Family Volunteering - Book Talk

To successfully incorporate service learning into your project, consider using Book Talk activities. Selected books can be read before or after the project or suggested to the families as recommended reading.

Homelessness and Hunger

A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning
This story of a girl and her mother who are living in their car as the mother tries to find work and save enough money to rent an apartment. It is a beautifully done story that will awaken awareness and compassion for the plight of the hungry and homeless in our communities.
The Lady in a Box by Ann McGovern
Lizzie and Ben face the dilemma of seeing a homeless woman, Dorrie in the city where they live. The children want to help, despite their mother's caution about talking to strangers. When their mother takes notice of a parade of missing food items, she begins to become involved. She helps us to find out why Dorrie is homeless and the whole family spends a Saturday volunteering at a soup kitchen.
Some Place to Go by Maria Testa
Davey, his brother and mother are living at a shelter and eating a a soup kitchen. Afterschool, Davey goes to the library, supermarket or just walks the streets waitng for the soup kitchen to open. He is hoping that his mother's new job and his older brother's wages will help them move into a new apartment soon.
The Can-Do Thanksgiving by Marion Hess Pomeranc
Dee is eager to contribute to the class Thanksgiving Food Collection, but she would really like to know what happens to her can of peas after she donates it. She places a sticker on the can, and the church that receives Dee's peas, invites the class to prepare and serve dinner to those in need.
Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by Diane DiSalvo-Ryan
Based on the actual volunteer experience of the author, this picture book provides a look into the soup kitchen without an overly sentimental view of the hungry or a dose of pessimism for the reader. With a note about soup kitchens introducing the story, this is informative and new, but not scary.

Troops and Veterans

Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut
While a soldier is half way around the world, he enlists the help of the North Star for a nightly game of catch with his son.
Love, Lizzie Letters to a Military Mom by Lisa Tucker McElroy
Lizzie stays close to her mom who is serving overseas by writing letters and drawing beautiful pictures.
When Dad's at Sea by Mindy L. Pelton
A little girl makes a paper chain to mark the six months her dad, a pilot, will be away. He tells her to take a circle off each night and when the chain is gone, he will be home again.
While You Are Away by Eileen Spinelli
Three children of different ethnicities have parents serving in the military. Each child anticipates a happy reunion with the parent who is away.
Almost Forever by Maria Testa
A first-grade child speaks of the year her father is drafted to serve as a doctor in Vietnam. She speaks about missing him, reading his letters and her feelings when his letters stop and happily, his homecoming.
Daddy, You're My Hero! and Mommy, You're My Hero! by Michelle Ferguson-Cohen
Both of these board books are written for young children about a parent being deployed. The text is the same in each book except for the parent-- it is either Mom or Dad.

Also check out the website MillitaryFamilyBooks.com for more titles.

The Environment

The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
A simple description of a flowering plant's life cycle through the seasons.
From Seed to Plant by Allan Fowler
Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment by Linda Schwartz
A book written in a simple format how to care for the earth with a number of activities for understanding concepts such as acid rain.
The Greening Book - Being a Friend to the Earth by Ellen Sabin
A book full of hands on activities and ideas on how you can be a friend to our environment.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This book follows a caterpillar as he eats his way through an array of healthy fruits and vegetables.
This Year's Garden by Cynthia Rylant
This story follows the life of a family for a year as they plant vegetables on their farm.
TREE OF LIFE, The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth by Rochelle Straus
A child-friendly, beautifully illustrated introduction to biodiversity.
Wangari's Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
A true story. As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari Maathai is surrounded by a rich, beautiful forest of trees. As she sees the trees being cut down she is afraid that soon all these forests will be destroyed. She decides to plant nine seedlings and as they grow, so do her plans... "People are fighting over water, over food...we plant the seeds of peace."

Kindness

Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn
It is the Chinese New Year and Sam has "lucky money" to spend. Walking through Chinatown with his mom he sees many things he would like. When he comes across a homeless man, his original intentions change.
La Mariposa by Francisco Jimenez
A beautiful story of young Spanish speaking Francisco, who attends a school where only English is allowed to be spoken, Read about his generous gift of his prized drawing of a butterfly to one of the class bullies.
One Smile by Cindy McKinley
A young girl named Katie, takes a walk with her mother and smiles at a man sitting on a bench. Read how her smile travels through the community and comes full circle to her and her mother.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
Mr. Hatch, who lives an ordinary, almost dreary life working in a factory, is transformed the day he receives a candy-filled Valentine, with the message "Someboy Loves You, Mr. Hatch."
The Coat by Connie Korda. Illustrated by Middy Thomas.
An amusing story told from the perspective of a coat that finds new owners by being passed down.
Building Friends and Raising the Roof by Ronald Kidd
These Habitat for Humanity books are wonderful stories about helping others build homes of their own and making friends in the process.
Down Home at Miss Dessa's by Bettye Stroud
Set in the 1940's, this book tells the story of two sisters who help take care of Miss Dessa after she hurts her foot. After a while, the sisters start getting back just as much as they put in and end up making a true friend.
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Jake Swamp
An ancient Iroquois message of gratitude still used today. It teaches children that we are all connected and that peace and harmony is based on mutual respect.

Senior Citizes

The Goat Lady by Jane Bregoli
All of the houses in town are well kept except the "Goat Lady's" house. Her house is shabby and the yard is full of farm animals. Read how a neighborhood family befriends her and gives their town a new perspective on this generous and "globally" thoughtful senior.
The Sunshine Home by Eve Bunting
When Timmie and his parents go to visit his grandmother in the nursing home, he can't understand why everyone acts as though nothing is wrong. Through this warm and touching story, the family realizes how much they need and love each other.
Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tommie de Paola
When little Bobby learned to walk, his grandfather was at his side. Now that his grandfather has had a stroke, it is Bobby's turn to walk by his side and encourage him. This poignant story illustrates the power of love between a little boy and his grandfather.
Great-Uncle Alfred Forgets by Ben Schecter
Emily's Great-Uncle Alfred is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. When they walk together, she answers his confused questions, like why is it not Christmas in July. But, when Great-Uncle Alfred tells stories about his childhood, he remembers everything.
Granpa's Hammer by Ronald Kidd
Grandpa always used his hammer to make things, like Grandma's kitchen table. But when Grandma died, he retreated from life. It took the love of his granddaughter and visit to a the Lewis', a family that was building their own home with Habitat for Humanity to bring him back to doing the work he loved by helping others. This is a Habitat for Humanity book.

Chronic Illness

Kathy's Hats by Judy Krishner
Kathy, a child who went through chemotherapy, describes the hats she has worn. It is an upbeat story.
What About Me? When Brothers and Sisters Get Sick by Allan Peterkin
This story deals with the complicated feelings a young girl feels about her brother's illness. A book both parents and children will benefit from reading.
Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings: When someone you love has cancer... a hopeful helpful book for kids by Ellen McVicker
The story is told through the eyes of a child and lends itself to a simple and clear understanding of cancer.
Chemo girl: Saving the World One Treatment at a Time by Christian Richmond
Chemo Girl aims to help children who have been diagnosed with cancer, and makes chemotherapy understandable to children and less scary.
You Can Call Me Willy, A Story for Children About AIDS by Joan Verniero
This book is a good introduction to understanding AIDS. Third grader Wiihelmina Jones loves school and baseball but having AIDS means she struggles with issues most children don't. After opposition from adults and with the help her best friend and a coach, she gets to play on the Little League team.
Great-Uncle Alfred Forgets by Ben Schecter
Emily's Great-Uncle Alfred is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. When they walk together, she answers his confused questions, like why is it not Christmas in July. But, when Great-Uncle Alfred tells stories about his childhood, he remembers everything.

Animals

Shelter Dogs by Peg Kehret
Eight true stories of unwanted strays who, when adopted, go on to do heroic feats.
The Goat Lady by Jane Bregoli
All of the houses in town are well kept except the "Goat Lady's" house. Her house is shabby and the yard is full of farm animals. Read how a neighborhood family befriends her and gives their town a new perspective on this generous and "globally" thoughtful senior.
Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World And Ours by Jane Goodall
A touching book about a beloved species by Jane Goodall, renowned scientist and writer.
Animals at Play by Marc Bekoff
A delightful way to learn about animals, by learning about how animals play.

Youth Service

Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
A young girl sees ugliness in her neighborhood. There is "trash in the courtyard and a broken bottle that looks like fallen stars." On her door, someone has scrawled the word "DIE," and a homeless lady "sleeps on the sidewalk, wrapped in plastic." The young girl decides to beautify her neighborhood and make it a better place to live.
Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by Diane DiSalvo-Ryan
Based on the actual volunteer experience of the author, this picture book provides a look into the soup kitchen without an overly sentimental view of the hungry or a dose of pessimism for the reader. With a note about soup kitchens introducing the story, this is informative and new, but not scary.

Health

Food Rules! By Bill Haduch
"A single chocolate chip gives you enough energy to walk about 150 feet." This is one of the many kid-friendly facts in Food Rules! From the hypothalamus, (the part of the brain which tells you to eat) through the "Tunnel of Food" (your digestive tract), Bill Haduch plainly tells us everything we need to know about how we eat, the food we eat, and what we need to eat. Food Rules! is loaded with jokes, poems, fun facts and great illustrations by Rick Stromoski.
Anna's Choice by Catherine Carter
Young Anna is overweight and self-conscious. With the help of a good friend and her family, she changes her eating habits and begins to exercise. These changes transform her into a healthy and happier person.