Breaking the News: What's Real, What's Not, and Why the Difference Matters
A look at culture’s relationship with journalism, and an effort to teach kids what is “real” versus “fake news.”
Talking With Children About Elections, Violence and Current Events
Coping with the flood of information available these days can be challenging, even when utterly unexpected events aren’t overtaking us. Talking calmly and comfortingly with children about current events may feel like it’s almost impossible. That’s particularly true when a situation turns violent, as it did in the recent storming of the U.S. Capitol building.
To build a world in which the current division and distress doesn’t become the norm, we need to help kids find ways to make sense of the problems facing us without being overwhelmed by them. (And it wouldn’t hurt for us to learn some new coping skills either.)
Whether difficult conversations are smooth or tricky for your family, sharing a book can be a good starting point. Books can feel like a (slightly) safer way to introduce distressing topics. They can also offer the opportunity to evaluate—or even try out—a variety of ways to respond.
Titles below can help you talk with an older child about “fake news” and elections, reassure a younger child that there are plenty of good people who want to help others or offer an invitation to your child to express their emotions. If these titles don’t contain the information you’re looking for or cover topics that are important to you, consider asking for personalized assistance.
To get a list curated just for you and your family, use the Book Recommendation form to send us some information about what you are hoping to find.
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On the News: Our First Talk About Tragedy
Using illustrations, full-color photographs, and straightforward text, this nonfiction picture book introduces the topics of tragedy and disaster to young readers. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on Hoopla or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Vote for Our Future!
The students of Stanton Elementary School, which is a polling place, find out all they can about voting and then encourage everyone in their neighborhoods to cast their ballots.
What Is an Election?
Readers will learn about where and how democracy began and how it has developed over the years.
What's the Big Deal About Elections?
Did you know that Election Day is on Tuesday because that was the best day for farmers to vote? Or that George Washington was our only elected president who ran unopposed? Or that Native Americans were only given the right to vote in 1924? It’s all true! You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
The Forgiveness Garden
Two children from separate, long-feuding villages decide to put aside their hatred and build a forgiveness garden to bridge the gap between their communities and end the cycle of violence. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
I Am Human: A Book of Empathy
A child recognizes his own humanity, his capacity for doing harm and being harmed, his ability to feel joy and sadness, and his belief in hope and promise to keep learning. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on Hoopla.
I Promise
An inspiring, rhyming picture book that reminds readers that tomorrow’s success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today.
If Kids Ran the World
In text and pictures, this book tells us how much better the world would be, if kids were allowed to run the world.
Kindness Makes Us Strong
This story shows various children as they extend kindness in all kinds of situations: on the playground, at lunchtime, on a bike path and on a neighborhood street. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Look for the Helpers
Daniel Tiger gets scared when a bad storm hits the neighborhood and learns to look for people who can help. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Something Bad Happened: A Kid's Guide To Coping With Events in the News
When we learn about something bad – even when we hear only bits and pieces of it – our brains get busy trying to make sense of what we’ve heard. Seeing distressing events on the news, or hearing about them later, can feel scary and overwhelming. Talking about what happened, and how we feel about it, is hugely important.
The Breaking News
With bad news in the air, Mom is glued to the television, and Dad is constantly checking his phone; it is up to the children to remind them they are still there.
I'm Worried
Potato is worried about what might happen in the future, causing Flamingo to worry, too, but their friend, a little girl, encourages them to focus on enjoying the present, instead. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
A Place Inside of Me: A Poem To Heal the Heart
Illustrations and easy-to-read text express a child’s awareness of being filled with deep emotions, from joy to sorrow and anger to compassion, but above all, love.
The Rabbit Listened
When Taylor’s block castle is destroyed, all the animals think they know just what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to how Taylor is feeling. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Superpowered: Transform Anxiety Into Courage, Confidence, and Resilience
An anti-anxiety toolkit of easy-to-understand methods for recognizing anxious behaviors and identifying the causes of worried thinking.
When I Feel Worried
A young guinea pig describes situations that make her worry, what being worried feels like and how she can stop worrying. Includes note to parents and teachers. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
The Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame Your Anxiety!
We all have a mixture of fun and not-so fun feelings. And everyone feels worried sometimes. But too much anxiety can get in the way. So this book is here to help you identify your anxiety, understand why it’s just part of life, and equip you with all the tools you need to find calm again.