Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustration by Kadir Nelson (Dial, 2017)

We work with children in schools and know the power of community as it plays out every day, with classmates helping one another to learn, play, and solve problems. We hunger for stories in which people come together.

These picture books represent a panorama of people working and playing together while respecting differences and honoring similarities. With each title, we have included possible discussion questions or an activity that extends the reading. Many of the activities address a range of literacy standards, which in turn offer an opportunity to collaborate with classroom teachers.

Individuals, Family, and Friends

These titles stress the importance of recognizing one’s individual qualities, acknowledging and honoring physical and cultural differences in friends and family, and working together to solve problems, despite differences.

BRITT, Paige. Why Am I Me? illus. by Selina Alko & Sean Qualls. Scholastic. 2017. ISBN 9781338053142.
PreS-Gr 2 –The title question is asked again and again as two main characters go through their day sometimes interacting with peers, other times observing the people around them. Through the subtle message, this book celebrates the uniqueness of each person.

BYERS, Grace. I Am Enough. illus. by Keturah A. Bobo. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. 2018. ISBN 9780062667120.
PreS-Gr 2 –This book is about affirming the importance of each individual’s potential to thrive, especially when helping others. The world is a better place because, “I know that we don’t look the same: our skin, our eyes, our hair, our frame. But that does not dictate our worth; we both have places here on earth.”

GONZALES, Mike. Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter. illus. by Mehrdokht Amini. S. & S./Salaam Reads. 2017. ISBN 9781481489362.

K-Gr 3 –In poetic language, a father tells his daughter to be proud of her Muslim heritage. He tells her that she has questions like any other child, such as, “Why wasn’t I born with wings?” While cautioning her that there “will come a day when some people in the world will not smile at you,” he also assures her that she will dance, smile, pray, and laugh because she can proudly say, “Yo soy Muslim.”

RICHARDS, Doyin. What’s the Difference? Being Different Is Amazing. photos by author. Feiwel & Friends. 2017. ISBN 9781250107091.
PreS-Gr 1 –Friends share differences but realize that what they have in common is far more important. “What’s the difference if your neighbor has blue eyes and yours are brown? All that matters is when your eyes see ice cream, you eat it together.” “What’s the difference if your friend has straight hair and yours is curly? All that matters is you love putting your hair inside funky hats together.” Crisp, colorful photos of diverse pairs of children illustrate each concept.

SIBLEY O’BRIEN, Anne. I’m New Here. illus. by author. Charlesbridge. 2015. ISBN 9781580896122.
K-Gr 3 –Three children, one from Somalia, one from Korea, and one from Guatemala, adjust to their new lives in the United States, feeling lost and lonely until other children in their classrooms take them under their wings. We see from the newcomers’ perspectives how a move from one home to another can be difficult, especially when the country, languages, and way of life are new as well. This follow-up to the author’s Someone New is a good companion book to the aforementioned The Seeds of Friendship.

Community and Beyond

This next group of titles represents the world at large. They often depict unrelated groups interacting to help others, celebrate events, or overcome obstacles or tragedy.

ANCONA, George. Can We Help?: Kids Volunteering To Help Their Communities. photos by author. Candlewick. 2015. ISBN 9780763673673.
Gr 1-4 –This nonfiction title depicts a range of projects school-age children have undertaken in their Southwestern community, such as knitting hats for homeless people; sorting, packing, and delivering items for a food bank; and picking up trash in an area important to the children. This is a good introduction for schools or classrooms considering a service learning project.

CAMPOY, F. Isabel & Theresa Howell. Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood. illus. by Rafael López. HMH. 2016. ISBN 9780544357693.
K-Gr 3 –Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, CA, this book shows how one little girl’s love for art transformed a once-gray community. Mira first starts to share her paintings with people in the community, attracting the attention of a muralist. They paint the neighborhood and are joined by many people who are inspired to bring joy, music, and colors to the community. López’s charming illustrations with acrylic paints on wood and digital touches enliven this empowering story.

DRUMMOND, Alan. Green City: How One Community Survived a Tornado and Rebuilt for a Sustainable Future. illus. by author. Farrar. 2016. ISBN 9780374379995.
K-Gr 3 –While rebuilding their city after a tornado in 2007, residents in Greensburg, KS, decided to go green. They made new eco-friendly and wind-resistant buildings, a wind farm, and a hurricane-proof water tower. The city was transformed thanks to all the hard work and dedication of the community.

GENHART, Michael. I See You. illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff . Magination Pr. 2017. ISBN 9781433827587.
K-Gr 3 –This wordless, colorful book makes a powerful statement on compassion. A young boy first notices a homeless lady from his apartment window and starts seeing her everywhere. The actions he takes by the end of the story make an impact.

LAMBA, Marie & Baldev Lamba. Green Green: A Community Gardening Story. illus. by Sonia Sanchez. Farrar. 2017. ISBN 9780374327972.
PreS-Gr 2 –People of diverse backgrounds get together to create a community garden. As their city grows, tall buildings spring up and construction and litter increase. Several families clean the area and work hard to make the community greener. This simple and poetic story reminds us of the joy of working together to make the community a better place for everybody.

LEANNAH, Michael. Most People. illus. by Jennifer E. Morris. Tilbury House. 2017. ISBN 9780884485544.
K-Gr 2 –Based on what they observe through the daily news media cycle, children might conclude that the world is a scary place. The author of this book tries to put it all into perspective by reminding readers that most people want to be kind and helpful.

MCCARNEY, Rosemary with Plan International. The Way to School. photos. Second Story Pr. 2015. ISBN 9781927583784.
K-Gr 3 –Children from around the world overcome many challenges to go to school. These photos show children climbing steep canyon trails, crossing waterways on bamboo bridges or high-wire cables, and more. This is a stirring testament to young people’s dedication to obtaining an education.

NABERHAUS, Sarvinder. Blue Sky White Stars. illus. by Kadir Nelson. Dial. 2017. ISBN 9780803737006.
K-Gr 2 –This gorgeous work celebrates the diversity of the United States using the American flag as a motif. The author relies on exuberant wordplay and homophones. An illustration of Betsy Ross making the flag, accompanied by the phrase “Sew together won nation,” is followed by a page resplendent with an array of adult faces of different races: “So together one nation.”

SEHGAL, Surishtha & Kabir Sehgal. Festival of Colors. illus. by Vashti Harrison. S. & S./Beach Lane. 2018. ISBN 9781481420495.
PreS-Gr 3 –Chintoo and Mintoo are excited about the festival of colors in India—Diwali. They collect flowers and get ready for the event. Their neighbors and people in the community gather to celebrate the festival.

STRICKLAND, Tessa & Kate DePalma. Barefoot Book of Children. illus. by David Dean. Barefoot. 2016. ISBN 9781782852964.
PreS-Gr 2 –Each spread is richly saturated with vibrant depictions of children of different ethnicities and races enjoying similar activities, from the little treasures they pick up here and there to the stories they tell about themselves. It opens with a picture of the world and an array of people’s faces. With each spread, the text invites readers to consider how they might engage in a similar activity as another child somewhere else in the world.

TATE, Nikki. Better Together: Creating Community in an Uncertain World. Orca. 2018. ISBN 9781459813007.
Gr 4–9 –This book defines the essentials of a thriving community, no matter where in the world it exists, starting with safe housing, health, education, and food, all of which require us to work together to connect. The photographs are from around the world.

While these selections do not directly address some of the more serious issues our nation is facing (e.g., refugees, the current administration’s attitude toward immigration, poverty), they do offer opportunities to see potential—potential for collaboration, understanding, appreciating the human condition, and compassion, no matter our race, nationality, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or level of income.

Dr. Eun Hye Son and Dr. Margaret Chase are associate professors of Literacy, Language, and Culture at Boise State University, Idaho.