making her friends laugh and bringing her lively personality into the room, but she begins to notice adults wanting her to be quieter.

As she tries to take up less space, she becomes smaller and smaller, until she hardly feels like herself.

Her gran offers the understanding and encouragement she needs to remember who she is.

Through this picture-book shrinking, the story explores how other people's reactions can affect confidence and how a caring adult can help.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What do you love doing that makes you feel like yourself?
  • What would you say to Amoya when she's feeling small?
  • Which grown-up could you talk to when you feel upset?

A little thing to try

10 min
A picture of me

You'll need Paper, Crayons

  1. Draw yourself in the middle of the page.
  2. Add 3 things you enjoy around your picture, using drawings or words from your grown-up.
  3. Take turns naming something you like about each other.

For your grown-up

Explain that Amoya's shrinking is a story-picture for feeling less confident, then reassure your child that they're welcome to share their feelings with you.

About the book: Penguin Australia publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Big ideas

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Sofia has an idea to turn a rubbish-filled place into a park for her community.

Andrea Beaty

Written by Andrea Beaty
Illustrated by David Roberts

The story

Sofia usually walks to school with her abuelo, but an ankle injury at a local landfill interrupts their familiar routine and gets her thinking.

She imagines replacing the rubbish with a park where people could spend time together, then begins working out how to explain her plan.

At City Hall, a clerk dismisses her idea because she's a child, but Sofia keeps trying to be heard.

Her story connects care for family and neighbours with the courage to suggest a change.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What would you put in a park for your neighbours?
  • Who could Sofia ask to help with her idea?
  • What's 1 thing we could care for near our home?

A little thing to try

15 min
Design a park together

You'll need Paper, Crayons, Optional building blocks

  1. Draw a park or build a pretend park with blocks.
  2. Add a place to play, a place to rest and a path people can use.
  3. Give your grown-up a tour and explain who might enjoy each part.

For your grown-up

Explain that abuelo means grandfather and that City Hall is where some local decisions are made, much like a council office in Australia.

About the book: Abrams publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Being yourself

The Wildest Thing

Eleanor's love of wild things becomes a celebration of imagination and individuality.

Emily Winfield Martin

Written and illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin

The story

Eleanor is drawn to wild things in the natural world and feels a connection between their untamed energy and something waiting inside her.

The book follows her exploration of that wild part of herself, with imagination and individuality at the heart of its story.

Its rhyming words and illustrations invite children to enjoy their own curiosity and sense of possibility.

The central idea is that a child's playful, distinctive nature is something to welcome as they discover who they are.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • Which wild animal would you like to pretend to be?
  • What would your animal do in a garden?
  • Can you point to a picture that makes you want to explore?

A little thing to try

10 min
Invent a garden creature

You'll need Paper, Crayons, Space to move

  1. Invent a friendly creature with 2 features you like from animals or plants.
  2. Draw its home and tell your grown-up what it enjoys doing there.
  3. Make up a gentle movement for your creature and try it together.

For your grown-up

Keep wildness connected to curiosity, imagination and playful expression, with the usual care for other people, creatures and shared spaces.

About the book: Random House Children's Books description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Friendship

The Recess Queen

A new girl's invitation to play changes the way a playground bully joins in.

Alexis O'Neill

Written by Alexis O'Neill
Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith

The story

Jean controls the playground, and the other children wait for her to have a turn before anyone else because they're worried about how she'll react.

When Katie Sue arrives at school, she brings an eager, playful approach that interrupts the usual playground order.

Her willingness to include Jean opens a path towards friendship in this energetic story about recess.

The book offers a starting point for talking about fair turns, welcoming someone into a game and the difference between kindness and hurtful behaviour.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • How could we make sure everyone gets a turn on the swing?
  • What could you say to invite someone into your game?
  • Which grown-up would you tell if someone kept hurting or frightening you?

A little thing to try

10 min
A kind playground

You'll need 2 or 3 toys, Paper for a pretend playground

  1. Use toys to act out children taking turns in a playground.
  2. Practise inviting a toy to join in, then practise saying, 'Stop, I don't like that.'
  3. Move a toy to a trusted grown-up and practise asking for help.

For your grown-up

The friendship solution belongs to this story, and your child isn't responsible for changing a bully or befriending someone who hurts them.

Adults need to help with bullying, and your child can move towards safety, tell a trusted adult and keep telling until they're helped.

About the book: Scholastic publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Being yourself

The Loud Librarian

Book-loving Penelope wants to be a student librarian, and she has a very big voice.

Jenna Beatrice

Written by Jenna Beatrice
Illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones

The story

Penelope loves books, enjoys helping people and feels ready to be a student librarian, but her unusually loud voice makes the role more complicated.

The story turns her volume into playful exaggeration, with the kind of noise that can shake a room and topple bookcases.

Penelope keeps trying to find a way to belong while holding onto the personality that makes her herself.

Her experience invites a conversation about recognising someone's strengths and finding room for different kinds of people.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What makes Penelope excited about helping in a library?
  • Where would a big, clear voice be useful?
  • What would you enjoy helping someone else do?

A little thing to try

15 min
Open a tiny library

You'll need 3 favourite books, Toys, Optional paper signs

  1. Arrange 3 books and invite your toys to visit a pretend library.
  2. Recommend a book to your grown-up and explain what you like about it.
  3. Choose a comfortable voice together and tell the toys a short story using a book's pictures.

For your grown-up

Enjoy the exaggerated noise as a joke, and talk about choosing a voice that suits the space while still valuing your child's enthusiasm.

About the book: Simon & Schuster publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Bravery

Kiki Kicks

Learning karate helps Kiki begin to feel stronger and more confident.

Jane Yolen and Ariel Stemple

Written by Jane Yolen and Ariel Stemple
Illustrated by John Ledda

The story

Kiki has watched her mother practise karate and decides that she's ready to begin learning too, after bullying at school has made her feel small.

At her karate lesson, the martial arts studio becomes a place to explore a different kind of strength.

The story links learning karate with confidence, steadiness and a sense of peace, drawing on co-author Ariel Stemple's childhood experience.

Its focus is on Kiki discovering what she can do and feeling more secure in herself.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • Who goes with you when you try something new?
  • Can you show me what standing steady looks like?
  • Which grown-up could help if someone at school made you feel unsafe?

A little thing to try

5 min
Steady like a tree

You'll need A clear, comfortable space

  1. Stand comfortably with your grown-up and imagine roots reaching from your feet into the ground.
  2. Take 3 easy breaths, then reach your arms up like branches if that feels comfortable.
  3. Practise saying, 'I need help, please,' and name a grown-up who can help you.

For your grown-up

This is a gentle confidence activity, separate from karate instruction, and there's no kicking or contact involved.

Keep responsibility for responding to bullying with the adults around your child.

About the book: Beaming Books catalogue, page 18 (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Bravery

As Brave as a Lion

A girl discovers her own courage when her usually brave lion needs reassurance.

Erika Meza

Written and illustrated by Erika Meza

The story

A girl feels more confident with her lion beside her, whether she's facing something frightening or finding the courage to use her voice.

Together they decide to climb a very high rocket slide at the playground, where an unexpected feeling changes their familiar roles.

The lion is frightened too, and the girl has a chance to offer him the reassurance he usually gives her.

Their friendship explores how bravery and fear can exist together, and how caring for someone can reveal courage.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What do you think the lion needs at the top of the slide?
  • What helps you when you feel nervous?
  • What could you say to a friend who's feeling scared?

A little thing to try

10 min
Help a nervous toy

You'll need A soft toy, Paper, Crayons

  1. Choose a toy and pretend it's nervous about trying a new game.
  2. Show your grown-up how you'd comfort it and offer a small step to try.
  3. Draw the toy with someone who can help, then let it choose whether it's ready to try.

For your grown-up

Let your child know that courage can include asking for support, choosing a smaller step or deciding they're ready to try another day.

About the book: Candlewick publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Big ideas

What If…

A girl imagines all the ways she could keep creating when her favourite tools aren't available.

Samantha Berger

Written by Samantha Berger
Illustrated by Mike Curato

The story

A girl has ideas she wants to share, and she starts imagining what she'd do if she couldn't draw them.

She considers other ways to create, including building, making collages and shaping things with her hands.

Even without materials around her, she can still use movement, music and the pictures in her mind.

This celebration of imagination shows that creative ideas can take many forms, with room to experiment and find another way to express yourself.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • Which way of making something would you like to try?
  • How could you show a butterfly using only your hands?
  • What could you use if you couldn't find a pencil?

A little thing to try

10 min
1 idea, 3 ways

You'll need Paper, crayons and a few large building blocks

  1. Choose something simple together, such as a tree or a boat.
  2. Draw it, build it with blocks and then show it with your body.
  3. Talk about which version was fun to make and what you'd try next.

For your grown-up

Follow your child's idea, even if it looks different from what you expected.

Explore the materials and movements together, giving each attempt room to be different.

About the book: Little, Brown publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Bravery

Sometimes, All I Need Is Me

A girl discovers small ways to find comfort inside herself when her surroundings feel unfamiliar.

Juliana Perdomo

Written and illustrated by Juliana Perdomo

The story

A girl loves the familiar comforts of home, where the smells and cosy feelings help her feel safe.

When she's somewhere different, she discovers that she can carry some of that comfort inside herself.

Even a dark bedroom can feel less frightening when she closes her eyes and imagines the sun.

Through these everyday moments, the book explores how memories and imagination can help a child find calm, courage and confidence.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What helps you feel cosy at home?
  • What happy place could you picture with your eyes closed?
  • Who could you ask for a cuddle when you're worried?

A little thing to try

8 min
A pocket of comfort

You'll need Paper and crayons

  1. Draw a place, person or favourite thing that helps you feel settled.
  2. Fold the picture into a small square and pretend it's a pocket of comfort.
  3. Open it together and practise asking for the comfort you'd like.

For your grown-up

Pair the book's self-comfort message with reassurance that you're available.

Your child can practise calming skills and still need you close by.

About the book: Candlewick publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Being yourself

Dress Like a Girl

A playful sleepover opens up all the things girls can imagine being and doing.

Patricia Toht

Written by Patricia Toht
Illustrated by Lorian Tu-Dean

The story

A group of girls at a sleepover explores familiar rules about clothes and gives them playful new meanings.

Wearing white might mean choosing a spacesuit, while wearing team colours might mean getting ready to play a sport.

Their dress-up ideas make space for all sorts of interests, including science, sport and public life.

The book celebrates choosing clothes that suit your own interests and imagining a future with plenty of possibilities.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • Which outfit in the book would you like to try?
  • What would you wear to explore the moon?
  • What clothes help you do your favourite activity?

A little thing to try

10 min
Ready for my adventure

You'll need Paper, crayons and optional dress-up clothes

  1. Choose an adventure, such as looking for sea creatures or building a playground.
  2. Draw or put together an outfit that would help you do it.
  3. Show your outfit and explain what each part helps you do.

For your grown-up

Let your child combine interests freely, including dresses, sport, tools and sparkle.

Make room for their choices and let them explain what they enjoy.

About the book: Patricia Toht's book page and linked publisher guide (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Bravery

Raise Your Hand

Alice encourages girls to share their ideas after noticing who speaks up in class.

Alice Paul Tapper

Written by Alice Paul Tapper
Illustrated by Marta Kissi

The story

Alice notices that the girls in her class aren't joining in as often as the boys, and she wants to help change that.

With support from her parents and Girl Scout troop, she helps create a patch that girls can earn by promising to practise confidence at school.

Her experience becomes an invitation for other children to take part and let their ideas be heard.

The story introduces speaking up as something children can practise with encouragement.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What would you like to ask your teacher?
  • How does your body feel when you want to speak?
  • What could help you share an idea with someone?

A little thing to try

8 min
A turn for every voice

You'll need 2 or 3 soft toys

  1. Set up a tiny classroom with your toys and choose a pretend teacher.
  2. Give each toy a turn to ask a question, with your child choosing words or gestures.
  3. Swap roles and practise a friendly way to invite a quiet toy to join in.

For your grown-up

Let your child pass, whisper or show an idea through a toy if that's more comfortable.

Confidence can grow through small invitations without a performance target.

About the book: Penguin Workshop publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Friendship

Meesha Makes Friends

Meesha's love of making things helps her find a way to connect with other children.

Tom Percival

Written and illustrated by Tom Percival

The story

Meesha enjoys making things, but making friends feels much less straightforward to her.

It can be difficult to work out what to say, when to say it and how other people are feeling.

As she discovers how her creative talent can help her connect with others, the story makes space for the uncertainty that can come with meeting people.

It's a gentle introduction to friendship, shared interests and finding a way to join in that feels like you.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What do you like making or playing?
  • How could you invite someone to join your game?
  • What could you do if you need a quiet break?

A little thing to try

12 min
Come and make with me

You'll need Paper, crayons and large building blocks

  1. Choose a drawing or building activity your child enjoys.
  2. Use a toy to practise asking someone to join, then try joining in together.
  3. Take turns offering an idea and asking what the other person would like.

For your grown-up

Notice the effort involved in joining in and give your child time to respond.

A shared activity can be a comfortable starting point, and quiet breaks are welcome.

About the book: Bloomsbury publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Bravery

Drum Dream Girl

A girl in Cuba follows her love of drumming when girls are expected to leave drums to boys.

Margarita Engle

Written by Margarita Engle
Illustrated by Rafael López

The story

Inspired by the childhood of Cuban drummer Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, this story follows a girl who dreams of playing drums.

The people around her expect drummers to be boys, so she keeps practising quietly while holding on to her love of music.

When others finally hear her playing, her music helps them imagine a different possibility for girls.

The story brings together courage, practice and the freedom to enjoy a talent regardless of gender.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What instrument would you like to try?
  • How do you think the girl feels when she plays?
  • What could you say to invite everyone into a music game?

A little thing to try

8 min
Our own little rhythm

You'll need Your hands and a cushion

  1. Tap a gentle pattern on a cushion and invite your child to copy it.
  2. Swap leaders so your child can make a pattern for you.
  3. Choose a favourite pattern and play it together with a pause at the end.

For your grown-up

Explain that this story comes from a time and place where girls faced a particular restriction.

Keep the focus on fair chances to learn and the joy of making music together.

About the book: HarperCollins publisher description on Apple Books (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Being yourself

Shine Bright

Imani's sister helps her reconnect with her confidence after hurtful comments about her dark skin.

Kheris Rogers

Written by Kheris Rogers
Illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe

The story

Imani feels hurt when other children make unkind comments about her dark skin, and her confidence begins to wobble.

She turns to her sister, who reminds her of the beauty and strengths that have always been part of her.

With loving encouragement, Imani begins to appreciate herself again and feel more confident about being seen.

Inspired by the author's experiences, the book celebrates dark-skinned girls and introduces the value of kind words about ourselves and each other.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • What does Imani's sister help her remember?
  • What kind words could you say to Imani?
  • Which grown-up could help if someone said something hurtful?

A little thing to try

12 min
A picture full of me

You'll need Paper and crayons in a range of skin colours

  1. Draw a self-portrait and choose the colours that feel right to you.
  2. Add pictures of things you enjoy and something you're learning.
  3. Ask a grown-up to write a kind sentence you choose beside your picture.

For your grown-up

Name the unfair treatment clearly: judging someone by skin colour is wrong.

Reassure your child that adults should help with hurtful behaviour, so they aren't responsible for solving it alone.

About the book: HarperCollins publisher description on Apple Books (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf
Friendship

The Most Magnificent Team

2 young makers discover that working together takes listening as well as building.

Ashley Spires

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires

The story

A girl and her dog head to her favourite place to make something, but a neighbour and her cat are already there.

The girls decide to try working together, then discover that they have different ways of getting started.

While the girl wants to get straight to making, her neighbour prefers careful measuring and planning, and their ideas begin to clash.

Their shared project explores patience, frustration and the practice of making room for another person's contribution.

Wonder together

Choose a question that feels right tonight.

  • Do you like planning first or starting to build?
  • What could the girls ask each other before they begin?
  • How could you use 2 different ideas in the same project?

A little thing to try

15 min
Build it together

You'll need Large building blocks or empty cardboard boxes

  1. Choose something to build together and each suggest 1 feature.
  2. Take turns adding pieces, asking before you change someone else's part.
  3. Look at the finished build and name something each person contributed.

For your grown-up

Model asking before changing your child's work and pause if either of you gets frustrated.

The useful practice is sharing decisions, even if the build stays unfinished.

About the book: Kids Can Press publisher description (opens in a new tab)

Back to the bookshelf

Make it your own little ritual.

Read the book together, then choose a question or an activity if it feels right.

There's room for silly answers, quiet thinking and stopping when you're ready.

This companion contains original summaries based on publisher and creator descriptions, plus suggested questions and activities.

Use it alongside a borrowed or bought copy of each book.

Your reading progress is saved only in this browser, with no account or tracking.