Throughout the Read Aloud project, On Earth Peace has been writing and reflecting on this program. Our blogs include the records of books we've read so far, as well as reflections on webinars and events that we have been part of.

Kids as Peacemakers: Equipping Resilient Leaders- Bullying Prevention

Read about our upcoming event on October 23rd and Bullying Prevention.

Read Aloud Project: July Books | July 26, 2021

A recap of books we read in July.

On Earth Peace Projects for Children : Read Aloud in a Foreign Language | July 16, 2021

On Earth Peace's most recent #KidsAsPeacemakers project and how exposing children to different languages benefits them and the community.

Read Aloud Project: June Books | July 09, 2021

A recap of books we read in June.

Read Aloud Project: May Books | June 06, 2021

A recap of book we read in May.

Read Aloud Project: April Books | May 19, 2021 - On Earth Peace

Here is a recap of books we read for the project in April.

Read Aloud Project: March Book | March 30, 2021

Here is a recap of the books that were read for the project in March.

Read Aloud Project: February Books | February 24, 2021

Here is a recap of the books that were read for the project in February.

Author Spotlight: Dorena Williamson | February 7, 2021

Dorena Williamson, a children's book author, uses her experience as a worship leader to address important topics like race and justice.

Read Aloud Project: January Books | February 2, 2021

Here are the books that were read for the project in January 2021.

Black Lives Matter in the Classroom | January 27, 2021

Lee & Low hosted a webinar called Black Lives Matter: A Conversation with Experts, where author Laleña Garcia and illustrator Cary Davidson spoke about their book What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book and how the principles of Black Lives Matter can be applied in the classroom. 

Anti-Racist Book List for Young Adults | January 19, 2021

Here is a list of five book for young adults about antiracism.

Flamingo Rampant Book Publisher | January13, 2021

Looking for a new book publisher? Flamingo Rampant is a book publishing company that produces “feminist, racially-diverse, LGBTQ positive children’s books, in an effort to bring visibility and positivity to the reading landscape of children everywhere."

New Children's Books Releases for 2021 | January 6, 2021

Happy New Year, everyone! Several children’s books are scheduled to be released in 2021. After looking at the various new releases, On Earth Peace created a list of 10 children’s books that we think you should look into reading or purchasing for the children in your life. 

Read Aloud Project's Most Viewed Videos of 2020 | December 16, 2020

The Read Aloud Project has been going on since March of 2020. As of December 16, 2020 there have been 75 read aloud videos posted on On Earth Peace’s Facebook page. Our top five videos had a combined total of over 2,000 views.

Multicultural Children's Books About Christmas | December 9, 2020

With Christmas right around the corner, we wanted to make a list of Christmas books that had characters from different backgrounds. Hopefully, this list will give people ideas on what books to read or buy next for the children in their lives.

Read Aloud Project: November Books | December 1, 2020

We've rounded up our November 2020 reads. 

Contemporary Native Literature | November 23, 2020

White Privilege Symposium 2020 | November 16, 2020

Priscilla Weddle, Children’s Peace Formation Organizer, and Tamera Shaw, one of the Racial Justice Organizers, attended the White Privilege Symposium. Read this blog to see what they discovered and learned about the need for conversations and education around this topic. 

Documentaries & Docuseries About Peace, Courage, & Justice | November 11, 2020

Books are important in developing children’s peace skills. However, movies and tv shows can also play a significant role in teaching children skills. This blog features a list of documentaries and docuseries that both children and adults would enjoy watching. The documentaries and docuseries I chose are about peace, courage and justice. 

StoryCycles | November 4, 2020 

Our Children's Peace Formation Organizer attended an webinar call, "Using Books to Engage Young Children in Talk about Race and Justice." This webinar featured a group of people from Tandem. Tandem is a nonprofit organization that has a mission of engaging the community to ensure all families have the resources they need to support their children's kindergarten readiness. Learn more.

Read Aloud Project: October Books | October 28, 2020

See what we read in October! 

Children's Books About the Birmingham Campaign | October 22, 2020

Read how children have made an impact and how they're involved in the Birmingham Campaign.

Children's Halloween Books About Courage and Friendship | October 16, 2020

Collection of Halloween books that are about courage and friendship. 

Children's Books About Climate Change | October 7, 2020

Help your children learn about climate change! Read the blog to learn more.

Read Aloud Project: September Books | October 4, 2020

See what we read during September!

Children's Books About Voting and Elections | September 16, 2020

Ahead of the upcoming election, here a list of children’s books about voting and elections to help answer questions children might have about it.

Teacher Pick: Best Children's Books | September 10, 2020

We asked teachers which books the recommend children. Here is a list of books recorded for grades 5th and 6th.

Read Aloud Project: August Books | September 1, 2020

See what we read this August! 

Raising Race Conscious Kids Session 4 Reflection | August 26, 2020

OEP's Racial Justice Organizer, Tamera Shaw and Grace Cook-Huffman, wrote a reflection on the fourth session of "Raising Race Conscious Kids."

Raising Race Conscious Kids Session 2 Reflection | August 18, 2020 

Priscilla Weddle, Children’s Peace Formation Coordinator at On Earth Peace wrote a reflection over the second Raising Race Conscious Kids Session. 

Raising Race Conscious Kids Session 1 Reflection | August 11, 2020 

Laura Hay, OEP's Youth and Young Adult Intern wrote a reflection on the first Raising Race Conscious Kids Session. 

Children's Books of 2020 | August 6, 2020

Here are a list of new justice and peace books that were published in 2020! 

Read Aloud Project: July Books | July 29, 2020

See what we ready in July 2020! 

OEP Raising Race Conscious Kids Webinar Series | July 16, 2020

Jennifer Harvey’s book Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America is the book our webinar series is based upon. Click on the link to learn more.

Children's Books About Migrants | July 7, 2020

Immigration is a topic that should be discussed with children. Even though it can be uncomfortable for some parents to talk about this topic, it is important to explain what it means to be an immigrant and the difficulties they may face. Read this blog for a list of books that will make these discussions easier.

Read Aloud Product: June Books | June 30, 2020 

See what we read this June!

Lee & Low Books | June 18, 2020

Learn about Lee & Low who's publishes Own Voice Books. Own Voice, refers to books written by authors from underrepresented groups about their own experiences.

Representation Matters | June 10, 2020 

Representation in children’s books (and all books for that matter) truly makes a difference in the lives of young readers. Making personal connections to content boosts a reader’s ability to effectively comprehend the information. 

Read Aloud Project: May Books | June 1, 2020

See what we read the second month of the read aloud project.

Reality Check: Children's Book Audit | May 27, 2020

Marie Benner-Rhoades recently did a children’s book audit after viewing an EmbraceRace webinar, “Reading Picture Books with Children through a Race-Conscious Lens,” where the idea was introduced to me. See what she discovered here.

Diverse Book Finder | May 19, 2020

Having diverse characters in children’s books is important because it allows children to reflect on their own identity and develop empathy for others. For the Read Aloud Project, we have made a concerted effort to read books with diverse characters. 

Read Aloud Project | May 18, 2020

See what we read during our first month of the Read Aloud Project in April. 

Read Aloud Videos: Own Voices

Own voices refers to books written by authors from marginalized or underrepresented groups about their own experiences/from their own perspectives.

We Are Still Here | By Traci Sorell

This book is about Native American truths everyone needs to know.

• What is a new truth you learned from this book?

Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story | By Ken Mochizuki

This book tells the story of Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara and how he helped thousands of Jews escape from the Nazis.

• Has there ever been a time when you did not understand what someone in your life was doing? If so, how did it make you feel?
• Can you think of a time when you or someone in your life was brave?

Dear Juno |By Soyung Pak

Juno and his grandmother write letters to each other in order to keep in touch. Juno’s grandmother lives in a different country and writes in a different language that Juno does not understand. They overcome this language barrier by drawing pictures in their letters.

• Do you have someone that you would like to send a letter to?

For additional resources and activities related to this book, visit this link. 

When the Shadbush Blooms | By Carla Messinger

This book is about the Lenape seasons.

• Which season is your favorite?
• What activities do you and your family do during that season?
• Why are those activities special to you?

For additional resources related to Messinger's book visit the link here.

Too Many Tamales | By Gary Soto

It is Christmas Eve and Maria is making tamales with her mother. Maria decides to put her mother’s ring on while she is making the tamales. She ends up losing the ring and asks her cousins to help her eat all of the tamales in order to find the ring. 

• What lesson did Maria learn in this story?

For additional resources and activities, visit this worksheet. 

Rachel’s Christmas Boat | By Sophie LaBelle

Emma reads this as part of our Read Aloud Program. Follow along with Emma and answer the following questions:

• Do you ever give presents to your friends and family?
• Do you make them presents?
• How do you feel when they open the presents you got them?

Shirley Chisholm is a Verb | By Veronica Chambers

This book tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress.

• What verbs will you choose?

For more activities related to this book, visit our worksheet.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message | By Chief Jake Swamp

Giving Thanks is a take on the Thanksgiving Address about thanking Mother Earth for everything it provides.

• Who are the Indigenous people who lived on the land you currently live on?
• What do you know about their culture and traditions?

Waiting for the Biblioburro | By Monica Brown

This book is about a young girl named Ana who lives in a small village. One day, a traveling library stops in her village and she gets to read several books that inspire her to write her own book.

• Can you think of a time when you had to wait for something to happen?
• What did you do while you waited?

For more activities related to this book, visit our worksheet.

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos | By Monica Brown

This book is about the artist Frida Kahlo and her pets that inspired her.

• What inspires you? 

Crossing Bok Chitto | By Tim Tingle

A young Choctaw girl named Martha Tom becomes friends with a slave family and helps them escape to freedom.

• Have you ever noticed how some people do not seem to be noticed?

Shin-chi’s Canoe | By Nicola Campbell

This book is about Indian residential schools and the devastating impact it had on families.

• Who were the first people on the land you live on?

Drawn Together | By Minh Lê

This book is about connecting across generational and language differences, showing that sometimes you don't need words to find common ground. 

• How would you feel if you could not understand a family member because they speak a different language?
• What are some alternative ways to communicate?

Malala’s Magic Pencil | By Malala Yousafzai

This book tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education.

• What would you do with a magic pencil?
• What would you draw?
• What would you say?

We Are Water Protectors | By Carole Lindstrom

This book is about the Indigenous-led movements to protect the Earth and its water sources.

• What are some ways you use water?

For additional activities related to Carole Lindstrom's book, visit our worksheet.

Dreamers | By Yuyi Morales

Sitti’s Secrets | By Naomi Shihab Nye

This story is about a child  from the United States who visits her grandmother in Palestine and finds that love transcends language barriers, time zones, and national borders.

• How can you see people for who they are as individuals like how Mona sees her grandmother as separate from what she sees on the news?
• What can you do to fight for Palestinians and Palestinian justice?

For more activities related to this video, view our worksheet!

A is for Activist | By Innosanto Nagara

A is for Activist is an ABC board book that covers topics about activism, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, etc.

• Can you think of a word that describes you for each letter of the alphabet?

For more activities related to A is for Activist, visit the following worksheet.

I Love Saturdays y Domingos | By Alma Flor Ada

On Saturdays, a young girl visits her grandparents who have a European-American background. On Saturdays, she visits her abuelita and abuelito who are Mexican-American. She details what she does with each grandparent while visiting.

• Why do you think the little girl did different things with her grandparents?

Thank You, Omu! | By Oge Mora

Omu decides to make a stew for dinner. The stew smells so good that several members of the community stop by Omu's place asking for some stew. Omu shares the stew with her community, but she soon runs out and realizes that she does not have any left for herself to eat for dinner. The people who Omu shared the stew with stop by to thank her for her generosity.

• Why do you think that it is important to share?

The Composition | By Antonio Skármeta

Pedro is a young boy who likes to play soccer. At school, Pedro and his classmates are asked by the government to write a composition about what their families do at night. Pedro does not want the government to find out that his parents secretly listen to the radio at night, so he leaves this part out of his composition.

• What would you do if you were Pedro?

Juna’s Jar | By Jane Bahk

Juna has a best friend named Hector. They like to go on adventures and catch things in empty kimchi jars. One day, Hector moves away and Juna has to figure out who will go on adventures with her now. 

• Who do you like to go on adventures with?

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music | By Margarita Engle

This story is about a girl who breaks the rules to become a drummer.

• What activities do you dream about doing?

Antiracist Baby | By Ibram X. Kendi

Antiracist Baby is a board book that introduces young children to the concepts of antiracism.

• How have you been battling racism in your friendships and classes?
• How can you do better to make places more safe and comfortable for your friends of different races?

When Aidan Became A Brother | By Kyle Lukoff

When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. But Aidan realized that he was a boy and his parents fixed the parts of life that did not fit anymore. Aidan's parents announce that they are going to have another baby, which leads Aidan to panic because he wants to make sure that everything is going to be perfect for his sibling.

• How do Aidan’s feelings change from the beginning of the story to the end of the story?

We Are Shining | By Gwendolyn Brooks

In this poem picture book, the uniqueness of every child is celebrated.

• How did this poem make you feel?

Alma and How She Got Her Name | By Juana Martinez-Neal

Alma, whose full name is Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, thinks she has too many names so she asks her dad about them. He explains the various people she was named after to honor them. 

• What is the story behind your name?

I Am Perfectly Designed | By Karamo Brown and Jason “Rachel” Brown

This story is about a father and son walking through a city and discovering things that make them perfectly designed for each other.

• What makes you unique and perfectly designed?

I Am Enough | By Grace Byers

Grace Byers' book is about loving yourself and respecting others.

• What do the children mean at the end of the story when they declare, “I am enough”?

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship | By Jessica Walton

Errol and Teddy are best friends that do everything together. On day, Teddy seems sad so Errol asks Teddy what's wrong. Teddy reveals that she is a girl teddy, not a boy teddy, and would like to be called Tilly. Errol accepts Tilly and states that they will always be best friends no matter what.

• Is there something important about Errol and Tilly doing the same activities together at the beginning and end of the story?
• What do you think the author is trying to tell us?

The Name Jar | By Yangsook Choi

Unhei moves to the U.S. from Korea and is nervous about her first day of school. On the bus, the kids tease her because of her name. When she gets to class, she tells everyone that she will be choosing a new name for herself by the end of the week. Her classmates make a name jar to give her name suggestions. In the end, Unhei decides to keep her name and explains to her classmates what her name means and why it is important to her.

• If you could choose your own name, what would you pick and why?

Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match | By Monica Brown

Marisol is half Scottish and half Peruvian. She loves “mismatched” things. She has bright red hair, brown skin, loves to wear polka dots and stripes, having PB&J burritos for lunch, and being a complete fusion of everything.

• What makes you unique?

Love Will See You Through | By Angela Farris Watkins

Angela Farris Watkins, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s niece, reveals her uncle's six guiding principles of nonviolence.

• Which one of King’s principles is your favorite?

The Sandwich Swap | By Kelly DiPucchio and Queen Rania of Jordan

Lily and Salma are best friends. However, they do not like the same sandwiches: Lily likes peanut butter and jelly, while Salma likes hummus on pita. A food fight ensues when they declare that each others' lunch is weird. In the end, they set aside their differences.

• Have you ever swapped a sandwich with one of your friends?

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History | By Vashti Harrison | June 25, 2020

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History features the stories of forty trailblazing women in American history, including Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. 

• Can you think of a time that you were courageous?
• What was it and what did you do?

From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea | By Kai Cheng Thom

This story is about a non-binary child who overcomes being bullied through the guidance of their mother. 

• Have you ever wanted to be more than one thing? What do you want to be?

We Are a Rainbow | By Nancy Tabor

This book helps young readers begin building cultural bridges through simple comparisons. 

While reading this book please thing and reflection on these questions while you watch this video: 

• What makes you and your family unique?
• What language do you speak?
• Do you make special food?
• What things from other cultures do you enjoy? 

Read Aloud Videos: Holidays

From Christmas to Halloween, books about various holidays and traditions are included in this category.

Favloe Al Telepono 

A book about Italian Christmas traditions read in Italian and translated to English

• What is your favorite Christmas tradition.

Too Many Tamales | By Gary Soto

It is Christmas Eve and Maria is making tamales with her mother. Maria decides to put her mother’s ring on while she is making the tamales. She ends up losing the ring and asks her cousins to help her eat all of the tamales in order to find the ring. 

• What lesson did Maria learn in this story?

For additional resources visit this worksheet. 

Christmas Around the World | By Lesley Sims

This book talks about Christmas and how various countries celebrate it.

• What are some of your family’s Christmas traditions?

For additional resources, and activities visit this worksheet. 

Rachel's Christmas Boat | Sophie LaBelle

Lulu's Dad tells her that she is going to change her name to Rachel. Lulu is worried that Santa will not find out about her name change in time to fix the tags on Rachel's presents. Lulu and her friend go on an adventure to find Santa to let him know about her Dad's new name.

• Do you ever give presents to your friends and family?
• Do you ever make them presents?
• How do you feel when they open the presents you got them?

The Polar Express | By Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express is about a boy who gets invited to go on a train to the North Pole. There, he meets Santa Claus and receives a gift that he cherishes for the rest of his life.

• Why do you think the boy was chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas?

For more activities related to this book, visit the worksheet here.

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border | By Mitali Perkins

This book is about a girl and her family visiting her grandmother at the Mexican border. She has to figure out how to give her grandmother her Christmas presents because they do not fit through the fence.

• Have you ever been away from someone for Christmas?

For more activities related to this book visit this sheet.

This Day In June | By Gayle E. Pitman

This book captures what goes on during a pride parade. In the back of the book, a note to parents and caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity is provided.

• Why is Pride Month important to you?

Today On Election Day | By Catherine Stier

This book is about a group of children experiencing election day.

• What are some qualities that you look for in candidates?

For additional activities related to Catherine Stier's book, visit our worksheet.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything | By Linda Williams

One day, a fearless little old lady goes on a walk in the woods. While on her walk, the little old lady runs into several articles of clothing and a pumpkin head that scare her. She runs home, but then she hears something knocking at her door. What will the little old lady do to overcome her fears?

• Can you think of a time you were scared?
• What did you do?
• Was facing your fear as hard as you thought it was going to be?

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin | By Joe Triano

Spookley is a square pumpkin that is outcasted by the other pumpkins in the patch, until one day he show how being different can help save the day.

• What is something that makes you unique?
• How might you use this uniqueness to help others?

Read Aloud Videos: Environment & Earth Advocacy

Do you want to teach the children in your life about how to care for the environment? The books in this category cover climate change, conservation, recycling, and the work of climate activists.

I Know the River Loves Me / Yo se que el rio me ama | By Maya Christina Gonzalez 

This story is about a little girl's relationship to nature.

• How do you feel about nature?
• What is your favorite place in nature?

The Way of the Wood | By T. Albert

The story covers animals relations to different types of animals, to the forest, as well as humans. It allows insight into how animals perceive humans.

• How do you think your pet sees you?

The Lorax | By Dr. Seuss

This story helps children understand the danger of human destruction on nature.

• Think of ways you can help take care of earth and the environment? 

The Water Princess | By Susan Verde

This book is based on the childhood experience of Georgie Badiel. A young girl named Princess Gie Gie details her and her mother’s daily journey to get water.

• Why do you think Gie Gie has to travel so far for water?

Bee & Me | By Alison Jay

This wordless picture book is about a young girl who becomes friends with a bee.

• Why are bees important?
• How can you help save the bees?

We Are Water Protectors | By Carole Lindstrom

This book is about the Indigenous-led movements to protect the Earth and its water sources.

• What are some ways you use water?

For additional activities related to Carole Lindstrom's book, visit our worksheet.

Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay | By Susan Hood

Ada Rios grew up in Cateura, a town built on a landfill in Paraguay. She wanted to learn how to play the violin, but the music class she signed up for did not have enough instruments. Her music teacher, Favio Chavez, decides to start making instruments out of recycled material. The students in her music class formed the Recycled Orchestra and play venues around the world.

• How can music bring people together?

Wangari’s Trees of Peace | By Jeanette Winter

This is the true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

• Do you have trees where you live? Do you like your trees?

Greta and the Giants: Inspired by Greta Thurnberg’s Stand to Save the World | By Zoe Tucker

This book tells the story of climate activist Greta Thurnberg.

• What things can you do to help Greta fight climate change?

Helpers Win: Yucky-rus Virus | By Kathy Fry-Miller

A family goes through the ups and downs of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• You may want to light a candle with your family and send a kind thought or prayer to someone you know who is sick or lonely or especially sad right now.

Read Aloud Videos: Kingian Nonviolence & Peace Skills

On Earth Peace follows the six principles of Kingian Nonviolence and applies them in our everyday work. Our youth and young adult programs, especially Kids As Peacemakers, seek to help participants develop their skills as leaders for peace and justice. In this category, books about Kingian Nonviolence and peace skills are listed to provide resources on peace education.

Three Lines in a Circle: The Exciting Life of the Peace Symbol | By Michael G. Long

A story about the historical origin and meaning of the peace symbol and the way it is used today.

• What does Peace mean to you?

Waiting is not Easy| By Mo Willems

This book has two characters, that teach each other how to be patient with waiting for a surprise at the end of the day.

• Do you find it difficult to be patient?

What Is God Like? | By Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner

This book takes kids into a trip of understanding what God is like, and what he means to them.

• What is God like to you?

Who Will I Be? | By Abby Huntsman

In this story, Abby begins to wonder what she wants to be in the future. She learns about different jobs that are all about helping others, and finds out what she would like to be.

• How would you like to help others when you grow up?

Peace, Bugs, and Understanding: An Adventure in Sibling Harmony by Gail Silver

In this story, Lilly gets absorbed into her great grandfather's journal as he meets a strange looking frog-like creature called Anger. The story helps Lilly transform her anger into loving kindness through Metta technique.

• How can you implement meditation into your daily life to be more kind and loving to others?

Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story | By Ken Mochizuki

This book tells the story of Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara and how he helped thousands of Jews escape from the Nazis.

• Has there ever been a time when you did not understand what someone in your life was doing? If so, how did it make you feel?
• Can you think of a time when you or someone in your life was brave?

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood | By Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell

Mira is a young girl who lives in a gray city. She likes to create and give pictures to people. One day, she meets a muralist, and they bring the community together to make their neighborhood colorful and beautiful.

• Was it just the bright color of the art that brightened the neighborhood or was it something else?

• If you were part of Mira’s neighborhood, what would you add to it?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following worksheet.

The Stars Will Still Shine | By Cynthia Rylant

• What are you thankful for today?

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King Jr. | By David A. Adler

This book introduces readers to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• If Dr. King was still alive today, what do you think he would be most proud of?
• What do you think he would be most disappointed in?

Potatoes, Potatoes | By Anita Lobel

This is a story about a women and her two sons. One day one son ran away to the army of the east; the other son joined the army of the west. As you read this book consider the following:

• Who is someone in your life that has taught you about peace and what it means to be a kind and loving neighbor?
• What walls are you breaking down as you grow and learn more about peace?

Shirley Chisholm is a Verb | By Veronica Chambers

This book tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress.

•  What verbs will you choose?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following worksheet.

Hey, Little Ant | By Hannah Hoose

In this story, a boy tries to decide if he should squish an ant, and the ant makes a compelling case for his survival.

• What do you think the kid should do?

Hey, Wall! | By Susan Verde

A boy decides to bring his community together to paint a wall.

• Is there something in your community that you can work on to make beautiful?

Bear and Bee | By Sergio Ruzzier |

Bear runs into Bee and is frightened because he heard that bees were mean. As he gets to know Bee, Bear realizes he was wrong and that bees are not bad after all.

• What might happen the next time Bear runs into Bee?
• Do you think he will still be afraid?

We’re Different, We’re the Same | By Bobbi Kates |

• What are some things that are the same and different that you love about anyone?

Consider this additional resource for activities related to this book. 

The Crayon Box That Talked | By Shane Derolf

In a toy store, there is a box of crayons that do not get along. A little girl ends up purchasing the box and crayons and brings it home, where the crayons learn to work together. Read along with Annika and ask yourself:

• How can we work with someone that is different from us?

Elephant & Piggie: Should I Share My Ice Cream? | By Mo Willems

Gerald buys ice cream one day and wonders if he should share it with his best friend Piggie. He goes back and forth on whether he should share his ice cream until he decides to share with Piggie. But, by the time Gerald comes to this decision, the ice cream has melted. He is very sad. Piggie shows up with ice cream and shares it with Gerald to make him feel better.

• How does sharing with your friends make you feel?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following link.

Waiting for the Biblioburro | By Monica Brown

This book is about a young girl named Ana who lives in a small village. One day, a traveling library stops in her village and she gets to read several books that inspire her to write her own book.

• Can you think of a time when you had to wait for something to happen? What did you do while you waited?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following link. 

The Youngest Marcher | By Cynthia Levinson

This book is about the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a young girl who was involved in the 1963 Birmingham Campaign.

• How did segregation laws impact Audrey’s life?

For additional activities related to Cynthia Levinson's book, visit our worksheet.

Malala’s Magic Pencil | By Malala Yousafzai

This book tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education.

• What would you do with a magic pencil?
• What would you draw?
• What would you say?

What Does Peace Feel Like? | By Vladimir Radunsky

 In this picture book, hear what real children from around the world have to say about what peace might feel like. 

• What does peace feel, smell, taste, sound, and look like to you?

Crossing Bok Chitto | By Tim Tingle 

A young Choctaw girl named Martha Tom becomes friends with a slave family and helps them escape to freedom.

• Have you ever noticed how some people do not seem to be noticed?

The Great Peace March | By Holly Near

This book is set to the lyrics of Holly Near's song The Great Peace March, which was inspired by an actual peace march.

• Do you think we can have peace in the world?

• Do you have friends that are different from you?

• Do you think different is beautiful?

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything | By Linda Williams 

One day, a fearless little old lady goes on a walk in the woods. While on her walk, the little old lady runs into several articles of clothing and a pumpkin head that scare her. She runs home, but then she hears something knocking at her door. What will the little old lady do to overcome her fears?

• Can you think of a time you were scared?
• What did you do?
• Was facing your fear as hard as you thought it was going to be?

Sitti’s Secrets | By Naomi Shihab Nye 

This story is about a child  from the United States who visits her grandmother in Palestine and finds that love transcends language barriers, time zones, and national borders.

• How can you see people for who they are as individuals like how Mona sees her grandmother as separate from what she sees on the news?
• What can you do to fight for Palestinians and Palestinian justice?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following link.

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin | By Joe Triano 

Spookley is a square pumpkin that is outcasted by the other pumpkins in the patch, until one day he show how being different can help save the day.

•  What is something that makes you unique? How might you use this uniqueness to help others?

A is for Activist By Innosanto Nagara

A is for Activist is an ABC board book that covers topics about activism, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, etc.

• Can you think of a word that describes you for each letter of the alphabet?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following link.

Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class | By Eileen Spinelli 

Miss Fox is tired of her students misbehaving and fighting, so she plans a peace week where everyone has to follow the rules and get along. The students follow the rules inside and outside of the classroom. They learn a lot during peace week and decide to continue to follow its rules after the week ends.

• What does peace week look like to you?
• What are some things you would do during peace week that you normally would not do?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following link.

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez | By Kathleen Krull 

This book tells stories from Cesar Chavez’s childhood, and how Chavez became an activist for change.

• Why were Cesar’s methods so effective?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following link.

The Day You Begin | By Jacqueline Woodson

This book is about finding the courage to connect with people when you feel scared.

• Have you ever walked into a room where no one was quite like you?
• How did this make you feel?

Lubna and Pebble | By Wendy Meddour

 Lubna lives in a refugee camp with her family. Her best friend is a rock named Pebble that she tells everything to. A boy named Amir arrives at the camp and he is frightened. Lubna becomes friends with Amir and decides to give him Pebble when she leaves the camp.

• Why did Lubna give Pebble to Amir? Do you think it was the right thing to do?

The Story of Ferdinand | By Munro Leaf

Ferdinand is a bull that would rather look at flowers than fight. One day, Ferdinand is taken to participate in the bullfights. He refuses to fight and is taken back to the farm.

• Why did Ferdinand decide not to fight?

The Seagoing Cowboy | By Peggy Reiff Miller

This book tells the story of the seagoing cowboys who helped those in need at the end of World War II. As you read along with Peggy ask yourself:

• In what ways did the seagoing cowboys display courage?

If You’re Going to a March | By Martha Freeman

This book explains the meaning behind marches and what to expect when you attend one.

• If you went to a march, what would your sign say?

Thank You, Omu! | By Oge Mora

Omu decides to make a stew for dinner. The stew smells so good that several members of the community stop by Omu's place asking for some stew. Omu shares the stew with her community, but she soon runs out and realizes that she does not have any left for herself to eat for dinner. The people who Omu shared the stew with stop by to thank her for her generosity.

• Why do you think that it is important to share?

The Composition | By Antonio Skármeta

Pedro is a young boy who likes to play soccer. At school, Pedro and his classmates are asked by the government to write a composition about what their families do at night. Pedro does not want the government to find out that his parents secretly listen to the radio at night, so he leaves this part out of his composition.

• What would you do if you were Pedro?

Love Will See You Through | By Angela Farris Watkins 

Angela Farris Watkins, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s niece, reveals her uncle's six guiding principles of nonviolence.

• Which one of King’s principles is your favorite?

Stellaluna | By Janell Cannon

A bat named Stellaluna gets separated from her mom and starts living with a family of birds. She learns how to live and act like a bird. Stellaluna ends up finding her mom and tells her about the birds. When you read this book with Priscilla please consider the following question:

• What does Stellaluna’s experience with the birds tell you about friendship?

The Sandwich Swap | By Queen Rania of Jordan

Lily and Salma are best friends. However, they do not like the same sandwiches: Lily likes peanut butter and jelly, while Salma likes hummus on pita. A food fight ensues when they declare that each others' lunch is weird. In the end, they set aside their differences.

• Have you ever swapped a sandwich with one of your friends?

The Hello, Goodbye Window | By Norton Juster

A young girl explains what she does when she visits her grandparents.

• What would you like to see outside of your own hello, goodbye window?

Talk Peace | By Sam Williams

This books invites readers to talk peace!

• What is your favorite part of the story?

God’s Dream & Storybook Bible | By Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu retells more than fifty of his most beloved Bible stories. While you following along with this story please think about the following question:

• How does God’s dream come true in the Easter story?

The Golden Rule | By Ilene Cooper

A grandfather explains to his grandson the importance of the Golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

• How can you practice the golden rule?

Read Aloud Videos: Anti-Racism & Social Justice

On Earth Peace is committed to the work of racial and social justice. Topics covered in this category include race, social activism, white privilege, and police brutality.

Nelson Mandela

The story of Nelson Mandela's childhood and his fight against apartheid and racism in South Africa read in English and Arabic.

• What do you find most interesting about Nelson Mandela's Childhood?

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners | By Joanna Ho

A story about a young girl embracing her differences from her peers.

• What makes you different and unique that you share with others you love?

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 | By Helaine Becker

Katherine Johnson loves math and is brilliant in schools but has to overcome many obstacles because she is a girl with black skin.  Ultimately, Katherine joins NASA and is the mathematician that saves the Apollo 13 mission. 

Sulwe | By Lupita Nyong'o

Sulwe is a young girl who wishes her skin was lighter. After a journey through the night sky, Sulwe begins to look at herself differently.

• What did you learn from this story?

Ira's Shakespeare Dream | By Glenda Armand

This book is about Ira Aldridge, an African American actor who overcame racism to become one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of the 1800s.

• Have you had anything in your life that has captured your imagination?

Catching the Moon | By Crystal Hubbard

This books is based on the childhood of Marcenia Lyle Alberga, the first African American woman to play for an all-male professional baseball team.

• What sports do you like to play?

Honeysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color | By Monique Fields

A biracial girl named Simone embarks on a journey to find her own color.

• What is your color word?

For additional resources and activities related to this book, visit this link.

Shirley Chisholm is a Verb | By Veronica Chambers

This book tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress.

•  What verbs will you choose?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following worksheet.

Malala’s Magic Pencil | By Malala Yousafzai

This book tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education.

• What would you do with a magic pencil?
• What would you draw?
• What would you say?

The Youngest Marcher | By Cynthia Levinson

This book is about the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a young girl who was involved in the 1963 Birmingham Campaign.

• How did segregation laws impact Audrey’s life?

For additional activities related to Cynthia Levinson's book, visit our worksheet.

A is for Activist | By Innosanto Nagara

A is for Activist is an ABC board book that covers topics about activism, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, etc.

• Can you think of a word that describes you for each letter of the alphabet?

For additional activities related to this book, visit the following link.

Let’s Talk About Race | By Julius Lester

Julius Lester's story introduces children to the topic of race.

• What are some things that are important to your story?

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark" | By Debbie Levy

This book details the achievements of the late Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

For additional activities related to Debbie Levy's book visit the following worksheet. 

Antiracist Baby | By Ibram X. Kendi

Antiracist Baby is a board book that introduces young children to the concepts of antiracism.

• How have you been battling racism in your friendships and classes?
• How can you do better to make places more safe and comfortable for your friends of different races?

Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match | By Monica Brown

Marisol is half Scottish and half Peruvian. She loves “mismatched” things. She has bright red hair, brown skin, loves to wear polka dots and stripes, having PB&J burritos for lunch, and being a complete fusion of everything.

• What makes you unique?

Love Will See You Through | By Angela Farris Watkins

Angela Farris Watkins, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s niece, reveals her uncle's six guiding principles of nonviolence.

• Which one of King’s principles is your favorite?

The Name Jar| By Yangsook Choi

Unhei moves to the U.S. from Korea and is nervous about her first day of school. On the bus, the kids tease her because of her name. When she gets to class, she tells everyone that she will be choosing a new name for herself by the end of the week. Her classmates make a name jar to give her name suggestions. In the end, Unhei decides to keep her name and explains to her classmates what her name means and why it is important to her.

• If you could choose your own name, what would you pick and why?

Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano PhD , Marietta Collins PhD , Ann Hazzard PhD

Two families, one Black and one White, discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their town to their children.

• What is something you can do to start a better pattern?

Not My Idea: A Book about Whiteness | By Anastasia Higginbotham

A young White boy sees a White police officer shoot an unarmed brown person on the news. His family refuses to talk about the matter, which leads the boy to look at the history of oppression and self-reflect. 

• How can you affect change as the person that you are?

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History | By Vashti Harrison

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History features the stories of forty trailblazing women in American history, including Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. 

• Can you think of a time that you were courageous?
• What was it and what did you do?

Read Aloud Videos: Immigration, Migration and Refugees

Sitti’s Olive Tree| By Ndaa Hassan

This book is about the Olive Harvest in Palestine.

• What is your favorite family tradition?

Simran Kaur World Traveler | By Jacquelyn Morris

This is a story of young immigrant in the US learning to share and love her culture.

• How do you help someone different feel welcomed?

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners | By Joanna Ho

A story about a young girl embracing her differences from her peers.

• What makes you different and unique that you share with others you love?

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller | Pura Belpré

An immigrant bring home to the New York Public Library.

• What did you learn from this story?

Baba, What Does My Name Mean?: A Journey to Palestine | By Rifk Ebeid

 A young girl asks her father about the meaning behind her name.

• What are some things you family has told you about your history? 
• Why is it important to you to know about your history?

The Journey | By Francesca Sanna

This book is about the current refugee crisis. A girl and her family are forced to flee their home country when a war breaks out. They embark on a dangerous journey to find a safe place to live.

• Have you ever welcomed someone from another part of the world to your community?
• How can you learn more about this individual’s story, culture, and language?
• How can you make them feel safe and loved?

For more activities related to this book, visit this sheet.

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border | By Mitali Perkins

This book is about a girl and her family visiting her grandmother at the Mexican border. She has to figure out how to give her grandmother her Christmas presents because they do not fit through the fence.

• Have you ever been away from someone for Christmas?

For more activities related to this book, visit this sheet.

Dreamers | By Yuyi Morales

Lubna and Pebble | By Wendy Meddour

 Lubna lives in a refugee camp with her family. Her best friend is a rock named Pebble that she tells everything to. A boy named Amir arrives at the camp and he is frightened. Lubna becomes friends with Amir and decides to give him Pebble when she leaves the camp.

• Why did Lubna give Pebble to Amir? Do you think it was the right thing to do?

The Name Jar | By Yangsook Choi

Unhei moves to the U.S. from Korea and is nervous about her first day of school. On the bus, the kids tease her because of her name. When she gets to class, she tells everyone that she will be choosing a new name for herself by the end of the week. Her classmates make a name jar to give her name suggestions. In the end, Unhei decides to keep her name and explains to her classmates what her name means and why it is important to her.

• If you could choose your own name, what would you pick and why?

We Are a Rainbow | By Nancy Tabor

This book helps young readers begin building cultural bridges through simple comparisons. 

While reading this book please thing and reflection on these questions while you watch this video: 

• What makes you and your family unique?
• What language do you speak?
• Do you make special food?
• What things from other cultures do you enjoy? 

OEP's #ReadAloud program was created by Priscilla Weddle, Children's Peace Formation Coordinator Intern, and Marie Benner-Rhoades, Youth and Young Adult Peace Formation Director. This program started as a way to provide homeschooling resources in justice and peace during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The program has since become permanent due the the overwhelming response from the community. 

If you have any questions, or are interested in participating, please contact the Children's Peace Formation Coordinator Intern, or Marie Benner-Rhoades.

Please, visit the pages below to view the blogs that have been written about the project as well as the videos that have been recorded with their accompanying worksheets.

#ReadAloud Blogs

#Children As Peacebuilders: Equipping Resilient Leaders Seminar Series

#ReadAloud Videos & Worksheets

We have grouped together our past #ReadAloud Videos into themed categories! Click on the category below to learn more:

• Gender & Identity
• Immigration, Migration, & Refugees
• Anti-Racism & Social Justice
• Kingian Nonviolence & Peace Skills
• Environment & Earth Advocacy
• Holidays
• Own Voices

*IMPORTANT NOTE: On Earth Peace does not own the rights to any of the stories read for the Read Aloud Program. Fair Use Act - 17 U.S.C. & 107, Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. All material is owned by the creators (authors, illustrators, publishers) displayed or mentioned in these videos. Reading these stories was done under the Fair Use of a copyrighted work for entertainment and education.

Written by Marie Benner-Rhoades, Youth and Young Adult Peace Formation Director (Originally written in 2018, updated for this blog.)

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently about raising my white children in a predominately white place. I want them to understand race and their role in social justice efforts, and it already feels too late. My children are six and two years old. What we know about implicit bias includes that children as young as six months already make judgments based on race. We have to be intentional in our efforts to be anti-racist.

Reading to my kids is a favorite activity in my family. We all take part- kids, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles- in person and online. Bookshelves are full in my house, but are they full of the right books? I decided recently to do a children’s book audit after viewing an EmbraceRace webinar, “Reading Picture Books with Children through a Race-Conscious Lens,” where the idea was introduced to me.

Having diverse characters in children’s books is important because it allows children to reflect on their own identity and develop empathy for others. For the Read Aloud Project, we have made a concerted effort to read books with diverse characters. Examples of books we have read include We Are A Rainbow by Nancy Tabor, Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio, The Sandwich Swap by Kelly DiPucchio and Queen Rania of Jordan, Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, and The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. As the project carries on, I continue to look for books to recommend to volunteers. This led me to attend an EmbraceRace webinar titled “Choosing Good Picture Books Featuring Black, Indigenous and People of Color Characters."