Homelessness and poverty can be found in every city across the globe. At their young age, children may have a hard time grasping the concept that other children may not have homes or lives similar to the ones that they experience, even possibly within their own neighborhood. Below is a list of books that are thoughtfully and wonderfully done that feature poverty and homelessness in varying degrees and forms. Each one is on a special mission to help build empathy and help us be kinder individuals that look out for each other. They are definitely some beautiful books that are worth checking out.
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Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Niel and Brizida Macro- This is the story of a young girl and her mother and how they navigate the emotions and process of visiting their local food pantry. It is such a great hook to raise awareness on those who struggle with food security, to help build empathy and kindness and to empower us to make a difference and reach out in ways that we can help. The illustrations are also fantastic!
Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth, Ira Glass and Dreamscape Media, LLC – This book is based on the authors own experience with homelessness and feeling comfortable and finding refuge in libraries. In the story the character moves from family members house to family members house and doesn’t feel settled until a local librarian helps her feel “at home” in the public library. In the end the family does get a home of their own.
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET by Matt De la Pena and Christian Robinson- This book is fabulous! In the story a young child asks his grandmother why he doesn’t have the things that he sees other children enjoying, why they ride a bus instead of owning a car and why they live in a run-down section of town. She answers with love and helps him see the beauty in his life.
A Place to Stay: A Shelter Story by Erin Gunti and Esteli Meza- In this story a mother creates an imaginative game to help moving into a shelter seem less scary for her child. It is a great one for teaching empathy and raising awareness in children. It is also gently and lovingly done.
Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy and Emily Sutton- This one is beautiful! A little homeless boy asks for an unwanted and unpicked little Christmas tree and his request is granted. He decorates it as best as he can and it brings lot of joy and Christmas hope to those who could use a little cheer.
Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken – Adrian tells everyone that he has a wonderful horse, but one little girl does not believe in. In fact, her suspicion that he is lying makes her angry. She notices that he has a tiny home and holes in his shoes and judges his family as unable to afford a horse. However, she learns that there is more than one way to look at things and empathy and kindness have an impact that is far more powerful and important that being judgmental.
Lily and the Paper Man by Rebecca Upjohn and Renné Benoit – At first Lily is afraid of the paper man (a man who sells newspapers) that she passes with her mother when they walk home from school. She is afraid because his voice is rough and his clothing tattered. However, when she is able to look past his appearance and really see him as an individual and notice what his needs may be she decides to take action to help show him a little kindness.
Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and Lauren Castillo- In this story a young girls family is forced to move because they don’t have the financial ability to keep paying for their home. The girl struggles with the unfairness of having to sell her possessions and leave, but in the end realizes that while she is loosing her beloved items and home, she still has what is most important above all: her family.
Still a Family: A Story about Homelessness by Brenda Reeves Sturgis and Jo-Shin Lee- This story features a family of three that live in the shelter care system and are separated between shelters for women and children and men. It shows how they still stay connected and emphasizes that they are still a family. It is written with empathy and hope and is so well done.
Maddi’s Fridge Lois Brandt, Tamara Ryan , Vin Vogel and Flashlight Press- When a young girl discovers that her friends fridge is empty and that her family struggles with hunger she feels bound to a promise she made her friend to keep it a secret. However, she soon learns that if she is going to help her friend she will need to share the knowledge with there mother and in the end it leads to them being able to help and make a difference.
Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen (Reading Rainbow Book) by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan – In this story young boy learns about homelessness and poverty as he spends an afternoon helping his uncle in a soup kitchen. It is written in such a respectful and caring way and is so informative for young children.
Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin – In this impactful story a young girl is embarrassed at first to be picking watercress with her family by the side of the road because it seems like just another way her family is different from others in what they don’t have. Then, at home she learns its importance to her immigrant parents (who had even less than she does) and her heritage and gains a whole new appreciation for something she didn’t understand before.
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts and Noah Z. Jones- Every child knows what it is like to want something that is wildly popular at least once in their childhood. In this story the little boy feels that way about a pair of shoes, but his family doesn’t have the money to pay for them. When he finds some used ones that are too small, he still gets some comfort from at least being able to own them. However, in the end he shares them selflessly with another child in his school that is in a similar situation that he empathizes with. Such a good one!
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