In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl. The day seeks to bring awareness to the unique challenges facing young girls around the world. 

Today, 133 million girls are out of school. Over 12 million girls each year are married before reaching adulthood. Almost half of adolescent girls do not finish upper secondary school. These facts go on and on, and they are bleak. It is easy to feel dejected that even after so much progress has been made for women, there are still so many women and girls in the world that live with injustice and violence for the sole reason that they were born female.  

Here at The Collective Book Studio, we are a women-owned business that values the positive impact of reading an education for all children. We all have mothers, sisters, children, friends, and coworkers that we love and want to protect. While it can feel hopeless to make change in the world, don’t give up. One of the most important things we can do is have these conversations, speak about these issues, and share our stories, rather than sweeping it under the rug and pretending that everything is alright. 

Honoring girls goes beyond a single day—it means taking action throughout the year. Stay informed, participate in local elections, and show up for community conversations about the issues affecting women and girls. Keep reading and sharing stories that celebrate their strength, too. Readers of all ages deserve to see girls and women shaping their own futures, making a difference, and defining happily ever after for themselves.

From real women making history to girls finding their own way, these books celebrate the power of sharing our stories and shaping our futures.

History-making gals: Women Shaping the West

Fabulous women live all around the world, but this book by Lindsay Linton Buk highlights the gals from Wyoming who continue to shape history by being their truest selves. From CEOs and government officials, to painters and language preservationists, these women reach for the stars and turn the true symbol of the “Cowboy State” into the “Cowgirl.” 

Share your experiences: The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide

With the help of veteran editors Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty, “write a book that you – and only you – can write.” From preparing your initial idea and mapping your plan to writing and publishing, this book gives you a step-by-step guide with adept advice and trouble-shooting tips. We wouldn’t be where we are today without women sharing their stories, so pick up a pen (and this book) and start writing!

Fairy tales with substance: The Paper Princess

“‘I’ll finish myself!’ the princess called.” This princess doesn’t let other people define her as she takes a journey on the wind towards self discovery. When others scribble on her or crumple her up, she just keeps moving, focused on her goal of getting home. The princess returns in this beloved classic by Elisa Kleven, full of whimsy, imagination, and strength, ready to show children that setbacks should never define them – they define themselves. 

Girls who explore: Luna and the Lost Cove

For young girls who love to explore, pick up Luna and the Lost Cove, written and illustrated by Aria Joy Prichard. Luna is a mermaid who doesn’t quite fit in. But instead of letting that make her insecure, she uses her differences to create something special. These mermaids aren’t just sparkly – they’re also kind, capable, and adventurous.