Make a Difference Day
The new CBC Holidays Series will explore stories that relate to specific holidays so that kid, and adult, readers can celebrate in the best way we know how… with a good book!
Today, Saturday, October 23, we celebrate all the ways we can help our community be the best it can be. We have compiled a shortlist of books that can inspire children, and adults, to figure out what we can do together to support the world around us. Whether it be via social activism (We Are Power. How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World), volunteering (Can We Help?: Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities), or learning about the environment around us (Hey, Water!), there are several ways we can make a difference!
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? In the Neighborhood / ¡Mira lo que veo! ¿Dónde crees que estoy? En el barrio, by Dia L. Michels; illus. Michael J.N. Bowles (Science Naturally) — Fiction, Picture Book, Concepts, Spanish, Series, ages 0-3.
How to Change the World in 12 Easy Steps, by Peggy Porter Tierney; illus. Marie Letourneau (Tanglewood) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Diversity, Contemporary, Mental / Physical Health, ages 4-6.
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, by Anika Aldamuy Denise; illus. Paola Escobar (HarperCollins) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Biography / Memoir, Diversity, Background / Culture, ages 4-6.
How to Make a Better World: For Every Kid Who Wants to Make a Difference, by Keilly Swift (Creston Books) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, How-to / Activity, Science, ages 7-12.
Shelter: Homelessness in Our Community (Orca Think Series #2), by Lois Peterson; illus. Taryn Gee (Orca Book Publishers) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Diversity, Background / Culture, Mental / Physical Health, ages 7-12.
Hey, Water!, written and illustrator by Antoinette Portis (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House Publishing) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Science, ages 4-6.
Puerto Rico Strong: A Comics Anthology Supporting Puerto Rico Disaster Relief and Recovery, by Hazel Newlevant (Oni Press) — Fiction, Graphic Novel, Diversity, Background / Culture, ages Teen.
Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives (Orca Footprints Series #17), by Rowena Rae (Orca Book Publishers) — Nonfiction, Science, Series, ages 7-12.
I’m an Activist (DK Readers Level 3), by Wil Mara (DK Children) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Science, Mental / Physical Health, ages 7-12.
We Are Power. How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World, by Todd Hasak-Lowy (ABRAMS Books for Young Readers) — Nonfiction, Biography / Memoir, History, ages 7-12.
Harvey Milk (People of Pride Series), by Victoria Grace Elliot (little bee books) — Nonfiction, Board Book, Biography / Memoir, LGBTQIA+, Series, ages 4-6.
Can We Help?: Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities, by George Ancona (Candlewick Press) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, How-To / Activity, Science, ages 4-6.
Happy Make a Difference Day!
List compiled by CBC’s resident trivia expert, Sommer. Check out other diverse book lists on our blog and from our Inclusivity Resources list.
