Below is a thumbnail description of books that we think have a message for children in these trying times. Many of the stories are about children overcoming challenges. We hope the books encourage you to think about other things, and appreciate the beauty around us. Each book has a link to a YouTube reading of the book, a group of wondering questions, and an activity. The full page for each book may be found in the QREC collection. Go to: Resources, Browse by Category, then Parenting section. We hope you find these books helpful.
Sparkling Still Working Group of FGC. A. Collins, S. Farneth, S. Hopkins, E. Mittag
A is for All the Things You Are by Anna Hindley. Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Publisher: SmithsonianBooks.com Copyright: 2019. Concepts work for older elementary, and include empowerment, courage, compassion and social justice. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/all-things-you-are-joyful-abc-book
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, art by Dom Lee, Scholastic, c. 1993. The story takes place in a Japanese/American Internment camp during WWII. It stresses resilience and courage. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/baseball-saved-us
Flowers for Sarajevo, John McCutcheon, Illustrator: Kristy Caldwell, Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, Copyright: 2017. Written for older children, it is a story about kindness, gratitude, empowerment, and sharing our gifts. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/flowers-sarajevo
Good People Everywhere, by Lynea Gillen, Illustrator: Kristina Swarner, Publisher: Three Pebble Press, LLC, Copyright: 2012. This is the companion book about Sarajevo, but written for younger children. It is a story about kindness, gratitude, empowerment, and sharing our gifts. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/good-people-everywhere
Lucky Beans by Becky Birtha, illustrator Nicole Tadgell, Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co. copyright 2010. The story takes place at the time of the Great Depression. It embraces the concepts of Resilience, Courage, Compassion, and Justice. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/lucky-beans
Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence by Gretchen Woelfle, illustrations by Alix Delinois, Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, copyright. 2014. A true story from the early days of our country’s history, Mumbet’s story demonstrates Empowerment, Courage, Bravery.
http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/mumbet%E2%80%99s-declaration-independence
Quiet, written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Copyright: 2018. The book encourages us to appreciate the beauty of quiet moments in our lives. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/quiet-0
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, Publisher: Dial Publishing, copyright. 2012. The true story of a young boy whose creativity, empowerment, and resiliency changed the lives of the people in his village. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/boy-who-harnessed-wind
What Do You Do With an Idea, by Kobi Yamada, illustrations Mae Besom, Publisher Compendium, copyright 2014. Written for young children, it inspires people of all ages to accept an idea and let it grow. http://www.quakers4re.org/find-resources/what-do-you-do-idea