This wonderful anthology features the stories of some of the best-loved heroines in children's books. From Jo March who sells her hair to raise money for her family, to George's single-minded commitment to protecting her island in The Famous Five to Bobbie's quick-thinking action that prevents a train crash in The Railway Children, these girls demonstrate courage beyond their years. Each of the 24 chapters contains an introduction about the courageous girl featured and a satisfying extract from the original book. These fictional heroines will inspire young readers with their stories of expectations defied, fears faced and obstacles overcome. This collection is also bound to tempt readers to discover these classic novels for themselves. Classic novels featured include Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Five on a Treasure Island, The Railway Children, Jane Eyre, A Little Princess, Pollyanna and The Wizard of Oz, as well as beloved fairy tales from diverse cultures such as The Snow Queen, Kate Crackernuts and White Chrysanthemum.

Soon to be an eight-part docuseries on Apple TV+ Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, share the stories of the gutsy women who have inspired them—women with the courage to stand up to the status quo, ask hard questions, and get the job done. She couldn’t have been more than seven or eight years old. “Go ahead, ask your question,” her father urged, nudging her forward. She smiled shyly and said, “You’re my hero. Who’s yours?” Many people—especially girls—have asked us that same question over the years. It’s one of our favorite topics. HILLARY: Growing up, I knew hardly any women who worked outside the home. So I looked to my mother, my teachers, and the pages of Life magazine for inspiration. After learning that Amelia Earhart kept a scrapbook with newspaper articles about successful women in male-dominated jobs, I started a scrapbook of my own. Long after I stopped clipping articles, I continued to seek out stories of women who seemed to be redefining what was possible. CHELSEA: This book is the continuation of a conversation the two of us have been having since I was little. For me, too, my mom was a hero; so were my grandmothers. My early teachers were also women. But I grew up in a world very different from theirs. My pediatrician was a woman, and so was the first mayor of Little Rock who I remember from my childhood. Most of my close friends’ moms worked outside the home as nurses, doctors, teachers, professors, and in business. And women were going into space and breaking records here on Earth. Ensuring the rights and opportunities of women and girls remains a big piece of the unfinished business of the twenty-first century. While there’s a lot of work to do, we know that throughout history and around the globe women have overcome the toughest resistance imaginable to win victories that have made progress possible for all of us. That is the achievement of each of the women in this book. So how did they do it? The answers are as unique as the women themselves. Civil rights activist Dorothy Height, LGBTQ trailblazer Edie Windsor, and swimmer Diana Nyad kept pushing forward, no matter what. Writers like Rachel Carson and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie named something no one had dared talk about before. Historian Mary Beard used wit to open doors that were once closed, and Wangari Maathai, who sparked a movement to plant trees, understood the power of role modeling. Harriet Tubman and Malala Yousafzai looked fear in the face and persevered. Nearly every single one of these women was fiercely optimistic—they had faith that their actions could make a difference. And they were right. To us, they are all gutsy women—leaders with the courage to stand up to the status quo, ask hard questions, and get the job done. So in the moments when the long haul seems awfully long, we hope you will draw strength from these stories. We do. Because if history shows one thing, it’s that the world needs gutsy women.

This book takes you into the imaginary world of brave little girls who fearlessly save lives, take a stand for themselves and go all out for friendship. Meet the unusual Satyaprabha Kumarikaku Sonamiki Iyengar and climb trees with Shania. You can one day swim with Neel and Nikki or cook Burmese Khow Suey with Antara. Wonder who will save Princess Gulbakauli or who will be Radhika's new friend? Don't wait, just dive in!Oh yes! I forgot to mention who are these 'brave girls'. I have always enjoyed watching the Republic Day Parade and my favourite part is when the children who have won the bravery awards are brought in, mounted royally on decorated Elephants. Over the years the Elephants have been replaced by jeeps, but the spirit of bravery is irreplaceable. Children every year show exceptional courage in challenging situations and are honored by the President of India on 26th January. These stories are inspired by and dedicated to, those brave girls and boys who display heroism without thinking of consequences or rewards.

One winter in the Far North the sun disappears and Lucia, accompanied by her milk-white cat, braves the freezing cold and trolls who want to eat her, trying to find the sun and bring it back.

Winner of the 2016 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction A 2016 Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Winner Winner of the 2016 National Jewish Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz brings her delicious wit and keen eye to early twentieth-century America in a moving yet comedic tour de force. Fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs, just like the heroines in her beloved novels, yearns for real life and true love. But what hope is there for adventure, beauty, or art on a hardscrabble farm in Pennsylvania where the work never ends? Over the summer of 1911, Joan pours her heart out into her diary as she seeks a new, better life for herself—because maybe, just maybe, a hired girl cleaning and cooking for six dollars a week can become what a farm girl could only dream of—a woman with a future. Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz relates Joan’s journey from the muck of the chicken coop to the comforts of a society household in Baltimore (Electricity! Carpet sweepers! Sending out the laundry!), taking readers on an exploration of feminism and housework; religion and literature; love and loyalty; cats, hats, and bunions.

'All power to Gretel and Tamasha and Tokoyo and Chandra and Sea Girl and Gerda! They come from different countries and traditions but they're all such marvellous spirited girls I wish each one could be my best friend' - Jacqueline Wilson Girls can save the day too, and they always have . . . Join six adventurous girls from around the world as they use their wits, courage and strength to overcome the odds in this colourful, illustrated collection of Ladybird Tales. Gretel and Hansel Tamasha and the Troll Tokoyo and the Sea Serpent Chandra and the Elephants Sea Girl and the Golden Key The Snow Queen Perfect for bedtime, to read aloud or enjoy alone, these empowering tales show that girls can be the heroes of any story. Includes a special Introduction from award-winning author Jacqueline Wilson.

A treasury of stories for young girls, this collection is guaranteed to delight and entertain young minds. Enjoy reading one story a day, and see your favourite fairies, princes, princesses and knights come alive in the wonderful illustrations. A beautiful hardback book worth keeping in your library.