Books can help children understand the world around them. Nonfiction information or fictional stories can help a reader make sense of his own or others’ situations. Books can be tools to deal with life. These new titles are good examples of stories as tools.
All Our Love by Kari-Lynn Winters is a beautiful picturebook about love within a family. Written as a welcome letter to the new baby, with loving illustrations by Scot Ritchie, the story is told in Sofia’s words. Sofia’s dad always told her that their family was just right after she came along. But now a new baby is coming and Sofia worries that all might not be so perfect anymore. Will her parents like the new baby better? Will Sofia like being a big sister? Will the baby want everything to be just perfect, too?
Sofia helps to prepare the baby’s crib. And one day her dad picks her up from school. Together they go to the hospital where the other daddy is waiting with the new baby. And Sofia just knows that their family will be even more perfect now that he has joined them.
ISBN 978-1-4431-9880-6, North Winds Press/Scholastic
Still My Tessa, written by Sylv Chiang and illustrated by Mathias Ball, is a picture book in which non-binary students will recognize themselves. Evelyn misses her older sibling when Tessa hides in her room. But once she understands that Tessa does not want to be defined as her older sister or brother, Evelyn gets it. It only takes her a week to change pronouns when referring to Tessa. And soon their parents, and new neighbors, get the message too. They all accept Tessa for the person behind the labels. And that makes Tessa smile.
ISBN 978-1-4431-9623-9, North Winds Press/Scholastic
José Speaks Out is the speech given by José Mujica, former president of Uruguay. He gave this speech to the Un and focused on how we can reduce consumerism and cut down on the production of so much stuff we don’t need. “We should stop making diSposable things,” he told the UN, “use ful things could end world poverty.” The back of the book offers discussion points and explanations, making this a perfect text for high school students to ponder. This book is one of a series of famous speeches, including those made by Severn Suzuki and Malala Yousafzai.
ISBN 978-177-3067-254, Groundwood Books
Make Your Mark, Make A Difference by Joan Marie Galat is a kid’s guide to standing up for people, animals and the planet. This 340 page book is a pretty comprehensive guide to activism for kids. The book examines issues like inequality, literacy or environmental issues and looks closely at how kids can make a difference by creating awareness and taking action. Which actions are most effective? How can you initiate sustainable change? Activism can range from raising funds to organizing protests and changing laws. The book carefully guides a young reader through the process of researching a concern, planning action and seeing it through. The guide can be a very useful tool for any young activist and should be in every (school) library to guide those wanting to make the world a better place.
ISBN 978-1-6659-2931-8, Aladdin/Beyond Words
Margriet Ruurs is a Canadian author of over 40 books for children. She conducts presentations at international schools around the world.