We are helpers, we are sanctuaries, and we are here to serve. On Friday, ALSC published the Unity. Kindness. Peace. booklist for librarians, parents, caregivers, teachers and other caring adults faced with children asking tough questions about the recent election and looking for positive ways to take action. Thank you, Quicklists Consulting Committee, for your rapid response to this need. The booklist is available for free download on the ALSC website at www.ala.org/alsc/unitykindnesspeace.
“In the midst of turmoil, children look to us, the adults surrounding them for clues about how to express their thoughts and feelings,” ALSC Vice President/President Elect Nina Lindsay.
We are committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. Let us continue this important work by supporting one another and in turn our community.
Help spread this resource by sharing this post, using the booklist and adding your suggested titles in the comments field.
- What books would you add?
- How are you using books to foster unity, kindness and peace?
- How are you creating a safe space for the imagination to act, process and revive?
In consideration of ALSC’s 501c3 status, please limit your comments to book suggestions and how the books might be used. Those seeking to comment on the election should seek other platforms. Comments will be moderated to reflect this.
Graham, Bob. How to Heal A Broken Wing. Candlewick Press. 2008. 9780763639037
Halperin, Wendy. Peace. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2013. 9780689825521
Leaf, Munro. Illus. by Robert Lawson. The Story of Ferdinand. Penguin Young Readers Group. 2011. 9780448456942
Lovell, Patty. Illus. by David Catrow. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon. G.P. Putnam’s and Sons. 2001. 9780399234163
Nelson, Kadir. If You Plant a Seed. Balzer+Bray. 2015. 9780062298898
Pinkney, Jerry. The Lion and the Mouse. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. 9780316013567
Seuss, Dr. Horton Hears a Who. Random House Books for Young Readers. 1954. 9780394800783
Stein, David Ezra. The Nice Book. Penguin Young Readers Group. 2013. 9780399165344
Parr,Todd. The Peace Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. 9780316043496
Radunsky, Vladimir. What Does Peace Feel Like? Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2004. 9780689866760
Rania, Queen consort of Abdullah II King of Jordan with Kelly DiPucchio. Illus. by Tricia Tusa. The Sandwich Swap. Disney-Hyperion Books. 2010. 9781423124849
Roberts, Justin. Illus. by Christian Robinson. The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade. Penguin Young Readers Group. 2014. 9780399257438
Stead, Philip C. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Roaring Brook Press. 2010. 9781596434028
Verdick, Elizabeth. Illus. by Marieka Heinlen. Words Are Not For Hurting. Free Spirit Publishing. 2004. 9781575421568
Willems, Mo. Can I Play Too? Hyperion Books for Children. 2010. 9781423119913
Woodson, Jacqueline. Illus. by Earl B. Lewis. Each Kindness. Penguin Young Readers Group. 2012. 9780399246524
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Christy Estrovitz is the Manager of Youth Services for San Francisco Public Library and chair of ALSC Public Awareness Committee. She can be reached at christy.estrovitz@sfpl.org.
Photo credit of display: Mary R. Voors, Allen County Public Library
Laura Simeon
What a wonderful resource! I’d like to recommend also: Look Up! by Jung Jin-Ho, King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan, Lend a Hand: Poems about Giving by John Frank, and The Peace Tree from Hiroshima by Sandra Moore.
Mary Schreiber
Just finished reading Teddy & Co. by Cynthia Voigt ; illustrations by Paola Zakimi. Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. 9780553511604. It’s a chapter book that would make for a great read aloud and is perfect for discussion.
Meagan
Thank you for the booklist inspiration! I added a few more to mine:
Because of You by B. G. Hennessy
Pinduli by Janell Cannon
Albert the Fix-it Man
Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz
Celebrating Differences series by Melissa Higgins
Marissa
This is a great list! We like to feature books that celebrate our differences and that encourage kindness. Here are a few of our favorites:
Whoever You Are (Mem Fox)
It’s Ok to Be Different (Todd Parr)
I Like Myself! (Karen Beaumont)
I’m New Here (Anne Sibley O’Brien)
Some Monsters Are Different (David Milgrim)
Same, Same, But Different (Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw)
A Rainbow of Friends (P.K. Hallinan)
The Skin You Live In (Michael Tyler)
Wangari’s Trees of Peace (Jeanette Winter)
Good People Everywhere (Lynea Gillen and Kristina Swarner)
Serena Olson
One by Kathryn Otoshi
A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham
Jen
I second One by Kathryn Otoshi, and I would also add:
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
Little Humans by Brandon Stanton
Dianna Burt
I Will Not Eat You by Adam Lehrhaupt, illustrated by Scott Magoon is wonderful and way less philosophical. If a boy dressed as a knight and a dragon can be friends, then there must be hope for us all. I just spent the day reading this to PreK – 2nd graders and it was a hit every time.
Mary Voors
Peace Begins with You by Katharine Scholes
We Are One by Ysaye M. Barnwell, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Kim Tyo-Dickerson
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Kindness and empathy backed up by a commitment to service, family and community.
We are doing classroom reads of this with grades 6, 7 & 8 over the next two weeks to talk about personal agency and taking action.
paul a kelly
Pendleton Preschool Book Project
Virginia Sinkoski
What a beautiful idea!!!! I would also add this children’s book to the list:
NO MATTER WHAT by Debi Gliori
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Liv Hanson
What a thoughtful list! I would kindly suggest The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper, too.
Emily Lu
Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class by Eileen Spinelli
Chester’s Way by Kevin Henkes
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