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Heroes and Heroines Who Inspire My Ten-Year-Old

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My 10-year-old daughter’s top ten female and male heroines and heroes.

Learning about heroes and heroines who inspire with National Geographic Kids

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We are big fans of the National Geographic Kids books, so we were thrilled to receive two of their new books to review this month. The Book of Heroes and The Book of Heroines cover men and women who share some or all of these qualities:

  • Courage
  • Doing the right thing
  • Compassionate
  • Competent
  • Inspiring
  • Determined – they never quit
  • Leaping to action

The books are full of wonderful photos and easy-to-read stories about each hero and heroine. As you can see, they hold the attention of all four of my children. Animals can be heroes, also, and there is a section honoring them at the back of each book.

Heroes and Heroines Who Inspire My Ten-Year-Old

Here is the list my ten-year-old daughter put together about heroes and heroines who inspire her. She spent a couple of hours going through The Book of Heroes and The Book of Heroines to create her list. You’ll notice that the president and first lady feature prominently. Kids look up to figures in the White House! So please get out and vote today for someone who you feel your child can look up to, or at least someone who you feel okay with visiting your child’s school as President.

There are controversies surrounding some of the people she has listed. Heroes and heroines are imperfect – and that is another important lesson for kids to learn. The Greek Myths can be a great starting point for that lesson for tweens.

My Ten-Year-Old Daughter’s Top Ten Heroes List

My ten-year-old daughter Emma created this list using The Book of Heroes

 from National Geographic Kids. I’ve linked their names to Wikipedia articles, where they exist. Where I couldn’t find a Wikipedia link, I’ve added a link to a news article about the incident Emma is referring to.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama is one of my top 10 heroes because he became the first black president in United States history and he is a good dad as well as being president.

2. George Washington

George Washington is one of my top ten heroes because he had great leadership skills and was a determined man.

3. Cory Booker

Cory Booker is one of my top ten heroes because he saved people from a burning building even though he was the mayor. He acted as a superhero.

4. Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong is one of my top ten heroes because he was the first man on the moon. He made the American dream of going to the moon come true.

5. Jay Jonas

Jay Jonas is one of my top ten heroes because he was trying to escape from a collapsing building but he still stopped to help someone. Learn more about Jay Jonas and this story.

6. Rick Rescorla

Rick Rescorla is one of my top ten heroes because he helped people escape calmly when the building he was in was bombed.

7. Tim Watson

Tim Watson is one of my top ten heroes because he kept cool and used his brain to capture a criminal that boarded his bus. Learn more about Tim Watson and this story.

8. Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin is one of my top ten heroes because he taught people that we don’t have much need to fear dangerous creatures.

9. Percy Spencer

Percy Spencer is one of my top ten heroes because he invented the microwave.

10. Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright

Orville and Wilbur Wright are on my top ten heroes list because they made the first airplane. Without them, we might not be able to ride in planes.

My Ten-Year-Old Daughter’s Top Ten Heroines List

My ten-year-old daughter Emma created this list using The Book of Heroines from National Geographic Kids. I’ve linked their names to Wikipedia articles.

1. Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is one of my top ten heroines because she became the country’s first African American first lady. She also made programs to help us be more healthy.

2. Cleopatra

Cleopatra is one of my top ten heroines because she did so much to regain her throne when it was stolen.

3. Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland is one of my top ten heroines because she became the first African American ballerina and she had to overcome lots of obstacles to become a principal ballerina.

4. Lisa Ling

Lisa Ling is one of my top ten heroines because she became the first woman to become the host for National Geographic’s Explorer series. She also risks her life to tell stories she thinks the public needs to hear.

5. Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley is one of my top ten heroines because she used money she made to benefit others.

6. Sacagawea

Sacagawea is one of my top ten heroines because she helped Lewis and Clark on their expedition.

7. Emma Watson!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emma Watson is one of my top ten heroines because she acted as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies and she stands up for gender equality.

8. Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges is one of my top ten heroines because even though she was six years old and African American in front of a mad mob, she still stood tall.

9. Stephanie Kwolek

Stephanie Kwolek is one of my top ten heroines because she invented Kevlar, which has saved thousands of lives.

10. Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall is one of my top ten heroines because she learned about chimps by acting like one around them, and she made many important discoveries.

Which Heroes and Heroines Inspire you?

Who are your heroes and heroines? Would your children pick any of the people on Emma’s list?

I received this product for free from Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

MaryAnne at Mama Smiles
MaryAnne Kochenderfer
Website

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

5 thoughts on “Heroes and Heroines Who Inspire My Ten-Year-Old”

  3. Ticia

    I find it interesting her heroes list is mostly people on there for single events they did in their life, as opposed to a lifetime of actions. I don’t know why, but it caught my eye. Maybe because they’re otherwise “ordinary” people who suddenly do something extraordinary?

    I’ve always found Cleopatra to be an interesting individual.

  4. Natalie PlanetSmartyPants

    This is a great list from Emma. I am glad that she is inspired by Presidential couple. There is so much hatred going around, it’s good to focus on something positive. I have to ask A to put together her list… Lately, she learned about a genius behind Russian Soviet program, Sergey Korolev, and she is very taken by him :)

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