Fantastically Great Women Who Made History
#2 in Fantastically Great Women Series
on Goodreads (395)
What’s inside...
Kate Pankhurst, descendent of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, has created a wildly wonderful and accessible book about the accomplishments and adventures of many more brilliant women from throughout history. Travel through the Underground Railroad with the brave and courageous Harriet Tubman, reach for the stars with NASA's pioneering female astronauts, and be inspired by the stories of many other remarkable women who changed the world. Significantly more engaging and inspiring than the rival Rebel Girls, this book highlights the achievements of women who made a significant impact on history.
Discussion points
Which woman from the book inspired you the most and why?
What qualities do these women have that you admire?
If you could meet any of these women, what would you ask them?
How do you think these women changed the world around them?
What challenges do you think they faced and how did they overcome them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing your own favorite figure from the book and explain why she stands out to you.
Encourage children to think about how the attributes of these women could be applied in their own lives.
Ask children to draw a picture of one of the women and describe what day-to-day life might have looked like for her.
Create a timeline together of the historical events mentioned in the book, linking them to the achievements of these women.
Highlight the diversity of professions and passions of these women, discussing with your child the endless possibilities for their own future.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: The book highlights women who faced immense challenges but persevered to achieve remarkable things, such as Harriet Tubman who helped free hundreds of slaves.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it's solving a tough math problem or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Equality and social justice
Explanation: The stories of women like Rosa Parks and Qiu Jin, who fought for equality, underline the importance of standing up for one’s rights and the rights of others.
Real-World Application: Children can practice inclusivity and fairness in their interactions at school and in play, learning to respect diverse perspectives and challenge unfair treatment.
Example Lesson: Importance of education
Explanation: Characters like Ada Lovelace, who made advances in computing, emphasize the importance of education and intellectual curiosity.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to value their schooling and foster a love for learning and exploring new ideas.
Example Lesson: Courage to innovate
Explanation: The book celebrates figures like Jane Austen and Marie Curie who broke boundaries in their fields, showing the courage to think differently and innovate.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think creatively and express their own unique ideas in projects or creative arts.
Example Lesson: Leadership and impact
Explanation: Leaders like Hatshepsut, who ruled as Pharaoh, provide strong examples of leadership and the impact one individual can have on society.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take initiative in group settings, such as leading a team project at school or helping organize a community event.