Please Vote on Tuesday! And if it is at all possible, take your kids along to experience it. Voting is one of the most powerful peaceful actions we can take to ensure rights for all.
Title: Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights
Written by: Rob Sanders
Illustrated by: Jared Andrew Schorr
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, October 2018
Ages: 4-8
Themes: rights, peaceful protests, making a difference, non-violence, being heard, equality
Genre: alphabet book, nonfiction
Opening:
Assemble.
Take Action.
Create Allies.
Synopsis:
Using an alphabetic and very sparse and lyrical tex, Rob invites the reader to make their voice known however young they are through decisive, creative and always non-violent means.
Why I like this book:
Unless children are living in a parent-imposed media-free bubble they are being exposed daily to questions about rights and protesting. This is such a timely text. It is not about espousing a point of view, it is about everyone’s right to be heard. It embraces more internal responses like prayer and mediation top practical action like lending a hand and voting. The call to action is practical, inclusive, creative and challenging. There is a message for adults and children here. Kids have questions about all of these things they see and hear about each day and Rob’s text is a terrific springboard to talk to your students about how we can bring change.
Rob does not shy away from abstract concepts or difficult vocabulary and I know kids will rise to challenge. Jared Schorr’s bold, bright illustrations brings the resistance to life making it clear that we can make a difference.
Resources/Activities:
The book includes a page about some of the peaceful protests the USA experienced in the 50’s and 60’s, and an extensive glossary, which will be great for some vocabulary development with your older students.
With the mid term elections next week, this would be a great text to introduce the importance of everyone’s involvement in the democratic process of the nation.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Hmmm, I just tried to leave a comment and it said “page not found.” Trying again. I really like this book, and I think I’ll get it for Synergy.
I wrote a civic minded Halloweensie for Susanna Hill’s competition. It’s on my mind. On everyone’s mind right now.
Perfect choice for today! Look forward to finding & reading this one. Such an important topic.