The heroes of these fantastic fairy tales? Real women. (Really.)

When it comes to imaginative stories and tales, my kids have always been somewhat confused by what's real and what's make-believe. This is especially true of anything Star Wars ("Did his hand really come off?"), Harry Potter ("Do house e…

Queen Girls books with real women as heroines in these must-read fairy tales.
When it comes to imaginative stories and tales, my kids have always been somewhat confused by what's real and what's make-believe. This is especially true of anything Star Wars ("Did his hand really come off?"), Harry Potter ("Do house elves really exist?"), and fairy tales ("Can someone really have hair that long?"). But now, they'll get the Yes-es they've been looking for. And it will surely blow their minds.

Related: Girl power! Empowering books for girls

In Queen Girls stories, the heroes don't wait for a magical kiss from a handsome prince, or a swift flick of the wand from a fairy godmother who can quick-fix their lives. These stories are based on real women in history.

Real kickass women, doing real kickass things.

There's a book on Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn her pilot's license; and soon there'll be the tale of Isadora Duncan, a ballerina who is known for starting the modern dance movement, and Savitribai Phule, women's rights activist and founder of the first school for women in India.

Considering Queen Girls gorgeously illustrated books didn't just meet its Kickstarter goal (in one week, no less), but blew it out of the water, we're guessing these three books are just the beginning.

And, like every good fairy tale, there's an intriguing plot twist: For every book you order, Queen Girls will donate another to an organization around the world that is fighting illiteracy.

Huh. Maybe there is such a thing as happily ever after.

You can pre-order the first book, Bessie, Queen of the Sky from Queen Girls Publications, on Indiegogo now.

More in KidsView all picks →

Q&A with children's book creator LeUyen Pham

Q&A with children's book creator LeUyen Pham

If you've been following us lately, you know how excited we are about our new Q&A books series. The chance to chat with authors like Sophie Blackall , LeUyen Pham, and the others coming up soon has been thrilling and delightful. And we'r…

Hanna Andersson: The pajamas we splurge on because they last forever

Hanna Andersson: The pajamas we splurge on because they last forever

Some kids’ pajamas are cute for approximately five minutes—and then they’re stretched out, faded, or covered in breakfast and stained forever. If you’re going to spend a little more on children’s sleepwear, it makes sense to choose somet…

Cool clothes for stylish kids

Cool clothes for stylish kids

Some kids’ shopping feels like a treasure hunt—in the best possible way. Maisonette is the online destination for moms who want children’s clothes, toys, accessories, and home finds that feel a little more special than the usual lineup. …