Yertle the Turtle
By Dr. Seuss
8 min. without interruption
16 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
ALL AGES
Yertle the Turtle (the king) stacks all the turtles up – because he is “king of all that he sees” but not king of enough. Mack, the bottom turtle, is ignored. Mack crashes the tower – the throne. Fun story about leadership, being wise, listening. (And in another sense, worker’s rights...)
8 min. without interruption
16 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
ALL AGES
Yertle the Turtle (the king) stacks all the turtles up – because he is “king of all that he sees” but not king of enough. Mack, the bottom turtle, is ignored. Mack crashes the tower – the throne. Fun story about leadership, being wise, listening. (And in another sense, worker’s rights...)
Leo the Late Bloomer
By Robert Kraus
5-6 min. without interruption
8-12 min. with prompts/interruptions
Ideal for grades PreK-2,
**AVAILABLE IN SNELL**
Leo’s father is worried – all the other children are succeeding where Leo cannot. But Leo’s mother says Leo is just a Late Bloomer – he’ll get there, in his time.
5-6 min. without interruption
8-12 min. with prompts/interruptions
Ideal for grades PreK-2,
**AVAILABLE IN SNELL**
Leo’s father is worried – all the other children are succeeding where Leo cannot. But Leo’s mother says Leo is just a Late Bloomer – he’ll get there, in his time.
Chicken Sunday
By Patricia Polacco
8 min. without interruption
12-16 min. with discussion prompts throughout/after.
A lot of different cultures converging here. Patricia’s grandmother died, so she is inducted into the family next door, and learns to see their grandmother as her own, and they as her brothers. Despite having different religions (Baptist v. Jewish), they share their traditions and learn from and with each other – providing more family. Also the surface level plot is about community as well, the children working in a local shop to raise money and by their grandmother a fancy hat for Easter. One of Polacco’s award-winning books...
This book is pretty amazing...I remember it from when I was a child solely because the ‘grumpy old man’ character had concentration camp tattoos on his arm – revealing, you know, a reason for his grumpiness. For older groups, this opens up a great discussion on empathy. (You just see the tattoos, not part of the text.)
8 min. without interruption
12-16 min. with discussion prompts throughout/after.
A lot of different cultures converging here. Patricia’s grandmother died, so she is inducted into the family next door, and learns to see their grandmother as her own, and they as her brothers. Despite having different religions (Baptist v. Jewish), they share their traditions and learn from and with each other – providing more family. Also the surface level plot is about community as well, the children working in a local shop to raise money and by their grandmother a fancy hat for Easter. One of Polacco’s award-winning books...
This book is pretty amazing...I remember it from when I was a child solely because the ‘grumpy old man’ character had concentration camp tattoos on his arm – revealing, you know, a reason for his grumpiness. For older groups, this opens up a great discussion on empathy. (You just see the tattoos, not part of the text.)
Mr. Lincoln's Way
By Patricia Polacco
13 min. without interruption
24 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
Third through fifth grade...you could go older, but the idealism of the book may make sixth graders wary.
13 min. without interruption
24 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
Third through fifth grade...you could go older, but the idealism of the book may make sixth graders wary.
Thank you, Mr. Falker
By Patricia Polacco
Embracing Potential, Leadership, Peacemakers for Life, Growth Mindset, Knowledge is Power,
15 min. without interruption
30 min. with prompts throughout.
Ideal for grades fourth and up...But VERY ideal.
The book is long, but because of the story may not require as much discussion throughout...an important book, with a real life example of how a leader can change things. In this way, the book connects to "Peacemaker for Life."
Patricia Polacco...reknowned children’s author and illustrator...could not read when she was 14. Eventually she was diagnosed with dsylexia...this book is about her struggles with reading, and school, and the teacher who believed in her. The teacher is a leader in the community...because he believed in Patricia, she became a leader in the community as well, and reached millions of students with her books.(#KnowledgeisPower)
Embracing Potential, Leadership, Peacemakers for Life, Growth Mindset, Knowledge is Power,
15 min. without interruption
30 min. with prompts throughout.
Ideal for grades fourth and up...But VERY ideal.
The book is long, but because of the story may not require as much discussion throughout...an important book, with a real life example of how a leader can change things. In this way, the book connects to "Peacemaker for Life."
Patricia Polacco...reknowned children’s author and illustrator...could not read when she was 14. Eventually she was diagnosed with dsylexia...this book is about her struggles with reading, and school, and the teacher who believed in her. The teacher is a leader in the community...because he believed in Patricia, she became a leader in the community as well, and reached millions of students with her books.(#KnowledgeisPower)
The Butter Battle Book
By Dr. Seuss
Conflict Resolution, Knowledge is Power, Peacemakers for Life, Celebrating Differences
12 min. without interruption (definitely abridgeable)
24 min. with discussion prompts.
OLDER KIDS – 4th at the youngest, ideally 5th & up
Long and short of the story is this – two groups of people who disagree over something not as important as they think it is – and this causes them each to engage in a weapons race for a hypothetical war that they never started. Which, of course, amounts in two soldiers standing on either side of a wall, glaring at each other, holding buttons keyed to detonate doomsday devices.
Available in Snell Library.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Conflict Resolution, Knowledge is Power, Peacemakers for Life, Celebrating Differences
12 min. without interruption (definitely abridgeable)
24 min. with discussion prompts.
OLDER KIDS – 4th at the youngest, ideally 5th & up
Long and short of the story is this – two groups of people who disagree over something not as important as they think it is – and this causes them each to engage in a weapons race for a hypothetical war that they never started. Which, of course, amounts in two soldiers standing on either side of a wall, glaring at each other, holding buttons keyed to detonate doomsday devices.
Available in Snell Library.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Enemy Pie
By Derek Munson
10 min. without interruption
10-15 min. with prompts/interruptions
Ideal for grades K-4, but can work for all.
Available in Peace through Play's Library.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
10 min. without interruption
10-15 min. with prompts/interruptions
Ideal for grades K-4, but can work for all.
Available in Peace through Play's Library.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Miss Nelson is Missing!
By Harry Allard & James Marshall
8 min. without interruption
12-16 min. with discussion prompts throughout/after.
Can be spun for all ages, though 2nd through 4th might get the most out of it
Miss Nelson is a sweet, sweet teacher who just wants to teach her rude, mean, DISRESPECTFUL class. So a replacement is called in…Miss Viola Swamp. Someone not fun, or sweet, at all.
Miss Nelson dresses up as Viola Swamp, so the students learn to appreciate what they have. See if the younger kids can figure out who Viola Swamp truly is – side treat is the “Hardy Boys” reading Inspector McSmog, who is genuinely puzzled by Miss Nelson’s, and later Miss Swamp’s, disappearance. Can work for older kids in discussing why Miss Nelson did what she did.
Reading Idea - To make engage a younger audience, ask them to imitate Miss Nelson’s class being bad, being scared, and being incredibly good. Ask that THEY think happened to Miss Nelson. Also a section where the students come up with hilarious ideas about where she could have gone.
8 min. without interruption
12-16 min. with discussion prompts throughout/after.
Can be spun for all ages, though 2nd through 4th might get the most out of it
Miss Nelson is a sweet, sweet teacher who just wants to teach her rude, mean, DISRESPECTFUL class. So a replacement is called in…Miss Viola Swamp. Someone not fun, or sweet, at all.
Miss Nelson dresses up as Viola Swamp, so the students learn to appreciate what they have. See if the younger kids can figure out who Viola Swamp truly is – side treat is the “Hardy Boys” reading Inspector McSmog, who is genuinely puzzled by Miss Nelson’s, and later Miss Swamp’s, disappearance. Can work for older kids in discussing why Miss Nelson did what she did.
Reading Idea - To make engage a younger audience, ask them to imitate Miss Nelson’s class being bad, being scared, and being incredibly good. Ask that THEY think happened to Miss Nelson. Also a section where the students come up with hilarious ideas about where she could have gone.
The Zax
By Dr. Seuss
4 min. without interruption
8-10 min. with discussion throughout.
FOR ALL AGES, MY FRIENDS!!
Available in Snell, within Suess' The Sneetches and Other Stories.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
4 min. without interruption
8-10 min. with discussion throughout.
FOR ALL AGES, MY FRIENDS!!
Available in Snell, within Suess' The Sneetches and Other Stories.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
The Big Brag
By Dr. Seuss
7 min. without interruption (but abridgeable)
12 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
BAM! Another for ALL AGES! (But might resonate best with older groups…where braggarts run rampant)
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
7 min. without interruption (but abridgeable)
12 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
BAM! Another for ALL AGES! (But might resonate best with older groups…where braggarts run rampant)
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
By Patrick McDonnell
5 min. without interruption
7-12 min. with discussion prompts throughout/after.
For all ages, though 4th and up might get the most out of it.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
5 min. without interruption
7-12 min. with discussion prompts throughout/after.
For all ages, though 4th and up might get the most out of it.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Ish
By Peter H. Reynolds
5 min. without interruption
12 min. with discussion prompts.
ALL AGES
Back to Fall Themes.
Back to Spring Themes.
5 min. without interruption
12 min. with discussion prompts.
ALL AGES
Back to Fall Themes.
Back to Spring Themes.
Hooray for Diffendoofer Day
By Dr. Seuss, Jack Prelutsky, Lane Smith
10 min. without interruption
12-17 min. with discussion/interruptions.
All ages, but 2nd to 5th might be best
Available in Snell Library
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
10 min. without interruption
12-17 min. with discussion/interruptions.
All ages, but 2nd to 5th might be best
Available in Snell Library
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
I Had Trouble in getting to Solla Sollew
By Dr. Seuss
13 min. without interruption (definitely abridgeable)
24-28 min. with discussion prompts.
OLDER KIDS – like, sixth and up
**Available in Snell**
SO, This is controversial. The protagonist spends the book trying to run away from his "troubles" – weird insect things that bite and sting – to a mythical place called Solla Sollew. After many humorous hurdles, the protagonist realizes that troubles exist everywhere. He can't outrun "trouble" (the insect things), so he decides to face it head on...
…with a bat.
The wikipedia entry is surprisingly encompassing – truly breaks down the plot. But the long and short of it is that there is no one place where troubles do not exist – and if you spend all your time trying to find a place like that – you won’t get to truly live.
Of course, the resolution isn’t exactly peaceful. However, I still think this can work for older groups – because the use of the bat is symbolic, just like the insects biting him are symbolic.
The book seeks to teach readers to arm yourself with a willingness to advocate for yourself. The last line is pretty reflective - "Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me."
…But I mean I get it, it’s a bat.
13 min. without interruption (definitely abridgeable)
24-28 min. with discussion prompts.
OLDER KIDS – like, sixth and up
**Available in Snell**
SO, This is controversial. The protagonist spends the book trying to run away from his "troubles" – weird insect things that bite and sting – to a mythical place called Solla Sollew. After many humorous hurdles, the protagonist realizes that troubles exist everywhere. He can't outrun "trouble" (the insect things), so he decides to face it head on...
…with a bat.
The wikipedia entry is surprisingly encompassing – truly breaks down the plot. But the long and short of it is that there is no one place where troubles do not exist – and if you spend all your time trying to find a place like that – you won’t get to truly live.
Of course, the resolution isn’t exactly peaceful. However, I still think this can work for older groups – because the use of the bat is symbolic, just like the insects biting him are symbolic.
The book seeks to teach readers to arm yourself with a willingness to advocate for yourself. The last line is pretty reflective - "Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me."
…But I mean I get it, it’s a bat.
Gertrude McFuzz
By Dr. Seuss
5 min. without interruption
10ish min. with discussion prompts throughout.
Good for ALL AGES.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
5 min. without interruption
10ish min. with discussion prompts throughout.
Good for ALL AGES.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
A Bad Case of Stripes
By David Shannon
Celebrating Differences, Speaking-Up,
11 min. without interruption
15 min. with discussion throughout.
Kindergarten and up – beware of the length.
Camilla Cream loves lima beans – but won’t eat them because nobody else likes them. Soon after…Camilla begins to have a strange ailment.
Classic book about accepting your identity – no matter what anyone else thinks. Engaging pictures – Camilla becomes whatever is around her. Eating lima beans – and thus accepting herself – turns out to be the cure.
Celebrating Differences, Speaking-Up,
11 min. without interruption
15 min. with discussion throughout.
Kindergarten and up – beware of the length.
Camilla Cream loves lima beans – but won’t eat them because nobody else likes them. Soon after…Camilla begins to have a strange ailment.
Classic book about accepting your identity – no matter what anyone else thinks. Engaging pictures – Camilla becomes whatever is around her. Eating lima beans – and thus accepting herself – turns out to be the cure.
Amazing Grace
By Mary Hoffman
7 min. without interruption
8-12 min. with discussion throughout.
Grades K-3…Older kids may understand the implications and societal problems touched upon a little too well.
(K is on the fence of being too young. Use your judgement)
When Grace plays pretend – she ALWAYS plays the most exciting part. So, naturally, when her teacher announces that her class will be performing Peter Pan – Grace knows exactly who she wants to be. But her friends say that she can’t play the role – because she’s a girl and because she isn’t white. What will Grace do?
This book touches on identity – and how others might see your race and gender as a limit to what you can do. Grace’s friends aren’t mean – they just cannot conceive of a break from the stereotype. Grace’s grandmother takes her to see a black ballerina in the starring role of Juliet, and explains that civil rights have come a long way – and that Grace can be whatever she wants to be. Grace does an amazing job, and her friends agree.
Some Debriefing Questions –
7 min. without interruption
8-12 min. with discussion throughout.
Grades K-3…Older kids may understand the implications and societal problems touched upon a little too well.
(K is on the fence of being too young. Use your judgement)
When Grace plays pretend – she ALWAYS plays the most exciting part. So, naturally, when her teacher announces that her class will be performing Peter Pan – Grace knows exactly who she wants to be. But her friends say that she can’t play the role – because she’s a girl and because she isn’t white. What will Grace do?
This book touches on identity – and how others might see your race and gender as a limit to what you can do. Grace’s friends aren’t mean – they just cannot conceive of a break from the stereotype. Grace’s grandmother takes her to see a black ballerina in the starring role of Juliet, and explains that civil rights have come a long way – and that Grace can be whatever she wants to be. Grace does an amazing job, and her friends agree.
Some Debriefing Questions –
- Why did her friends think she couldn’t be Peter Pan? Do you agree with them?
- If they do, um, maybe speed up the debrief and emphatically explain the intrinsic potential of each person…using different words, of course.
- Why was Grace a good Peter Pan?
- Does being Peter Pan have anything to do with being white and a boy?
- Would you support Grace if she was your friend? Why is it important to give everyone a chance?
- Obviously, the world is kinder to Grace than it might be in reality…another reason to aim for younger students with this one.
Litte Blue and Little Yellow
By Leo Leonni
5 min. without interruption
10-12 min. with prompts/interruptions throughout.
K through 3rd
Availability: Ask Eboard
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
5 min. without interruption
10-12 min. with prompts/interruptions throughout.
K through 3rd
Availability: Ask Eboard
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Horton Hears a Who!
By Dr. Seuss
13 min. without interruption
26 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
This book is fairly self-explanatory in terms of its relation to leadership – Horton is a leader, because Horton speaks up for the Whos. The Whos are a great example of community, as everyone is needed to be heard. Across the board relatable, might want to paperclip and abridge it, however...
13 min. without interruption
26 min. with discussion prompts throughout.
This book is fairly self-explanatory in terms of its relation to leadership – Horton is a leader, because Horton speaks up for the Whos. The Whos are a great example of community, as everyone is needed to be heard. Across the board relatable, might want to paperclip and abridge it, however...
Miss Rumphius
Miss Rumphius dedicated her life to making the world a more beautiful place. Her granddaughter finds out how she did this.
The Seven Silly Eaters
By Mary Ann Hoberman
9 min without interruption
14 min with interruptions/discussion throughout
Ages pre-Kay to third grade.
Mrs. Peters has seven silly eaters. Each one of her children insists on being given their own favorite food - and keeping them all happy is quite the task. When Mrs. Peters' birthday comes around - her seven silly eaters want to make her something to show their appreciation. Naturally, they each try to make her their favorite foods...but things get a bit out of hand. Can they pull together a recipe that will make everyone happy, and show their mother how much they appreciate her?
I'm fairly certain that this book rhymes - which is nice, for younger groups.
9 min without interruption
14 min with interruptions/discussion throughout
Ages pre-Kay to third grade.
Mrs. Peters has seven silly eaters. Each one of her children insists on being given their own favorite food - and keeping them all happy is quite the task. When Mrs. Peters' birthday comes around - her seven silly eaters want to make her something to show their appreciation. Naturally, they each try to make her their favorite foods...but things get a bit out of hand. Can they pull together a recipe that will make everyone happy, and show their mother how much they appreciate her?
I'm fairly certain that this book rhymes - which is nice, for younger groups.
The Gift of Nothing
By Patrick McDonnell
7 min without interruption
10-12 min with discussion prompts throughout/after
Pre-Kay through Third grade.
A lovely little book by the same author who brought our library A Perfectly Messed Up Story, McDonnell uses this book as an opportunity to answer the age-old question "What do you give someone who has everything?" (...Nothing). A humorous and poetically simplistic explanation of the many somethings that aren't really worth anything, and how the lack of somethings might actually be worth everything.
7 min without interruption
10-12 min with discussion prompts throughout/after
Pre-Kay through Third grade.
A lovely little book by the same author who brought our library A Perfectly Messed Up Story, McDonnell uses this book as an opportunity to answer the age-old question "What do you give someone who has everything?" (...Nothing). A humorous and poetically simplistic explanation of the many somethings that aren't really worth anything, and how the lack of somethings might actually be worth everything.
Finding Winnie
By Lindsay Mattick
12 min without interruptions
16 min with discussion throughout
Kindergarten through Third Grade
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
12 min without interruptions
16 min with discussion throughout
Kindergarten through Third Grade
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
The Sneetches
By Dr. Seuss
Celebrating Differences, Respect,
12 min without interruption [But abridgeable.]
12-15 min with discussion prompts throughout/after
Kindergarten through Third grade.
This is a widely known book, which works to both your advantage and disadvantage. The book is a not-so-subtle analogy for discrimination, and your older students will likely pick up on that. This said, it is encompassing - if a bit drawn out for younger grades (you might want to shorten the beginning/machine montage part.) Although this book does celebrate differences - the bottomline of the message is to respect one another regardless of whatever differences you think you have - or you have been told you have.
Celebrating Differences, Respect,
12 min without interruption [But abridgeable.]
12-15 min with discussion prompts throughout/after
Kindergarten through Third grade.
This is a widely known book, which works to both your advantage and disadvantage. The book is a not-so-subtle analogy for discrimination, and your older students will likely pick up on that. This said, it is encompassing - if a bit drawn out for younger grades (you might want to shorten the beginning/machine montage part.) Although this book does celebrate differences - the bottomline of the message is to respect one another regardless of whatever differences you think you have - or you have been told you have.
Chrysanthemum
By Kevin Henkes
Celebrating Differences, Respect, Introduction, Speaking-Up,
8 min without interruption
10-12 min with discussion prompts throughout/after
Pre-Kay through Third grade.
*AVAILABLE IN SNELL*
This book follows a mouse with a very unique name to her first days of school. Chrysanthemum used to love her name, but the students in her class make fun of her for it. Will Chrysanthemum end up hating her name forever, or will she learn the importance and value of being unique? (Spoiler alert - she does the latter.)
Celebrating Differences, Respect, Introduction, Speaking-Up,
8 min without interruption
10-12 min with discussion prompts throughout/after
Pre-Kay through Third grade.
*AVAILABLE IN SNELL*
This book follows a mouse with a very unique name to her first days of school. Chrysanthemum used to love her name, but the students in her class make fun of her for it. Will Chrysanthemum end up hating her name forever, or will she learn the importance and value of being unique? (Spoiler alert - she does the latter.)
Stone Soup
By Jon J Muth
10 min. without interruption
12 min. with discussion throughout
The language may appeal best to 2nd grade through 4th grade. The message is rather universal.
Available in Peace through Play’s Library.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
10 min. without interruption
12 min. with discussion throughout
The language may appeal best to 2nd grade through 4th grade. The message is rather universal.
Available in Peace through Play’s Library.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes