 Little
Soul and the Sun
by
Neale Donald Walsch
illustrated by
Franco Riccio
(Hampton
Roads Publishing Co: Charlottesville VA USA 1998)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
This outstanding story can deliver a
peaceful spiritual message to any person not only a child. Although
religious in nature its universality of theme can be explored with any
children as they begin examining deeper issues in relation to the meaning
and purpose of life. We highly recommend sharing this story.
(suitable for all ages)
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Little
Soul and the Earth
by
Neale Donald Walsch
illustrated by
Franco Riccio
(Hampton
Roads Publishing Co: Charlottesville VA USA
2005)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
The sequel to Little Soul and the Sun this
story further develops the same spiritual message especially in relation
to why new life begins. The story simply reminds us all of our
common humanity and equality. We also highly recommend sharing this
story with children of all ages.
(suitable for all ages)
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The
Little Refugee
by
Anh Do and
Suzanne Do
illustrated by
Bruce Whatley
(Allen
& Unwin: Crows Nest NSW Aus 2011)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
The ever present debate in our communities
in relation to the plight of refugees and boat people can be
constructively supported by the heart warming true story. Told by
Vietnamese-Australian Anh Do, who positively yet poignantly relates his
personal journey about his family leaving Vietnam, he lightheartedly
yet honestly relates some of the events that unfolded both on the
journey here to Australia and with life once they arrived. We highly
recommend this story.
(suitable for all ages)
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A
Bus Called Heaven
by
Bob Graham
(Walker
Books: London England 2011)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
A young girl's passion and purpose bring
hope, happiness and peace to a community needing to be renewed and
restored. This heart warming story reminds us of the importance of
working together and supporting each other in our communities.
(suitable for all ages)
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Brown
Bear, White Bear
by
Svetlana Petrovic
illustrated by
Vincent Hardy
(Eerdmand Books
for Young Readers: Grand Rapids Michigan USA 2005)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
Love has no boundaries nor limits as this
heart warming story about a little girl and her bears reveals. When the
bears begin fighting she intervenes to reassure them both they are loved
and they don't need to compete with each other. They are loved for who
they are and just the way they are.
(suitable for younger children)
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Giraffes
Can't Dance
by
Giles Andreae
illustrated by
Guy Parker-Rees
(Orchard Books:
London England 2000)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
Being different or even awkward and unable
to do as others can do leads to frustration and sadness and develops low
self esteem levels especially in children. But learning to value
being different and discovering what can be achieved and celebrating any achievements
can heal any pain.
(suitable for younger children)
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Secret
of the Peaceful Warrior
by
Dan Millman illustrated by
T Taylor Bruce
(H J Kramer Inc.
Tiburon Cal USA 1991)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
This extraordinary story seeks to build
confidence and strength of mind in young people who are constantly in
fear of being bullied. Developing peace-building ways with which to deal
with harassment and conflict involve powerful and transformative
thinking and actions. These are clearly and purposefully explored in
this highly recommended story.
(suitable for all ages)
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Paula
Pastrami Achieves World Peace
by
James Proimos
(Little
Brown and Company: Canada 2009)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other-peace with the environment
Achieving world peace is certainly a
complex and daunting task. But taking little steps and beginning
building peace with people in our own lives and doing things in our
local communities that are peace-building is the theme of this story.
Although possibly simplifying the processes involved the story at least
can help begin the discussion with young children in relation to
creating peace in their own lives and communities.
(suitable for younger children)
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Naomi's Tree
by
Joy Kogawa
illustrated by
Ruth Ohi (Fitzhenry
& Whiteside: Ontario Canada 2008)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other-peace with the environment
Migrating to Canada a young Japanese couple
decide to plant a cherry tree in their new garden to remind them of their
homeland. But as their family grows and war breaks out the cherry tree
remains the symbol of hope and safety for many generations.
(suitable for all ages)
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In Search of the Thunder Dragon
written and illustrated by
Sophie and Romio Shrestha
(Mandala
Publishing: San Rafael California USA 2007)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other-peace with the environment
Happiness and peace pervade
the mountainous kingdom of Bhutan, the country in which this story is set.
The Bhutanese legend of the Thunder Dragon is interwoven in this story
about two children who undertake their quest to search for it. Their
courage and determination are rewarded.
(more suitable for children under 12 years)
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One City, Two Brothers
by
Chris Smith
illustrated by
Aurelia Fronty
(Barefoot
Books:
Cambridge Massachusetts USA 2007)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
This story is set in the time of King
Solomon when he ruled Jerusalem. Two brothers who need to decide the fate
of their father's land visit the temple seeking King Solomon's advice.
They are told a story of how Jerusalem began and as a result the two
brothers then know how to resolve their problem peacefully.
(suitable for all ages)
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Planting the Trees of Kenya
written and illustrated by
Claire A Nivola
(Francis
Foster Books: New York USA 2008)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other-peace with the environment
Clearing of land in Kenya led to untold
problems for the people. Wangari Maathai, after returning from studying in
America, realised that she needed to replant trees and teach her people
how to care for the land and restore the healthy environment for the
people to again thrive.
(suitable
for all ages)
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Mbobo Tree
by
Glenda Millard
illustrated by
Annie White
(Scholastic
Press: Lindfield NSW Australia 2009)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other-peace with the environment
This fascinating tale of a
young girl, who has never spoken and a tree that gives life to the
village. When the tree is in danger of being cut down the young girl finds
her voice and inspires the whole village.
(suitable
for all ages)
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Measuring Angels by
Lesley Ely
and illustrated
by Polly Dunbar
(Francis
Lincoln Children's Books: London England 2008)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
Sometimes friendship needs
help to grow as do sunflowers. Two girls learn how to become friends and
work together as they find ways to nurture their plant and encourage its
growth.
(more suitable for
children under 9 years)
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Iffat and His Jumping Jellybean Shoelaces
by
Helene Stein-Anderson
illustrated by
Milli Jahier
(Brolly
Books: Victoria Australia 2008)
peace
with ourselves
This story reminds us of
the importance of being happy and positive and focussing upon what we can
do despite our circumstances.
(more suitable for children under 7 years)
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The Tear Thief
by
Carol
Ann Duffy
illustrated by
Nicoletta Ceccoli
(Barefoot
Books: United Kingdom 2007)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
This beautifully presented
and heart warming story magically transforms a young girl's sadness and
tears into hope and she finds peace in knowing that the Tear Thief will
always pour her sack of tears into the light of the moon.
(more suitable for children under 12 years)
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The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness
written and Illustrated by
Colin Thompson
(Random
House Australia: North Sydney NSW Australia 2008)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other
In this story we are
reminded of the transformative power of love as a young boy and his
grandmother rescue a dog from an animal shelter while also rescuing each
other from loneliness.
(more
suitable for children under 12 years) |
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The Woman Who Married a Bear
retold by
Elizabeth James
illustrated by Atanas
(Simply
Read Books: Canada 2008)
peace with
ourselves-peace with each
other-peace with the environment
This is a beautifully illustrated ancient
tale from the American Northwest Indians about a young woman who discovers
the importance of respecting the natural environment.
(suitable for all ages)
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Milton's Secret
by
Eckhart Tolle and Robert S Friedman
illustrated by
Frank Riccio
(Namaste
Publishing: Vancouver Canada & Hampton Roads Publishing Co:
Charlottesville Virginia USA 2008)
peace with
ourselves
Finding personal peace for
a boy is difficult especially when he is bullied at school. A very special
cat teaches the boy about the power of living in the moment rather than
worrying about what might happen in the future.
(more suitable for children under 12 years)
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