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Citizenship: Service and Participation Picture Books Book Fair Day, by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Thor Wickstrom (New York: Dutton, 2006). While the main story line of this book has to do with Dewey’s frustration about being the last class to visit the Book Fair, it also nicely illustrates service, as Dewey’s class reads to kindergarteners and Dewey himself serves as a “consultant” to help his classmates pick books. The Butterfly, by Patricia Polacco (New York: Philomel Books, 2000). Monique is a young French girl whose mother hides a Jewish family in the basement. When a neighbor sees the family’s daughter, they must flee. Candy Shop, by Jan Wahl, illustrated by Nicole Wong (Watertown, MA; Charlesbridge, 2004). When the narrator of the story goes to the candy store with his Aunt Thelma, they discover a crowd gawking at nasty words written on the sidewalk while the owner cries inside. As the adults stand by, the young man takes responsibility and washes the sidewalk. Carl the Complainer, by Michelle Knudson, illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler (New York: Kane Press, 2005). The hero of this picture book learns how to stop complaining and work for change. City Green, by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (New York: Morrow, 1994). An urban community turns an empty lot into a neighborhood garden. A Day’s Work, by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himler (New York: Clarion, 1999). When Francisco and his grandfather accidentally pull out the plants instead of the weeds, his grandfather insists they take responsibility for their mistake. Dear Mr. Rosenwald, by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (New York: Scholastic, 2006). This book is based on actual events in the 1920s, when a philanthropist offered money to African American communities to build schools—but only after they raised money themselves. For an impoverished community, this was a difficult task and the story of how they achieved it is moving. Gowanus Dogs, by Jonathan Frost (New York: Farrar Strauss Giroux, 1999). Workers and a homeless man decide to help a family of stray dogs living along the Gowanus Canal in New York. Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies, by Claudia Mills (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1997). Baking with his grandfather, Gus learns about two ways of helping others. I Could Do That! Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote, by Linda Arms White, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2005). A biography of the Wyoming woman who helped win the right to vote for women in that state. Morris was also the first woman in the United States to hold a political office—justice of the peace. Jamaica Louise James, by Amy Hest, illustrated by Sheila White Samton (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 1996). To cheer up her grandmother, Jamaica paints posters to hang in the subway station. The result is a place where everyone is friendlier and happier. Just a Dream, by Chris Van Allsburg (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1990). Young Walter is careless, littering and refusing to sort the trash for recycling. When he dreams about a future created by actions like his own, he decides to act responsibly. Mrs. Katz and Tush, by Patricia Polacco (New York: Bantam Books, 1992). Larnel, a young African American boy, befriends elderly Mrs. Katz, learns about the struggles of her people (Polish Jews), and gains a lifelong friend. The Kindness Quilt, by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace (Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 2006). When the students in Mrs. Cooper’s class are challenged to do acts of kindness and depict them in drawings, their work is so impressive, they create a “kindness quilt” that continues to grow. Knitting Nell, by Julie Jersild Roth (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006). Because people have made fun of her voice, Nell does not speak much—but she listens and knits for her friends and for charities. By the end of the book, Nell has been honored for her knitting and her service and is using her voice to teach others her hobby. Pearl Moscowitz’s Last Stand, by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Robert Roth (New York: Tambourine Books, 1993). Pearl has lived on Gingko Street all her live. While she has enjoyed watching the neighborhood change, she becomes an activist when a man from the power company comes to cut down the last gingko tree. Peter’s Place, by Sally Grindley, illustrated by Michael Foreman (New York: Gulliver, 1995). Wildlife is threatened when an oil tanker breaks apart near Peter’s favorite place on the beach, and Peter and others must work nonstop for days to save the wildlife. The Quiltmaker’s Gift, by Jeff Brumbeau, illustrated by Gail de Mercken (Duluth, MN: Pfeifer-Hamilton, 2000). A famous quiltmaker who gives her quilts only to the poor and homeless refuses a quilt to the rich, greedy, and unhappy king. She tells him he must give away everything; then she will give him a quilt. The king finds that giving away his possessions makes him happy and decides to help the quiltmaker by delivering her quilts to those in need. Sato and the Elephants, by Juanita Havill and Jean and Mou-sien Tseng (New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1993). A carver of ivory one day discovers a bullet embedded in the piece he is carving; realizing an elephant died to supply his materials, he decides to become a carver of stone instead. Show Way, by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Hudson Talbot (New York: Putnams, 2006). This beautiful book traces several generations of women in the author’s family, from enslaved women who made quilts to direct people to freedom to the author’s mother and her twin sister who demonstrated for civil rights as young girls, finding strength in the quilt patches they carried with them. The Story of Ruby Bridges, by Robert Coles (New York: Scholastic, 1995). Ruby Bridges was just a little girl when she became one of the first students to integrate New Orleans’ public schools, but her courage and dignity amaze and inspire the reader. Teammates, by Peter Golenbock (San Diego: Gulliver Books, 1990). This book tells the story of Jackie Robinson's difficulties as the first African-American to play major league baseball. A courageous example of the use of freedom of expression is provided by fellow Dodger Pee Wee Reese, who speaks out on behalf of Robinson in the face of hostile ballplayers and fans. Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen, by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (New York: Morrow, 1991). A young boy who is afraid of homeless people gains a new perspective when he helps his uncle work at the soup kitchen. A Very Important Day, by Maggie Rugg Herold, illustrated by Catherine Stock (New York: Morrow, 1995). Families from many countries prepare for an important event—becoming naturalized citizens. Vote! By Eileen Christelow (New York: Clarion Books, 2003). An informative and entertaining introduction to important forms of participation—voting, running for office, and campaigning. Washing the Willow Tree Loon, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995; out of print). Ordinary citizens work together to rescue birds caught in an oil spill. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas (Brooklyn, NY: Kane/Miller, 1985). The four-named title character lives next door to a senior citizens’ home. When he learns that his favorite senior has lost her memory, he decides to find memories for her. |
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