Picture Books That Celebrate Community
Community is one of the most important parts of the world we live in! Providing connection, support and a sense of belong it plays a central role in our lives. To have a good community, you need to be a good member of that community. This can mean a lot of things! Taking good care of the community’s spaces, being a kind, loyal friend, sharing with one another. Being a good community member is something we all must learn and practice how to do!
These adorable picture books below celebrate the wonderful things about having and being a good member of a community. Teaching your little ones the value of these spaces, and the many ways, big and small, that they can actively participate in them!
When a small stone Buddha falls off a cyclist’s wagon, he lands in a neglected part of a busy city street. People often throw trash here, turning this part of the city into a rather unpleasant sight. But as passersby begin to notice the little stone Buddha, they start to wonder: what if we each made a small change that brightened this shared part of our community?
Inspired by a true story, The Little Stone Buddha shows us how a small action—or, in this case, a small Buddha—can change a moment, which can change a decision, which can change the spirit, which can, in the end, change everything.
Piper Waterstone, everyone’s favorite chipmunk from All the Books, returns in a charming and whimsical tale from award-winning creators Hayley Rocco and John Rocco.
It’s time for the yearly reading challenge!
Piper Waterstone can’t wait to read all the books on this year’s reading list. She’s going to go on so many adventures and is positive she’ll win!
But her best friend, Gregory, would rather play pretend pirates than read a book. Can Piper help find a book perfect for Gregory and win the reading challenge? Join Piper on her enchanting reading adventures as she learns not every book is for every reader, but there is a reader for every book.
The children of Class 203 are learning to braid. They started with hair and shoelaces, and now the children have brought rags from home. Their braid gets longer and longer until one idea transforms it into an extraordinary surprise for their teacher.
Here is the story of a rag rug, woven through with the stories of the scraps used to create it and those told during its making. The result is a special handmade spot where the whole class can gather, ready for more stories.
This beguiling celebration of storytelling is woven through with an easy-to-learn and impressive craft project, including instructions, will have readers reaching for scraps to make their own rag rug.
It’s a beautiful day in Ah-Fu’s village, and all he wants to do is fly his kite, ride in his grandfather’s oxcart, and have a picnic. But a tangled string, a busy aunt, a fallen tree, and more threaten to ruin Ah-Fu’s chances of enjoying this perfect day with the people he loves.
Can little Ah-Fu come up with creative ways to help his friends and family, or will his plans for a nice day be ruined?
Inspired by traditional Chinese philosophy and told alongside gorgeous illustrations, this modern fable encourages readers of all ages to use inventive problem-solving strategies and lend a helping hand wherever they can.
Here is a lyrical, vibrant tribute to the diversity of America coming together as one rich tapestry of gratitude, elegantly penned by debut author Patrick Hulse and illustrated in joyful colors by Chickasaw artist Madelyn Goodnight.
At our table there is room to share a seat… room for old traditions and new ones… room to remember where our food comes from… and room to give thanks.
There are countless ways we celebrate and give to others on Thanksgiving. The goodness we share lasts the rest of the year—and sometimes for a lifetime. From joyful preparation of food, to quiet reflection honoring farmers and Native communities, to cherished moments of laughter with friends or family…there is always room for making more memories together.
“I am a good friend!” says the girl and she heads outside to play with her buddies—two squirrels, a snail, and three crows. It’s a fun-filled day of games, picnicking, and storytelling, but is everyone having a good time? An unexpected turn of events suddenly challenges the girl to question if she’s treating her friends the way they want to be treated.
This funny and relatable picture book about growth mindset not only conveys the importance of being considerate and understanding of others’ needs but also provides innumerable laughs with its depictions of a sweet, well-meaning little girl who loves her animal friends maybe a little too overzealously.
