“A book is a gift you can open again and again” — Garrison Keller
This is the time of year when we think about giving gifts. Teach Peace Now has a simple answer to gift giving. Give your child, give your children, give your students, give each other–
BOOKS!
Books allow us to experience the lives or others, learn different ways to solve problems, and make us consider great truths.
“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”
— Jacqueline Kennedy
This month we will be reviewing a wide-range of children’s books some brand new, some classics that every child should read or should have read to them.
Let’s start with the ABCs…
A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara
Small enough to slip in a pocket or take on a trip, each page features a letter or number and most importantly words chosen to open minds and develop compassion and human values
These two tiny board books are perfect for our toddlers and youngest readers but contain enough detail to intrigue older minds as well. Rhymes, poems and a tiny mouse scampering from page to page in A is for Activist will appeal to active little ones. But don’t be fooled. Each letter doesn’t get just one word — but many.
A wise reader will gear their approach to the age and understanding of their audience. For older children the words and historical figures may provide the perfect motivation for a search through the dictionary or a visit to the research section of the public library. The array of objects on each page of the cultural diverse Counting on Community will inspire many different was to add up sums. Recommended for ages toddler to adults
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee
Akira to Zoltan: Twenty-Six Men Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee
The beautiful collages and simple biographies in Chin-Lee’s books are a wonderful introduction to some of the marvelous women and men who had made change in our world. Too bad our alphabet limited to only twenty-six. Nevertheless, you are sure to find some women and men you didn’t know before. Simplified in the retelling, these books make a great read aloud for primary students and a great starting point for intermediate grades who will be motivated to want to learn more about these people. Chin-Lee has provided a detailed lesson plan for using these NCSS Notable Tradebooks. Consider also having students put on role plays, or dress up and act out a moment from each person’s life.
Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History…and Our Future! by Kate Schatz
This quote says it all -“This is not a book. This is a guest list for a party of my heroes. Thank you for inviting us.”–Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events books
Featuring artists, lawyers, athletes, writers, and more, this book introduces middle school readers to women who have not been satisfied with the world the way they found it. Many struggled against adversity, some, like Rachel Carson, are still reviled. But what each and every one has is the power to make our young people say – “I could do that!”
A great follow up activity is to have students make their own alphabet books featuring the women who didn’t fit in this one – the letter Xs – the still unknown – the women they know who make a difference in their own lives.
These books are all available from the major online book sellers, but consider purchasing them from local bookstores.
“There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.” —May Ellen Chase
We welcome your thoughts and comments.
