Children's books about peace ✌️

Notes From the Reading Nook: January 2

Jan 02, 2024

Happy New Year, you delightful speck of stardust.

I hope this message finds you ready to hit reset, to begin again, but if not, know that it’s all arbitrary — you can start over, declare a new year, set new intentions, wipe the slate clean at any time, any day of the year. I think there is magic in releasing, in choosing to go forward with open hands, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with January 1st, and the power is always — always, always, always — in the present moment. (And: you are the ultimate magic.)

Onwards.

The Moon Ribbon and Other Tales by Jane Yolen
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

Mini issue + micro review

As I was planning out some early 2024 content for this newsletter, it occurred to me: what better way to kick off a new year, especially in these times, than with a mini issue focusing on peace?

I have also found, over time, that my desire to share the idea of peace with my children has been repeatedly stymied by my inability to explain it adequately. Enter, of course, picture books.

(As always, I cannot and do not know of every book ever, so if you have additions, please let us know in the comments.)

Let There Be Peace: Prayers From Around the World by Jeremy Brooks
The Big Book of Peace ed. by Ann Durell and Marilyn Sachs
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon (I reviewed this in issue No. 11)
Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin
Peaceful Pieces: Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines (poetry)
Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz
A Little Peace by Barbara Kerley
Peace is an Offering by Annette LeBox (issue No. 37)
Peace Tales by Margaret Read MacDonald
World Pizza by Cece Meng
The Peace Book by Todd Parr
Palie Pastrami Achieves World Peace by James Proimos
What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky
A Bowl Full of Peace: A True Story by Caren Stelson
Peace Train by Cat Stevens (a singing book)
The Forgiveness Garden by Lauren Thompson
The Laughing River: A Folktale for Peace by Elizabeth H. Vega
I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde

Biographies about peace

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior With Words by Karen Leggett Abouraya
Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson
One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists by Janet Wilson
Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
Peaceful Heroes by Jonah Winter
Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World by Jane Breskin Zalben

Do you and your family have any favorite books about peace? Tell us about them!

Micro review: Peace by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul, illustrated by Estelí Meza (2024)

I received a copy of this book from NorthSouth Books — opinions are my own.

This is a straightforward, rhyming concept book, but don’t let its simplicity fool you: it’s a lovely and clear explanation of the esoteric concept of “peace” for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kiddos.

Meza’s soft digital illustrations show children in various situations, beautifully defined by Baptiste and Miranda Paul’s poetic exploration of peace, which ranges from saying hello and smiling, to pronouncing someone’s name correctly, to apologizing, to giving more than you take.

My favorite part about this title is its emphasis on actions big and small, with a focus on us as individuals — the idea that we can each, even as only one person, let peace begin with us. (Can I get an amen?)

Read good books and take good care 😘
Sarah

P.S. All Bookshop.org links are affiliate ones — I receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Support this newsletter and get new books? Let’s gooooooo.