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Peaceable Stories
Core Books
- The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
As Victoria and Sam sit down to some of their grandmother’s famous cookies, neighbors start arriving one after another, and they are forced to share. This book’s potential for math awareness is well-known, but it’s also useful for discussions about conflict resolution and stereotypes.
- Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose, illustrated by Debbie Tilley
A father/daughter team from Maine created this rhyming story (originally a song) in which an ant begs a boy not to squish him. While moral struggles are made explicit, the ending is left open: “What should the boy do?”
- I Call My Hand Gentle by Amanda Haan, illustrated by Marina Sagona
This book catalogs the wonderful things a hand can do (cuddle, tickle, share) as well as some of the things children can choose not to do with their hands (steal, push, hurt). Without preaching, it empowers children to take responsibility for their own behavior.
- If Peace Is... by Jane Baskwill, illustrated by Stephanie Carter
A rhyming book that repeats the phrase from the title: “If peace is a garden, I’ll tend every seed; if peace is a book, I’ll have to read.” The book has a lovely, lilting rhythm, and can easily lead to a discussion or book-making activity based on the title phrase.
- It’s Mine by Leo Lionni
Three selfish frogs quarrel over who owns their pond and island. When a toad tells them to stop bickering, they try for a little while, but it doesn’t help. Finally, a storm and some more guidance from the toad teaches them the benefits of sharing.
- My Friend and I by Lisa Jahn-Clough
In this simple story by a Maine author/illustrator, a girl befriends the boy next door, fights with him over a new toy, then forgives him. Using a child’s perspective, this book gently introduces the fact that there are rough patches in every friendship.
- Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth
This retelling of the favorite old trickster tale is set in Buddhist China, with three Zen monks and a brave little girl as its heroes. Conflict is so often related to scarcity of resources. This story creatively speaks to how communities can peacefully overcome scarcity.
- Who’s In Rabbit’s House? by Phillip and Hannah Hoose, illustrated by Debbie Tilley
In this Masai tale, a succession of large animals try to get the mysterious Long One out of rabbit’s house, but a wily frog has the last laugh. Masai people act out the story in costume, which suggests the story’s great potential for dramatic play activities.
Peaceable Stories Resources
Born to Read
Maine Humanities Council
674 Brighton Avenue, Portland, ME 04102
Phone: (207) 773-5051
Fax: (207) 773-2416
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