Building Community
Read Alouds and Resources
Family
My Family, Your Family
BY LISA BULLARD
Makayla is visiting friends in her neighborhood. She sees how each family is different. Some families have lots of children, but others have none. Some friends live with grandparents, or have two dads, or have parents who are divorced. How is her own family like the others? What makes each one great? This diverse cast allows readers to compare and contrast families in multiple ways.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
The Family Book
BY TODD PARR
The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
A Family is a Family
BY SARAH O’LEARY
When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all. The students describe who they live with and who loves them — family of every shape, size and every kind of relation — the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, it is special.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
We Belong Together
by Todd Parr
This book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family by showing one perspective on the adoption experience.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Names
My Name is a Story
by Ashanti and Monica Mikai
First days aren’t easy for a girl with a name like Ashanti. It feels like no one can pronounce it correctly! But with some encouragement from her mom, Ashanti spells her name and learns just how special it is.
A is for awesome, S is for sunsets, H is for hand games, A is for art…
Inspired by Ashanti’s own experience, this delightful picture book shares the joy that one child finds in her name.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Your Name is a Song
by Jamila Thompkins-Bigelow
Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl’s mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
The Name Jar
by Yangsook Choi
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-Hey.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
My Name is Yoon
by Helen Recorvits
Yoon’s name means “shining wisdom,” and when she writes it in Korean, it looks happy, like dancing figures. But her father tells her that she must learn to write it in English. In English, all the lines and circles stand alone, which is just how Yoon feels in the United States. Yoon isn’t sure that she wants to be YOON. At her new school, she tries out different names―maybe CAT or BIRD. Maybe CUPCAKE!
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Alma
by Juana Martinez-Neal
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. In her author-illustrator debut, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Chrysanthemum
by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria. “Let’s smell her,” says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Community
All Are Welcome
By Alexandra Penfold
Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other’s traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Our Class is a Family
By SHANNON OLSEN
“Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
We Are All Alike... We Are All Different
By Cheltenham Elementary Kindergartners
Kindergarten children describe the likenesses and differences among themselves.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
It's Okay to be Different
by Todd Parr
It’s Okay to Be Differentcleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence, This book will inspire kids to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of others and self-confidence.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Chicks Rule
by S. Bardhan-Quillan
Nerdy Chick has waited all day for the Rocket Club meeting. But when she gets there, she finds a sign tacked to the door: “NO CHICKS ALLOWED!!!” Puzzled, then baffled, then just plain mad, Nerdy Chick sets out to change the rules. Along the way, she meets other chicks who are just like her: passionate and determined. They rally together, march to the barn at the center of town, and—when they hear “NO” once again—chart their own path forward.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Home
by Carson Ellis
By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Here We Are
by Oliver Jeffers
Our world can be a bewildering place so let’s explore what makes our planet and how we live on it. From land and sky, to people and time, these notes can be your guide and start you on your journey. And you’ll figure lots of things out for yourself. Just remember to leave notes for everyone else. Some things about our planet are pretty complicated, but things can be simple, too: you’ve just got to be kind.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Maybe Something Beautiful
By F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell
This joyful story about a girl and a muralist who transform a grey neighbourhood by bringing the community together with art is based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
The Big Umbrella
By Amy Bates
By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Most Marshmallows
by Rowboat Watkins
Most marshmallows are born into marshmallow families, play with marshmallow friends, and go to marshmallow school where they learn to be squishy. But some marshmallows have big dreams, and just like you, these marshmallows can do anything they set their minds to. This sweet and silly book is an inspiring reminder that by being true to ourselves each of us can be truly extraordinary.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
What Makes Us Unique
by jillian roberts
Our conversations with children about cultural, religious and physical differences are more important than ever, and they need to start at an early age, but we know it can be difficult to know where to begin.
What Makes Us Unique? provides an accessible introduction to the concept of diversity, teaching children how to respect and celebrate people’s differences and that, ultimately, we are all much more alike than we are different. Additional questions at the back of the book allow for further discussion.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Same, Same But Different
by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar. Same, same. But different!
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book coming soon!
On Our Street
by Jillian Roberts
On Our Street explores the realities of people living with inadequate resources. Using age-appropriate language, this book addresses mental illness, homelessness and refugee status as they are connected to this issue. Insightful quotes from individuals and organizations such as UNICEF are included to add further perspective on the issue. An invaluable section on how kids can help empowers readers to take what they have learned and use it to make a difference.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
This Is How We Do It: One Day In The Lives Of Seven Kids From Around The World
by Matt Lamothe
Follow one day in the real lives of seven kids from around the world-Italy, Japan, Iran, India, Peru, Uganda, and Russia!
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
If the World Were a Village
by David J, Smith
Now, If the World Were a Village has been newly revised with updated statistics, several new activities and completely new material on food security, energy and health. By exploring the lives of the 100 villagers, children will discover that life in other nations is often very different from their own.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Windows
by Julia Denos
Walking his dog at dusk, one boy catches glimpses of the lives around him in this lovely ode to autumn evenings, exploring your neighborhood, and coming home.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Community Expectations
Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners
BY LAURIE KELLER
Mr. Rabbit’s new neighbors are Otters. But he doesn’t know anything about otters. Will they get along? Will they be friends? Just treat otters the same way you’d like them to treat you, advises Mr. Owl.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Rude Cakes
BY ROWBOAT WATKINS
A not-so-sweet cake-who never says please or thank you or listens to its parents learns that even the rudest cake can learn to change its ways.
Companion Unit coming soon!
Book available on Amazon.
Sorry
by Trudy Ludwig
Jack’s friend Charlie seems to know how to get away with just about anything. Adults always back down when you say you’re sorry. But does an apology count if you don’t really mean it? Jack learns that the path to forgiveness isn’t always the easiest. Includes afterword by apology-expert Dr. Aaron Lazare, M.D., note from author, and discussion questions.
Companion Unit available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Tomato Says Sorry
BY JOANNE ROACH
Tomato upsets his friends and refuses to apologize until he learns that apologizing can make him feel better too.
Companion Unit now available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Start with Sorry
BY P.T. FINCH
Luna gets jealous and angry when she is drawing with her brother. She makes a mistake and learns that she can offer a good apology to help make things better.
Companion Unit now available on Shopify.
Book available on Amazon.
Teacher Resources
The First Six Weeks of School
Day by day and week by week, The First Six Weeks of School shows K-6 teachers how to set students up for a year of engaged and productive learning by using positive teacher language to establish high academic and behavioral expectations; and teaching the classroom and academic routines that enable a collaborative learning community to thrive.
Building Community unit available.
Book available on Amazon.
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