Books – compilations of words and images that inspire, enliven, provoke, and place the world with all its complexities into our hands. Each title in this collection is selected to awaken us to our sense of wonder and curiosity, to provide deeper understanding and stimulate questions, to replace complacency with urgency to be part of the next chapter in the story. While some appear to be “picture books,” they truly speak to humans of all ages. Enjoy!
This list has two categories – Getting Involved and Intercultural Understanding. There are many links between these two topics, and three books at the end that are exemplars of the connection.
Assembling book lists to move us from ideas to action began a long long time ago …. but that’s another story! Coming soon!
Getting Involved
José Feeds the World – How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions of People in Need Around the World by David Unger and Marta Álvarez Miguéns, dopress, 2024
“I always said that wherever there is a fight, so hungry people and people in need may eat, that we will be there.” When a terrible earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, chef Andres gathered friends and flew to the island. They cooked rice and beans for local people, and this led to the founding of the World Central Kitchen, already feeding over 200 people affected by war, the pandemic and natural disasters. A story of determination, collaboration, inspiration, and knowing that action makes all of us better.
Can I Recycle This? a kid’s guide to better recycling and how to use reduce Single-Use Plastics by Jennie Romer and Christie Young, Viking, 2023
When we understand the recycling process we can do better – better at sorting, better at selecting products or products in containers that can be recycled, and maybe even buy less. In these pages learn why we recycle and how to recycle correctly and lead the way for others.
Make a Splash: A Kid’s Guide to Saving Our Earth’s Ocean, Lakes, Rivers & Wetlands (Second Edition) by Cathryn Berger Kaye and Philippe Cousteau, Free Spirit Publishing, 2023
and
Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Earth’s Ocean, Lakes, Rivers & Wetlands (Second Edition) by Cathryn Berger Kaye and Philippe Cousteau, Free Spirit Publishing, 2023
Both books capture the beauty of our ocean and waterways along with the critical issues of our times. Mixed in with facts and stories about the diverse water inhabitants are inspiring stories of kids and teens transforming their ideas into action. Both recently released with updated information and inspiring stories.
Shigeru Ban Builds a Better World by Isadoro Saturno and Stephano Di Cristofaro, Tra Publishing, 2023.
Learn about the remarkable work of an acclaimed architect, Shigeru Ban. Known for his innovative approach to materials and designs, Ban regularly aids disaster victims and refugees by designing temporary shelters typically made from inexpensive and recyclable paper tubes. His projects include a temporary school after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, shelters after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and a church in New Zealand after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The book itself is a work of art (and architecture!).
Something Happened in Our Park – Standing Together After Gun Violence, by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta Collins, Magination Press, 2021
In the aftermath of a shooting where his cousin was injured, Miles leans to cope with guidance from family and friends. He realizes that people can work together to reduce the likelihood of violence to be a better community.
The Twenty-One – The True Story for the Youth who Sued the U.S. Government over Climate Change by Elizabeth Rusch, Greenwillow Books, 2023
In Juliana Vs. United States, twenty-one young plaintiffs claim that government support of the fossil fuel industry contributes to climate change. Why young people? They say that citizens, especially children and young adults, have a constitutional right to a stable climate because they cannot vote and will inherit the problems for the future. Comprehensive, with backmatter, a timeline, and photos. Note: This case is still active. 400 pages
Intercultural Understanding
Crowned – Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora by Kahran and Regis Bethencourt, St. Martin’s Press, 2023
Stories shape how we see the world. When our identities are reflected in the stories, we are enlivened and empowered. These folk and fairy tales include familiar classic stories, and new classics – brand new stories. Each has photographs of Black children portraying the characters, as memorable as the stories themselves.
Dancing Hands – A Story of Friendship in Filipino Sign Language by Joanna Que & Charina Marquez and Fran Alvarez, Chronicle Books, 2020
When the new neighbors have “dancing hands,” Sam becomes curious which leads to a new friendship and dancing hands of her own.
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez, Puffin Books, 2017
On day one at her new middle school, twelve-year-old Malú (María Luisa) stands out a bit too much with her “punk” eye makeup upsetting school rules and creating a riff with popular girl, Selena. Learning to navigate her new Chicago home with her dad far away and her mom making so many rules, her motto is the first rule of punk – be yourself. Can being yourself also including being proud of your Mexican heritage?
The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field by Scott Riley and Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien, Millbrook Press, 2023
Travel to Koh Panyee, Thailand in 1986. There you would see a village on stilts, where young Prasit often help his fisherman father before school. Every free moment, Prasit and friends would play soccer (football), but only when the tide was out and sand was available. “We could make our own field.” Could they make a floating field? A story of remarkable ingenuity leading to a remarkable team that became competitive across Thailand – playing barefoot! “What’s more important is that anything is possible. And as a community or team, you can overcome incredibly impossible odds.” Prasit Hemmin, founding member of the Panyee Football Club.
Front Desk by Kelly Land, Scholastic, 2018
Mia Tang keeps many secrets – she lives in a motel, her parents are immigrants, they are hiding other immigrants at the motel, and she wants to be a writer even though she still struggles with expressing herself in English. Can ten-year-old Mia bring about her dream for her family to own a hotel? Set near Disneyland in Southern California, the coming together of people of diverse ages, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences makes this a lively and engaging read. 286 pages
Gibberish by Young Vo, Levine Querido, 2022
It’s all gibberish to Dat who is starting school in a new country and nothing makes sense – that is until a person drops out of a tree and then . . . A story that conveys the distance between hearing and understanding and what having a friend can do, with illustrations that bring ideas and feelings to life.
Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal – A Worldwide Cinderella by Paul Fleischman, Holiday House, 2007
From its earliest recorded telling in China during the ninth century, the magic of Cinderella has traveled cultures and countries around the globe. The French version introduced glass slippers and coachmen mice. With beautiful art that complements the words, marvel at what is added and enhanced as Cinderella brings the world together.
If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall, Chronicle Books, 2020
All kinds of people, all kinds of homes, all kinds of families. And “Each of us is different . . . But right this minute, we are here together on this beautiful planet.” A thoughtful guide to our planet and a call to be caring to the Earth and each other.
My Mother’s Tongues: A Weaving of Languages by Uma Menon and Rahele Jomepour Bell, Candlewick, 2024
Written when the author was a teen, this is a heartfelt celebration of multilingualism. Sumi thinks her mother may have a superpower the way she can switch between speaking Malayalam and English. A story of migration and how even hurtful comments about her mother’s accent cannot lessen Sumi’s admiration. “No matter how they speak, every person’s voice is unique and important.”
My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom and Steph Littlebird, Abrams Books, 2023
A celebration of culture through the tradition of long hair, a source of memories and strength, a way to be close to Mother Earth. As written in Author’s Note, learning how her own mother’s long hair was taken from her as a child by the Indian boarding school she was forced to attend, author Carole Lindstrom grew her hair “to break the vicious cycle” of loss and to regain self-determination. Beautiful drawings capture the way hair is “a living scrapbook” we always carry.
Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites by Jamie Michalak & Debbi Michiko Florence and Yuko Jones, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021
A yummy book about a chef discouraged from pursuing her hunger for success. Despite naysayers, Niki proved that determination and resilience can turn a woman into a master chef and visionary for her own Los Angeles restaurants. Devour this one! You can also meet Chef Niki on the Netflix program Chef’s Table. A heroic journey to become perhaps the world’s first female Kaiseki chef! Remember “kuyashii” – when people told Niki she couldn’t be a success – her response kuyashii, “Yes I can!”
One of a Kind – The Life of Sydney Taylor by Richard Michelson and Sarah Green, Calkins Creek, 2024
Born Sarah Brenner, Sydney was truly a one of a kind – the middle child of five sisters, lived in a crowded impoverished section of New York City, and changed her name to “Sydney” to have a gender free name – giving her the ability to “speak out and be fearless.” Sydney boldly dared to write a book, All-of-a-Kind Family, the first Jewish children’s book to become popular with non-Jewish readers. Sydney helped to break down barriers so all ethnic groups could eventually have a voice in children’s literature.
Swimming Toward a Dream – Yusra Mardini’s Incredible Journey from Refugee to Olympic Swimmer by Reem Faruqi (check) and Asma Enayeh, Page Street Kids, 2023
Yusra could swim before she could walk, and swimming became her passion! Yet her Olympic dreams shattered with a relentless war in her home, Syria. Escaping to Germany at 17 was a harrowing journey, especially when traveling by boat and needing to help steer the boat from in the cold Mediterranean water. Her dream renewed, Yusra did compete with the Olympics and continues to represent refugees as a flag bearer in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe, The Innovation Press, 2020
When her teacher and classmates cannot pronounce her name, a little girl tells her mother she is not returning to school. “Tell your teacher that your name is a song,” says the mother and then sings so many names: some that have fire, and some that are from the heart. Some names sing strong, and some are magnificent. Returning to school, Kora Jalimuso sings her name loud and proud – and the other children’s names too! All are “music to her ears.”
Getting Involved AND Intercultural Understanding
Breaking the Mold – Changing the Fact of Climate Science by Dana Alison Levy, Holiday House, 2023
The author asks us to “close your eyes and picture a scientist.” Most people imagine a “white dude in a lab coat surrounded by test tubes and beakers.” This picture is changing. Our planet needs the diverse knowledge, perspective, and understanding possible only by having a diverse group of scientists (and policy makers) committed to being part of solving critical issues facing our changing planet. This essential book profiles 16 scientists who defy stereotypes and are working all over the globe on ocean health, health factors of climate change, meteorology – and so much more. “Look in the mirror. You definitely look like a scientist.”
Old Enough to Make a Difference – Be inspired by real-life children building a more sustainable future by Rebecca Hui and Anneli Bray, Magic Cat, 2022
And
Old Enough to Save the Planet – Be inspired by real-life children taking action against climate change by Loll Kirby and Adelina Lirius, Magic Cat, 2020
Need convincing that young people are changemakers? In each of these books, twelve children are featured from around the globe who are being the change in their communities. Maya is fighting fast fashion, Vincent reduced food waste, Eunita’s community garden promotes pollination, Chaeli campaigns for disability access. Each pages has inspiration, ideas, facts, and includes tips to build a more sustainable world.
For more titles, check out The Complete Guide to Service Learning and other resources.
Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., CBK Associates, is an author and international educator. She has been building book lists for decades, finding titles from publishers of all sizes and diverse themes to reach and represent diverse populations. Her books include Word Works: Why the Alphabet is a Kid’s Best Friend to keep the joy of writing alive in children of all ages, and several books to promote social action: The Complete Guide to Service Learning, and two books written with Philippe Cousteau referenced on this list – Make a Splash and Going Blue. Learn more about her work all over this website!