Books
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2019 Book Selection
Suggested age: Preschool through 3rd grade
I Am Human: A Book of Empathy
by Susan Verde
I am human
I am a work in progress
Striving to be the best version of ME
From the picture book dream team behind I Am Yoga and I Am Peace comes the third book in their wellness series: I Am Human. A hopeful meditation on all the great (and challenging) parts of being human, I Am Human shows that it’s okay to make mistakes while also emphasizing the power of good choices by offering a kind word or smile or by saying “I’m sorry.” At its heart, this picture book is a celebration of empathy and compassion that lifts up the flawed fullness of humanity and encourages children to see themselves as part of one big imperfect family—millions strong.
Author’s website: susanverde.com
Suggested Activities: coming soon
Suggested age: Preschool through 2nd grade and beyond
What Does Peace Feel Like?
by Vladimir Radunsky.
“In this timely exercise, well worth repeating in any home or school, Radunsky interviews elementary students at the Ambrit International School in Rome. Each inviting spread addresses one of the five senses and gives the interviewees’ often poetic thoughts on peace; the author/artist treats the children’s answers seriously, without making them seem precious or cute.
The final page translates the word “peace” into almost 200 languages, implying the world population’s ideals.
Kindness emanates from this volume, which proposes a simple but effective experiment for contemplating peace.“
Author’s website: vladimirradunsky.com
Suggested Activities:
1. http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/What-Does-Peace-Feel-Like/Vladimir-Radunsky
2. http://www.peacefulschools.com/curriculum-and-resources/literature-guides/lit-guide-what-does-peace-feel
Suggested age: 2nd through 5th grade
Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights
by Rob Sanders
Protesting. Standing up for what’s right. Uniting around the common good—kids have questions about all these things they see and hear about each day. Through sparse and lyrical writing, Rob Sanders introduces abstract concepts like “fighting for what you believe in” and turns them into something actionable. Jared Schorr’s bold, bright illustrations bring the resistance to life making it clear that one person can make a difference. And together, we can accomplish anything.
Author’s website: robsanderswrites.com
This link shows some pages from the book: coolmompicks.com/blog/2018/09/24/peaceful-fights-for-equal-rights-rob-sanders-jared-andrew-schorr/
Suggested Activities: coming soon
Suggested age: 2nd through 5th grade
Be The Change
by Arun Gandhi
In this breathtaking companion to the award-winning Grandfather Gandhi, Arun Gandhi, with Bethany Hegedus, tells a poignant, personal story of the damage of wastefulness, gorgeously illustrated by Evan Turk. At Grandfather Gandhi’s service village, each day is filled, from sunrise to sunset, with work that is done for the good of all. The villagers vow to live simply and non-violently. Arun Gandhi tries very hard to follow these vows, but he struggles with one of the most important rules: not to waste. How can throwing away a worn-down pencil hurt anyone? How can wastefulness lead to violence? With the help of his grandfather, Arun learns how every wasteful act, no matter how small, affects others. And in time he comes to understand the truth of his grandfather’s words: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Author’s website: arungandhi.org
Suggested Activities:
1. www.grandfathergandhi.com/the-books/be-the-change
2. www.grandfathergandhi.com/educators-librarians/ed-btc/
Suggested age: 3rd through 8th grade
“Ahimsa”
by Supriya Kelkar
In 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi asks Indians to give one family member to the freedom movement, ten-year-old Anjali is devastated to think of her father risking his life for the freedom struggle.
But it turns out he isn’t the one joining. Anjali’s mother is. And with this change comes many more adjustments designed to improve their country and use “ahimsa”–non-violent resistance–to stand up to the British government. First the family must trade in their fine foreign-made clothes for homespun cotton, so Anjali has to give up her prettiest belongings. Then her mother decides to reach out to the Dalit community, the “untouchables” of society. Anjali is forced to get over her past prejudices as her family becomes increasingly involved in the movement.
When Anjali’s mother is jailed, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother’s work, ensuring that her little part of the independence movement is completed.
Inspired by her great-grandmother’s experience working with Gandhi, New Visions Award winner Supriya Kelkar shines a light on the Indian freedom movement in this poignant debut.
Author’s website: supriyakelkar.com
Suggested Activities:
1. www.leeandlow.com/books/ahimsa/teachers_guide
General ideas for a peaceful classroom
1. http://www2.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter/files/rituals_toolkit_10.30.2012_0.pdf