Community index

Welcoming Babies, by Margy Burns Knight. Publisher: Tilbury House, Gardiner, Maine, 1994.
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.

Grandpa’s Town, by Takaaki Nomura. Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers, Brooklyn, New York, 1991.
Told in both Japanese and English, this story of a young Japanese boy, worried that his grandfather is lonely, accompanies him to the public bath. Their walk through the town is an expedition filled with meeting friends, visiting, and sharing the best of Grandpa’s community.

All The Colors of the Earth, by Sheila Hamanaka. Publisher: Morrow Junior Books, New York, 1994.

Inclusion and Equality index

The Streets are Free, by Kurusa. Publisher: Annick Press Ltd., New York, 1995.
Based on the true story of the children of a barrio in Caracas, Venezuela, who wanted a place to play, the story depicts how the children met, decided how to approach “City Hall”, and what they did when confronted with discouragement. It is a story of building community and speaking out.

The Day Gogo Went to Vote: South Africa, April, 1994, by Elinor Batezat Sisulu. Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 1996.
The Table Where Rich People Sit, by Byrd Baylor. Publisher: Atheneum Books, New York, 1994.

Two Mrs. Gibsons, by Toyomi Igus. Publisher: Children’s Book Press, San Francisco, California, 1996.

All The Colors We Are: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color, by Katie Kissinger. Publisher: Redleaf Press, St. Paul, Minnesota,1994.

Responsibility index

The Story of Ruby Bridges, by Robert Coles. Publisher: Scholastic, Inc., New York, 1995.
For months, six year old Ruby Bridges must confront the hostility of segregationists when she becomes the first African-American girl to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. Robert Coles presents a moving portrayal that captures a young girl’s amazing courage and faith.

Very Last First Time, by Jan Andrews. Publisher: Atheneum, New York, 1985.

Working Cotton, by Sherley Anne Williams. Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York, 1992.

Caring and Compassion index

Hey, Little Ant, by Phillip and Hannah Hoose. Publisher: Tricycle Press, Berkley, CA, 1998.
“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.

Kimi and the Watermelon, by Miriam Smith. Publisher: Puffin Books, New York, 1983.

On Mother’s Lap, by Ann Herbert Scott. Publisher: Clarion Books, New York, 1972.

Storm in the Night, by Mary Stolz. Publisher: Harper Trophy, 1988.

Tell Me A Story, Mama, by Angela Johnson. Publisher: Orchard Books, New York, 1989.

The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant. Publisher: Aladdin Books, New York, 1993.

Courage index

Granddaddy’s Gift, by Margaree King Mitchell.
The story of Grandpa’s courage in registering to vote gave his granddaughter pride in her family years later.

Ben’s Trumpet, by Rachel Isadora. Publisher: Mulberry Books, New York, 1979.

Follow The Drinking Gourd, by Jeanette Winter. Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1988.

Smoky Night, by Eve Bunting. Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company, New York, 1994.

Honesty and Integrity index

Something from Nothing: Adapted from a Jewish Folktale, by Phoebe Gilman. Publisher: Scholastic Inc., New York,1992.
In this retelling of a traditional Jewish folk tale, Joseph’s baby blanket is transformed into ever smaller items as he grows until there is nothing left - but then Joseph has an idea to save the blanket forever in his memory.

Rebel, by Allan Baillie. Publisher: Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, New York, 1994.

Keepers, by Jeri Hanel Watts and Felicia Marshall. Publisher: Lee and Low books, New York, 1997.

Creativity and Diversity index

Everybody Cooks Rice, by Norah Dooley. Publisher: Carolrhoda, Inc./Minneapolis, 1991.
A child is sent to find a younger brother at dinnertime and is introduced to a variety of cultures through encountering the many different ways rice is prepared at the different households she visited. Recipes for preparing rice from several cultures are included.

Bein’ with You This Way, by W. Nikola-Lisa. Publisher: Lee & Low Books, Inc., New York,1994.

Daddy’s Roommate, by Michael Willhoite. Publisher: Alyson Publications, Boston, Massachusetts, 1990.

Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English, by Alma Flor Ada. Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, New York, 1997.

How My Family Lives in America, by Susan Kuklin. Publisher: Bradbury Press, New York, 1992.

Ragsdale, by Artie Ann Bates. Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1995.

Somos Un Arco Iris - We Are A Rainbow, by Nancy Maria Grande Tabor. Publisher: Charlesbridge,Watertown, Massachusetts, 1995.

Galimoto, by Karen Lynn Williams. Publisher: Mulberry Books, New York, 1990.

Roxaboxen, by Barbara Cooney. Publisher: Puffin Books, New York, 1991.

Peace and Nonviolence index

The Knight and the Dragon, by Tomie De Paola. Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1980.
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.

Best Day of the Week, by Nancy Carlsson-Paige. Publisher: Redleaf Press, Minneapolis, MN, 1998.

Shoes Like Miss Alice’s, by Angela Johnson. Publisher: Orchard Books, New York, 1995.

Self Reflection index

My Wish For Tomorrow: Words and Pictures from Children Around the World, by Jim Henson. Publisher: Tambourine Books, New York, 1995.
Children’s wishes reflect the same hopes and dreams all over the world.

Dream Catcher, by Audrey Osofsky. Publisher: Orchard Books, New York, 1992.

Used with permission from Thinking Together with Young Children: Weaving a Tapestry of Community, by Susan Hopkins.

Bullying index

The Brand New Kid, by Katie Couric.

Bully, by Judith Caseley.

Hands Are Not for Hitting, by Martine Agassi.

Hey, Little Ant!, by Phillip and Hannah Hoose.

I Want to Play, My Name Is Not Dummy, and I Want It, by Elizabeth Crary.

Nobody Knew What To Do:  A Story About Bullying, by Becky Ray McCain.

Painted Words, Aliki.

Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, by Teresa Celsi.

Say Something, by Peggy Moss.

Secret of the Peaceful Warrier, Dan Millman.

Make Someone Smile, by Judy Lalli

We Can Work It Out, by Barbara K. Polland, Ph. D.