Teaching Tolerance Grades K-2

The books on this list have been curated for grades K-2 by Guilford Free Library and Guilford Public Schools librarians. These books address acceptance of others and of yourself by showcasing stories of all kinds of characters (some fictional, some based on real people & events) overcoming hardships and/or bias they have experienced. These books may introduce children to the concept of injustice and provide a conversation starter between children and adults. By reading and/or discussing "tough topics" through the safety of a book, children will build the social-emotional skills and resilience necessary to confidently handle these issues when they come up in the real world later on. Sensitive topics are presented in these books in age-appropriate language and visuals. This project is also presented by the Guilford Anti-Bias Anti-Racist (ABAR) Alliance, a collaborative partnership of educators, parents, and caregivers who work to further inclusion, equity, and tolerance within Guilford Public Schools. Learn more at www.GuilfordCtABAR.com .
 

Showing 1 - 10 of 10  There are a total of 24 valid entries on the list.

1. All the way to the top: how one girl's fight for Americans with disabilities changed everything

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Author:
Pimentel, Annette Bay
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Guilford Juvenile Picture Book has 3
JJ PEOPLE & PLACES PIMENTEL
Description:
"Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, Jennifer Keelan grew up battling-and overcoming-the limitations others set for her. From a lack of cutaway curbs and bus lifts to being denied enrollment at her neighborhood school, Jennifer was continually blocked from living the life she wanted. But after discovering the world of disability rights activism, she knew she had to use her voice to change things. When Jennifer was just eight years old, she participated...

2. Amy Wu and the patchwork dragon

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Author:
Zhang, Kat, 1991-
Average Rating:
4 stars
Formats:
Book, Hoopla eAudiobook
Description:
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...

3. Amy Wu and the perfect bao

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Author:
Zhang, Kat, 1991-
Formats:
Book, Hoopla eAudiobook
Description:
Amy is determined to make a perfect dumpling like her parents and grandmother do, but hers are always too empty, too full, or not pinched together properly.

4. The Christmas menorahs: how a town fought hate

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Author:
Cohn, Janice
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Guilford Juvenile Non-Fiction
J394.267 COHN
Description:
Describes how people in Billings, Montana joined together to fight a series of hate crimes against a Jewish family.

5. Cubs in the tub: the true story of the Bronx Zoo's first woman zookeeper

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Author:
Fleming, Candace
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Guilford Juvenile Picture Book
JJ PEOPLE & PLACES FLEMING
Description:
"Readers are told the story of Helen Martini's care for lion and tiger cubs, and her emergence as the Bronx Zoo's first woman zookeeper"--

6. Happy in our skin

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Author:
Manushkin, Fran (Author)
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Guilford Juvenile Picture Book
JJ GROWING UP MANUSHKIN
Description:
Bouquets of babies sweet to hold: cocoa-brown, cinnamon, and honey gold. Ginger-coloured babies, peaches and cream, too - splendid skin for me, splendid skin for you! A delightfully rhythmical read-aloud text is paired with bright, bustling art from the award-winning Lauren Tobia, illustrator of Anna Hibiscus, in this joyful exploration of the new skin of babyhood. A wonderful gift book for new mums and toddlers, all children can see themselves, and...

7. Rescue & Jessica: a life-changing friendship

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Author:
Kensky, Jessica
Formats:
Book, OverDrive eBook
Description:
"When he is paired with a girl who has lost her legs, Rescue worries that he isn't up to the task of being her service dog." --

8. Strictly no elephants

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Author:
Mantchev, Lisa
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Guilford Juvenile Picture Book
JJ GROWING UP MANTCHEV
Description:
A boy is excluded from joining his friends' pet club because of his unusual pet.

9. Sulwe

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Author:
Nyong'o, Lupita
Average Rating:
5 stars
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Guilford Juvenile Picture Book
JJ GROWING UP NYONG'O
Description:
When five-year-old Sulwe's classmates make fun of her dark skin, she tries lightening herself to no avail, but her encounter with a shooting star helps her understand there is beauty in every shade.

10. Where are you from?

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Author:
Méndez, Yamile Saied
Average Rating:
5 stars
Formats:
Book, Hoopla eBook
Description:
"When a young girl is asked where she's from--where she's really from--she's no longer as she was. She decides to turn to her dear abuelo for some help with this ever-persistent question. But he doesn't quite give her the answer she expects."--Page [2] of cover.