Want to foster empathy and tolerance?
Through Booklist, we recently explored how to use culturally responsive titles in a library’s tolerance and anti-bullying units and book collections.
In addition to helping children achieve their academic goals and master reading skills, we at LEE & LOW strive to offer a safe place for children to see characters and historic figures tackling life’s challenges, including prejudice and bullying. Selecting the right text enables discussions between adults and children where children can see what to do when/if they are in a similar situation—how do other characters handle these experiences and feelings? What is a constructive way to handle a prejudice situation? What is a destructive way? What can we learn from reading about a character or historical figure’s choices?
Check out the Booklist webinar about Teaching Tolerance. Immediate download available here.
Below is a collection of stories with real-case, common childhood scenarios of bullying and tolerance—as they intersect with race, gender and gender expression, class, language, and just trying to fit in and be yourself.
Each of these stories present an opportunity for children to challenge the judgements we make of others based on their language, race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, and family structure.
In doing so we hope to help children learn social awareness, perseverance, and empathy and respect for self and community.
Heroes with Teacher’s Guide
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina with Teacher’s Guide
A Shelter in Our Car with Teacher’s Guide
Antonio’s Card/ La tarjeta de Antonio with Teacher’s Guide
Lend a Hand: Poems About Giving with Teacher’s Guide
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness with Teacher’s Guide
First Day in Grapes with Teacher’s Guide
King for a Day with Teacher’s Guide
Chess Rumble with Teacher’s Guide
Amazing Faces with Teacher’s Guide
About the Booklist webinar:
As stories of bullying fill the news, many teachers, librarians, and parents are looking for helpful resources. In this free, hour-long webinar, join panelists:
- Jill Eisenberg, Director of Curriculum and Literacy Strategy at Lee & Low Books
- Emma Rodgers, Marketing and Promotions Manager at Second Story Press
- Amina Chaudhri, Assistant Professor, Teacher Education, at Northeastern Illinois University
They present titles that aim to engender empathy and understanding for others. Assistant professor of teacher education Amina Chaudhri also offers tips on how to use books to prevent bullying. Moderated by Sarah Hunter, Books for Youth Senior Editor.
Participate here.
