Picture Books about Peace/Justice/Empathy
Every month, Montessori For All selects an anti-bias, anti-racist book for our teachers to read to their communities. First we select one for 3-6 year-olds, then one for 1st-3rd graders, and finally one for 4th-6th graders. If you would like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive links to book guides with discussion questions, vocabulary words, and extension activities to be used in the classroom or at home, you can sign up here. I forgot to share our books from September. In September we focused on picture books about peace/justice/empathy.
Picture Books about Peace, Justice, and Empathy: 3-6 year-olds
Peace Book By Todd Parr
Peace is making new friends. It is also helping your neighbor. Peace is a growing a garden. Peace is being who you are.
The Peace Book delivers positive and hopeful messages of peace in an accessible, child-friendly format featuring Todd Parr’s trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes. Perfect for the youngest readers, this book delivers a timely and timeless message about the importance of friendship, caring, and acceptance.
1st-3rd Graders
The Invisible Boy By Trudy Ludwig
A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend…
Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.
This gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish.
4th-6th Grade
Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story By Ken Mochizuki
Passage to Freedom is the authorized true story of Chiune Sugihara, the “Japanese Schindler,” who saved thousands of Jewish people during World War II. It tells Sugihara’s heroic story, highlighting his courageous humanity and the importance of a child’s opinion in his father’s decision.
Based on Hiroki Sugihara’s own words, Passage to Freedom is the first fully illustrated children’s book to tell Sugihara’s heroic story, highlighting his courageous humanity, and the importance of a child’s opinion in his father’s decision.