{ little ladies of literature . twelve books to inspire bold little girls }

Today is International Women's Day, bringing with it the theme of #BeBoldForChange.  Originally I'd planned to share with you women who had inspired me, but then I spotted an instagram post from Some Kind of a Library, sharing the classic "Little Women", talking with fondness of it's central character, Jo March, and I thought how much nicer it would be to share a few of my favourite books, all with strong female lead characters.  There's a mix of classic stories, right through to some modern day heroines, but all would inspire a new generation of little ladies to be bold & chase their dreams, no matter how big, small, silly or sensible.

{ Pippi Longstocking // Heidi // Madeline }

" 'I don't think you have a very nice way with the ladies,' said Pippi.  And she lifted him in her strong arms - and carried him to the birch tree and hung him over a branch.  Then she took the next boy and hung him over another branch. "

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

{ Anne of Green Gables // Little Women // Alice in Wonderland }

" If you feel your value lies in being merely decorative, I fear that someday you may find yourself believing that's all that you really are.  Time erodes all such beauty, but what it cannot diminish is the wonderful workings of your mind:  your humour, your kindness, and your moral courage. "

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

{ Miss Rumphius // Rosie Revere, Engineer // Clarice Bean }

" Life might have it's failures, but this was not it.  The only true failure can come if you quit. "

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty 

{ Coco Chanel // Audrey Hepburn // Frida Kahlo }

" A girl should be two things: who and what she wants. "

Coco Chanel

#BeBoldForChange

{ have an inspiring day }