List
Your Family, Your Library Podcast: When Things Get Scary (Episode 11)
These books will help and inspire you and your family to find ways to process the hard moments in life and to empathize with the suffering of others in mindful and constructive ways.
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In a Jar
2020 by Marcero, DeborahGet this itemWhen Llewellyn, a little rabbit who collects ordinary things in jars, meets a young girl named Evelyn, together they capture the extraordinary. This tale reminds us that everything is worth contemplating and savoring, particularly among friends. Age 2-7.
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Hopscotch
2023 by Gay, Marie-LouiseGet this itemOphelia's art and imagination help her cope with big, scary changes and loss. A perspective shift about the power kids have in the face of change. Age 3-6.
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The Notebook Keeper: A Story of Kindness from the Border
2022 by Briseño, StephenGet this itemAfter traveling to Tijuana, Mexico, Noemi and her mother are denied entry at the border and must find the refugee in charge of the notebook, an unofficial ledger of those waiting to cross into the United States. Age 4-8.
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Today
2024 by Snyder, GabiGet this itemWhen a child anticipates a long-awaited day with cousins and grandparents, the discovers that every day is filled with surprises and joy, which can easily be lost if one is not present. Age 5-8.
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The Day War Came
2018 by Davies, NicolaGet this itemAn honest look at what life looks like before and after war affects a child's life, even from far away. Age 5-9.
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Why Am I Here?
2016 by Ørbeck-Nilssen, ConstanceGet this itemA young child wonders what life would be like if they lived somewhere else. What if they lived in a city with millions of people? What would it be like to be a refugee from a war-torn country? Are they meant to be in a different place? Or are they right where they're supposed to be? A beautiful story of empathy and compassion. Age 5-9.
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That Flag
2023 by Brown, Tameka FryerGet this itemAn honest, nuanced look at an extremely important topic. The story is engaging and real, and helpful resources in at the end make this a perfect book to introduce the conversation. Age 5-10.
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The Undefeated
2019 by Alexander, KwameGet this itemStunning artwork and moving verse make this book an excellent entry point for discussion both about travesties, historical and present, enacted against Black people, and about Black excellence. Back matter includes helpful information. Age 8-12.
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When the World Feels Like a Scary Place: Essential Conversations for Anxious Parents and Worried Kids
2020 by Gewirtz, Abigail H.Get this itemThe world can be scary, and finding a way to talk about it with your kids without causing more anxiety can be challenging. This book provides inroads and resources, including sample discussions, to help you find a way.
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Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World
2020 by Salzberg, SharonGet this itemIn today's fractured world, we're constantly flooded with breaking news that causes anger, grief, and pain. Salzberg teaches us that meditation is not a replacement for action, but rather a way to practice generosity with ourselves and summon the courage to break through boundaries, reconnect with the world as it is, and have the energy to stay active.
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The Art of Talking with Children: The Simple Keys to Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids
2022 by Rolland, Rebecca GivensGet this itemThis book is designed to help parents and kids keep the lines of communication open and meaningful.
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Peace Is This Moment: Mindful Reflections for Daily Practice
2023 by Hanh, Thich NhatGet this itemThis deep and simple volume brings together some of the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh’s most insightful teachings to inspire our daily mindfulness practice in an accessible page-a-day format.
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