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RESOURCES – Bibliographies; Peace Education Literature for Children

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Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Working Toward Peace

Cherishing Diversity

Children All Over the World

Community, Caring & Respect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Best Day of the Week, (1998) by Nancy Carlsson-Paige
Calvin and Angela are best friends, but find themselves in a conflict situation that escalates to name calling and putdowns.  They discover a way to resolve their conflict so that both of them are happy.
    This book can be used as a curriculum guide for elementary school grades for conflict resolution.
    Ages 4-8.

Enemy Pie (2000) by Derek Munson
A new boy in the neighborhood becomes Jeremy Ross’s Enemy Number One.  His Dad has a surefire way to get rid of enemies – Enemy Pie…but one of the ingredients is spending an entire day with the enemy.  Ages 4-8.

The Hunter and the Animals(1981) by Tomie de Paola
A wordless picture book about a hunter that wakes up early, dresses, gets his rifle, and heads to the forest to hunt.  While he takes a nap, the frightened forest animals remove his gun and ammunition pouch.  He awakens in the night, frightened, and soon the forest animals are bringing him food, and then returning his gun, which he breaks over his knee. Ages 4-8.

The Island of the Skogg (1993) Steven Kellogg
A boat of city-mice sail the seas looking for a peaceful place to live.  After being frightened by an unknown enemy, they discover how cooperation and compromise can bring about peace. Ages 4-10. 

It's Mine (1996) by Leo Leoni
Three frogs bicker all day long, but when a storm arrives, they realize that they need to share to survive. Ages 3-8.

The Knight and the Dragon, (1998) by Tomie De Paola
A knight who has never fought a dragon and an equally inexperienced dragon prepare to meet each other in battle.  The ultimate result is a delightful cooperative enterprise. Ages 4-8.

Maggie and the Pirate(1979) by Ezra Jack Keats
 A “pirate” steals Maggie’s cricket!  Maggie and her friends search until they find the pirate’s hideout but when the hideout disintegrates under her, her cricket drowns.  The pirate, who is a new child in the neighborhood, meets with the children and brings a new cricket to Maggie. This is a dramatically illustrated story of conflict and transformation. Ages 4-8.

Matthew and Tilly (1995) by Rebecca C. Jones
This book gives the reader a lovely glimpse of diversity, of urban living, and of peaceful problem solving.  Best friends, Matthew and Tilly, experience the emotional ups and downs of relationship as they quarrel and then reconcile.  Ages 4-8.

The Owl and the Woodpecker (2007) by Brian Wildsmith
Seemingly irreconcilable differences – the owl’s need to sleep and the woodpecker’s need to work during the day leads to a conflict that involves the entire woodland community. Ages 4-8.

Six Crows  (1988). by Leo Lionni,
Crows and a farmer quarrel over a wheat field.  Their conflict nearly causes the demise of the wheat until a wise owl helps them make peace. Ages 4-8.

Swimmy (1973) by  Leo Leoni
As is many of Leo Leoni's books, this book shows how children can be themselves and care about others at the same time.  In this book little fish band together to protect themselves from their natural enemies. Ages 3-8.

What are Friends For?(1998) by Sally Grindley & Penny Dann
A heartwarming tale of a bear and a fox – best friends who learn that friendship includes both joys and challenges. Ages 3-8.

 

 

Working Toward Peace

A Little Peace (2007) Barbara Kerley, National Geographic
Lovely photographs from around the world demonstrating seeds of peace – a shared smile, a helping hand…]  All ages

A Million Visions of Peace: Wisdom From the Friends of Old Turtle, (1996) Susan Gustafson, Ed.
Children and adults from all fifty states responded to Old Turtle with heartfelt words and drawings hoping for a more peaceful world.  All ages

The Conquerors (2004) by David McKee
The futility of war is evident in this modern fable. Troops who intend to conquer a realm are, instead, completely acculturated by the friendly, welcoming citizens. In one especially thought-provoking illustration, one group of soldiers ordered home from the small country meanders along the top of the pages, happily laughing and talking, while their replacements march in strict and very serious formation below. Ages 4-8

From a Distance (1999) by Julie Gold
Based on the song by Nanci Griffith, the words create a vision of a post-war world where people can live in peace, concentrating on their similarities rather from their differences.  The folk art illustrates the transition from peace to war and back to peace and the re-uniting of friends. Best read one-on-one to provide ample time for discussion.  Ages 7-10

Mole Music (2001) by David McPhail
This lovely book suggests that doing something good and right, something creative, that you love (like learning to play the violin), can change the world for the better in ways you are totally unaware of. Mole may have stopped an entire war through his music, as well as soothing the hearts of countless people. Ages 4-8

The Peace Book (2004) by Todd Parr
This book includes colorful and charming drawings of creatures and people demonstrating the many ways to experience peace.  A brightly adorned sheep is accompanied by the words “Peace is giving a friend a hug”; a happy child’s face painted blue is peeking out a window accompanied by the words “Peace is wishing on a star.” All ages

Peace Tales: World Folktales to Talk About (1992) by Margaret Read MacDonald
Contains more than three dozen folktales and proverbs that provide opportunities to think and talk about the little events that lead to war and the little events that lead to peace.  From Booklist: These inventive tales teach without preaching and offer practical solutions to inevitable conflicts. All ages.

Playing War (2005) by Kathy Beckwith
This book affirms the power of friendship and how children can learn from one another.  When a group of friends begin to play their usual war game with sticks and pine cones, a newcomer to the neighborhood explains that he has been in a real war and lost his family.  The children respond after seeing their game in a new light. This book provides a forum for adults and children to feel safe talking about the real human impact of war. Ages 7-12

Somewhere Today:  A Book of Peace (1998), Shelley Moore Thomas
Delightful, vibrant photographs of children and adults acting in kind, peaceful, and loving ways.  All ages

The Wall (1990) by Eve Bunting
A father and his young son have come to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the name of the grandfather the little boy never knew...They share the sadness as well as the pride of having Grandpa’s name there. Ages 4-10

What Does Peace Feel Like? (2003) by Vladmir Radunsky
A lovely book to encourage discussion of the essence of peace and the five senses.  Children from the Ambrit International School in Rome provide similes and metaphors for peace in this lovely picture book. Ages 3-8.

 

 

Cherishing Diversity

A Place where Sunflowers Grow (2006) by Amy Lee-Tai
Winner of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, this book relates experiences of the author's Japanese American grandparents during World War II.  The text includes English alongside a Japanese translation, and celebrates the "sense of purpose and peace" that the act of creation can bring. The illustrations offer a wide-angle view of the daily lives of internees.  Ages 4-9.

All Families are Special (2003) by Norma Simon
Everyone in this class wants to share information about his or her own unique family.  One child tells about flying to China to adopt her sister, another tells about his parent’s divorce, one on how he lives with his parents and grandparents and another how she loves to garden with her two mommies.  Ages 4-8.

All the Colors of the Earth (1999) by Sheila Hamanaka
A beautifully illustrated book.  A biracial couple lovingly gaze at their infant "Love is amber and ivory and ginger and sweet"….The author/illustrator, was inspired by the multiethnic heritage of her own children and by the richness of all the colors children bring to the world. Ages 2-8.

All the Colors We Are(1994) {in Spanish and English} by Katie Kissinger
Using outstanding full-color photographs, "All the colors We Are" illustrates the beautiful diversity of human skin color.  This special book offers young children a simple scientifically accurate explanation for how we get our skin color, thus freeing children from the myths and stereotypes associated with skin color.  A great book for anti-bias curriculum. Ages 2-8.

Amazing Grace(1991) by Mary Hoffman
Everyone should have a copy of this book!  It is a must!  An imaginative African American girl decides she can do anything she puts her mind to. This book has never failed to start a wonderful discussion about fairness and bias. Ages 4-8.

Claudette Colvin:  Twice Toward Justice (2009) by Phillip M Hoose
A winner of the Jane Addams Honor Book Award.
This book brings the story of a 15-year old girl who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger back into the historical records of the Civil Rights Movement. The book is rich with photos and documents, Colvin’s story in her own words and the inspiring concept of the difference that a single young person can make. (Ages 10-up)

Clever Sticks (1991) by Bernard Ashley
Ling Sung doesn’t like school because he doesn’t seem to be good at something like his classmates’ until he discovers that his ability with chop sticks interests and excites his whole class. Ages 4-8.

Brothers (2007) by Yin
A beautifully illustrated book about two young boys who become fast friends during the challenging time of the turn of the century.  One is a Chinese immigrant and the other is an Irish immigrant.  Ages 7-10

The Color of Us (2007) by Karen Katz
Bold illustrations celebrate diversity with a child's open-hearted sensibility and a mother's love.  The book's heartfelt theme:  "Love the skin you're in." Ages 2-8.

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom (2006) by Tim Tingle
This is a story of friendship across cultures in 1800s Mississippi. While searching for blackberries, a young Choctaw breaks her village's rules against crossing the Bok Chitto. She meets and becomes friends with the slaves on the plantation on the other side of the river, and later helps a family escape across it to freedom. A Jane Addams Peace Award Honor Book.  Ages 4-12. 

Faces(1994) by Shelley Rotner & Ken Kreisler
This is a book filled with wonderful, delightful photos of children.  I believe it was created for infants and toddlers, but all ages enjoy looking at the different feelings, facial features, thinking and sleeping faces, "each special in its own way."  Ages infant-5.

Follow the Drinking Gourd (2008) by Jeanette Winter
A beautifully illustrated book depicting a group of away slaves following the directions to freedom hidden within the lyrics of the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd.”  The runaway’s are helped throughout their escape by sympathetic people, both white and black.  Ages 4-8. 

Friends at School (2006) by Rochelle Bunnett
A photo essay that shows pre-school children of mixed abilities busily working and playing at school, illustrating the true meaning of the word "inclusion." Ages 4-8.

Hats off to Hair!(1995) By Virginia Kroll
Lovely paintings of real children from many cultures show us the beauty, the wonder and the diversity of our hair. Ages 3-8.

How My Family Lives in America (1998) by Susan Kuklin
A multicultural consciousness-raiser that uses full color photographs of three families, each with at least one parent who did not grow up in the US, describe some of their adapted family customs.  The young narrators invite readers to see them both as individuals and as proud members of ethnic groups, but ultimately not so different from children everywhere. Ages 7-12.

Jingle Dancer (2000) by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Warm, evocative watercolor illustrations match the author's lyrical style of writing as she tells the story of how a contemporary Muscogee girl turns to her family and community to help her jingle dance have a voice.  Just lovely. Ages 4-10.

My Buddy (1992) by Audrey Osofsky
Buddy is a dog that helps a young boy attain independence and enhances his relationships with his peers.  The boy states, “Buddy is more than my friend.  He’s my arms and legs.” This first-person narrative is beautifully accompanied by graceful watercolor illustrations. Ages 4-10.

On Mother’s Lap (1992) by Ann Herbert Scott. 
The universality of all-encompassing maternal love transcends ethnicity in this lovely book about an Inuit mother and her two children. Ages 2-5.

Something Beautiful (2002) by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
A 7-9 year old girl longs to see beyond the scary sights on the sidewalk and halls of her building.  When her teachers write the word "beautiful" on the blackboard, the girl begins an odyssey to find beauty.  Her neighbors share their own beautiful things - a beautiful fruit store - a beautiful smooth stone - a beautiful fried fish sandwich.  She experiences the beauty of friendship and the power of hope. Ages 4-8. 

The Storyteller’s Candle/La velita de lost cuentos  (2008)   by Lucia Gopnzalez & Lulu Delacre
This is a tribute to a remarkable woman, Pura Belpre, a librarian and storyteller who helped make immigrants from Puerto Rico and elsewhere feel welcome in New York.  Winner of the 2009 Jane Addams Children’s Literature award.  Ages 4-8

Too Many Tamales (1993) by Gary Soto
A warm family story about the children’s well-intended solution to finding a lost ring.  A beautifully illustrated story about love, honesty, trust and forgiveness. Ages 4-10.

Two Eyes, A Nose, and a Mouth (2000) by Roberta Grobel Intratater
Another book for very young childre.  Lovely photographs of all kinds of faces ("noses can be short and wide, or turn out long and bumpy, some are small and curve up and some are kind of lumpy.")  A wonderful point is made by having a two-page spread of multiple images of the same face "Imagine how dull the world would be if everyone looked like you or me." Ages Infant – 5.

The Upside Down Boy/El nino de cabeza (2006) by Juan Felipe Herrara
Juanito is bewildered by his new school.  Everything feels upside down. But a sensitive teacher and loving family help him find his voice through poetry, art and music.  A heart-warming story. Ages 4-8.

We are all Alike…We are all Different(2002) by The Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergarteners
This is a delightful book which was written and illustrated by kindergarten children!  I'm charmed every time I look through it.  Ages 3 – 8.

When the Shadbush Blooms (2007) by Carla Messinger
Warm and beautiful paintings illustrate a magical story of two Lenape girls from different times experiencing the joy of their families, the seasons and the moons.  Ages 4-8.

 

 

Children All Over the World

Any and all of Ann Morris's Around the World Series books! 
They all have magnificent photographs accompanied by simple sentences.  Diversity is her focus.  Children peruse these books again and again!  All ages.

Houses and Homes (1995)
Families (2000)
Loving (1994) [if I had to choose a favorite, this would be it]
Bread, Bread Bread (1993)
Teamwork (1999)
Work (1998)

Any and all of the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) books All ages.

A Life Like Mine:  How children live around the world (2005) unicef DK Publishing
Exploring UNICEF's Rights of the Child programme, this optimistic and life-affirming book relates the different problems and opportunities children face around the world. A wonderful, contemporary look at the lives of 18 children around the world.

Children Just Like Me:  A unique celebration of children around the world (1995) unicef DK Publishing
An outstanding book of photographs and information about children from every continent featuring an interview of the children and pictures their housing, school, friends, and family.

A School Like Mine:  An unique celebration of schools around the world (2007) unicef DK Publishing
Charming photographs and text celebrate the commonalities and differences between school days in different countries around the world.

A Faith Like Mine: A celebration of the world’s religions through the eyes of children (2005) unicef
Introduces Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Sikhism through the eyes of children. What constitutes faith and tradition is briefly explained and a world map indicates the main religion in each country 

The Day Gogo Went to Vote (1996) by Elinor Batezat Sisulu
Nelson Mandela called this book “inspiring and moving.”  This is a child’s-eye view of a milestone in South African history.  Great Grandmother Gogo leaves the house with her granddaughter to travel to the polls to vote for the first time. Ages 4-8.

Elizabeti's Doll(2002)  by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Elizabeti doesn't have a doll and yet she wants to take care of a baby all her own, just like Mama takes care of the new baby. So she finds a rock, kisses it, and names it Eva.  This story takes place in Tanzania, and lifestyle differences, such as how a baby is carried in a kanga cloth and the way that food is cooked in a separate hut, are an integral and unobtrusive part of the text. Ages 3-8.

From Here to There (1999) by Margery Cuyler.
Beautifully illustrated by Yu Cha Pak giving a feeling of a grandma Moses painting.  A delightful child, Maria Mendoza describes where she lives - and each description is accompanied by outstanding illustrations.  She lives in a home, on a street, in the town of Splendora, in the county of Liberty, in the state of Texas, in the country of the United States, on the continent of North America, in the Western Hemisphere, on the planet earth, in the solar system, in the Milky Way Galaxy, in the universe and beyond.  Ages 4-10.

Listen to the Wind (2009) by Greg Mortenson
This is a lovely and an inspiring picture-book that tells Greg Mortenson’s “Three Cups of Tea” story through the eyes of children in the village of Korphe, Pakistan. The story focuses on the elements most important to children: a stranger’s appearance, the drama of everyone participating in the construction, and the happy conclusion of having their very own school. Artist Susan Roth’s collage illustrations are brilliant and respectfully portray the beauty of the genuine care between a Westerner and the people of a remote Middle Eastern village.

Nasreen’s Secret School:  A True Story from Afghanistan (2009) by Jeanette Winter
This is a beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of a young Afghanistan girls’ courage.  Although forbidden an education by the Taliban, Nasreen attends a secret girls’ school.  Winter's acrylic paintings give a clear sense of both Nasreen's everyday fear and the immense joy that she finds in learning about art, literature and history. (Ages 4-8)

Rise and Shine, Mariko-chan!  By Chiyok Tomioka
This is a delightfully illustrated book showing a typical morning in the home of Mariko-chan in Japan.  Glimpses into the Japanese customs occur as how the sisters seal a promise by linking baby fingers, the making of triangular-shaped rice balls and the obvious show of affection and respect for Oba-san "dear grandmother." Ages 4-8.

Ruby's Wish(2004) by Shirin Yim Bridges
This book is based on the author's grandmothers' story about how one handles the conflict between Chinese tradition and young Ruby's longing to attend university with grace and compassion. A tutor teaches any of the 100 assorted grandchildren who wish to learn, but Ruby is the only girl who continues to study while also keeping pace with her many household duties. Bridges characterizes the heroine as confident and spunky. Ages 4-8.

Silent Music (2008) by James Rumford
Ali, a boy living in Baghdad passionately loves many things, but primarily practicing his Arabic calligraphy.  This simply written and beautifully illustrated book highlights the power of literacy as a creative force in the midst of war, then, as a metaphor, invites reflection on the difficulty of practicing peace. A winner of the 2009 Jane Addams Children’s Literature Award.  Ages 7-10

Welcoming Babies,(1994) by Margy Burns Knight. 
There are as many ways to welcome babies to the world as there are cultures.  We sing, kiss, bless, name, announce, celebrate, give gifts, and honor the births of our youngest ones with dignity and joy.  Warm, gentle pictures enhance the simple text of this story which brings together many ways of welcoming. Ages Infant – 6.

Whoever You Are (2006) Mem Fox [also in Spanish]
Fox has composed a simple refrain to celebrate human connections in this lovely picture book. "Little one, whoever you are," she explains, there are children all over the world who may look different, live in different homes and different climates, go to different schools, and speak in different tongues but all children love, smile, laugh, and cry. Their joys, pain, and blood are the same, "whoever they are, wherever they are, all over the world.”  The illustrations are just amazing. Ages 3-8.

The World Turns Round and Round(2000) by Nicki Weiss
This charming book describes various items of clothing sent from relatives around the world to the children in one class. Weiss's cheerful, colored-pencil drawings accompany the verses for each child.   The phrase "The world turns round and round" repeats throughout the book - the children spontaneously begin chant (read) the phrase along with the reader. Ages 3-8

 

 

Community, Caring & Respect

The Goat Lady (2008) by Jane Bregoli
An elderly French Canadian drew criticism from her neighbors who thought her animals were noisy and her house unkempt.  After children befriended the old women and painted portraits of her, the paintings helped others in the community to look past the old woman’s mismatched clothes and odd ways and recognize her humble goodness.  Recipient of the Henry Bergh Children's Book Award, Humane Heroes.  Ages 9-12

Hey, Little Ant, (2005) by Phillip and Hannah Hoose,
“If you were me, and I were you, what would you want me to do?”  This is the question the ant asks the kid as the shoe is about to come down upon the ant!  Questions of power and perspective-taking are delivered in a delightful story.  Music and verses appear on the last page. Ages 4-8.

Lost (1993) by David McPhail
A lovely story about a boy who befriends a lost bear and the reciprocal kindness that the bear gives the boy when he, in turn, gets lost. Ages 3-8.

Making Friends (1996) by Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers does his usual brilliant job of helping children learn to face those first experiences of childhood.  Making friends offers straightforward answers to the many questions children have about the process. Ages 3-8.

Roxaboxin (2004) by Alice Mclerran,
Roxaboxen celebrates the imagination of children who, no matter the time or place, can create whole worlds out of what they find around them--here, rocks and boxes, cacti and sand. Marian and her friends find a "special place" in the desert where in time-honored fashion, they play the games that will prepare them for their grown-up lives. They make houses, drive pretend cars, bake bread, ride stick ponies, fight their wars and bury their dead. Ages 4-10.

Stone Soup (2003) by Jon J Muth
Muth has taken this old tale to a setting in China where three Buddhist monks draw reluctant and selfish villagers from their huts to add ingredients to a pot of soup. The result is that the villagers become enlightened about the rewards of sharing and building community.  As usual, Muth’s illustrations are lovely. Ages 4-10.

The Three Questions (2002) by Jon J Muth   
This is a retold story by Leo Tolstoy about a young boy who goes to the wise turtle for answers to some life questions and discovers that his own caring response to the cry of a stranger provides answers to these questions.  Ages 4-10.

Tough Boris (1998) by Mem Fox
Even scruffy, greedy, massive pirates have a heart, and can cry.  Wonderful vocabulary, delightful illustrations.  Ages 3-5.