Review... Herstory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook the World by Katherine Halligan and Sarah Walsh

Life is extremely worrying. Right now we are dealing with a global pandemic whilst in the midst of the driest spring on record, as cities across the world show their rage at prejudice and discrimination that is still so distressingly prevalent in global society. These are all pressing issues which need our attention. Such issues are overwhelming enough for adults, let alone children who may view their future with trepidation.They may feel as though the frightening things, the problematic things,the overwhelming things will never change.

Herstory: 50 Women and Girls who Shook the World (published by Nosy Crow, written by Katherine Halligan and illustrated by Sarah Walsh) provides a balm to allay these fears. A thought provoking compendium of the biographies of fifty innovators, artists, healers, scientists, leaders, writers, activists, musicians and many other professions and callings, shows the merit of the actions of individuals who changed the world for the better.

Many of these women and girls have historically played second fiddle despite the weight of their achievements and the significance of their actions. Herstory brings their stories to life and is a lively and compelling introduction for children about powerful women through history. 

I must impress that Herstory is very much an introduction to these figures, as well as various difficult concepts and ideas which are presented very simply to their audience. The reader is not patronised: they can choose for themselves who they research further and reach their own conclusions. The book is split into different sections such as 'Imagine and Create', 'Help and Heal', 'Believe and Lead', 'Hope and Overcome' and 'Think and Solve' - it is clear that these women and girls are being celebrated for their qualities above anything else. The book is also equipped with a handy glossary and timeline to give the true scholarly experience; beautiful illustrations also help to make this a vibrant and eye catching read.

The most important point this book manages to impress upon its young audience is how women have been powerful figures in both our recent and distant history across the globe. We are taken through history from the life of the Ancient Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut (born around 1504 -1458 BC) up to Malala Yousafzai (born in 1997) - we meet figures such as Mary Seacole and Rosalind Franklin along the way. Herstory encourages its readers to look further into history, beyond the version we have been taught,and to see into the lives of figures who have been marginalised or ignored. No more! A worthy addition to any library or bookshelf.