Telling my daughter she is wonderful, beautiful, smart, funny and a great girl is something I try to do daily. I notice it has helped her (for the most part) listen and behave better, and has given her a boost of confidence. Every day women and girls are bombarded with TV shows, movies, music and books giving them the wrong impressions of themselves. They aren’t smart enough, pretty enough, or skinny enough in today’s society. I think empowering your daughter and making her feel worthwhile is the best antidote. Halle is only 4, but I think letting her know now will help her when she is older. So I have been gradually getting books that let her know she is awesome, no matter what! These are our favorites! **NOTE** Confidence building books for girls have come a long way since this post was written, and you can check out more titles HERE.
Confidence Building Books for Girls
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
This book is about a princess named Elizabeth, who is looking for her prince charming. After her castle and elegant clothes are burned by a dragon, she dons a paper bag, and sets out to find her prince. Come to find out when she meets him, he is is not-so charming. He tells her she is dirty and smells like ashes. She won’t put up with that! She says he is handsome but useless! A great lesson in showing that life won’t always have a happy ending, but girls can make their own happy ending and be empowered!
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
This darling book is about a little bucked tooth girl, named Molly Lou Melon. She moves to a new school where she finds it hard to make friends, but with her grandma’s confidence and encouragement she finds her talent and lots of new friends!
I’m Gonna Like Me by Jamie Lee Curtis
This book goes through a little boy and girls day, telling about their ups and downs, triumphs and mishaps. It also celebrates every child’s uniqueness. The end goes like this: “I’m gonna like me. I already do! but enough about ME– How about YOU?”
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
This is both Halle and my favorite! The pictures are great. This is about a little girl, with crazy curly hair and her dog who tell about all the reason’s she likes herself. And she likes everything about herself because she’s her! It reinforces self esteem builders that kids can’t hear enough!
After hearing things over and over, kids start thinking it. Reading these books will reinforce those thoughts!
