Children's Books for Parents and Teachers » Diversity

A Day for Vincent Chin and Me

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:49:10 +0000

Tommy is part of a posse, a group of six seventh-grade students who have been friends forever. He leads this posse in a neighborhood effort to slow down traffic on his street where a deaf girl lives. Meanwhile, Tommy’s mother leads a protest march called “A Day for Vincent Chin” in the state capitol. Chin, a Chinese man, was beaten to death by racist auto workers, who mistakenly assumed he was Japanese. Tommy, who more than anything wants to fit in, dislikes his mother’s leadership role because it draws attention to the fact that they are Japanese Americans. After the posse solves the speeding problem, Tommy comes to understand that, like himself, his mother is doing what she needs to do to improve the lives of others.

A Screaming Kind of Day

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:45:07 +0000

Before Scully can open her eyes and put in her hearing aids, her brother Leo begins a tease-torture campaign. Meanwhile Mom, who is studying for exams, has no patience to discuss anything. Scully sneaks out into the rain and turns her hearing aids all the way up to catch the whooshing sound. She is dragged back inside from this favorite activity by her wet, angry mother and grounded until dinnertime. Later, a more relaxed Mom and Scully go outside and wait for the stars to come out. The text is rich in imagery especially when Scully uses her senses to enjoy nature.

Allison

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:47:09 +0000

When Allison tries on a kimono her grandmother sends her, she realizes she looks more like her Japanese doll, Mei Mei, than her parents. When her parents explain that she is adopted, she withdraws from them and her playmates at school and destroys childhood keepsakes that belong to her adoptive parents. Taking in a stray cat helps Allison see the true nature of adoption and love. Realistic illustrations show the many emotions Allison experiences on her way to acceptance.

Amy’s Travels

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:41:02 +0000

Come join Amy as she travels to all seven continents. Amy’s Travels, based on a true story, teaches the geography, culture, and diversity of the world through the eyes of a young child.

Hooway for Wodney Wat

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:47:42 +0000

Wodney Wat, a shy rodent, is teased by his classmates because he can’t pronounce R’s. Wodney, however, transforms into a hero when he saves his classmates from the mean bully, Camilla Capybara, by outwitting her in a game of Simon Says. Munsinger’s drawings add to the humor. This book is sure to make kids laugh … Continue reading →

Looking Out for Sarah

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:44:14 +0000

This is a heartwarming story based on the real-life relationship between Sarah, a busy teacher, dancer, and musician, and Perry, her guide dog. Through Perry’s eyes, young readers follow this pair through a typical day — watching them waking up, shopping, visiting a class of school children, playing in the park, and going to bed. Through illustrations with bold shapes and rich colors and a simple, warm text, children will learn about the ways a guide dog helps a blind person and the deep bond that develops between the two.

One True Friend

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:50:34 +0000

Fourteen-year-old Amir has bounced from foster home to foster home since the death of his parents. He now lives with the loving Smiths who have raised his youngest brother, Ronald, since he was a baby. Amir’s goal is to unite all of his brothers and sisters. His lifeline during this time is Doris, a friend from his old neighborhood in the Bronx. They write letters sharing their feelings and concerns. When Doris writes about a friend experimenting with drugs, Amir must come to terms with his family’s past. And when the Smiths locate his aunt, uncle, and siblings, he must make a decision about where everyone’s true home is.

Radiance Descending: A Novel

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:51:10 +0000

Paul has a younger brother, Jacob, who has Down’s syndrome, and he is angry. He doesn’t like the attention his brother receives and he doesn’t want anyone to know they are brothers. Guided by his patient and wise grandfather, Paul makes a painful journey while coming to terms with feelings about his brother.

Sees Behind Trees

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:48:23 +0000

This is the story of a young Indian boy’s struggle to meet life’s challenges and overcome his sight impairment. During his naming ceremony, Walnut must prove his readiness to make the passage from boyhood to manhood by performing a physical feat using a bow and arrow. Hitting the target successfully means he will be considered an adult among his people and given a new name. Realizing this is an impossible task for her son, Walnut’s mother teaches him to strengthen his other senses. When Walnut demonstrates his “special sight,” he earns the respect of others in the village. This symbolic rite of passage leads him on a life-altering adventure. Upon returning, he fully understands what it means to “see behind the trees.” Each page is brimming with sensory-rich language.

The Cow That Went Oink

admin — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:56:01 +0000

Children who are teased at school, who are shy about speaking in front of the class, or who simply see themselves as not fitting in are bound to find relief in this tale about a cow who oinks and a pig who moos. This book teaches a great lesson about accepting differences.

The Handmade Alphabet

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:43:13 +0000

Detailed colored- pencil drawings show hand shapes for the 26 letters of the American Sign Language alphabet as well as corresponding letters of the written alphabet. For example, a gloved hand forms the letter “G,” fingers dip into a palette of paint to form the letter “P,” and so on.

The Memory Box

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:45:47 +0000

Zach visits his grandparents every summer at their cottage by the lake. He is looking forward to fishing with Gramps and eating Gram’s cooking. Gramps calls their first idyllic day a “Memory Box Day.” Zach learns that this is a day for young and old to start gathering photos, stories, and souvenirs to store in a special box to remember their times together. As Zach’s time with his grandparents unfolds, he learns the true reason for the memory box; it is especially for Gramps who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. During the rest of his stay, Zach and his grandparents fill the box with wonderful memories of summers past and new memories, building something that will always keep them together.

The Misfits

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:49:48 +0000

Addie is super tall and super smart. Joe is gay. Skeezie is sloppy and tough looking, and Bobbie, the narrator, is overweight and vulnerable since the death of his mother. They’ve been friends for years and hold a forum once a week to talk about important things. Although they’ve been called names all their lives, they have had one another for support. For their seventh-grade election, they form a new political party, called the No-Name Party whose slogan is, “Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit.” They propose a moratorium on name-calling for one day and promise to work hard to make all voices heard on the student council. Although the No-Name Party doesn’t win the election, they learn important things about themselves and teach the rest of the school about the importance of individuality.

The Sandwich Swap

cindy — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:48:30 +0000

Lily and Salma are best friends. They play together and stick together through thick and thin. But who would have ever thought that ordinary peanut butter or plain old hummus could come between them? Lily and Salma don’t quite understand each other’s tastes, but does that mean they can’t be friends? They understand far better … Continue reading →