Writing poetry.
Taking photographs.
Serving your community.
Listening to, and collaborating with, others.Speaking out, and even singing, for a cause.
Traveling to a faraway place to share your message.
Some very special 8th graders did all of these things. And it all started with...
One. Powerful. Picture. Book.
The Peace Book, by Todd Parr, appears to be a very simple piece of children's literature, but the childlike words and illustrations bring so much vibrant color to a not-so-simple topic.
How do you talk about the meaning of peace with your children? Well, you can start by talking about the small moments of peace we experience every day. That's where this book starts - and this is how it ends:
"Peace is being different, feeling good about yourself, and helping others. The world is a better place because of YOU!"
And that's what I'd to say to each of those 8th grade teachers and students, who took one powerful picture book and used it to make the world a better place.
You can read all about the details of the amazing Pioneer Peace Project in The Book Whisperer's Peace it Forward post, which was written by Elizabeth Rich. I want to thank her SO MUCH for calling our attention to the groundbreaking work of these extraordinary students and teachers.
I'd like to leave you with a video of two students singing the song, Imagine, in New York's Central Park.It's amazing what can be done with...
One. Powerful. Picture. Book.
Isn't it?
In honor of the start of the holiday season, I will be bringing you more picture books relating to peace over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, you can find more posts relating to peace in my diversity, tolerance, and global awareness category.
I will have a very light posting schedule this week, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
May you find many moments of peace this week, and throughout the holiday season.
