The parents of a 4-year-old girl asked me for suggestions of picture books that featured strong female characters. I thought it would be an easy request until I started searching. It turns out that there aren't as many as I hoped to find.

I wasn't surprised but since I wanted to give you something you could use right away,  I'm providing this list of books with strong female protagonists.

Thanks so much for reading this! If you want ideas on building empathy and/or setting boundaries with the very young, Join us here, I have new tips weekly. Plus when you join us you'll get my new eBook immediately.

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  She studied early childhood education at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2010. She has presented at state and national early childhood conferences.