March is Women's History Month. Let's celebrate with stories that feature women and girls as the lead and heroine.  In fairytales, folklore, fables and legends there are  warriors, mothers, wives, sisters and friends using their wits, strength and heart to overcome many obstacles. Their stories show the different layers of womenhood.  Enjoy these books for young readers while you discover extraordinary female characters.

Fairy Tales of Fearless Girls  by Susannah McFarlane

In this treasury of modern fairy tales, the heroines make their own way to happily ever after, and there isn't a damsel in distress in sight! Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Thumbelina don't let fear or self-doubt hold them back. Using their wits, bravery, honesty, and kindness, they problem-solve their way out of tricky situations. 

 

 

 

Womenfolk and Fairy Tales edited by Rosemary Minard; illustrated by Suzanna Klein

A collection of eighteen tales in which a girl or woman is the moving force.

 

 

 

 

 

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African folktale by John Steptoe

Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife.

 

 

 

Fiesta Femenina: Celebrating Women of Mexican folklore retold by Mary-Joan Gerson

A collection of folktales from various cultures in Mexico, all focusing on the important roles of women, such as Rosha, a young girl who rescues the sun; the goddess Tangu Yuh; Kesne, a Zapotec princess; and the Virgin Mary.

 

 

One Grain of Rice:  A Mathematical Folktale by Demi

A reward of one grain of rice doubles day by day into millions of grains of rice when a selfish raja is outwitted by a clever village girl.

 

 

 

The Lion's Whiskers: An Ethiopian Folktale by Nancy Raines Day; illustrated by Ann Grifalconi

In this tale from the Amhara people of Ethiopia, a patient woman uses her experience with a wild lion to win the love of her new stepson.

 

Tasty Baby Belly Buttons: A Japanese Folktale by Judy Sierra; illustrated by Meilo So

Urikohime, a girl born from a melon, battles the monstrous oni, who steal babies to eat their tasty belly buttons.

 

 

 

Watch Out For Clever Women! = ¡Cuidado con las mujeres astutas!  folktales told in Spanish and English by Joe Hayes; illustrations by Vicki Trego Hill

A bilingual collection of Southwestern folktales with some tricky women teaching people simple lessons.

 

 

 

 

Mabela the Clever retold by Margaret Read MacDonald; illustrated by Tim Coffey

An African folktale about a mouse who pays close attention to her surroundings and avoids being tricked by the cat.

 

Mulan: The Legend of The Woman Warrior  translated from the Chinese language by Faye-Lynn Wu; illustrated by Joy Ang

Faye-Lynn Wu and Joy Ang turn this ancient Chinese ballad into an uplifting, empowering ode to young girls everywhere, showing that true strength comes from within, regardless of appearance, inspiring a new generation of women warriors. The book also includes the original ballad.

 

Women Warriors: Myths and Legends of Heroic Women by Marianna Mayer; illustrated by Julek Heller

A collection of twelve traditional tales about female military leaders, war goddesses,women warriors, and heroines from around the world, including such countries as Japan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe

 

 

 

Fearless Girls, Women, and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Ffolktales From Around the World edited by Kathleen Ragan; with a foreword by Jane Yolen

Retells more than a hundred folktales from Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and Middle East that feature active heroines of all types.

 

 

 

Not One Damsel in Distress: Heroic Girls From World Folklore collected and told by Jane Yolen; with illustrations by Susan Guevara

These fifteen folktales have one thing in common: brainy, bold, brave women—and not one damsel in distress! There is Bradamante, the fierce medieval knight; Li Chi, the Chinese girl who slays a dreaded serpent and saves her town; Makhta, a female warrior who leads her Sioux tribe into battle; and many more women who use their cunning, wisdom, and strength to succeed.

 

 

Her Stories : African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and Ttrue tales told by Virginia Hamilton; illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

Collection of 19 folktales, legends, and true stories celebrating the heroic cunning, patience, and courage of African American women and girls.

 

 

 

The Serpent Slayer: And Other Stories of Strong Women retold by Katrin Tchana; illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

A collection of twenty traditional tales from various parts of the world, each of whose main character is a strong and resourceful woman.

 

 

 

 

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Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.