10 Classic Children’s Books by Women Authors to Read Before You Die
By Nava Atlas | On November 8, 2017 | Updated October 6, 2024 | Comments (13)
How many of these classic children’s books by women authors have you read? Which did you miss reading? Which should I have included in the top 10? (Make sure to see the runners-up list at the end.)
Some of the books listed here were written for all ages, but have been adopted by younger readers as favorites.
Not long ago, when the latest film adaptation came out, my book group read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. About half had never read it; the other half hadn’t picked the book up since adolescence.
While Alcott reluctantly wrote it when urged to pen a “girls’ story” by her publisher, Little Women far exceeded their expectations. It has been beloved by generations of readers of all ages ever since it came out in 1868..
It was as enjoyable an experience for those reading it for the first time as it was for those rediscovering it, proving how timeless classics books can be. We also read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Though it has been beloved by generations of adolescent readers, even with its gritty passages, Betty Smith didn’t intend it as a children’s book.
The books presented here appeal to “children of all ages” with their universal themes of love, loyalty, loss, and coming of age. If you missed any of them while growing up, it’s never too late to delve into them. And if you haven’t read them since you were young, it will be like meeting old friends once again.
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Of course, children’s classics by men are worthy of visiting or revisiting, too. Who wouldn’t love a trip back into the worlds Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Louis Carroll?
But our mission is to celebrate women authors, so here, in my humble opinion, are 10 classic children’s books by women authors to read (or reread) before you die — plus 12 runners up.
First, the list of the top 10 that are absolute musts in order of publication date. Following that list, you’ll find a dozen runners-up. Are there any glaring omissions? If so, please comment below the post!
. . . . . . . . . . .
Little Women (1868)
Starring Jo March, one of literature’s most inspiring heroines for girls, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is the semi-autobiographical story of four sisters that’s a timeless look at personal ideals, family bonds, loss, and growing up. More about Little Women
. . . . . . . . . . .
A Little Princess (1905)
In the beloved tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Sara Crewe has everything a girl could want, but loses it all when her father dies. She is reduced to work in cruel Miss Minchin’s school as a servant. But she retains her courage and dignity, and proves that no matter what one’s outward circumstances, all girls are princesses at heart. More about A Little Princess.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Anne of Green Gables (1908)
Anne Shirley is a dreamy, imaginative 11-year-old orphan girl mistakenly sent to a middle-aged brother and sister who meant to adopt a boy to help on their farm. The reading public fell in love with Anne of Green Gables from the start, and her creator, L.M. Montgomery, went on to write several sequels, taking her from girlhood to motherhood. More about Anne of Green Gables.
. . . . . . . . . .
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers (1934)
Mary Poppins, one of the best-loved characters in children’s literature, came from a story that its author, P.L. (Pamela Lyndon) Travers made up while minding two young children. Here’s a rundown of most all of the Mary Poppins books in the series.
Mary Poppins, the first book in the series, was published in 1934 to instant success and launched a series starring the magical nanny as the central character. In it, she’s blown to Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London by the East wind, and becomes part of the Banks family’s household.
There she takes charge of the children, changing their lives and that of their parents. The books, all illustrated by Mary Shepard, have been a mainstay of classic children’s literature from the time of their publication. And of course, there are the two film adaptations. Read more about the Mary Poppins series.
. . . . . . . . . .
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (1945)
Translations of the first Pippi Longstocking by Swedish author Astrid Lingren book have been published in more than 40 languages. The first U.S. edition was published in 1950. The book plunges the reader into the hilarious adventures of Pippi Longstocking, a nine-year-old pigtailed redhead with superhuman strength.
Pippi’s mother died when she was a baby, and her father, a sea captain, has seemingly vanished. Pippi moves into a big house known as Villa Villekulla, located in a little Swedish village, with her pet monkey Mr. Nilsson, a suitcase filled with pieces of gold, and her unnamed pet horse.
Pippi can do anything she likes — stay up as late as she wants, lift a horse up in the air, buy pounds and pounds of candy. She uses her amazing powers to the good — usually. Children of all ages have fallen in love with this eccentric character from the moment she burst on the literary scene. Read more about the Pippi Longstocking series.
. . . . . . . . . .
A Wrinkle in Time (1962)
This fantasy for all ages by Madeleine L’Engle has much more than science or fantasy: add religion, philosophy, mathematics, satire, and allegory. Add a lot of suspense and you’ll wonder why this award-winning book had such trouble finding a publisher! And even more puzzlingly, why it has been so frequently banned and challenges as it has. More about A Wrinkle in Time.
. . . . . . . . . .
Harriet the Spy (1964)
In this subtly subversive novel by Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet spends part of her day “spying” and writing her observations down in her notebook. The loss of her childhood nanny and the discovery of her notebook by classmates turn Harriet’s world upside down. This flawed heroine will be beloved by girls for many more generations to come. More about Harriet the Spy.
. . . . . . . . . .
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (1975)
Originally intended for middle grade children, Tuck Everlasting is a gracefully written story that has resonated with readers of all ages. It explores the idea of eternal life, and its flip side, mortality. I think it is truly one of the underrated children’s classics.
When 10-year-old Winnie Foster inadvertently comes upon the Tuck family, she learns that they became immortal when they drank from a spring on her family’s property.
They tell Winnie how they’ve watched life go by for decades, while they themselves never grow older. Winnie must decide if she’ll keep the Tucks’ secret, and whether she wants to join them on their immortal path.
The 2002 film adaptation is wonderful, too — though Winnie was presented as a teen rather than as a 10-year-old so that a sweet romance could be worked into the narrative. More about Tuck Everlasting.
. . . . . . . . . .
The House on Mango Street (1984)
The House on Mango Street (1984) by Sandra Cisneros is composed of poetic vignettes told from the perspective of the adolescent Esperanza, growing up in Chicago. It portrays a Latinx community, with all its joys and challenges, and speaks to love, loss, and a sense of belonging. Now a middle-grade standard, it has sold millions of copies around the world in countless translations. Having taken its place as a a contemporary classic (one that has seen countless bans and challenges), it’s a must-read for all ages. More about The House on Mango Street.
. . . . . . . . . .
Brown Girl Dreaming (2014)
Lists of classic books for children by women authors of the past aren’t very diverse. Though books and periodicals aimed at Black children in the U.S. existed before, say, the 1970s, they didn’t reach a broader, breakthrough audience until at least the 1970s. Now, literature featuring Black children by Black authors is in full flower. It takes time to tell what will become a classic, but if I have to choose one, I would nominate Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson (2014). Aimed at a middle-grade audience, this lovely memoir told in verse encapsulates the author’s childhood in the 1960s, and her early dreams to be a writer. Amply awarded and beloved by readers, this book has a secure place in contemporary children’s literature.
. . . . . . . . . .
Once you’ve tackled these 10 must-read classic children’s books by women authors, here are more for you to enjoy before you depart for the Great Beyond.
- National Velvet by Enid Bagnold
- Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge
- The Borrowers by Mary Norton
- My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara
- Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Emily of New Moon (series) by L.M. Montgomery
- Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
- The 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith
- The Rescuers (series) by Margery Sharp
- The Moffats (series) by Eleanor Estes
- All-of-a-Kind Family (series) by Sydney Taylor
- Betsy-Tacy (series) by Maud Hart Lovelace
- A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
- Books by Beatrix Potter (author of Peter Rabbit & many more)
- The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
- Five Little Peppers (series) by Mary Sidney
- The Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary
- The Moomins (series) by Tove Jansson
I’d add Lois Lowry’s “The Giver” to the list of 12.
Glad you’re deleting “The Yearling” from the list.
Thank you, Rose. On Literary Ladies, we cover only authors who have passed, and not that I’m wishing it on her, but I’m sure Lois Lowry will take her place as a classic author in her genre. She’s a wonderful writer.
Love the top ten and the extended list too. I would add the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace and the All-of-a-Kind Family series by Sydney Taylor.
Ah, very true, Penny! Those are wonderful classic series. I will add them to the list.
Excellent list, with one exception — I wouldn’t recommend The Yearling to anyone, let alone a child, due to its truly horrific ending. Why people persist in calling it a classic I will never understand. But the rest are great 🙂
Actually, you’re right … Rawlings didn’t write it as a children’s book at all, even though the protagonist is a boy. I’ve deleted it off the list. I tried reading it a few months ago and couldn’t even stomach the first few chapters. So much graphic description of hunting; and eating, eating eating! Thanks for the nudge.
Thank You So Much for your wonderful reccommendations! Exactly the information I was looking for! Thank you again for sharing!
This is a good start to classic women authors for children whose books I keep on my shelf at home (all but one). Some I read as a girl and others I discovered years later to have and to hold onto. The literature grows up with America, Canada and the UK. The second list includes favorites as well, several more that I’ve kept on my shelves at home. It’s always good to revisit the classics that are anchored in a time and place to help know where we’ve grown or fallen short as a society. Thanks for this!
Thank you so much for your input, Connie!
I think Pippi Longstocking should be in the Top 10. She was definitely my childhood heroine.
Vanessa, it was so hard for me to pick the top 10, and it’s totally subjective! I love Pippi, too, and the series is in the honorary mentions list following the top 10. Thanks for weighing in!
Thank You So Much for your wonderful website! Exactly the information I was looking for! I look forward to returning again and again! Many, Many, Thanks!
Thank you for your kind comment, Barbara!