Social Issues

Boelts, M., & Jones, N. (2009). Thoseshoes. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

This book is about a little boy who wants shoes that everyone else has. But his family cannot afford to buy him the new shoes that he needs. This book is an excellent tool to teach empathy and also teach needs and wants.

Gunning, M., & Pedlar, E.(2014). A shelter in our car. New York, NY: Children's Book Press.

This book is about a mother and her daughter that must live in their car and the struggles that came along with it.  This book teaches about homelessness in America.

Kilodavis, C., & DeSimone, S.(2011). My princess boy: A mom's story about a young boy who loves to dressup. New York, NY: Aladdin.

This is a nonfiction picture book about acceptance and compassion for others. This book is about the author’s son who grew up with the support to be who he wanted to be and he wanted to be a princess. 

Richardson, J., Parnell, P., &Cole, H. (2005). And Tango makes three. New York, NY: Simon &Schuster Books for Young Readers.

This book is based on a true story about two penguins at the Central Park Zoo. At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo get the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.

Williams, V. B. (1982). A chairfor my mother. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

This book is about a girl, her mother, and her grandmother. They lost of their furniture and possessions in a fire. The family works hard to save all their spare change for a much needed chair. This book helps to teach needs and wants and also shows a single parent working hard to support her family.