Styling Librarian: International Mindedness: Part 5 Rights and Responsibilities
June 2, 2012
Here are my top 12+ books that I think introduce human’s rights and responsibilities around the world, not just in one location. The first five books truly demonstrate this but others are also rich examples of this important topic to share with classes. Some books are more appropriate for 3rd grade and up, but for the most part, I would say that most of these books can be read and reread at different grade levels with various responses and results.
Trouble with the Alphabet by Caryn West This book has received accolades in some places and in others, no one knows about it. I personally went to a hot air balloon show four years ago and was drawn to a booth with gorgeous oil paintings hanging up with beautiful letters and children’s faces peering out. I was entranced. Then I chatted with the author who had quite the rich personal story about her beautiful book. (See webpage above for more information). The book goes through every letter of the alphabet, reaches various corners of the globe and touches dozens of terrible issues such as genocide, child labor, human trafficking, the use of child soldiers, poverty, and AIDS. Then, after the issues are introduced, the following page lists an organization that works hard to address the issues. This is one large, heavy, gorgeous book with the illustrations, content, and message- that anyone can help make a difference. There are a few pages that you could avoid in elementary school but my third grade teachers adore this book and share it yearly when discussing rights of a child. I created a webpage for my 3rd grade teaching team on our unit Rights and Responsibilities: People’s rights and responsibilities are influenced by perspectives. Book summary: From apathy to activism… one person at a time. Years from now our children will either be shining examples of the power of mankind’s successes or evidence of human failure.
A Life Like Mine – In Association with UNICEF- United Children’s Fund: Beautiful book with voices from many countries. Wonderful book to begin initial discussions on human rights. Summary: Looks at what life is like for children of different countries and how each child can fulfill his or her hopes and ambitions no matter how little or much their human rights are infringed.
For Every Child: The UN Convention on Rights of the Child in Words and Pictures text adapted by Carolyn Castle, forward by Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu.
Beautiful illustrated book to provoke conversation on author/illustrator intent, messages and imagery, and also discuss with children what they believe their rights are. Every page is created by different brilliant illustrators who have made special connections to the principles throughout. Summary: A pictorial description of the 54 principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child.
Every Human Has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids, forward by Mary Robinson. Gorgeous book to read aloud and discuss rights to all people. Incredible photographs throughout. Summary: Combines photographs with poetry to offer an overview of the thirty rights granted to all people by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures by multiple artists. Another beautifully illustrated book demonstrating basic rights for all humanity. Summary: An illustrated introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was established following World War II, including thirty articles that declare the basic rights for all of humanity as compiled by the United Nations.
Other brilliant books connected with this topic:
Armando and the Blue Tarp School by Edith Hope Fine and Judith Pinkerton Josephson; This is a favorite book to read with all my staff, every grade level can use it for provocation and connection to topics. My fourth grade team uses it when talking about how we treat the planet and how our actions can impact the earth. Summary: Armando and his father are trash-pickers in Tijuana, Mexico, but when Señor David brings his “school”– a blue tarp set down near the garbage dump– to their neighborhood, Armando’s father decides he must attend classes and learn. (I would partner this book with Trash by Andy Mulligan for a novel read aloud– similar setting, great novel for 4th/5th with a few words adjusted if read aloud. One of my fourth grade teachers read this aloud and said she eliminated one or two inappropriate words and had students waiting with baited breath for the next opportunity to have read aloud time. The whole class clapped at the end of the book.)
Listen to the Wind: A Village in Pakistan Builds a School by Greg Mortenson
Summary: A children’s book that tells the story of Dr. Greg Mortenson’s promise to build a school in a remote Himalayan village after the villagers saved his life. (Sure, there’s controversy surrounding Greg Mortenson, but this is a beautiful story with a strong message.)
Beatrice’s Goat by Paige McBrier This book can connect your class with organizations working to help others around the world. Beautiful message within the story and I love the illustrations! Summary: A young girl’s dream of attending school in her small Ugandan village is fulfilled after her family is given an income-producing goat. Based on a true story about the work of Heifer Project.
Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter – I adore every book Jeanette Winter creates- two others are below! I love reading this book aloud, it captures the whole class and leads to deep, quality conversations (and celebrates a librarian!) Interview with Jeanette Winter about the book.
Summary: During the Iraq War of 2003, librarian Alia Muhammad saves thirty thousand new and old books in her Basra library from destruction.
Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
Beautiful story with the perfect example of taking action, helping others invest in their community and how one person can make a difference. I would partner this book with Mama Miti - Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli which is beautiful as well.
Summary: Tells the story of Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Prize-winning environmentalist who, shocked to see entire forests being cut down in her native country of Kenya, decides to take action, beginning with the planting of nine seedlings in her own backyard.
14 Cows for Americaby Carmen Agra Deedy; in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah; illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. This book has striking, beautiful pictures and shows how others also think about people around the world. Summary: presents an illustrated tale of a gift of fourteen cows given by the Maasai people of Kenya to the U.S. as a gesture of comfort and friendship in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghansistan by Jeanette Winter.
Summary: Nasreen stops speaking and tries to isolate herself after the Taliban take her parents, but with the help of a good friend and a secret school, Nasreen slowly begins to break out of her shell.
Additional new book:
I Have the Right to Be a Child by Alain Serres, illustrated by Aurelia Fronty, translated by Helen Mixter- I LOVED THIS BOOK. My son sat so serious through certain portions and connected the rights to all these other books we’ve read recently about children who don’t have these rights and he said, “Wow, I am lucky aren’t I…” Love the honor of children’s rights and awareness of those who don’t have them. Connection to Convention on the Rights of the Child. This book connects me back to other treasures on children’s rights.
Other Webpages I thought were interesting and resourceful discussions on human rights in connection with children’s literature:
Lovely to hear from the author of Armando and the Blue Tarp School, Edith Hope Fine, what an honor: Comment: We so appreciate your June mention of Armando and the Blue Tarp School. We’ve since had the exciting news that this book has been named a companion book to Luis Urrea’s wonderful Into the Beautiful North by One Book, One San Diego 2012. David Lynch has now worked with the kids of the Tijuana dump for 32 years and recently began work at the city dump outside Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
Thanks so much, Madame Librarian!
Best,
Edith
Lovely to hear from the author of Armando and the Blue Tarp School, Edith Hope Fine, what an honor: Comment: We so appreciate your June mention of Armando and the Blue Tarp School. We’ve since had the exciting news that this book has been named a companion book to Luis Urrea’s wonderful Into the Beautiful North by One Book, One San Diego 2012. David Lynch has now worked with the kids of the Tijuana dump for 32 years and recently began work at the city dump outside Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
Thanks so much, Madame Librarian!
Best,
Edith