Children’s Books for Women’s

Counting the Stars

Before John Glenn orbited the Earth or astronauts walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used their knowledge, pencils, adding machines and writing paper to calculate the orbital mechanics needed to launch spacecraft. Katherine Johnson was one of these women. “Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician,” follows her from a 6-year-old schoolgirl in the segregated South all the way to NASA. This inspiring picture book biography with dreamy illustrations is geared to ages 4-8. (By Lesa Cline-Ransom; Illustrated by Raul Colon) Ordinary People Who Changed the World Each picture book biography in the Ordinary People Who Changed the World series tells the story of a significant historical figure in a simple, conversational, playful way. The Strong Girls Gift Set features four heroic women–Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, Jane Goodall, and Sacagawea. Other female icons in the series include Marie Curie, Sonya Sotomayer, Billie Jean King, and Rosa Parks. For ages 5-8. (By Brad Meltzer; Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos) Work It, Girl is a series of biographies featuring modern women in the world of work, from designers and musicians to CEOs and scientists. Each book tells the heroine’s story in ten chapters that highlight transformative moments in her life. At the end, ten key lessons show what we can learn from these moments, and self-reflection questions help the reader apply these lessons to their own life. Oprah, Beyonce, Ellen Degeneres, J.K. Rowling, Michelle Obama, and Mae Jemison are among the women featured. The biographies, which feature bright illustrations, 3D paper artwork and inspiring quotes, are geared to ages 8-12. (By Carline Moss; Illustrated by Sinem Erkas)

Shaking Things Up

In this book of poems, you will find Mary Anning, who was just 13 when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You’ll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave 6-year-old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at 21 won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create. “Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World” is a poetic and visual celebration of persistent women throughout history. (By Susan Hood, and featuring 13

Work It, Girl series

female illustrators) Malala’s Magic Pencil

There are a slew of children’s books about Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl whose work as an education activist made her the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, but this book is by Malala herself. It focuses on her childhood, and handles sensitive subjects like violence in a gentle way, saying only that “dangerous men tried to silence me, but they failed.” This beautifully illustrated book tells Malala’s story for a younger audience, providing a child-friendly introduction to this contemporary Muslim female role model and her work. For ages 4-8. (By Malala Yousafzai, Illustrated by Kerascoet)

She Persisted

“She Persisted” and its followup, “She Persisted Around the World,” give readers two collections of 13 remarkable, diverse and tenacious women. Showing how they struggled and ultimately persevered, the books celebrate 26 women from America and across the world who proved persistence is power. For ages 4-8. Sold individually or as a box set. (By Chelsea Clinton; Illustrated by Alexandra Boier)

Leave it To Abigail!

While there are countless books available about America’s founding fathers, there aren’t many about the equally impactful women from this period. But “Leave it To Abigail! The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams” tells the true story of one of America’s founding mothers, who instead of leaving governing to men, insisted they “remember the ladies.” This spirited biography with fun illustrations follows Abigail from farm girl to First Lady and presidential advisor. For ages 4-8. (By Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley)

The Only Woman in the Photo

Most people know about President FDR, but do you know about the woman behind his groundbreaking “new deal?” Meet Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in the presidential cabinet and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s righthand-(wo)man. “The Only Woman in the Photo” tells the untold story of the mastermind behind the Social Security Act, unemployment insurance, child labor laws, and more. Gorgeously illustrated and peppered with Perkins’ powerful quotes, this book is for ages 4-8. (By Kathleen Krull; Illustrated by Alexandra Bye) Shark Lady

“Whale sharks. Nurse sharks. Tiger sharks. Lemon sharks. Eugenie wanted to know about them all.” In “Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist,” we see how a childhood fascination can develop into a life’s work. Despite many obstacles in her path, Clark was able to study the creatures she loved so much. Find out about the discoveries and scientific contributions that led to Clark being nicknamed “Shark Lady.” (By Jess Keating; Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens)

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors

In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Some women could be teachers or seamstresses, but certainly no women were doctors. “Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors” follows Blackwell’s path to becoming the first woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S. For ages 5-8. The author also wrote a book “Who Says Women Can’t Be Programmers.” (By Tanya Lee Stone; Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman) Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls

This children’s book is packed with 100 bedtime stories about the life of 100 extraordinary women from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 female artists from all over the world. Each woman’s story is written in the style of a fairy tale. Each story has a full page, full color portrait that captures the spirit of the portrayed hero. Once you finish the book, you can move on to Volume 2 and meet 100 more incredible women from around the world. For ages 6 and up. (By Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli)

I Dissent

This biographical picture book about the notorious RBG proves that disagreeing doesn’t make you disagreeable. In “I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark,” you’ll get to know the Supreme Court justice who has spent a lifetime disagreeing. This book, for ages 4-8, tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements. (By Debbie Levy; Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley)

Women in Science

A gloriously illustrated celebration of trailblazing women, “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers who Changed the World,” highlights the contributions of 50 notable women to the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, from both the ancient and modern worlds. The book also contains fascinating infographics and an illustrated scientific glossary. Women profiled include well-known and lesser-known figures. (Written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky)

BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

It wasn’t the typical end to my workday, but then, it wasn’t a typical workday, either. All I had to do was jump off a two-story platform.

No big deal.

When my co-worker, Becca, and I decided (in the name of journalism) to try out Boundless Adventures in Berlin, we weren’t quite sure what we were getting ourselves into. The aerial adventure park – a sort of treetop obstacle course with wobbly bridges, dangling ladders, rolling elements and ziplines – looked Becca Humphrey and Amanda Collins Bernier take on Boundless Adventures in Berlin.

both exciting and daunting from the ground. Once we were up in the trees, we found our first impressions were right.

The sprawling 5-acre park at 154 River Rd. West, just north of Worcester and about 45 minutes from Boston, opened in 2018. It features nine color-coded ropes courses that vary in difficulty: yellow, green, blue and black.

Participants wear a full-body harness and are locked on to a safety line through an always “on belay” system. Two carabiners are connected together and do not allow users to fully disconnect from the safety line. Basically, once you’re hooked in, you’re not going anywhere.

We got started on a yellow beginner’s course, which is generally appropriate for ages 7 to 9 (or 30 something). At 10 feet elevation, these obstacle courses let you unleash your inner-monkey with low-speed zip line, easier bridges and unique balance beams.

Each course features a number

of elements, or obstacles, that will test your balance, bravery and boundaries. I was surprised at the courage it took me to tackle even the easiest course.

The green level courses (ages 10-11) took things up a notch. The guides at Boundless Adventures say the key to traversing these moving obstacles 15 feet off the ground is keeping “mind over matter.” Sure, the intermediate course is a mental challenge, but don’t be fooled -- it’s a physical one, too. Perhaps I was feeling overconfident after tackling two green courses, or maybe it was all that zipline adrenaline, but somehow I was talked into finishing our adventure on a blue course. There are two of these “advanced” courses for ages 12+ at Boundless Adventures, where at 22-26 feet, you’ll test your strength and agility with wobbling ladders, harder rolling elements, and swaying bridges.

For me, this was the ultimate challenge. Two stories above the forest floor, hanging on to swinging ropes suspended from a cable, I panicked as my foot searched for the next tiny, wobbly spot to put it as I made my way across the obstacle. I froze, held on for dear life, and let out an

embarrassing, high-pitched yelp.

“You can do it!” Becca called out. “Just one foot at a time. You can do it!”

It took a mental pep talk and one last push, but I made it. By the time I got to the free fall straight off a ledge to end the course, I was more than ready to jump.

Back safe on the ground, I felt tired but accomplished.

“Should we try the Black?” Becca asked.

“No,” I told my childless companion. “It’s late. I have to get my kid.” Always a perfect excuse.

While my toddler son is too young to take on Boundless Adventures with me, the park is a perfect day venture for children and families. It’s open to kids ages 7 and up, and with the course’s varying difficulties, there is something for everyone. It’s also self-guided (but don’t worry, trained monitors are stationed throughout the park) so you can go at your own pace and take breaks as the kids (or you, really) need to.

Owner Brian Funtleyder said his children were part of the inspiration for opening the park. “My kids were very young and we decided to try an adventure park,” he told WCVB’s Chronicle. “And I found that once they climbed

they found a confidence we never knew that they had. And we kind of looked at ourselves and said, how can we bring this closer to home?”

A three-hour climbing pass is $50 for children 7-11, or $56 for ages 12 and up. Spectators get in free of charge, making it easy for parents or grandparents to watch even if they don’t want to try the course themselves.

The park opens for weekends only in early April, and will be open daily in the summer.

Boundless Adventures will also offer a summer program for children ages 8 and up, July 20-24. Over the week, the program will meet daily from 3-6 p.m. The cost is $250.

Kids with limited experience will be given the opportunity to improve on the basics, while more advanced climbers will be able to traverse harder courses than they would be allowed to do with their parents. There will also be team-building activities and guided support.

“It’s something a little different from the traditional summer day camp,” said owner Lorrie Funtleyder.

More information is at boundlessadventures.net.