Children's Books - Media, Culture & Consumerism
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Character Education/Citizen Activism
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Media, Culture & Consumerism:
Fiction - Picture Books: 
Ballerino Nate by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. 2006. (32 pgs) Gr. PreK-2.When Nate discovers dance, he knows he’s found his passion, but his brother’s assertion that “boys don’t dance” causes him to have doubts.
Gender roles. Identity. Self-concept. Stereotypes.
The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau. 2000. (48 pgs) Gr. 1-5.
A seamstress makes beautiful quilts and gives them to the poor and needy. When the greedy king demands one of her quilts, she agrees to make him one – once he has given away all that he has.
Consumerism. Generosity. Greed. Poverty. Wealth.
The General by Janet Charters. 1961. (32 pgs) Gr. 2-6.
A general is set on becoming famous until he falls off his horse and discovers the beauty of the natural world. He then vows to change the world by embracing peace and kindness.
Beauty. Communities. Kindness. Mindfulness. Nature. Peace.
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn. 1995. (32 pgs) Gr. 1-4.
It’s Chinese New Year and Sam is excited to spend his money in any way he wants. There are so many things to tempt him, but when he encounters a homeless man, Sam starts to gain a new insight about his “lucky” money.
Chinese New Year. Consumerism. Generosity. Holidays. Homelessness.
Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola. 1979. (48 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
Oliver has to deal with classmates who harass him because he prefers activities like painting, reading and dancing, instead of playing sports.
Bullying. Gender roles. Self-concept.
The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein. 2002. (40 pgs) Gr. K-3.
Because Elmer has different interests than the other male ducks, they taunt him and call him a sissy. When Elmer saves his Papa, the other ducks come to realize that Elmer’s specialness is something to celebrate.
Diversity. Gender roles. Self-concept.
The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke. 2001 (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
King Wilfred teachers his daughter the same knightly skills he taught his sons. But when she turns 16, the King insists on a joust, the winner of which will win Violetta’s hand in marriage. Violetta has other plans.
Gender roles. Persistence. Self-concept.
The Color of Home by Mary Hoffman. 2002. (32 pgs) Gr. K-4.
Newly arrived to the U.S. from Somalia, Hassan finds it difficult to adjust to school, until he is able to tell his story.
Immigrants. Persecution. Refugees. Somalia.
Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman. 2007 (32 pgs) Gr. K-3.
When Grace learns that two students from her class will be chosen as princesses for the parade, she dreams of being a fairy tale princess. But her teacher introduces the class to other kinds of princesses.
Gender roles. Identity. Stereotypes.
Skin Again by bell hooks. 2004. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-4.
“The skin I’m in is just a covering…” If you want to really know someone, you need to get to know them from the inside. A brief book that celebrates diversity and identity.
Diversity. Identity. Self-concept.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. 2001. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
Molly’s grandmother taught her to accept and celebrate herself. When a bully at a new school makes fun of her, Molly continues to take her grandma’s advice.
Acceptance. Bullying. Confidence. Identity. Joy. Self-concept.
Different Just Like Me by Lori Mitchell. 1999. (32 pgs). Gr. Pre-K-3.
As a girl spends the week waiting to visit her grandmother, she encounters all sorts of people who are different, but also quite similar.
Acceptance. Diversity. Identity. Self-concept.
One of Us by Peggy Moss. 2010. (32 pgs). Gr. 1-3.
Roberta is welcomed to a new school by different groups, only to be told she doesn’t fit in with them because she likes things they don’t. Then she finds friends with diverse interests who say she’s perfect because she’s herself.
Acceptance. Diversity. Identity. Individuality. Self-concept.
Why? By Nikolai Popov. 1996 (40 pgs) Gr. K-5.
In this wordless book, a disagreement between mouse and frog (when mouse first steal’s frog’s flower) escalates into a war zone, destroying all the beauty around them that they were previously admiring.
Conflict. Violence. War.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. 2005. (32 pgs) K – 2.
Two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo become mates and work to hatch and raise their own baby penguin. (Based on a true story.)
Families. Homosexuality. Penguins. Zoos.
Don’t Laugh at Me by Steve Seskin. 2004. (32 pgs) Gr. 2-4.
An adaptation of a song about tolerance and differences.
Bullying. Diversity. Empathy. Identity.
Too Many Toys by David Shannon. 2008. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
Spencer’s house is a minefield of toys that his parents are always tripping over. When his mom decides it’s time to give some away, Spencer has to make some tough decisions.
Consumerism.
William’s Doll by Charlotte Zolotow. 1985. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
William doesn’t want the train or basketball his dad gives him. He deeply wants a doll. No one understands – some even call him a sissy – until his grandmother steps in.
Gender roles. Self-concept. Toys.
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. 1944. (96 pgs) Gr. 3-6.
Polish immigrant Wanda wears the same blue dress to school every day. When she tells her classmates that she has 100 dresses at home, the subsequent harassment forces Wanda from school and teaches her classmates a lesson.
Choices. Compassion. Diversity. Friendship. Prejudice.
Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins. 2008. (96 pgs) Gr. 2-5.
Naimi, a young Bangladeshi girl, challenges the traditional role of women in her village when she seeks to help her family, who is struggling during hard times.
Asia. Gender roles.
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. 1993. (169 pgs) Gr. 5-9.
Two eighth-grade “misfits” – one with a physical impairment, the other with a learning disability – team together to become a powerful force.
Disabilities. Friendship.
Non-fiction - Picture Books:
If the World Were a Village: A Book About the World’s People by David Smith. 2002. (32 pgs) Gr. 3-7.
Condensing the world’s population into 100 people, this book explores consciousness-raising facts about religion, nationalities, privilege, water and more.
Cultures. Human geography. Mathematics. Population. Privilege.
Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester. 2005. (32 pgs) Gr. 1-4.
Lester uses his own story to emphasize that we all have stories, and that race is only one small part of our stories.
Diversity. Prejudice. Privilege. Racism.
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