Until We Meet Again:
A True Story of Love & Survival in the Holocaust
Michael Korenblit & Kathleen Janger
(Bestseller & Inspiration for Respect Diversity Foundation)
(Find it on Amazon.com.)
A favorite selection of teachers and other educators throughout the United States, often taught alongside (or, in some cases, instead of)The Diary of Anne Frank and other classics. Until We Meet Again shares the inspirational story of two families decimated by the Holocaust begins in 1942 in a small town in Poland. When the Nazis begin their massive deportations of Jews from their hometown, 17-year-old Manya decides to leave her family and join her sweetheart, Meyer, in hiding with his family. Over the next three years, Manya and Meyer endure the loss of their parents and siblings, separation from each other, and the horror of concentration camps–sustained largely by their faith and love for each other and the help of courageous Polish Catholics. Published by Scholastic. To order directly from Respect Diversity Foundation: e-mail: rdfrdf@cox.net or call 405/359-0369. (Generally recommended for middle- and high- school students, but some advanced 4th and 5th graders have benefitted from reading the book in a classroom setting or along with parents or other guiding adults.)
The Crayon Box that Talked
Shane DeRolf & Michael Letzig
(Find it on Amazon.)
“While walking through a toy store, the day before today, I overheard a crayon box with many things to say…” Once upon a time, Shane DeRolf wrote a poem. It was a deceptively simple poem, a charming little piece that celebrates the creation of harmony through diversity. The folks at the Ad Council heard it–and liked it so much that they made it the theme for their 1997 National Anti-Discrimination Campaign for Children. Following on the heels of nearly a year’s worth of televised public service announcements, Random House is phonored to publish the picture book, illustrated in every color in the crayon box by dazzling newcomer Michael Letzig and conveying the sublimely simple message that when we all work together, the results are much more interesting and colorful.” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 3 & Up)
Different Just Like Me
Lori Mitchell
(Find it on Amazon.)
From School Library Journal: “A sweet dose of bibliotherapy that explores the similarities and differences among people. The story is told from the point of view of a little girl anticipating a visit to her grandmother’s house. Every day as she waits, the girl and her mother go on an errand. On each of these trips, the child encounters someone who is different-someone who is either older, speaks another language, has a disability, or is of a different race-but who is doing the same thing she is. Acrylic paints highlight only a few items or people in each of the pen-and-ink illustrations, inviting children to take a closer look while reinforcing the story’s point. Tolerance and acceptance are difficult concepts to address for a young audience, and this book does it in a manner that can be applied to a number of situations.”
Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY (Ages 5 & UpA Rainbow of Friends
P.K. Hallinan
(Find it on Amazon.)
“Friends come in all colours and sizes; they can be funny or serious, musical or athletic, outgoing or quiet. This book reminds children to celebrate their differences because that is what makes each of us so special.” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 3 & Up)
Don’t Call Me Special:
A First Look at Disability
Pat Thomas & Lesley Harker
(Find it on Amazon.)
“This delightful picture book explores questions and concerns about physical disabilities in a simple and reassuring way. Younger children can find out about individual disabilities, special equipment that is available to help the disabled, and how people of all ages can deal with disabilities and live happy and full lives. Titles in this series for younger children explore emotional issues that boys and girls encounter as part of the growing-up process. Books are focused to appeal to kids of preschool through early school age.” (Book Description from Amazon.com)
Cherubic Children’s New Classic Story Books: Volumes 1&2
Teaching and Healing Stories to Help Children Learn,
Understand and Cope
Juliette Gray
Filled with stories that teach understanding for children with various challenges, these books of modern classics are generously illustrated teaching tools for ages 1 to 12. Used by parents, counselors, and teachers, these books help children better understand and appreciate themselves and others. They make wonderful gifts. Visit this link to order one or both.
Rain Forest Girl
Chalise Miner, Mitchell Lane Publishers
48 pages; 35 photographs
A great addition to classroom studies on South America.
Library hardbound copy: $16.95 ISBN 1-883845-65-3
Softbound copy: $12.95 ISBN 1-883845-81-5
To Contact the Author:
Phone: 405/810-1813
E-mail: skybound@flash.net
The Story of Ruby Bridges
50th Anniversary Edition
Robert Coles & George Ford
(Find it on Amazon.)
“The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her. Told with Robert Coles’ powerful narrative and dramatically illustrated by George Ford, Ruby’s story of courage, faith, and hope is now available in this special 50th anniversary edition with an updated afterword!” (Book Description from Amazon.com)
Rhinos & Raspberries:
Tolerance Tales For The Early Grades
Lois Lowry, Leo Acadia, Nina Frenkel, & Noah Woods
(Find it on Amazon.)
“Rhinos & Raspberries: Tolerance Tales for the Early Grades showcases 12 stories from around the world and is designed to promote both character education and literacy in preK-6 classrooms. Featuring a forward by Newbery Medal-winning children’s author, Lois Lowry. The hardcover book for teachers includes 12 fully illustrated stories, along with activity ideas, discussion prompts and 10 lesson plans. A wonderful tool to be used by those parents homeschooling their children also.” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 4 & Up)
Portraits of African-American Heroes [Paperback]
Tonya Bolden (Author), Ansel Pitcairn (Illustrator)
From Amazon.com: “Here, ideal for African-American History Month, is a stunningly beautiful book consisting of portraits-in pictures and words-of twenty outstanding African-Americans. The individuals range from historical to contemporary figures, such as the dancer Judith Jamison, and represent diverse fields of endeavor, from the law (Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall) to athletics, science, and more. For each individual, there is a three-page biography by the noted author Tonya Bolden and a striking black-and-white portrait that captures not only the subject’s likeness but is a work of art in itself. A book to inspire, to teach, or to display, with its large trim size and striking design, it is as handsome as it is important.” (Ages 7 & Up)
My Princess Boy:
A Mom’s Story About a Young Boy Who Loves to Dress Up
Cheryl Kilodavis & Suzanne DeSimone
(Find it on Amazon.)
“Dyson loves the color pink and sparkly things. Sometimes he wears dresses, and sometimes he wears jeans. He likes to wear his princess tiara, even when climbing trees. Hes a Princess Boy, and his family loves him exactly the way he is.
Inspired by the authors sonand by the authors own initial struggles to understand his choicesthis is a story about unconditional love and one remarkable family. It is also a call for tolerance and an end to bullying and judgments, and a loving reminder that the world is a brighter place when we accept people for who they are.” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 4 & Up)
Mommy, Mama, and Me
Lesléa Newman & Carol Thompson
(Find it on Amazon.)
“Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there’s no limit to what a loving family can do together.
Shares the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 2 & Up)
The Juice Box Bully:
Empowering Kids to Stand Up For Others
Bob Sornson, Maria Dismondy, & Kim Shaw
(Find it on Amazon
“Have you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete’s new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about “The Promise”. Will Pete decide to shed his bullying habits and make ‘The Promise’?” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 4 & Up)
Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends:
Dealing with Bullies and Bossiness
and Finding a Better Way
Patti Kelley Criswell & Angela Martini
(Find it on Amazon.)
“This book teaches girls how to spot bullying and how to stand up and speak out against it. Quizzes, quotes from other girls, and “what do you do?” scenarios present advice in an age-appropriate, digestible way. The message in this book is that there is no one right way to deal with bullying. Instead, there are lots of options for girls to try, from ignoring a bully and trying a few clever comebacks to reporting bullying to a trusted adult. Readers learn how to stand up for others and be a good friend, too. The book ends with a pledge girls can sign, plus tear-out tips for girls to share with their parents.” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 8 & Up)
Confessions of a Former Bully
Trudy Ludwig & Beth Adams
(Find it on Amazon.)
“After Katie gets caught teasing a schoolmate, she’s told to meet with Mrs. Petrowski, the school counselor, so she can make right her wrong and learn to be a better friend. Bothered at first, it doesn’t take long before Katie realizes that bullying has hurt not only the people around her, but her, too. Told from the unusual point of view of the bullier rather than the bullied, Confessions of a Former Bully provides kids with real life tools they can use to identify and stop relational aggression.” (Book Description from Amazon.com) (Ages 8 & Up)