By Carolyn Danckaert, www.amightygirl.com

Carolyn Danckaert and Aaron Smith live in Washington, D.C., with their four nieces and a nephew nearby. They are very excited to launch their latest labor of love, A Mighty Girl.

Celebrate Get Caught Reading Month with A Mighty Girl’s special feature on the Top 100 Mighty Girl Picture Books, our carefully selected collection of gorgeously illustrated and beautifully written picture books starring fantastic Mighty Girl characters! The collection includes a wide variety of fictional picture books along with many picture book biographies of remarkable women, who are sure to inspire your little nieces. Check out these five selections that are perfect for preschool mighty nieces!



Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems (Ages 2-6)
Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes “somebunny” was left behind! Using a combination of muted black-and-white photographs and expressive illustrations, this stunning book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy’s in charge and things go horribly, hilariously wrong.



I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont (Ages 3-8)
High on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves – inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what?! Here’s a little girl who knows what really matters.

At once silly and serious, Karen Beaumont’s joyous rhyming text and David Catrow’s wild illustrations unite in a book that is sassy, soulful – and straight from the heart.

I Like Myself! was featured in our post on Ten Body Image Positive Books for Mighty Girls.



Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell (Ages 3-8)
In his characteristic heartwarming style, Patrick McDonnell tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of “a life living with and helping all animals,” until one day she finds that her dream has come true.

One of the world’s most inspiring women, Dr. Jane Goodall is renowned humanitarian, conservationist, animal activist, environmentalist, and United Nations Messenger of Peace. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), a global nonprofit organization that empowers people to make a difference for all living things.

With anecdotes taken directly from Jane Goodall’s autobiography, McDonnell makes this very true story accessible for the very young – and young at heart.

For more about Jane Goodall, visit A Mighty Girl’s Jane Goodall Collection.



The Apple-Pip Princess by Jane Ray (Ages 3-8)
With sumptuous artwork, Jane Ray tells an original fairy tale of a humble princess whose love for nature’s beauty restores a kingdom.

Once there was a kingdom full of laughter, happiness, trees, and birdsong. But when the queen dies, the land becomes quiet and barren, and everyone is filled with sadness. What will make the kingdom bloom again? Can Serenity, the youngest of three princesses, bring hope and life back to her kingdom with a single apple pip – a precious seed left to her by her mother? This original fairy tale is brought to life and exquisitely illustrated by the internationally renowned Jane Ray.

For more stories of independent-minded princesses to share with your independent nieces, visit our Ultimate Guide to the Independent Princess.



Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes (Ages 3-8)
She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “You’re named after a flower.” Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn’t improve. In fact, it got worse. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed...

“The charming mouse with her delicate little face seems just right for her name. The range of expression and emotion Henkes conveys in his pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are “absolutely perfect.” This sensitive story will strike a chord with young children, particularly those who also have difficult or unfamiliar names.” – School Library Journal

For more books for Mighty Girls on how to respond effectively to teasing and bullying, visit our special feature on the Top Books on Bullying Prevention for Mighty Girls.

Photo: Courtesy of A Mighty Girl
Published: May 13, 2013