Fantastic Female Adventurers: Truly amazing tales of women exploring the world

by Lily Dyu

Do you know how it feels to run for 1,900 miles? Or to look down at the earth from a space station? Or to swim alongside a hungry shark?

Fantastic Female Adventurers by Lily Dyu is a collection of fourteen exciting and inspirational stories about the women that do. Follow them on their incredible journeys around the globe.

Ski to the North Pole with Ann Daniels while watching out for polar bears and lethal cracks in the ice. Feel the air beneath your feet as you climb high on a cliff face with Gwen Moffat. Experience the thrill of racing down rocky Himalayan trails with champion runner Mira Rai. Sail the oceans with Ellen MacArthur, the girl who saved up her lunch money to buy her first boat. You’ll even fly into space with Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman. And join Lily on other awesome adventures with Anna McNuff, Sarah Outen, Misba Khan and more – taking you from Everest to the South Pole and all the places in between.

Beautifully illustrated by artist and adventurer Chellie Carroll, Fantastic Female Adventurers will leave you thinking: I can do that, too!

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

152 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2019

Reviews

[Jon Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring children's book with some really interesting stories about a variety of woman. primarily aimed at the plus 7/8 year old market this book is a good investment in time for any young to teen age children, especially boys as it does highlight the endeavours of woman in a positive and inspiring way - something their typical reading does not.
The messages of adventure, danger, conservation, community, compassion, failure, relationships, parenting, companionship, support and friendship come through in the stories. Space travel, trail running, cycling, bikes, round the world travel, climbing, Everest and sailing all feature strongly.

I played it in the car to my 14 year old son. A good move.

Highly recommended.

[Rubery Book Award · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rubery Book Award Shortlisted (2020)

This is a non-fiction book that examines the real-life stories of fourteen daredevil women who have accomplished things that most of us would never even dream of. These include swimming the world’s oceans, skiing to the North Pole and flying into space.
It’s a fascinating book with diverse and valuable role models, some of whom I’d heard of and some I hadn’t. It’s extremely child-friendly, and I particularly liked the global emphasis - there’s a beautiful full-colour map at the front of the book, indicating where the adventures took place. Production values are high, the cover is glossy and attractive and the quirky illustrations are also very pleasing. The coloured pages within the text are particularly appealing. I can’t imagine any child not finding something of interest in this book.

www.ruberybookaward.com

[Adrian Waters]

The intended readership for this book is young women so, as an old man, I'm way outside the target demographic. Nevertheless, I found it very interesting. Many younger people should find it very inspirational. Having read it, I plan to give it to a family with three daughters aged 9 through 14. Hopefully it will encourage them to be ambitious.

[Lee Belbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is short, but certainly inspirational. Written for young people or 'young at heart'. A must read for those who wonder what they are capable of.

[Susan Griggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title fits this book to a T. Aimed at a younger audience, this book delves into the stories of several extraordinary women and their amazing outdoor feats. From sailing oceans, running the Himalayans, swimming the Oceans Seven, skiing the North and South Poles and more, you do not have to be a kid to appreciate the remarkable, and most of the time, ordinary women who take on these amazing outdoor challenges.

This book’s collection of short stories keeps young readers engaged, and I bet this would make a great and positive audiobook to play on the drive to and from school. If you are a fan of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, you will love this book. This nonfiction book will also make the perfect gift for young fans of outdoor adventure.

My favorite quote that sums up the book well is from Beth French, whose goal was to complete the Oceans Seven Challenge (swimming across seven ocean channels across the world). “I hope that anyone who hears my story will write a wish list and try to do the scariest thing on it because you never know where it might lead you.”

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given the popularity of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Fantastic Female Adventurers should be at the top of every parent's list. Inside are 14 stories about female adventurers from all over the globe that cover every sport and environment you can think of. I particularly appreciated that the author, Lily Dyu, included stories from women of all backgrounds. The illustrations were very sweet and colourful, and encapsulated the adventurous spirit of the book. Would definitely recommend!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just had to read this book as my young customer at my library requested it for a very special reason. The book is dedicated to her with some others. It's not often I know the person in the dedication.

What a stunning informational book about female adventurists which the world needs to know about and especially young girls. Be inspired by the women here. I'm pleased to see my hero here, Ellen MacArthur. The other woman, I'm afraid to say, I've not heard of.

I've come across books with references in them and information about the people involved but this list seems to catch my eye and I will have a note of these amazing ladies and look them up.

Brilliantly aimed at young children with beautiful pictures to capture the imagination. Well laid out and thoroughly enjoyable.