Because of You. Written by B.G. Hennessy. Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata. Candlewick Press, 2005. 24 pages. An appealing book that introduces young children to the concepts of kindness, understanding and peace. Most importantly, the author emphasizes how each child can make a difference in the world. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreS-1.

The Peace Book. By Todd Parr. Little, Brown and Company, 2005. 32 pages. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-2. This uncomplicated book is a wonderful introduction to peace. Parr's definition of peace embraces animals and the earth, capturing the essence of humane education too. Readers of all ages will find the sparse yet thought provoking statements and vibrant childlike illustrations endearing - Two smart little fish refuse a hook on my favorite page - "It's okay to say no to bad things." Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreS-2.

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa. Written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Harcourt, 2008. 32 pages. The inspirational story of environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement in which an army of women replanted 30 million trees in Africa, one tree at a time. Picture book biography. Interest level: Gr. PreS-2.

Whoever You Are. Written by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Leslie Staub. Harcourt Children's Books, 1997. 32 pages. An essential primer in embracing diversity that takes children across cultures through the use of ornate illustrations and uncomplicated text. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreS-1.

Why War is Never a Good Idea. Written by Alice Walker. Illustrated by Stefano Vitale. HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. Unpaged. Publisher's summary: Simple, rhythmic text explores the wanton destructiveness of War, which has grown old but not wise, as it demolishes nice people and beautiful things with no consideration for the consequences. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 4 and up.

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"Truly man is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds them. We live by the death of others. We are burial places! I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

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