I believe that if we ever hope to have peace in the world, we need to start talking about it with our children before they even start elementary school. That's why I have devoted a category within this blog to diversity, tolerance, and global awareness. If you're new to this blog, you might want to review a few of my previous posts before continuing on with this one:
Peace starts in your own home. Little interactions we have every day can promote peace in the world. Every time your child works out a small fight with a sibling, takes turns with a friend, or helps you with your daily tasks, it's a lesson learned about the meaning of the word, peace.
Every time we look at a world map with our children, we are calling their attention to the fact that there are other people like us around the world. Some families are lucky enough to be able to travel to other countries, but these days, many of us are putting plans like that on hold. How do we take trips around the world without the time and expense of an actual trip?
Picture books make it easy to bring the real world into your home or classroom. The ones with actual photographs can be especially powerful. Today, I'd like to recommend three photographic books for people of all ages.
A great book for even the youngest of readers is National Geographic's A Little Peace, by Barbara Kerley. This book of powerful photographs has been presented in the same clever format as You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World and A Cool Drink of Water. A few carefully chosen words and full sized, stunning photos will spark all kinds of conversations with children of all ages.
Details about each photo, as well as a world map which shows where each one was taken, are located at the end of the book. This way, you can pick and choose exactly what information you want to discuss with your child. There's also an inspiring message from Richard H. Solomon, President of the United States Institute of Peace. I highly recommend this book for people of all ages.
Another wonderful book for sparking conversations with elementary school children is the award winning The Milestones Project: Celebrating Childhood Around the World, by Richard and Michele Steckel. As a collection of stunning photographs, quotes from children around the world, and adult reflections on childhood (as told by many famous authors and illustrators), the theme of this book is that children around the world are more alike than they are different. It complements Mem Fox's Whoever You Are very nicely. Don't expect to get through this book in one sitting, though! It's a large, "coffee table book" that can be read a little bit at a time. You can find many wonderful reviews of this revolutionary book here, and more information about the Milestones Project here.
I would also recommend that you and your child take part in the Milestones Project Pledge. I have a copy of it posted on my refrigerator as a daily reminder that we should all treat each other with respect, love, and kindness. It's a simple way to make a personal connection to this book on a daily basis. Children and adults of all ages will love this book!
For children in grades 5 and up, you can take the topic of peace a little further and relate it to human rights. Every Human has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids is another book that's brought to you by National Geographic, and is based upon the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This powerful book draws our attention to this all important subject through photographs, poems, and a written list of human rights. It is a must read for all teenagers and adults, especially if they've never heard of this declaration. You can find further information about this important topic at www.everyhumanhasrights.org.
National Geographic also has great web sites for children and adults. In addition, a great resource for teachers and students can be found at epals.com.
I believe that people of all ages can change the world in small ways. The more we talk about issues of peace, diversity, and tolerance in our homes and classrooms, the more likely it will be that we will have a more peaceful world in the future.
As parents and teachers, we can use picture books not only to educate our children, but also to help them to become better people. I believe that books can change the world, and that peace can start with something as simple as a picture book.
Would you like to share a picture book that has brought you a moment of peace? Please join me in reading one with a child today!
Here are the other posts in this series: