Queen Girls books with real women as heroines in these must-read fairy tales.

The heroes of these fantastic fairy tales? Real women. (Really.)

When it comes to imaginative stories and tales, my kids have always been somewhat confused by what's real and what's make-believe. This is especially true of anything Star Wars ("Did his hand really come off?"), Harry Potter ("Do house elves really exist?"), and fairy tales ("Can someone really have hair that long?"). But now, they'll get the Yes-es they've been looking for. And it will surely blow their minds.

Related: Girl power! Empowering books for girls

In Queen Girls stories, the heroes don't wait for a magical kiss from a handsome prince, or a swift flick of the wand from a fairy godmother who can quick-fix their lives. These stories are based on real women in history.

Real kickass women, doing real kickass things.

There's a book on Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn her pilot's license; and soon there'll be the tale of Isadora Duncan, a ballerina who is known for starting the modern dance movement, and Savitribai Phule, women's rights activist and founder of the first school for women in India.

Considering Queen Girls gorgeously illustrated books didn't just meet its Kickstarter goal (in one week, no less), but blew it out of the water, we're guessing these three books are just the beginning.

And, like every good fairy tale, there's an intriguing plot twist: For every book you order, Queen Girls will donate another to an organization around the world that is fighting illiteracy.

Huh. Maybe there is such a thing as happily ever after.

You can pre-order the first book, Bessie, Queen of the Sky from Queen Girls Publications, on Indiegogo now.

Share this story

Pin

More in KidsView all picks →

Illustration of three smartphones and a kids' smartwatch with location, signal and Wi-Fi icons
Sponsored

Phone plans for kids, compared: what a first phone line really costs in 2026

From free lines to $65 a month: what a kid's phone plan costs at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and the cheaper carriers, plus kid-safe phones and watches.

Bijou Build adaptable and portable playgrounds

Bijou Build: a modular outdoor playset that grows with your family

Start with the Mainstay and add accessories over time • Panels are woven from recycled water bottles and resist moisture and UV

Collage of holiday gifts for kids, including a Ms. Rachel Toniebox, a LEGO Wallace & Gromit set, a gingerbread house inflatable bed, a drawing robot, a scooter and a red wagon

The Cool Mom Picks 2026 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Our annual holiday gift guide for kids: screen-free favorites, LEGO, bikes, books, cozy PJs and the hot toys kids are asking for this year.