As I look into the wide-eyed faces of my two young children, I often wonder how how they are being subtly shaped by the culture of conflict in which they’re growing up. Now more than ever, I believe it’s critically important to seek out counter-cultural narratives that teach our children the value of connection and community in a time of deep self-centeredness, mistrust, and social isolation.
Stories have a unique power to impart moral and cultural messages, especially to children. As well as to spark transformational conversations. As I’ve taken more time to be with my kids this summer I’ve realized how much I need stories to help me help them make sense of the world we’re living in—and imagine a different kind of future.
Today’s parents need as many tools as we can get to excavate the castoff virtues of kindness and civility and build the skills and strengths our kids will need to create a bigger, stronger “we” in America. So I’ve assembled a go-to list of twelve picture books that inspire reflection, prompt discussion, highlight the value and importance of community, and teach kids the how and why of connection.
I hope these beautiful tales of compassion, generosity, forgiveness, and love will lift your heart and inspire you—and your children—to start reweaving the fabric of your community today.
Request that your library feature them, bring them home for story time, or suggest that your child’s teacher use them in the classroom. And please let me know what you would add to the list.
Together we can rebuild a culture of connection—one story at a time!
Zen Ties by Jon J Muth
This beautiful book is part of a series that casts a giant panda named Stillwater in the role of a modern-day Zen Master who teaches in koans and speaks in haiku. In this story, Stillwater helps a group of children look past a neighbor’s grumpy demeanor to find a lonely woman living in pain and isolation. As they spend the week serving her, they learn the power of loving your neighbor, and gain a new and valuable friend.
Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara
This charming board book enumerates the joys of living in a strong, diverse, and vibrant neighborhood. From one stuffed piñata, to five chunks of sidewalk chalk, to nine tasty dishes at a potluck, Counting on Community offers images, ideas, and inspiration for fun ways to spark connection amongst friends and neighbors.
I Am Human by Susan Verde & Peter H. Reynolds
I Am Human chronicles the unique traits and experiences that define our humanity including our capacity to learn, choose our path, and dream big. But it also highlights our tendency to make mistakes—to hurt and be hurt. Ultimately, this book teaches, it is our shared capacity for forgiveness, compassion, empathy, and community that make us truly human.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Shertle & Jill McElmurry
The Little Blue truck takes time to say hello to every friend he meets along the road. The big Dump truck—hurrying to all the important things he has to do—doesn’t have time for socializing. But when the Dump truck gets stuck in the mud, he has no friends to come to his aid! This story teaches the importance of investing in friendship and reaping the reward of having a community to rally around us in times of need.
How Kind! by Mary Murphy
In this simple board book, Hen gives a Pig an egg, which inspires Pig to give in turn, creating a cascade of kindness. This book teaches the very youngest readers how small acts of kindness can become contagious, spreading connection and happiness far and wide.
The Big Umbrella by Juniper Bates & Amy June Bates
The umbrella in this story loves to keep people warm and dry. Some wonder if there is enough room under the umbrella for everyone, and whether certain kinds of people should be welcomed. But the umbrella just grows wider to accommodate all who seek shelter from the storm. This story teaches that as our sense of “we” expands, so does our joy in community.
Stone Soup by Jon J Muth
When three traveling monks come upon a town where no one trusts their neighbor and everyone closes their doors against strangers, they decide to teach the townspeople how to make Stone Soup. Before they know what has happened, the neighbors have come out of hiding, shared their abundance, and all worked together to assemble a grand feast—helping them to overcome mistrust and rebuild a rich sense of community. There are so many versions of this classic story, but this one is by far my favorite—Jon J Muth hits all the right notes.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
This classic tale chronicles a friendship between a boy and a tree over the course of a lifetime. The tree sacrifices everything for the boy, who is often unappreciative of the tree’s loving care. This story paints a portrait of generosity, self-sacrifice, and unconditional love that inspires but also prompts critical thinking and deep discussion about the true nature of friendship.
The Boat by Helen Ward & Ian Andrew
In this moving story accompanied by beautiful drawings, an old man has isolated himself from his village because of mutual fear and distrust. He chooses to live in solitude surrounded by animals. But when a storm threatens to wash him away, the man is forced to surrender to the aid of a courageous young village boy, and learns how to trust in the process.
Dewey Bob by Judy Schachner
This lighthearted, twangy tale tells of Dewey Bob Crockett, a racoon who was born to collect. But he soon learns that a house full of things can’t make his loneliness go away, so he turns to collecting friends instead.
The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah with Kelly Dipuccio and Tricia Tusa
Salma brings a hummus sandwich to school every day, and Lily brings peanut butter and jelly. But when these best friends sample each other’s lunch, they realize just how different they are, putting their relationship to the test. This story extolls friendship across difference, and the importance of making room for diversity.
Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen & Kristina Swarner
This simple book highlights the millions of people doing good in their communities every single day. From teachers teaching to musicians playing beautiful music; from mothers caring for babies to farmers planting seeds—this story illustrates how interconnected we all are, and how even our smallest efforts to do good can make a big difference in the world.