Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Kate Pankhurst Books

We Are All Inventors!

Non-fiction, Picturebook

The characters in this book are a celebration of girls in STEM, with the focus being on inventors. The main character Lizzy, has lost her hamster, Gizmo, and she goes through the process of creating and adapting an invention to find him. Lizzy, has cochlear implants and the supporting character, Lizzy’s babysitter and neighbour, has bionic hands. Information is included on these, as well as information on diabetes and heart surgery.

Many girls and women are celebrated for their inventions, and it is wonderful that young inventors are also included. Science is interwoven throughout, and every reader will come away learning something new. The illustrations are very busy, and there is a lot to see. It is best suited to readers who prefer to have lots to look at, with text presented in different ways.

The author’s note at the back of the book explains why the inventors in the books were chosen, and the important message that everyone, no matter their age, disability or gender, has ideas that matter. This book is a delightful addition to Kate Pankhurst’s Great Women books – a must-have for inspiring more children into STEM.

Fantastically Great Women Artists and their Stories

Kate Pankhurst

Non-fiction

Over half of all the visual artists working today are women, but the paintings and sculptures shown in many galleries and museums tell a different story because they’re usually the work of men.

In this book Kate Pankhurst, descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst, tells the fascinating stories of some of history’s most talented female artists.

· Express your feelings and find your identity through art with Frida Kahlo · Run away to the circus and paint with Laura Knight · Help bring talented artists into the spotlight with Peggy Guggenheim · Challenge racism and segregation by creating powerful art with Faith Ringgold

Including comic strips, family trees, maps and more, Fantastically Great Women Artists and Their Stories is a celebration of just some of the women whose creativity and dreams have made a mark on the world. A fantastic gift for girls and boys alike!

List of women featured: Amrita Sher-Gil, Elisabeth Le Brun, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Faith Ringgold, Frida Kahlo, Kathe Kollwitz, Dame Laura Knight and Peggy Guggenheim.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World

Kate Pankhurst

Non-fiction

Kate Pankhurst, descendent of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, has created a wildly wonderful and accessible book about women who really changed the world. Discover fascinating facts about some of the most amazing women who changed the world we live in! * Fly high with incredible explorer and pilot Amelia Earhart * Discover the Wonderful Adventures of medical pioneer Mary Seacole * Fight for your rights with legendary civil rights activist Rosa Parks * Change the face of books forever with superstar novelist Jane Austen Bursting full of beautiful illustrations and astounding facts, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is the perfect introduction to just a few of the most incredible women who helped shaped the world we live in. A fantastic gift for girls and boys alike! List of women featured: Jane Austen, Gertrude Ederle, Coco Chanel, Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, Mary Anning, Mary Seacole, Amelia Earhart, Agent Fifi, Sacagawea, Emmeline Pankhurst, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank.

Fantastically Great Women Scientists and Their Stories

Kate Pankhurst

Non-fiction

Prepare to be inspired with this fantastically great new series for young readers from bestselling author Kate Pankhurst, a descendent of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst. In this first book, read the true stories of amazing scientists and discover things that are out of this world!

Women have been responsible for many of the world’s most groundbreaking scientific discoveries. These are the stories of incredible female scientists whose hard work and persistence changed our understanding of science, and transformed people’s ideas of what women can do.

Including comic strips, family trees, maps and more, Fantastically Great Women Scientists and Their Stories is a celebration of women who made some of the world’s most important scientific breakthroughs.

Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet

Kate Pankhurst

Non-fiction, Picturebook

Part of Kate Pankhurst’s popular non-fiction series, Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet is a picture book style non-fiction that features female pioneers who have spent their lives protecting the Earth, each in their own ways.

Each spread is full of bite-sized facts and vibrant illustrations, profiling figures from ‘shark lady’ Eugenie Clark to recycling superstar Isatou Ceesay. The accessible layout is perfect for dipping into as and when, and also makes big topics like conservation feel empowering rather than overwhelming.

In the classroom, this is a brilliant resource for STEM and significant people in history, showing how individuals can affect global change. A must-have for any primary library looking to inspire the next generation, and a popular early non-fiction choice for children.