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The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds 

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The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds 

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This book perfectly embodies the power of words. New words, short and long words, syllables, connecting words together to make poems and songs, words that give power and emotion: Jerome collects them all.

The World Collector is a wonderful literary tool in creating excitement in young children about words and the power they hold. This book can provide pre-school and kindergarten children with with numerous possibilities of words: What do they mean individually? How can they change? What ways do they work together?

Phonics and Word Recognition K.FL.PWR.3: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.

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Everyone has bad days and bad moods, where it seems that the grass is most certainly greener on the other side. But this book helps children find power in their imagination and the places it can take them— an escape from reality.

A hopeful and powerful story, this book provides a tool for children to overcome their worst days; and the power lies within them. This book is an effective way in providing young children with strategies to regulate their emotions. It's provides simple strategies for abstract ideas that would be helpful in teaching prosocial behaviors to pre-school and kindergarten children.

Self Regulation PK.AL.SR.5: Maintain focus appropriate to completing a task and/or learning activity.

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This story, based off a real-life event, depicts a mother's journey to America with her son as she leaves behind everything for a new life. But it's not about what she's left behind, it's about what she still carries with her.

This story teaches the power of books and the words within them, persuading children into the magical world of libraries. It's also a wonderful story about family and individuality, reminding young children that despite physical or cultural differences, we're all dreamers. This book would serve as a useful tool in discussing cultures, immigration, and supporting literacy development in young children.

Social Justice Standard ID.K-2.3: I know that all my group identities are part of me—but that I am always ALL me.

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Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer

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Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer

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Stella may not have a mom, but she still has a family that loves her. So when Mother's Day comes around, Stella finds a way to celebrate those who nurture her most in her life, even if it looks a little different than her classmates.

This book teaches love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family as it introduces young children to different family structures and roles. This book could be a resource for challenging children's ideas about gender roles and to expand their understandings of traditional family structures. It also teaches an important lesson on diversity and acceptance for those who may live differently than us.

Social Justice Standard ID.K-2.5: I see that the way my family and I do things is both the same as and different from how other people do things, and I am interested in both.

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Blue Sky White Stars (Bilingual Edition) by Sarvinder Naberhaus

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Blue Sky White Stars (Bilingual Edition) by Sarvinder Naberhaus

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This bilingual picture book is a tribute to America with little words and rich illustrations. With the focus heavily on the award-winning illustrations, the words simply help elicit meaning and emotion as the story depicts iconic American imagery.

This book could serve as a tool in teaching pre-school and kindergarten children about America, touching on some social studies standards. However, while this book may appear simple, it offers more complex themes. It could be used to talk about immigration (Why do people want to come to America?) and a segway into conversations about culture across countries, families, and individuals.

Culture K.01: Describe familiar people, places, things, and events within a student’s home, school, and community.

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There's a time and place for everything, including hollering! Well, Holler had been told his whole life to "shush!" so much so that he thought he might just stay quiet forever. But one day, when all else failed, Holler's voice saves the whole town.

This book celebrates each of our unique gifts, recognizing that we all have a perfect place in this world. This book offers a relatable theme for many pre-schoolers and kindergarteners (we've all been told to be quiet) and offers unique ways to adjust and appropriate our talents.

Social Justice Standard ID.9-12.4: I express pride and confidence in my identity without perceiving or treating anyone else as inferior.

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Violet VanWinkle isn't like other kids at school, she spends all her free time at the junkyard building machines... flying machines. Her friends think it's a little weird, but Violet doesn't mind because she's going to change the world one day. And one day comes sooner than she thinks when she becomes the town hero all thanks to her latest flying machine, The Hornet.

This story depicts Violet as an inventor: What does it mean to invent something? The inside and back cover of the book detail Violet's blueprints, which serves as a great resource for introducing children to the idea of drawing and planning out your ideas. Pairing it with a science standard, this book can help teach children about inventions and fearlessly pursuing your passions.

Engineering, Technology, and Science K.ETS1.01a: Ask and answer questions about the scientific world and gather information using the senses.

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I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde

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I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde

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Part of a wellness series, this book celebrates love in all forms. When we love ourselves, we can love others and this book helps readers to look inward when we face uncertainty. Love is powerful and it lives within us.

When thinking about self-regulation and prosocial behaviors, this book teaches young children the power of love, compassion, gratitude, and kindness. This book could easily be incorporate in lessons connected with social justice standards and emotional development and bring about the discussion: What does love mean to you?

Self Awareness PK.SPC.SA.3 Describe self using several different identifying characteristics and/or unique qualities OR PK.SPC.SA.4 Develop a basic awareness of self as an individual, self within the context of family, and self within the context of community.

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My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner

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My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner

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This interactive picture book helps children discover calm through the magic of mindful breathing. The story navigates children through a range of emotions and how to find mindfulness, self-awareness, and balance.

This book would serve as a useful tool for transitions into quiet times (group, nap) for young children and to encourage prosocial behaviors and self-regulation. It allows children to actively engage in the story and provides a realistic, applicable, "magical" tool for working through every day emotions. Most importantly, it gives power to children in the ability of self-control.

Self Regulation PK.AL.SR.5: Maintain focus appropriate to completing a task and/or learning activity.

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Imaginary play is a huge part of the pre-school and kindergarten curriculum, so this book relates heavily to this age group. It takes you along the adventures of father and son, creating their own story as they go. But what's real and what's pretend?

This story is a celebration of imagination and creating your own fun! Relatable and fun, this book could be used to help young children think creatively but also distinguish between fiction and nonfiction. How do the illustrations let us know if something is real?

Reading Standards K.RL.IKI.7: With prompting and support, orally describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear.

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Shay & Ivy: Beyond the Kingdom by Sheena McFeely and Casie Trace

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Shay & Ivy: Beyond the Kingdom by Sheena McFeely and Casie Trace

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This book shares the story of two Deaf sisters who won't be confined to an imaginary world of princesses and fairies. With the help of mom, they explore their endless possibilities:  scientists, artists, chefs, and even presidents. Each girl has different visions for what they want to be, and that is just fine with them.

This story covers simple themes (making friends) and more complex themes (being different, family structures). It serves as a way to introduce and expose young children to disabilities and sign language, while teaching them to embrace their individuality and dreams. You can be anything you want to be, and nothing can get in the way of that.

Social Justice Standard ID.9-12.3: I know that all my group identities and the intersection of those identities create unique aspects of who I am and that this is true for other people too.

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This best-selling book demonstrates the power of curiosity and determination. Ada wonders about everything: Why? What? How? She's not like the rest of her family; nope, she loves science! She never met an experiment she wouldn't take on and her parent's can't quite understand, but they fearlessly encourage her to pursue her passion.

This serves a perfect support in teaching children about experiments and the scientific process. Most importantly, it shows children that anyone can do science! This book is also written in rhyme, which can support phonemic awareness. However, I think it serves best as a STEM support book, encouraging children to passionately pursue their interests.

Engineering ETS1: Solve scientific problems by asking testable questions, making short-term and long-term observations, and gathering information

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This fun-loving story tells the story of a mouse's journey through the woods, detailing his encounters with some not so friendly creatures and the [not] so imaginary Gruffalo. His clever tricks help him to escape danger, creating an exciting story on brain power and imagination.

This book is written in rhyme, which makes it a wonderful literacy source for pre-schoolers and kindergarteners to experiment with phonemes. When used to encourage the power of imagination, this book could help children think creatively and imagine up their own Gruffalo.

Foundational Literacy PK.FL.PA.2.a: Recognize and discriminate between rhyming words in spoken language.

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The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires

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The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires

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Trying new things can be scary, and this book touches perfectly on that. Lou is usually very adventurous, but when it comes to climbing a tree (something she's never done before) she's not so sure. She finds every excuse not to conquer her fears before finally coming clean about her doubts.

This book serves as a great teaching moment for young children: We all have weaknesses and it's not always easy to admit those weaknesses to others. What are you afraid of? What's something you've never tried? This book helps children embrace their weak points and find ways to overcome those fears.

Social and Personal Competencies PK.SPC.SA.1: Express feelings, needs, opinions, and desires in a way which is appropriate to the situation.

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Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match by Monica Brown

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Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match by Monica Brown

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This fun read tells the story of Marisol McDonald in both English and Spanish. Marisol is a wonderful combination of cultures and languages and relishes in her identity. When her peers encourage her to fit the mold, Marisol finds courage to stand out.

This book teaches independence, individuality, self-love, and introduces children to the idea of being both bilingual and multiracial. Who says you have to be one or the other? This book exposes children to the melting pot of society and encourages them to find joy in the perfectly imperfect.

Social Justice Standard ID.9-12.3: I know that all my group identities and the intersection of those identities create unique aspects of who I am and that this is true for other people too.

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Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai

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Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai

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This award-winning story is based off of the author's childhood experiences, facing adversity and turmoil in Pakistan. In time, Malala comes to realize the power she has and decides she's going to use it to advocate for those who can't.

This book aligns strongly with lessons on social justice and diversity. While many children are innocent to world's outside of their own, this book offers a different perspective of everyday life for pre-school and kindergarten children. Although this book offers complex themes and concepts, with proper support and instruction it can serve a significant purpose in teaching prosocial behaviors.

Social Justice Standard AC.9-12.18: I have the courage to speak up to people when their words, actions or views are biased and hurtful, and I will communicate with respect even when we disagree.

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This heartfelt story depicts an all too familiar scenario for many children: it's the first day of school and nobody knows how to pronounce your name. This is the story of Unhei who has just moved to America and decides to adopt an American name in place of her Korean name in hopes of an easier transition. Along the way, Unhei's friends remind her of the beauty of her name and the importance of holding tight to her culture.

I feel this book is a great resource for helping children take on different perspectives and to think about self-acceptance and acceptance of others. This book could be used in pre-school and kindergarten classrooms to introduce topics on culture, friendship, and other prosocial behaviors for young children.

Social Justice Standard ID.K-2.1: I know and like who I am and can talk about my family and myself and name some of my group identities.

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This story involves a curious little boy and an inked up dad and story behind each of his tattoos. Together, father and son go on a beautiful journey through family history.

This story is an ode to symbolism and the mark that tattoos and memories leave on us. This story just might encourage children to be inquirers, pushing past stereotypes and gain a greater understanding of individual expression. This story could be used in pre-school and kindergarten classrooms to talk about art, family history, and personal identity in a modern, relatable way.

Social Justice Standard DI.9-12.8: I respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way.

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When mom is away, it's up to dad to be the superhero! Dad might not have it all down pat, but he'd do anything for his daughter- including her hair. This is a tender and empowering story about loving your natural hair and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.

This book would be great for pre-school or kindergarten children to introduce diversity not just on the individual level, in family structure as well. Use this book to discuss different roles in families and self-care routines and to identify and accept the ways we are all unique.

Social Justice Standard ID.9-12.5: I recognize traits of the dominant culture, my home culture and other cultures, and I am conscious of how I express my identity as I move between those spaces.

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Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose

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Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose

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This song turned children's story book is written by a father-daughter duo who raise an important question: To squish or not to squish? This book about an encounter between a boy and an ant who engage in a rhythmic conversation  inspires many important questions: What would you do?

This book serves as a great starting point for teaching children about empathy and perspective as it lets you dive into an ant's life and switch points of view. It also includes an excerpt from the original song, which can serve as an engaging read aloud! This book could serve as a resource in a lesson for both empathy or science.

Social Justice Standard DI.9-12.9: I relate to and build connections with other people by showing them empathy, respect and understanding, regardless of our similarities or differences.

Earth and Human Activity K.ESS3.1: Use a model to represent the relationship between the basic needs of different plants and animals and the places they live.