These new titles are not just great reads. They also focus on the importance of friendship and helping each other, making valuable tools for any classroom.
The One and Only Question by Norma Charles and Andrea Charles, illustrated by Ken Daley, is a great picture book to use in schools or anywhere else! Zeke starts at a new school and is very worried that he will be teased because of his skin colour. The first day does not start of great. Zeke knows it will not be a good day. He does not expect much. His teacher doesn’t smile, his lunch is soggy, he doesn’t win a race. But then a bigger kid doesn’t call him names but compliments him. And, to his surprise, Zeke’s first day at his new school is not so bad after all! And who knows, tomorrow may even be better! A great story for kids to recognize themselves, and a perfect tool for educators and parents to discuss racial discrimination and bullying.
ISBN 978-1-77306-965-4, Groundwood Books
Here is a great article about this book, by the author, for educators:
The Lion and The Bird by Marianne Dubuc is a tender, touching story. This akmost wordless picturebook works on many levels and for many ages. Lion is satified, working in his garden. But when a wounded bird lands in his garden, he gently nurses it and, throughout that winter, Lion and Bird hang out together. They read, they eat, they tell tales by the fireplace. But when spring arrives, and Bird’s flock returns, Bird flies off. Lion is sad and lonly but tends his garden as he did before. His garden flourishes but Lion is lonely. Until one Fall day, Bird returns to spend winter with his favourite friend. A beautifully illustrated book that subtly shows the joy of friendship.
ISBN 978-1-59270-151-3, Enchanted Lion Books
Shanti Fights For Her Rights by Marcia E. Barss is a novel about Shanti, a 15 year old girl in a village in India. Shanti loves school but her father is making plans to have her married. In their culture, women obey the men in their families and both Shanti and her mother are powerless to convince him otherwise. Until Shanti visits her married sister in a nearby village and learns about a community support group in which women help each other to the betterment of their village. Shanti learns about new laws and ways to make her father see the benefit of a girl’s education. With the help of her friends, things change for the better – both for Shanti and for their community. The book is based on a real NGO in India called Tharuni which supports girls and women to combat child marriages and increase health and nutrition. A fascinating read for young people anywhere to become aware of how others live.
This is a great book to help celebrate International Women’s Day in schools, especially when paired with books I previously discussed: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Burying The Moon by Andrée Poulin.
ISBN 978-1-989833-32-2, OC Publishing
Stopping The Shots by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson is a good novel that hockey lovers won’t be able to put down. Mike, and his brothers Eric and Liam, live on a farm in Alberta. And, like good Canadian kids, they love nothing better than to play hockey. The realistic story is full of exciting games but also of brother rivalry and worry about their family farm. Mike, as the oldest, feels responsible for his younger brother. But this story also shows that everyone should take ownership of their own behavior and its consequences. When Eric has an accident, he finally sees that he can’t blame his brother and needs to change his own behavior. And Mike learns that honesty is more important than new hockey pads. A page turner!
ISBN 978-1-0397-0119-9, Scholastic Canada
Margriet Ruurs is the writer of over 40 books for children. She visits International Schools around the world:
Thanks a lot, Margriet, for your positive review of our book, The One and Only Question, and including it in your “Global Book Recommendations.” What an honour!