Behind the Doodle: Sally Ride

I love finding out when people I admire for their accomplishments turn out to also be athletes. Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel in space, and she also competed at the national level in tennis. This "Behind the Doodle" shows how Sally Ride broke barriers throughout her life. If you are interested in women in space, you should check out Tanya Lee Stone's Sibert Award winning book ALMOST ASTRONAUTS: 13 WOMEN WHO DARED TO DREAM. It's an inside look at the women who came before Sally Ride and what they did to make space travel a reality for Sally.

Empowering Picture Books for Sporty Girls

The Paper Bag Princess has long been my favorite picture book. I've read it to nieces, nephews, my own children, on school visits, and multiple times to myself. Robert Munsch crafted this story of a girl who, when her kingdom is set upon by a dragon, outwits the dragon, rescues the prince, and then realizes she doesn't need him after all. *This isn't to say that I don't appreciate my own prince, because I sure do, but I appreciate that The Paper Bag Princess doesn't sit around waiting for something to happen. Instead, she solves the trouble herself, and I adore that in any story.

So, in honor of The Paper Bag Princess, I've found a few roundups I'm linking to below of other great picture books that empower girls. If you have more you'd like to share, please tell me in the comments and I'll add it to our list and read them to my family. We're always on the lookout for the next great read!

Princess Books to Empower Girls - The Artful Parent
(this one has great additional books suggestions in the comments, as well)

Six Books for Princesses You'll Actually Want Your Daughter to Read - Modern Parents Messy Kids

Books About Women Who Changed History - No Time for Flash Cards

Athlete of the Month: Sam Haiby

Sam Hailby
Photo from Grand Folks Herald
Carrie Snyder / The Forum

This story comes to us from Baseball for All and the Grand Folks Herald. It's about Sam Haiby, an all around athlete who is currently playing baseball with the boys for Moorhead High School in Minnesota. Sam has never had trouble playing with the boys. It's just what she does. According to the article, the only thing that stands in her way is having to pick one sport over an other.

Read more about our athlete of the month, Sam Haiby here: Sam Haiby striking out gender roles playing baseball with the boys.