Rad American Women A-Z

A book for children — and their parents, teachers, and cool grown-up friends — documenting America’s famous and unsung heroines

“We see so many books (children’s or otherwise) pass through the offices of Parents every day; most of them are shiny, vibrant, playful, educational, silly–and just plain fun. But when another editor friend of mine passed along the information for a new release, Rad American Women A-Z, I knew that it was something special.”–Brooke Bunce, Parent’s Magazine“Rad American Women A-Z Is The Empowering Book Both Girls And Boys Need.”–Caroline Bolgona, Huffington Post Parents
“This is the only alphabet where A stands for Angela Davis and Z stands for Zora Neale Hurston–and you haven’t learned it, yet. Writer Kate Schatz and artist Miriam Klein Stahl have radical ambitions to amplify your vocabulary of women’s history with their new children’s picture book, Rad American Women A-Z…Schatz and Stahl are hoping to teach young boys and girls–and their mothers, fathers, caregivers, siblings, and teachers–about strong women who have made waves and inspired change. The thoughtfully compiled group of women spans the spectrum in terms of ethnicity, industry of work, age, and era–but all were essential contributors to American history.”–Noel Yuan, Yahoo News
“March is Women’s History Month. Just in time is this alphabetical pantheon of American women. The qualifier in the title is ‘rad,’ short for ‘radical’ and defined at the outset as a person who wants big changes or something very different, or as slang for ‘cool.’ From Angela Davis to Zora Neal Hurston, 26 women get their due with a mini bio and a hip portrait. Emphasis is on obstacles and accomplishments, the women’s missteps not included. Alphabet books impose an artificial constraint, in this case one letter, one woman. How to choose? Maya Lin over Margaret Sanger (M). Sonia Sotomayor over Susan B. Anthony (S). Tough calls. As locals, the publisher, author and illustrator share a Left Coast appreciation for their heroines–rebels, trailblazers and visionaries who might inspire kids to action in their own communities.”–Susan Faust, San Francisco Chronicle“Rad American Women A To Z, by Kate Schatz and wonderfully illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl, is a fantastic book for any child, but especially for girls. I think it’s so important that young girls realize all the amazing things women have accomplished throughout history, because, sadly, I don’t think they hear enough about it in school, even today. I am happy to say I have heard about most of the women in this book, but there were several that I did not know about and I am so impressed with their strength and courage in the face of great odds. We have to let the young people of today know that anything and everything is possible, and this book is a simple, yet inspiring way to let them know that women have been getting it done forever!”–Mary Engelbreit, renowned artist and children’s book illustrator
“Rousing tributes to 26 women who didn’t keep their heads or voices down. Reserving ‘X’ for ‘the women whose names we don’t know,’ Schatz presents an unusually diverse gallery of activists. Along with the predictable likes of the Grimke sisters, Billie Jean King and Zora Neale Hurston, it includes Patti Smith, blacklisted musical prodigy Hazel Scott, Mexican-American journalist Jovita Idar and transgender performance artist Kate Bornstein. Furthermore, the author extends her definition of ‘radical’ beyond the arenas of politics and social causes to include Florence Griffith-Joyner (‘Who showed us how to run like a girl’), Rachel Carson, Temple Grandin and Dr. Virginia Apgar (developer of the Apgar Score for newborns). . . . A ‘rad’ alternative to less-inclusive albums, such as Cynthia Chin-Lee, Megan Halsey and Sean Addy’s Amelia to Zora (2005).”–Kirkus Reviews“This lively abecedary introduces 25 inspiring women and their accomplishments, from environmentalist Rachel Carson (‘R is for Rachel’) and rocker Patti Smith to lesser-known history-makers like Wilma Mankiller, who became the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and transgender author/artist Kate Bornstein. Schatz opens with a discussion of different meanings of rad/radical (‘A radical can be a person who wants to make big changes in society’), and the snappy mini-biographies that follow hit the highlights of the women’s lives and legacies in an accessible, conversational tone. Bright hues provide backdrops for Stahl’s angular cut-paper portraits, which emphasize the subjects’ power, humor, and strength. The letter X ‘is for the women whose names we don’t know…For the women who aren’t in the history books, or the Halls of Fame…The women who made huge changes and the women who made dinner.’ This inspiring and diverse tribute to artists, journalists, sports phenoms, judges, and more culminates with an energizing A–Z list of ’26 Things That You Can Do to Be Rad!’ and a reading list to encourage further exploration.”–Publishers Weekly“Colorful and hip portraiture create a visual sensation that immediately draws in readers. Profiled are 26 American women from the 18th through 21st centuries, who have made–or are still making–history as artists, writers, teachers, lawyers, or athletes. The women come from a variety of economic and ethnic backgrounds and many had to overcome extreme hardships. One woman represents each alphabetical letter beginning with Angela Davis, an activist, teacher, and writer, and concludes with Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist and writer. Readers will also encounter Carol Burnett, the Grimke Sisters, Lucy Parsons, Rachel Carson, and Sonia Sotomayor, among others. Interestingly, the letter X is designated for the women, ‘we haven’t learned about yet, and the women whose stories we will never read.’ The book’s conclusion challenges readers to be strong and to make a difference in their own communities and suggests 26 things that students can do to be rad. VERDICT Classes across the curriculum can utilize this informative book.”–Patricia Ann Owens, School Library Journal“Ever wanted a women-centric history book to hand to a kid? This March, publisher City Lights/Sister Spit is releasing an exciting new book that tells the stories of 26 important American women, one for each letter of the alphabet. Rad American Women features biographies of women from Angela Davis to Zora Neale Huston. Author Kate Schatz and illustrator Miriam Klein Stahl highlight a great selection of women–the group is diverse in terms of race, era, and in their field of work, ranging from scientists to writers and activists.”–Sarah Mirk, Bitch Magazine“Angela Davis. Billie Jean King. Carol Burnett. The first three women in this fantastic ABC book set the tone for what’s to come: visionary, bold, diverse role models for an array of children today. Each page, with a modern illustration, a brief biography, and an uplifting overview of her accomplishments, will inspire young world-changers both in social studies classrooms and at home. Ages eight and up.”–Foreword Reviews“Moms and dads everywhere, take note. Indoctrinating your wee ones into your feminist girl gang just got a little easier. This illustrated book teaches kids (and adults) the A, B, Cs of American feminist history with vivid illustrations by Miriam Klein Stahl. A is for Angela Davis, B is for Billie Jean King, C is for Carol Burnett, and so on & so on, be still my beating heart.”–Marisa Crawford, Weird Sister“There might be something more exciting than an illustrated alphabet of American heroines both famous and unsung, but I’m not sure what that thing would be. Created with children (and their parents, teachers, and interested adults) in mind, this book features one important woman for each letter of the alphabet in a one-page biography. It’s a marvelous, simple idea executed beautifully.”–Rebecca Joines Schinsky, Book Riot“Accompanied by brightly colored illustrations, this would be a fantastic book to use in the classroom for Women’s History Month. Since the entries are short, teachers could read one a day. What a great book for #WeNeedDiverseBooks.” –Karen Yingling, Goodreads Librarian with over 2000 reviews
“From Angela Davis to Zora Neale Hurston, the sto­ries are enlight­en­ing, sur­pris­ing, and mov­ing, and the voice that tells them is sharp. . . . It’s a his­tory and a how-to that reminds us how much our fore­moth­ers did for us and how much still needs be done.”–Zoe Balaconis, misadventuresmag.com
“For the future of our budding feminists, read this book to your kids. Read it yourself, even. It’s a scant quarter inch thick, with a page for each letter of the alphabet, and beautiful woodblock prints of each rad woman.”–Julia Park Tracey, Sweatpants & Coffee.com
“Like Howl, Rad American Women could find itself banned or playing major role in shifting American cultural education. Either way, it stands as an important reminder of the power of language and the importance of fighting for your beliefs, no matter the odds.”–Daniel Villarreal, Unicorn Booty
“Why just learn your ABCs when you can be empowered by them? A new illustrated children’s book from iconic City Lights press, Rad American Women A-Z, offers kids the chance to educate themselves on women’s history and the alphabet at the same time.”–Laura Feinstein, Good Magazine“Rad American Women A-Z is a truly inclusive alphabet book for all readers, and even comes with suggested activities, ’26 things that you can do to be rad,’ a resource guide, books about rad women, further reading, and a list of websites and organizations. Great for home use, this book is also perfect for libraries and classrooms to incorporate into diverse curriculums. Recommended: Highly, ages 5+.”–Yu-Han Chao, Mixed Diversity Reads
“This book is perfect for any parent seeking out herstory to add to all the history we are taught. I even learned some tactics for calling out sexism in public spaces.”—Rhea St Julien, Hip Mama“The introduction to this abecedary asks what it means to be rad, and then explores the many ways women have been radical throughout history: from the Latin meaning ‘from the root’ to being something out of the ordinary. The book features a multicultural cast of women from Angela Davis to Dolores Huerta to Maya Lin and Wilma Mankiller in careers as varied as comedy, athletics, dance, aviation, ecology, and law. The 26 one-page biographies are well written, readable introductions to these women and how they made an impact on the world. The book ends with an alphabet of 26 things readers can do to be rad, and a resource guide lists books, websites, and organizations of interest to readers who want more information or who want to start making a difference now.”–Linda Parsons, Literacy Daily
“Rad American Women A-Z and 14 Other Picture Books Adults Will Love Maybe Even More Than Children:” “Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future! is your typical alphabet-learning picture book, but this time, every letter of the alphabet stands for an American woman that has shaped our history and culture. We’re talking people varied from Patti Smith to Zora Neale Hurston to the Grimke Sisters. Basically, it is one badass picture book. And let’s just be upfront: I want this book, badly, and I am in no way, shape, or form, a child.”–Caitlin White, Bustle
“The artwork in this book is very expressive, making the book pop out and causing me to read the book more than I would have without the artwork. The fact that the book an A-Z book was a smart choice because usually A-Z books are like “A for Apple” “B for Banana”. We all know fruits, but we don’t know about super rad women who shaped our world.”–Nadia, San Francisco, CA age 12
“I really think that this book should be included in schools, it helps you learn about rad American women and it is important because if you do not know about these women you may never change the world like they did.”–Mila, San Francisco, CA, age 9