In the spring of 2022, the Nativity Peace Library was established by the Social Justice Team to provide a collection of children’s books that share Nativity’s core values of welcome and inclusion and that celebrate diversity among God’s people. Children can enjoy the books while relaxing in bean bags at the back of the church or they can check them out to take home.
We are seeking more volunteers to help with the Nativity Peace Library. Perhaps you would be interested in helping to label books, write monthly book reviews, help to organize the books each month, and plan experiences for the children. Of course we are always open to new ideas about how to incorporate the Peace Library into our ministry. If you would like to get involved please Email Beth C.
Thanks
Peace Library Book Reviews
(Newest to Oldest)
- Troubled Waters
This is the story of the Alabama River, which runs from Montgomery Al. to Mobile Al and its trip through the history of the State of Alabama. With a particular focus on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, this beautifully illustrated story tells the history of Alabama, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s. - Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth
This story uses gorgeous illustrations that show the beauty of God’s Creation during walks that a Grandad shares with his Grandson. On these walks, the grandfather explains to his grandson how different parts of nature pray to God. This does not always make sense to the child during these walks. As he grows older, he realizes the beauty that Grandfather brought into his life through a connection with nature. - Going Down Home with Daddy
This is a beautiful story about a child going with their father to an annual visit to a family reunion. Beautiful illustrations show African-American family traditions that are centered around their land that has been with them for years, and will be theirs for years to come. Every year, the family gathers to share how the land has affected them, their lives, and history. - These Hands
This beautifully illustrated picture book recounts the racial discrimination and injustice present in our American society in the 1950’s and 60’s. This intergeneration story is told by a grandfather to his grandson and has a positive message of changes that have enabled black Americans to have more opportunities now than in the pre-civil rights era. The story is appropriate for 4-8 year olds and concludes with an author’s note about the historical background for the telling of These Hands. Possible activities to do with children following the reading of the book “Yes I Can” Writing Piece: Invite students to… Read more: These Hands - The Energy Bus
The Energy Bus for Kids by Jon Gordon is an illustrated fable that teaches children how to overcome negativity, bullies and daily challenges by cultivating a positive attitude. Following a boy named George who learns to “fuel” his life with positivity, the book introduces five rules to help kids find inner motivation, stay positive, and share positive energy with others. As the book begins, nothing is going right for George and he is struggling with daily life tasks. But as he boards the school bus, the driver magically helps the students learn how to navigate the challenges of life. The… Read more: The Energy Bus - BLACK GIRL, BLACK GIRL
Often in our lives we look to others for inspiration and example. Learning about the way others have lived their lives can be a positive force for young readers. BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY, and BLACK GIRL, BLACK GIRL are two such books that highlight the lives of inspirational people of color. Each book has selected particular people to give the reader a peek into the work these people have accomplished. Always, the authors are making the statement through the lives of these people that even young boys and girls can strive for greatness. The content is designed to give readers… Read more: BLACK GIRL, BLACK GIRL - BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY
Often in our lives we look to others for inspiration and example. Learning about the way others have lived their lives can be a positive force for young readers. BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY, and BLACK GIRL, BLACK GIRL are two such books that highlight the lives of inspirational people of color. Each book has selected particular people to give the reader a peek into the work these people have accomplished. Always, the authors are making the statement through the lives of these people that even young boys and girls can strive for greatness. The content is designed to give readers… Read more: BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY - A Rose for Abby
A Rose for Abby by Donna Guthrie (1988) is a simple but meaningful story about helping those less fortunate than ourselves. In this story, Abby sees an old woman looking through the trash for whatever she needs, most likely food. Abby is concerned, so she decides to help in some way. By enlisting the help of her father, who is a pastor, and the local grocer as well as other adults, she comes up with a plan to feed the homeless lady, Soon the whole neighborhood is engaged, and a soup kitchen is started. All of this came about because… Read more: A Rose for Abby - The Library in the Woods
In 1959 a boy named Junior moved with his family to Roxboro, North Carolina. Their farm was failing and they hoped for a better life in the city, but Junior’s family was black, and this was the era of Jim Crow when public spaces were segregated. Although Junior missed life on the farm, his new school friends introduced him to a small library in the woods for black residents. After checking out books for himself and his parents, Junior learned for the first time that his father couldn’t read. The story continues with Junior opening new worlds to his father… Read more: The Library in the Woods - Sonia Sotomayor – A Judge Grows in the Bronx
“You never know what can happen.” This opening line about the life of Sonia Sotomayor captures the essence of her childhood growing up in public housing in the South Bronx section of New York City, through her appointment and current position as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice of the United States. It is a remarkable story. The book focuses on the early challenges facing Sonia and her family as her mom worked several jobs to make ends meet, and on the additional difficulties facing Sonia as she struggled with diabetes. With the support of her mom and her family… Read more: Sonia Sotomayor – A Judge Grows in the Bronx - The Acorn and the Oak
The Acorn and the Oak By Rhonda Accardo Reviewed by Mari Borstelmann This is a story about a young girl and her mom who love walking together through the forest on a dirt road they know very well. At the end of the road is an old oak tree, a wonderful place for the girl and her mom to sit together and talk about nature. The girl learns how the Great Oak started as an acorn and grew to be so big and so important to many animals and birds in the forest. The girl comes to love the Great Oak and… Read more: The Acorn and the Oak - One Big Heart (Peace Library Review)
One Big Heart, A Celebration of Being More Alike, than Different by Linsey Davis, with Beverly Davis; illustrated by Lucy Flemingreview by Carol Smith With schools opening across the country within the month, One Big Heart combines lyrical rhymes and a whimsical art style that delivers an inspiring message of inclusion and connection within a school classroom. It is a perfect book to share with our younger readers, Pre-K- Grade 2, as it explores how we are more alike than different. From skin, hair and eyes in a multitude of colors, to different personalities and interests, we all have something… Read more: One Big Heart (Peace Library Review) - A Day for Rememberin’ (Peace Library Review)
A Day for Rememberin’by Leah Hendersonreview by Lillis Ward A Day for Rememberin’ tells the story of the first Memorial Day celebration from the perspective of a young African American boy whose family has recently been freed following the Civil War. In this picture book written for grades 2-5, Henderson describes the little known events of the 1st Decoration Day which was specifically to honor those who died fighting in the Civil War. The African Americans who led the effort wanted to show their gratitude to the fallen Union soldiers who fought to bring freedom to their families and to… Read more: A Day for Rememberin’ (Peace Library Review) - We Are Water Protectors (Peace Library Review)
by Carole Lindstrom, author; and Michaela Goade, illustratorreview by Becky Showalter We Are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade, is a children’s book inspired by the Indigenous-led environmental protests that have been held across the United States for many years. In particular, it tells the story of a little girl taking part in the Standing Rock protests, which our own Bishop Curry took part in in 2016 and 2017. With stunning colors and artwork, this book received the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations in 2021 — the first time an Indigenous illustrator has done so. We… Read more: We Are Water Protectors (Peace Library Review) - Sweet Justice (Peace Library Review)Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Mara Rockliff, author; and R.Gregory Christie, illustratorreview by Pete Crow This tightly-written and well-illustrated book reveals a little-known dimension of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of December, 1955 through December, 1966. No doubt you have heard of the roles played by Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King. But do you know the fascinating story of Georgia Gilmore? Probably not. That’s why adults will enjoy this book as much as the kids they read it to or who read it themselves. Ms. Gilmore refused to ride the bus before Ms. Parks… Read more: Sweet Justice (Peace Library Review)
- Freedom on the Menu (Peace Library Review)
Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherfordreview by Beth Crow YouTube Reading of this book (4:11) Sixty-three years ago — on February 4, 1960 — African-American students staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, an act that began a national movement protesting segregation. Freedom on the Menu recounts the events of the seven-month protest, told through the perspective of an elementary-age child. Often we associate the Greensboro Sit-ins with only the four black college students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College. Weatherford accurately illustrates how the support and involvement of… Read more: Freedom on the Menu (Peace Library Review) - Love Is Powerful (Peace Library Review)
by Heather Dean Brewer, author; and LeUyen Pham, illustratorreview by Anne Stokes Heather Dean Brewer is a writer, artist, and art director who designs books for kids and adults and loves to ride her bike in the woods. About this book she says, “I’ve often felt quiet and small and that no one could hear me. But when I joined others in the Women’s March and saw my friend Mari lifted above the crowd and heard her voice echo down the streets of New York City, I learned that even the smallest voice has the power to change the world.… Read more: Love Is Powerful (Peace Library Review)
