Hi All!
We can all probably agree that the world would be better off if we were a little bit nicer, if we all showed each other a little more compassion, if we approached situations with positivity instead of hostility. And while we may strive for that individually, there are real factors out there that distract us from being that best version of ourselves. I'll admit that I am not always my best self for my students. I can be overwhelmed and stressed and impatient. So when I teach lessons about kindness and acceptance, for both ourselves and others, I try to listen to the message right along side my students.
We all could use a bit more acceptance and kindness in our lives, and I hope these books lead your classroom in that direction like they have in mine. Please let me know in the comments below what books have promoted kindness and acceptance in your class! And be sure to click the book covers so you can order a copy for your classroom, too!
“Giraffes Can’t Dance”, Giles Andreae
Gerald the Giraffe is crippled by fear at the annual Jungle Dance, but with a bit of encouragement from an unlikely friend, he becomes the star of the show! I use this book to talk about being afraid, nervous and self-conscious, and how to address those feelings in order to embrace our true selves. And with a rhyming cadence and unusual vocabulary words, this text is a great one to read again and again.
“Spoon”, Amy Rosenthal
While Spoon compares themselves to all the cool things their friends can do, Knife, Fork and Chopsticks pine after all the special jobs that Spoon has. Touching on ideas of self esteem, identity, and comparing ourselves to others, this story is a go-to in my classroom to talk about the gifts each individual student brings to the group.
“Chrysanthemum”, Kevin Henkes
I. Adore. This. Story. Henkes’ sweet tale of a young mouse learning to love herself is what we all need to hear at some point in our lives, maybe when we are five… or thirty-five. But no matter your age, this book resonates. I use this book to teach about friendship, kindness, positive self-image, and transitioning to school. And once students become familiar with the story, it’s a great one to circle back to and have in-depth read alouds to discuss feelings and problem solving strategies.
“Gaston”, Kelly DiPucchio
In this truly beautiful story about being accepted and loved for you who truly are, Gaston the bulldog struggles to be like his dainty Poodle siblings. But when he meets Antoinette and finds a family that looks more like him, both broods quickly see that appearances do not tell the whole story of who a person is. Whether we are talking about gender, identity, acceptance or family, this book is the compassionate answer to many children’s questions about being themselves.
“I'm New Here”, Anne Sibley
This is one of the most authentic and perspective-shifting texts I have read in class about immigrant students’ experience, and I would encourage all teachers to make it a staple of their classroom libraries. Written from the perspective of three students who have recently immigrated to the United States, students hear about the assets these students bring, and understand how language and cultural differences are difficult, but not deficits. Regardless of how many students you have in class who may see themselves in this story, this is representative of present-day America and is worth thoughtful consideration.
“Not Norman: A Goldfish Story”, Kelly Bennett
A fish may not be the main character’s ideal pet, but when a friendship develops despite the narrator’s intentions, he learns that a friend is the best kind of pet anyone could have. I originally encountered this text as part of a curriculum text set, and have since made it a permanent part of my classroom library because it lends itself to a variety of lessons about friendship, as well as feelings and vocabulary.
Literally everything by Todd Parr, but especially:
“The Feelings Book”
“The Peace Book”
“The Family book”
“It's Okay to be Different”
“Be Who You Are”
“The Feel Good Book”
Todd Parr’s consistent message of love and acceptance apply to the relationships with have with others, and also with ourselves. Whether I am teaching about similarities and differences in family structures, or healthy ways to express feelings, I have a Parr book on the ready for each lesson. The illustrations are (purposefully?) non-specific in physical traits, like skin color or gender, so no one is excluded from his message. If we all lived with a little more Todd Parr in our lives, the world would be a much more loving, and goofy, place.
“Elmore”, Holly Hobbie
Friendship can reach beyond barriers, and in this story, Elmore’s porcupine quills are only a temporary deterrent to making friends in his woods. This is a beautiful story to teach about making friends, especially if that friend has difference from us. In my classroom of both general education and special education students, this is one of my favorite stories to share about coming together.
“Stellaluna”, Janell Cannon
A bat raised as a bird, and a thoughtful message about how differences can bring us together. This is another classic that I feel has earned its spot on anyone’s Top 10 list, for it can be a jumping off point for a wide range of conversations. From nature and science to acceptance and love, Stellaluna shows how intersectionality can be both confusing and beautiful.
“I Love My Hair”, Natasha Tarpley
Kenyana’s hair is beautiful, and each way she styles it reflects her unique personality. Hair can be just hair, but it can also be much more, and in a world where every child deserves to see themselves represented in stories, this book celebrates the heritage of hair and identity.
“The Color of Us”, Karen Katz
Pizza crust, cinnamon toast, chocolate… these delicious hues make up Lena’s neighborhood and celebrate the beauty of every skin color. I have recently begun to use this book to help students create self-portraits in which they describe their “inside” and “outside” selves, using examples from the book to convey both personality and physical features. We use paint to mix a color that best matches our skin, then use pastels to add our facial features. Like the book, we talk about how we look and seem on the outside, but we also explore how we feel about ourselves on the inside. This book is a great place to start having many productive conversations about race, skin color, and traits.
“He Came with the Couch”, David Slonim
This goofy story is equal parts humor and heart, and shows that friendship may just save you in the end. Silliness always has and always will have a place in my classroom’s read aloud circle, and year after year, students have requested this book for it’s fun and heartwarming message.
“The Rainbow Fish”, Marcus Pfister
A classic, and for good reason! This story of a beautifully-scaled fish who chooses between lonely adoration or less-flashy friendship is as applicable today as it was 20+ years ago. I like to read this story early in the year, and then reread it as the year goes on and students grow in their understanding of the character’s dilemma. Always a good basis for conversation, this book is on my Top 10 list, for sure!
“Thank you, Jackson”, Niki Daly
When your donkey simply won’t do what you want them to, or your sibling, parent, friend, colleague, etc… maybe they just need a little dose of gratitude. Not only does this story show the importance of saying “thank you”, but it reveals how gratitude and understanding of another person’s effort makes an entire team more productive.
“Please, Mr. Panda”, Steve Antony
A simple story about the importance of manners and gratitude, I love reading this story early in the year when we are setting classroom norms. Mr. Panda’s doughnuts are enticing, but it’s only with a “please” that his friends can enjoy them. While each family has their own set of manners and expectations at home, it is important to establish the foundation of how we will all treat each other in the classroom, and in my room, a “please” and “thank you” go a long way!
“The Rabbit Listened”, Cori Doerrfeld
When something goes wrong, what do you need to feel better? The answer varies for all of us, and perhaps we need different responses at different times. In this lovely story, a child upset about a block tower has many friends offering many solutions to feel better. But one friend listens, showing us that being heard is sometimes the best first step in solving the problem. Empathy, sympathy and compassion are all showcased in this sweet story.