ACTIVISM

“A is for Activist is an ABC board book written and illustrated for

the next generation of progressives: families who want their kids
to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism,
environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything
else that activists believe in and fight for.”

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Q: ​What is something that you stand up for? How might you take
A is for Activist steps towards being an activist for or against it?
by Innosanto Nagara

BLACK LIVES MATTER

Two children are awakened by noises in the middle of the night.

They come to learn that a young boy from their community has
been murdered by the police. The parents of the two children
attempt to explain the meaning of "protest" and the value of voice.

Daddy There’s a Noise Outside What is it good for? ​Discussion

By Kenneth Braswell
Q: ​Why do people protest? How do people protest?
 CONSENT

It's Miles' birthday and his family wants to celebrate! But when his
family decides to pinch, noogie, hug him too tight, pick him up, and
tickle him without his permission, he takes a stand and declares
that he is the boss of his own body.

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​How do we ask someone if we want to hug them or high five

Miles is the Boss of His Body them? How should we react if they say no? What touch is
By Abbie Schiller sometimes okay and what touch is never okay?

DISABILITY RIGHTS

“This delightful picture book explores questions and concerns

about physical disabilities in a simple and reassuring way.
Younger children can find out about individual disabilities, special
equipment that is available to help the disabled, and how people
of all ages can deal with disabilities and live happy and full lives.”

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Don’t Call Me Special Q: ​How do we include everyone in the games we play, the
By Pat Thomas conversations we have, and other activities?
 ENVIRONMENT

“This book explores the little things that everyone can do to keep
our earth clean and healthy. From turning off the lights to
conserving water, everyone can take part in taking care of our
planet.”

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Q: ​What are some ways that you can care for the Earth at home?
The Earth Book How much of a difference do you think you can make?
By Todd Parr

FEMINISM

"Throughout American history, there have always been women

who have spoken out for what's right, even when they have to
fight to be heard. She Persisted is for everyone who has ever
wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone
who has ever tried to reach for the stars but was told to sit down,
and for everyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy or
unimportant or small. "

What is it good for? ​Supplemental

Q: ​Was there a time where someone didn't believe that you

could do something? How did that make you feel?
​Why do you think this author chose to write about women and
girls?
She Persisted
By Chelsea Clinton
 GUN CONTROL

"Something Happened in Our Town follows two families — one

White, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black
man in their community. The story aims to answer children's
questions about such traumatic events, and to help children
identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives."​

What is it good for? ​Supplemental

Q: ​How does the history of racism affect what happened in the

community in the book?

Something Happened in Our

Town
By ​Marianne Celano, Marietta
Collins, Ann Hazzard, Jennifer
Zivoin

HOMELESSNESS

"A young boy sees many homeless people in his community. One
day, he gets a day off from school and decides to go visit his Uncle
at his workplace, the community soup kitchen. There he learns
more about people in his neighborhood who are homeless and
gets involved in helping out at the soup kitchen."​

What is it good for? ​Supplemental

Uncle Willie and the Soup
Kitchen Q: ​What are some small ways we can help the homeless?
By DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan
 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

"​ When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother’s garden, she
begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her
grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully colored
clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so
much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about
these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long
time ago, where all of these things were taken away."

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​Why do you think wearing different colors and having long

braided hair makes Nókom happy?
When We Were Alone
By David A Robertson

JOURNALISM

"The note read: Bedtime is canceled. Maggie thought of it. Her

brother wrote it. A journalist read it. This was big news. He
reported it. Before they knew it, the whole city discovered that
bedtime had officially been canceled, so no one went to sleep!"​
This is a fun book that also teaches children a lesson about
critically reading information they see in print and online and the
dangers of believing everything they see and read about.

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​Why didn't anyone go to sleep even though they were so

tired?
Bedtime is Canceled
By Cece Meng
 KIDS

"​ With a very simple text accompanied by rich, vibrant illustrations

a young narrator describes what it means to be a child with rights
— from the right to food, water and shelter, to the right to go to
school, to the right to be free from violence, to the right to breathe
clean air, and much more. The book emphasizes that these rights
belong to every child on the planet..."

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Q: ​Why is it important to know your rights? What happens when

I Have the Right to be a Child some children do not have access to food, shelter, and care?
By ​Alain Serres, Aurélia
Fronty, Helen Mixter

LANGUAGE

In her community, Pepita serves as a bridge between speakers of

Spanish and speakers of English. "Capturing the beauty and flavor
of biculturalism, this story of a little girl at the crossroads of the
English and Spanish-speaking worlds will delight children of all
backgrounds who enjoy multi-cultural identities."​

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​Why is Pepita an important member of her community?

Pepita Talks Twice

By ​Ofelia Dumas Lachtman
 "A mother and daughter spend a sunny day at the beach together
where they swim, dance, build sandcastles, and, most importantly,
communicate. But their communication is not spoken; rather, it is
created by loving hands that use American Sign Language."

What is it good for? ​Supplemental

Q: ​What are some special ways you communicate with your

family?

Hands & Heart

By Donna Jo Napoli

MENTAL HEALTH

"When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn't know where to

turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken
wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear
thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either.
One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to process this loss,
and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit
does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs."​

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​How do we best help a friend who is upset?

The Rabbit Listened
By Cori Doerfield

Names

"If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way
too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with
such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns
of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers;
Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the
grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she
hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a
perfect fit after all — and realizes that she will one day have her
own story to tell."​

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Alma and How She Got Her Q: ​What makes your name special? Why is it important to value
Name other people's names? What actions can we take to let others
By Juana Martinez-Neal know that we value their name?
 OCEAN

"On the Reef brings to life the importance of maintaining a

healthy ocean environment in a way that children can understand
and appreciate. When their father wins a free vacation in the
Bahamas for himself and the family, the children, Chloe and
Zachary, find themselves introduced to a whole new magical
world while snorkelling on a coral reef.
But even more adventure awaits as the children find a Hawksbill
turtle that has become entangled in some of the plastic that
pollutes the world's oceans. With the help of their guide and other
locals, the turtle is brought to shore and the family anxiously
On the Reef waits for professional help to save the turtle's life."​
By Judith and Shandley
McMurray
What is it good for? ​Supplemental

Q:​How do our actions on land affect the plants and animals in

the ocean?

POLICE BRUTALITY

"​ Little Avery becomes concerned after seeing another police

shooting of an unarmed man. His parents decide it is time to have
“The Talk”. They teach him and his brother a catchy chant to help
remember what to do if approached by an officer, while also
emphasizing that all policemen are not bad. A to the L to the
I-V-E…come home ALIVE….THAT is the key!"

What is it good for? ​Supplemental - ​This may be a book that

you as an educator need to read. You could read this with
your students or send this home with curious parents, but it
Momma, Did You Hear the is very sobering.
News?
By Sanya Griggs Q: ​Why can't we completely trust the police?
 LGBT​Q​IA+

"From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a
girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a
mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This
confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that
Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz's story
is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple,
clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their
parents, and teachers."​

What is it good for? ​Supplemental

I Am Jazz
By Jessica Herthel & Jazz Q: ​Why should people express outside who they are on the
Jennings inside?

"Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump truck, but
he also loves things that sparkle, shimmer, and glitter. When his
older sister, Jessie, shows off her new shimmery skirt, Casey wants
to wear a shimmery skirt too. The adults in Casey's life embrace
his interests, but Jessie isn't so sure. Boys aren't supposed to wear
sparkly, shimmery, glittery things. Why can't both she and Casey
love all things shimmery, glittery, and sparkly? Here is a sweet,
heartwarming story about acceptance, respect, and the freedom
to be yourself in a world where any gender expression should be
celebrated."

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Q: ​Why are some things "meant for boys" or "meant for girls"?
​Is that always true?
Sparkle Boy
By Leslea Newman

REFUGEE

"With haunting echoes of the current refugee crisis this beautifully

illustrated book explores the unimaginable decisions made as a
family leave their home and everything they know to escape the
turmoil and tragedy brought by war."

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​Why do people have to leave their homes? How do you think

they feel when they have to go somewhere new?
The Journey
By Francesca Sanna
 SENIOR CITIZENS

"​ In a small weaving town in France, a young boy named

Henri-Emile Matisse drew pictures everywhere, and when he grew
up, he moved to Paris and became a famous artist who created
paintings that were adored around the world. But late in life a
serious illness confined him to a wheelchair, and amazingly, it was
from there that he created among his most beloved
works—enormous and breathtaking paper cutouts."

What is it good for? ​Supplemental

Q: ​What do you enjoy doing? What are some other ways you can
Henri’s Scissors do what you enjoy doing?
By Jeanette Winter

"Every day Amos McGee spends a little bit of time with each of his
friends at the zoo, running races with the tortoise, keeping the shy
penguin company, and even reading bedtime stories to the owl.
But when Amos is too sick to make it to the zoo, his animal friends
decide it's time they returned the favor."

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​What are some things we can do to help someone feel better?

What are some things you do for someone you love?

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

By Philip C. Stead

TECHNOLOGY

"The Internet is Like a Puddle attends to the wonderful aspects of

electronic communication as well as gently discusses some of the
possible pitfalls of sharing, chatting and using data. "
You can access the internet through many devices and for many
reasons. Although sometimes the internet is like a puddle, where
you may not know what is underneath and the puddle may be
deeper than it appears. Always ask an adult and wear your floaties
before jumping in!

What is it good for? ​Discussion (May be good to pair with

"Bedtime is Cancelled" in Journalism section)
The Internet is like a Puddle
By Shona Innes Q: ​Why is the internet a good resource? In what ways can it be harmful?
 UNDOCUMENTED

"After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center,

Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on
their answering machine. To ease the distance between them
while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories
inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her
mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family,
Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her
mother home for good."​

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​Do you think it is right that Saya and her mother are
Mama’s Nightingale separated? How would you feel?
By Edwidge Danticat

VOTING

"When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never
had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she
immediately starts off her political career as a candidate the
school's mock election!"​

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Q: ​Why is it important that we are able to vote? What if our

leaders were chosen for us?

Grace for President

By Kelly DiPucchio
 WATER

"With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a
beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small
African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the
water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she
rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead
of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water.
After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean
with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she
dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool,
crystal-clear water of its own."

What is it good for? ​Supplemental

The Water Princess Q: ​Why is water important? What happens when people can't
By Susan Verde get water?

"​This book pays tribute to the children of Flint, Michigan who had
to learn a new way to eat, drink, and live during the Flint Water
Crisis (FWC). They are the true FWC heroes and despite their cities
setback many have volunteered hours of their time to pass out
water, recycle bottles, and help our community get through this. "

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​How did the children help their community when there was a
water crisis?

Learning, Recycling, and

Becoming Little Heroes
By Gale Glover
 XENOPHOBIA

"Written as a letter from a father to his daughter, Yo Soy Muslim

is a celebration of social harmony and multicultural identities.
The vivid and elegant verse, accompanied by magical and vibrant
illustrations, highlights the diversity of the Muslim community as
well as Indigenous identity. "

What is it good for? ​Discussion

Q: ​Why are some people accepted more than others?

Yo Soy Muslim
By Mark Gonzales

"There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look
or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or
something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps
into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you
do it. "

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Q: ​How did you feel on your first day of school? How can we be
more inclusive of others?

The Day You Begin

By Jacqueline Woodson
 YOU

"Using examples of people throughout history who have taken

"giant steps", this book urges kids to follow in their footsteps and
not be hindered by fear or a sense that you are not good enough.
Despite the challenges, even the smallest step can change the
world. So, what's your next step going to be?"​

What is it good for? ​Introduction

Q: ​As one person, how can you take steps to change the world?
Giant Steps to Change the World
By Spike Lee

CESAR CHAVE​Z

"Cesar Chavez is known as one of America's greatest civil rights

leaders. When he led a 340-mile peaceful protest march through
California, he ignited a cause and improved the lives of thousands
of migrant farmworkers. But Cesar wasn't always a leader. As a
boy, he was shy and teased at school. His family slaved in the fields
for barely enough money to survive. Cesar knew things had to
change, and he thought that--maybe--he could help change them.
So he took charge. He spoke up. And an entire country listened."​

Harvesting Hope: The Story of What is it good for? ​Introduction

Cesar Chavez
By Kathlee Krull Q: ​What characteristics do effective leaders have?