This page will include all of the books that have been on display in our "zen den". When a new book is on display I will archive the previous book on this page so you can revisit the read along at any time throughout the year. If there are books that you love and would like to share you can make a suggestion on the form below!

Happy Reading! 

Every Friday after Jummah prayer at the masjid, Musa's family has a special Jummah treat. They take turns picking out what the treat will be, but recently the choices have been . . . interesting. Week one, Mama made molokhia. It's perfect for sharing, but gives us molokhia teeth for days! Week two, Baba burned the kufte kebabs on the grill. Week three, Seedi made his favorite riz b'haleeb-creamy rice pudding with pistachio sprinkled on top with an unexpected ingredient. Last week, Maryam brought jellybeans. . . . Finally, it's Musa's turn to pick, and he picks his favorite-halal hot dogs! But actually getting to eat this deliciousness turns into a journey riddled with obstacles. Will he ever get his favorite tasty treat? 

A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders.

But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.

When Charley goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a wheelchair, he doesn't know how to react at first. But after he and Emma start talking, he learns that different isn't bad, sad, or strange--different is just different, and different is great! 

In this Ojibwe girl's coming-of-age story, Denise Lajimodiere highlights her own daughter's experience at powwow. Elegant artwork by Angela Erdrich features not only Josie and her family but also the animals and seasons and heartbeat of Aki, Mother Earth, and the traditions that link Josie to generations past and yet to come. 

A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future.

Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. This powerful, poetic picture book will resonate with readers of all ages.

For some fun activities click this link. 😊

Laxmi never paid much attention to the tiny hairs above her lip. But one day while playing farm animals at recess, her friends point out that her whiskers would make her the perfect cat. She starts to notice body hair all over–on her arms, legs, and even between her eyebrows.

With her parents’ help, Laxmi learns that hair isn’t just for heads, but that it grows everywhere, regardless of gender. Featuring affirming text by Shelly Anand and exuberant, endearing illustrations by Nabi H. Ali, Laxmi’s Mooch is a celebration of our bodies and our body hair, in whichever way they grow.

For some discussion questions and activities click this link. 😊

Poor Lee! He used to be a jazzman who could make the piano go yimbatimba- TANG—zang-zang. But now he's lost his hearing, and the bandleader had to let him go.

So Lee goes to a school for the deaf to learn sign language. There, he meets Max, who used to play the sax. Riding the subway to class, they start signing about all the songs they love. A bass player named Rose joins in and soon they've got a little sign language band. And in no time they're performing for audiences in the subway, night after night.

Living legend and Kennedy Center honoree Pete Seeger, renowned poet Paul DuBois Jacobs, and Coretta Scott King honor winner R. Gregory Christie present a jazzy riff on the power of music, overcoming obstacles, and all the different ways to hear the world. So, who will listen to a deaf musician? Everyone!

Click on this link to find a list of book recommendations to observe Deaf History Month

ABC's for Girls Like Me is a book dedicated to sunshining the achievements of Black Women who are breaking barriers today. The book goes through 26 girls, A to Z, whose accomplishments should motivate and inspire not only black girls but all girls to change the world.  

Click the link to find a list of over 1000 books celebrating black women.

In this Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year, Paula Young Shelton, daughter of civil rights activist Andrew Young, brings a child's unique perspective to an important chapter in America's history. Paula grew up in the deep south, in a world where whites had and blacks did not. With an activist father and a community of leaders surrounding her, including Uncle Martin (Martin Luther King), Paula watched and listened to the struggles, eventually joining with her family--and thousands of others-in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. Poignant, moving, and hopeful, this is an intimate look at the birth of the Civil Rights Movement.  

Click the link to access activities for this book.

An engaging child narrator explains that kids have a right to: a name, a family, a country, food and water, shelter, medicines and help if their bodies don’t “work as well as other children’s.” Kids have a right to go to school, to refuse to work, to express themselves, to play and create, to be protected from disasters and wars, to be free from violence, and to breathe air “pure as the blue sky.” These rights apply to all children regardless of gender, race, size, wealth or country if they live in one of the 193 countries ratifying the Convention. Readers may be surprised, however, to discover the United States is not one of these countries. 

Click the link to access activities for this book.

Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal. Fry bread is food. It is warm and delicious, piled high on a plate. 

Discussion Questions:

• What is fry bread? What did you learn about fry bread from this book?

• What did you learn about the origin of fry bread?

• How is fry bread part of everyday life and special occasions in this book? What foods are part of special occasions that you take part in?

• Do you have a favorite food in your family or culture that is special or has a special history? Who makes this special food? How did they learn to make it?

• How does food help tell the history of a people? What stories have you heard about foods your family eats?

Celebrating the stories of Indigenous people throughout time, Wab Kinew has created a powerful rap song, the lyrics of which are the basis for the text in this beautiful picture book, illustrated by the acclaimed Joe Morse. Including figures such as Crazy Horse, Net-no-kwa, former NASA astronaut John Herrington and Canadian NHL goalie Carey Price, Go Show the World showcases a diverse group of Indigenou

s people in the US and Canada, both the more well known and the not- so-widely recognized. Individually, their stories, though briefly touched on, are inspiring; collectively, they empower the reader with this message: "We are people who matter, yes, it's true; now let's show the world what people who matter can do." 

Discussion Question

• The people shown in this book all have unique backgrounds and personal stories, but they all have something in common too. What do they have in common? 

• Community is very important to the people in this book. What does community mean? Who is in your own community? Why are they important to you? 

• The author starts the book by saying, “There’s a power in these lands,” and in the Author Note, he speaks of the traditional Indigenous worldview in which we are all connected to the land. What connection do you feel to the land? Explain your thinking. 

• Many of the people in this book stood up for themselves, their communities or their beliefs, even when others told them they shouldn’t. The author calls these people heroes. Why does the author consider the people he included in this book to be heroic? Who is somebody in your community that you think of as a hero? What is it about the person that makes them heroic in your mind? 

In this charming story of friendship and celebrating differences, young readers can discover how entering a new friendship with an open mind and sharing parts of yourself brings people together. And the calendar of holidays at the end of the book will delight children as they identify special events they can celebrate with friends throughout the year.

Sentence starters to get to know your new classmates.

• I am curious about...

• People may think I am...but I am really...

• My favorite thing to do is...

• I worry about...

• I am really good at...

• What I really want people to know about me is that I...

• By the end of the year, i want to know how to...

• I'm having a tough time with...

When everyone knows they’re welcome, the world is a better place—and you might just make a new friend. This sweet, timeless picture book about small acts of kindness in a big world is one that kids and parents are sure to reach for again and again. 

Discussion Questions:

• What are some ways you can welcome your classmates?

• How do you like to be welcomed?

Click here for some activities about how you can welcome others.

Amy loves craft time at school. But when her teacher asks everyone to make their own dragon, Amy feels stuck. Her first dragon has a long, wingless body, stag-like horns, and eagle claws, but her friends don’t think it’s a real dragon. Then she makes dragons like theirs, but none of them feels quite right...None of them feels like hers. After school, a story from Grandma sparks new inspiration, and Amy rounds up her family to help her. Together, can they make Amy’s perfect dragon? 

Discussion Questions:

• Who is the main character?

• What is the setting?

• What is the problem in the story?

• What does Amy try to do to solve her problem?

• How does the problem get resolved in the end?

Click here for a DIY Dragon Paper craft you can make at home.

Armond has been invited to his best friend Felicia’s birthday party. Instead of being excited, Armond is anxious and worried. He recites all the reasons about why he shouldn’t go. The party may be too noisy.  He may feel invisible and lonely. And, he always plays basketball every Saturday. Armond’s mother reminds him that Felicia will feel sad if he doesn’t attend.  After all, Felicia is his best friend, doesn’t care that he has Asperger’s, and talks all the time about dinosaurs. Armond decides to attend the party. With the support of Felicia and her mother, he is able to make it through the party and have fun.

To learn more about Autism and engage in Autism Awareness with PBS Kids activities click this link.

A story of generational and cultural differences between mother and daughter. Endearing illustrations show Mahlee learning how differently Mommy did things as a child in Laos than she does in America. Mahlee loves doing everything with Mommy, but will she eat fried grasshoppers? A great way to inspire a conversation about childhood, culture and family history.  

Click below for FREE downloadable Activities.

• Coloring Pages

• Memory Game

• Paper Doll

We Are Water Protectors is a beautiful, lyrical exploration of the values, connections and wisdom of Indigenous people as it relates to water and Mother Earth. It was inspired by the many Indigenous led movements in North America to protect water as a sacred source of and for life. Author, Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/Metis) creates a powerful, inspiring, call to action, and Michaela Goade’s (Tlingit) vibrant, moving watercolors create the lush landscape of Mother Earth, while also honoring the community, perseverance and  diversity of  First Nation people. 

Discussion Questions:

• How is water important to you and your daily life? Brainstorm all the ways we use water every day. Talk about where your water comes from. Come up with ideas to protect and save your water.

• Look at the last two pages of the book, featuring many indigenous people. Learn about the indigenous people who live near you today and the people who lived in your place long ago.

• What is the black snake that is poisoning the water, plants, animals, and land? Discuss environmental concerns in your community and what you can do to be better stewards for the Earth.

Become a Junior Park Ranger through the Chattahoochee National Park. Click here for more details on how you can protect our local river.

I am Perfectly Designed is an exuberant celebration of loving who you are, exactly as you are, from Karamo Brown, the Culture Expert of Netflix's hit series Queer Eye. In this empowering ode to modern families, a boy and his father take a joyful walk through the city, discovering all the ways in which they are perfectly designed for each other. 

Click here for some "Perfectly Designed" Activities

It’s time for the Indian festival of Holi, a celebration of the start of spring, of new beginnings, and of good over evil. Friends, families, and neighbors wear white clothing and toss handfuls of brightly colored powders at one another until they’re all completely covered from head to toe! 

Click here for some fun Holi Arts & Crafts activities.

Charlie has autism. His brain works in a special way. It's harder for him to make friends. Or show his true feelings. Or stay safe." But as his big sister tells us, for everything that Charlie can't do well, there are plenty more things that he's good at. He knows the names of all the American presidents. He knows stuff about airplanes. And he can even play the piano better than anyone he knows.Actress and national autism spokesperson Holly Robinson Peete collaborates with her daughter on this book based on Holly's 10-year-old son, who has autism. 

Discussion Questions:

• • In the story, how do you know that Charlie is different? 

  • Can you name three things Charlie does well? 

  • What does the author mean when she talks about “Charlie’s Blessings”? 

  • When the author says “Charlie has autism, but autism doesn’t have Charlie”, what does she mean? 

Activity: Draw a picture of a friend or family member and write or tell at least one “blessing” about that person 

The picturebook begins with a young girl constantly being interrogated by her peers and adults around her about where she is really from...even after she gives them answers. “Where are you from?” they ask. Tired of the constant questioning, she turns to her abuelo for answers as she realizes he also looks like he doesn’t belong. Abuelo tells her she comes from the pampas, the gaucho, mountains, blue oceans, hurricanes, and dark storms, and the girl learns more about her identity through the experience of her family member.

Where Are You From? is a great book to validate the experiences of young multiracial children who are often faced with this question. It can also be a great conversation starter about race and racial microaggressions. Although sometimes these questions can seem (or be) insensitive, children can begin exploring where they are from in order to feel comfortable in answering where they are from if they choose to.

Discussion Questions:

• • Has someone asked you where you are from? How did you respond? How did it make you feel? Was your answer questioned?

  • Where are you from? (Note: We can begin by dismantling the question that is often used as a microaggression. Students can explore their heritage through this question. A fun activity to pair with this question is to take inspiration from the beautiful illustration in the book and make art that represents where they are from.)

  • Where are your parents from? (Note: A sense of connectedness to their ethnic identity can be made through learning about family identity.)

  • After exploring where you are from how do you feel? What is something new that you learned about yourself and your family?

"The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game. This rousing underdog story from newcomers Churnin and Tuya introduces William Hoy, who became a major-league baseball player in the 1880s, despite being left deaf from a childhood bout with meningitis."

Discussion Questions:

• • What they know about people who are deaf. What does it mean to be deaf? 

  • For students who are deaf, ask them what it means to have hearing. Is it better than being deaf? Worse? Neither? 

  • Identify times in the book when William Hoy was made fun of for being deaf. During one of the major league games, the pitcher played a cruel trick on William. How did William handle the situation? How should it have been handled? How did would you handle the situation? 

Click here for a Readers Theater Script of "The William Hoy Story"

"As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. But as she grew older, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true."

Discussion Questions:

• • Do you believe in magic?

  • What are some different meaning of the word "magic"?

  • What are human rights?

  • How do human rights work?

  • What are some opportunities for you to speak up and make a difference?

"When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!"

Discussion Questions:

Before

• • I wonder why she thinks in pictures.

  • I wonder who she is.

  • I wonder what kind of Dr. she is.

During

• • I wonder why people thought she was different.

  • I wonder why the boy that teased her in school didn’t get into trouble too.

  • I wonder what autism is.

  • I wonder why it took so long for other people to listen to her ideas.

After

• • I wonder what other inventions Dr. Temple Grandin will make.

  • I wonder if all farms have her inventions.

  • I wonder what door she is talking about.

For more a visualization activity here.

"Sulwe is the first picture book by Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o. It tells the story of a little girl who "was born the color of midnight" and feels she's treated differently than her lighter-skinned friends and family members because of it. The tale takes a magical turn when a star comes in her bedroom and takes her on a journey explaining the mythological origins of Day and Night -- who are sisters. After learning about the value and beauty of the dark night, she can embrace her dark skin, and feels "beautiful inside and out!" In an author's note at the end, Nyong'o, who was raised in Kenya, explains how she drew on her own experience to write this book: "Much like Sulwe, I got teased and taunted about my night-shade skin. ... Yes, it is important to feel good about yourself when you look in the mirror, but what is even more important is working to be beautiful inside."  The book was also named a 2020 Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Honor Book for Vashti Harrison's illustrations."

Discussion Questions:

• What does the name Sulwe mean? 

• How are the pet names for “day” and “night” different? 

• What do you learn about Sulwe when you first meet her? 

• How does Sulwe try to become the same color as her sister? How did you feel as you read about this? 

• What does Sulwe learn or discover through the story of Night and Day? What did you learn from their story? 

• Can you relate to Sulwe? If so, how? 

• What did you learn from the book? 

For more discussion questions and extension activities click here.

"Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help."

Discussion Questions:

• Look at the cover of the book. This scene happens near the end of the book. Where are the girls going and how do you know that? How are they feeling and how can you tell?

• Look at the first drawing. This story is about Vanessa who comes to a new school after the year has started. Has this happened to you? Do you know anyone who has had this experience? How do you think she feels walking into class on her first day? 

• Centre fold. Take a look at the children at the end of the school day. Some are in groups, some in pairs and some are alone. Find the blond boy in the red and white striped shirt. How do you think he is feeling? Why? 

• How do we know that all four children are upset when they hear that Vanessa was bullied? Who could help them figure out what to do?

• Find the boy who is not very nice to Vanessa on each of the pages where the children are all together. How do you think he is feeling? What does his face say? This boy needs some help, too. How could the children help him be kinder to the others?

For more discussion, click on this link.

"This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it's time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends."

Learn more about Chinese Year Year by clicking here

OR

Try making some simple Lunar New Year Crafts

"The book tells the true story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, who was arrested at a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, when she was 9 years old. In it, Audrey is introduced to stories about the Ku Klux Klan and police brutality, and she decides to join the protest."

Discussion Questions

• What did Audrey learn about segregation laws when grown-ups talked during supper? What did she think about these laws? 

• How did segregation affect Audrey’s life? In what ways were black people treated differently from white people? 

• Where and when does this story take place? Why does this matter? 

•  How did Audrey respond when Jim suggested a new idea? What do you think of her response? 

• Describe Audrey’s experience in jail. Discuss the following: 

  • Her treatment by the matron • The food she was given • The bed she slept in • Going outdoors with cell mates • Being questioned by four white men

• Why were some protesters sopping wet when taken to jail? How was their experience different from Audrey’s?

• How did things change by the fifth day Audrey was in jail? How did things change after she returned home?

At Home Activity

• At home or your local library, you can research other civil rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks. Make sure to research their biographical information like when and where they were born. Try to find information about their family and the organizations they belong to. Lastly, find information about how they helped the civil rights movement. Compile all of this information into a profile about them and include drawings if you’d like. 

"Before Kamala Harris was elected to the vice presidency, she was a little girl who loved superheroes. And when she looked around, she was amazed to find them everywhere! In her family, among her friends, even down the street–there were superheroes wherever she looked. And those superheroes showed her that all you need to do to be a superhero is to be the best that you can be."

Questions to Ask before Reading:

• What is a superhero?

• Do you know someone who is a superhero?

• What do superheroes do?

Questions to Ask after Reading:

• How has your idea of who is a superhero changed?

• How can you be a superhero?

Follow Up Activities:

• Draw a picture of someone or yourself being a superhero.

• Role play acting like a superhero.

• Take the Hero Code.

"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve….You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”  Martin Luther King Jr.’s words speak to children in this book showing how anyone can “be a King.”  Illustrations portraying scenes from King’s life are interspersed with others in a different style showing kids working together to paint an MLK mural.  Ideas for how to be a King include standing for peace, having a dream, and doing your very best at whatever you do.  The last page shows the kids gathered around the mural with the advice, “You can be a King.  Set your sights on the mountaintop.  Climb a little higher every day."

Take a virtual tour of the Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Smithsonian Museum by clicking the link below.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Museum

"Reynolds explores the many ways that a single voice can make a difference. Each of us, each and every day, have the chance to say something: with our actions, our words, and our voices. Perfect for kid activists everywhere, this timely story reminds readers of the undeniable importance and power of their voice."

Say Something Activity:

One way that the characters say something is by making signs using art and words to inspire others to do the same. 

Create your own signs using a variety of materials. You can revisit the page at 2:05 examples to make your own signs, such as “follow your heart,” “together is better,” and “be brave.”

"When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens-with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words."

Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever had trouble talking to someone? 

• Have you ever felt misunderstood or unheard? What was it like? Did you find a way to bridge that gap? If not, what could you do next time? 

• What interests do you have (hobbies, etc.) that other people might not know about? 

• Have you asked the people in your life (family, friends) what their hobbies/interests are? Anything in common? 

• Does your family speak another language at home? What are some words or phrases in that language that you wish you could say? (Find someone to help you learn those words and phrases.) 

• How do you like to express yourself, other than by words? Share a little bit about how that makes you feel. 

Family History Activity: Ask a family member or other special person in your life to tell you an interesting story from their past. 

• Work with that person to retell that story together. For example, they could tell you a story and you could draw the pictures or even turn it into a song or a play! 

"It's almost time for Christmas, and Maria is traveling with her mother and younger brother, Juan, to visit their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico. For the few minutes they can share together along the fence, Maria and her brother plan to exchange stories and Christmas gifts with the grandmother they haven't seen in years. But when Juan's gift is too big to fit through the slats in the fence, Maria has a brilliant idea."

Discussion Questions:

• What was sad about this book?

• What was happy about the book?

• Why can't Maria visit her grandmother any time she wants?

• Why can't the family touch or give presents to each other through the fence?

• Did the patrol officer break the rules?

• Did Maria break the rules?

• Did the patrol officer change his mind at some point in the story? If so, what made him do it?

• Is a fence between countries fair? Why or why not?

"Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don’t believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways."  

Wish Tree Activity

"Do YOU have the magic breath?

Let’s see…Take a deeeeeep breath in…and BLOW it out…

…and like magic, you can feel better just by breathing! Sometimes it’s hard to feel happy. But with this interactive picture book, children breathe along as they learn how to make angry or sad thoughts disappear.

In a world that is sometimes too busy, with too many things going on, My Magic Breath will help steer children into a serene space of mindfulness, self-awareness, and balance."  

Try this guided breathing exercise with Sesame Street & Headspace.

Monster Meditation - Belly Buddy Breathing

"This is the story of a little girl who just wanted to go, even when others tried to stop her. Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change—even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things."  

Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean to be an activist?

• Have you or anyone you known ever been a part of a protest or campaign to make a change in the world, big or small?

• How did it make you/them feel?

"Cherokee people say otsaliheliga to express gratitude. It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect on struggles — daily, throughout the year, and across the seasons. An extended family engages with activities and traditions that express gratitude and carry on Cherokee history and culture, such as stomp dancing at the Great New Moon Ceremony, basket weaving, making corn-husk dolls, and playing stickball. The book underscores the importance of traditions and carrying on a Cherokee way of life while simultaneously incorporating modernity and challenging dated media images of Indigenous people."  

Discussion Questions:

• What matters to you? What do you notice about the world around you?

• What are you grateful for? Why?

• What ways do you show your gratitude?

• Why is it important to reflect on both your blessings and difficult times?

• What did you learn about the Cherokee and Cherokee traditions and culture? What more would you like to know?

What should a bear do when he feels like a bunny? And other bears called him odd. He wiggled his nose, nibbled on strawberries, and bounced through the forest of course!

Author Andrea Loney tells the story about a bear who did what felt natural because “It made him feel free and light and happy.” Even though others did not always understand, Bunnybear finds out he is not the only animal whose identity is at odds with social norms. Readers will celebrate the importance of staying true to who you are on the inside, despite what you look like on the outside.

Activities that Encourage Self-Expression

The book features little Lucas, a boy who learns about kindness. This book teaches good manners and positive behavior in different settings, whether at home, at school, in the store, and on the playground. 

Want to practice empathy at home? Here are 10 fun activities you can try at home.

Fun & Function - 10 Fun Empathy Activities 

"Follow two children as they celebrate their ancestors on this vibrant holiday. They offer marigolds, sugar skulls, and special bread, and make delicious foods. By spreading marigold petals, they guide the dead home to join the festivities. Finally, after singing and dancing, it's time for bed."

Discover more about Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) by joining in on Atlanta History Center's virtual celebration. Click below to find informational videos by the consulate of Mexico, music, virtual tours of museums, short films and book recommendations all related to this beautiful celebration.

Atlanta History Center - Dia de los Muertos Virtual Celebration

"Speak Up is a picture book that's forthcoming on June 7, 2020. When something really matters, one voice can make a difference. This spirited, vibrant picture book celebrates diversity and encourages kids to speak up, unite with others, and take action when they see something that needs to be fixed."

Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean to “speak up?” Why is it important to speak up?

• What should you do when someone else is speaking up?

• What strengths, interests, and talents do you have? How can you use them to contribute to positive change in your community?

• What can you do to get others involved in speaking up about challenges or ideas that are important to you?

• What are some things you can do to get others to listen when you speak up or when someone else is speaking up?

"I Promise is a lively and inspiring picture book that reminds us that tomorrow’s success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today."

Discussion Questions:

• Families can talk about the pledges kids make in I Promise. Do they sound like things you could do? What promises could you make for the school year or for each day?

• Are you more willing to listen to LeBron James' ideas about how to be successful because he's a successful athlete? Who else do you look up to and would you take advice from? 

• The book ends with a kid saying, "I promise to be me." What do you think that means? Why would that be an important promise to make? 

"Kids will revel in the spirited and imaginative battle and be thrilled by the turn of events. Dynamic and charismatic illustrations bring this witty tale and its celebration of sharing and teamwork to life."

Interested in Building Your Own Fort? Click the link below to get started on designing your own fort.

Activity Guide & Coloring Sheet 

"This is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever had a problem that they wished would go away. It's a story to inspire you to look closely at that problem and to find out why it's here. Because you might discover something amazing about your problem and yourself. What are problems for? They challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us to discover just how strong and brave and capable we really are. Even though we don't always want them, problems have a way of bringing unexpected gifts. So, what will you do with your problem?" 

Discussion Questions:

• What do you do with a problem? 

• How do we deal with problems in different ways? 

• How do others in our lives deal with problems in ways that differ from us?

"A little girl is struggling with recent changes due to covid-19, feeling like her life is upside down. She learns that people around the world feel the same way and how to help everyone stay safe." 

  Discussion Questions:

• What does UPSIDE Down mean? How do you define UPSIDE Down?

• What do you do when things feel UPSIDE Down?

• Who can cheer you up when you are feeling UPSIDE down?

• Name some activities you can do at home that will make you happy.

• What are some things to keep clean to stay safe?

"Young Jim Panzee wakes up in a bad mood for no reason and can't seem to shake it. His friends tell him it's a wonderful day and try to help with suggestions to smile, un-hunch his shoulders, raise his eyebrows, dance, walk, eat, splash, and more, but nothing works."

Try a Role Playing Game:

Role playing is a way for you to practice what you would do in a situation. You can play this game with a friend, family member or teacher. 

Grumpy Monkey Role Play Game

"One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result."

  Discussion Questions:

• At the start of the story, the Color Monster is feeling confused. When have you felt confused? What did you do in this situation? What can we do when we feel confused in the future?

• Make a list of different emotions and think of times when you have experienced them.

• Think of other emotions and choose colors that might represent them (e.g. frustration, sad, jealous).

"With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, The Rabbit Listened is about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen." 

Discussion Questions:

• What are some of the things that make you feel sad? 

• When you are sad, what makes you feel better? 

• What about other members of your family? What makes them feel sad? What helps them feel better?

"Rosie Revere dreamed of becoming a great engineer. Where some people see rubbish, Rosie sees inspiration. Alone in her room at night, shy Rosie constructs great inventions from odds and ends. Hot dog dispensers, helium pants, python-repelling cheese hats: Rosie’s gizmos would astound—if she ever let anyone see them. Afraid of failure, she hides them away under her bed. Until a fateful visit from her great-great-aunt Rose (AKA Rosie the Riveter!), who shows her that the first flop isn’t something to fear—it’s something to celebrate. And you can only truly fail, if you quit."

Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever felt discouraged when something you wanted to make didn’t turn out the way you wanted? What did you do next? 

• What was your favorite invention of Rosie’s? 

• If you could invent anything, what would it be? The sky is the limit. Remember, you only fail if you don’t try. 

"In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters. "

Discussion Questions:

• After reading the book title, what can we expect from this story?

• Who do you think the author is talking to?

• How do you know this?

"Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be. "

If you would like to have a discussion about the book you can use the form below to talk it out with your friends or family. 

"All Are Welcome" Discussion Questions

"A poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. Sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway."

If you would like to have a discussion about the book you can use the form below to talk it out with your friends or family. 

"The Day You Begin" Discussion Questions