Book List: About Peace

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.”

— Dr. Maria Montessori

Peace can often seem like a lofty goal. We believe it starts small, in our own families, our own communities, and in the way we raise our children.  

This week we share a list of books for you to explore as a family. Even infants and toddlers can start to learn about peace, and there are many incredible books available to older children, including adolescents. Please let us know if you give any of these a try, or if there are others you think should be added to the list.

Primary

The Peace Book by Todd Parr

Primary-aged children will certainly love this book, but so would infants and toddlers. Parr’s bright, bold illustrations, coupled with easy-to-understand text, give children an early idea of what peace means. Featuring diverse characters and actions children can actually put into practice, this book is a perfect introduction to peace.

The Peace Rose by Alicia Olson

The Peace Rose is a book loved by many Montessori educators. It revolves around the idea that children might use a rose to help them resolve conflicts amongst themselves, passing it to one another so that everyone has a turn to speak. Many primary classrooms use this technique, and many families have found it helpful to bring the practice into the home. (It’s especially helpful with siblings!)

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Pinkney’s Caldecott winner is an illustrated masterpiece, depicting the unlikely partnership between a lion and a mouse. The lion unexpectedly saves the life of the small mouse, who later returns the favor. Children will have a sense that we can all contribute, no matter our size or what others might assume about us.

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon

A Caldecott Honor book, All the World sheds light on the importance of and the connections between all things - large and small. Young readers follow a day and night along with a group of family, friends, and the world they live in.

Elementary

A Little Peace by Barbara Kerley

During the elementary years, illustrations and images are still very important. They give young children a deep sense of meaning and help them enjoy books in a deeper way. This National Geographic book couples gorgeous photographs from around the world with important, reflective messages about how we might all create a more peaceful world.  

Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou

The incredible Maya Angelou first shared this poem at the White House in 2005 during the annual tree lighting ceremony. It is a Christmas poem, but it is so much more than that. As frightening weather looms, a family embraces the Christmas holiday. Their celebrations extend outward into their community, to include neighbors of difference races, religions, and those in different socioeconomic situations.

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

Based on the life and experiences of Kwabena Darko, this book is both lovely and informative. The main character, Kojo, is forced to quit school in order to help his mother after his father dies. Living in a village in Ghana, Kojo’s mother is able to secure a small loan and gives a bit of the money to her son. With it, Kojo purchases a single hen, which eventually grows into a substantial flock, earning him enough money to help support his family and allowing him to return to school. Microloans are an important part of working to lift up developing nations, and this book is a fantastic introduction.

Adolescent

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr

Based on a true story, Sadako was a young girl who lived in Japan when the United States dropped an atom bomb on Hiroshima. She is lively, an excellent runner, and has the rest of her life ahead of her. Then she begins to feel ill and learns that she has leukemia as a result of the radiation. She recalls an old Japanese legend that states if a person folds a thousand paper cranes they will become healthy again. She sets out to do so, eventually gaining help from people around the world. Today, the thousand paper cranes are a symbol of peace in the aftermath of war.

A Young People’s History of the United States: Columbus to the War on Terror by Howard Zinn and Rebecca Stefoff

Twenty-five years after publishing a similarly named book for adults, Zinn shared this new perspective of United States history for a younger audience. Our history is often written by the perspective of a very limited group of people, often leaving out the stories of those affected most by events. Learning about the past should include the stories of everyone, especially those who have been marginalized and oppressed. This book does just that.

This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by Aurelia Durand

Jewell, a Montessori educator, has worked tirelessly to create more inclusive and accessible classrooms. This Book is Anti-Racist gives young people concrete steps to learn about themselves, learn about others, and go about changing the world. While this book is not about the peace that exists, it is absolutely about the peace that we must all work to create.

Montessori and Peace Education

Our world is often a tumultuous and scary place.  How can we help our children feel safe and cared for, while preparing them to lead the way as adults?  How can we cultivate empathy, kindness, gratitude, and the sense of community that helps people work together?

Montessori education has been addressing these issues for over a hundred years.  Sometimes the lessons are direct; at other times they are more subtle.  The mission is always clear: we want children to have a wide view of the world.  We want them to appreciate the diversity of others.  We want them to have the tools to navigate this world peacefully.

How do we approach this critical task?

Montessori schools teach peace both directly and indirectly.  Sure, we talk about peace and its importance openly and frequently.  We talk about what it means and what it looks like and what children can do to become peacekeepers.  But, perhaps more importantly, we model.  Through our words, the tone of our voices, and with our actions, we show children what it means to be peaceful.  They watch our everyday actions and learn so much from them, so why not create constant learning opportunities?

Teaching a Global Perspective

Even from a very young age, Montessori children are taught geography through the lens of the whole world.  They learn about the continents when they are as young as three years old.  These studies often include learning about biomes, instead of an emphasis on political boundaries.  Teaching about the world in this way gives children a sense of the natural world and people as a whole as primary to different countries.

Elementary aged Montessori children enjoy many lessons with timelines.  They learn about the origins of humanity, and studying ancient cultures is fascinating for them. 

Embracing a Variety of Cultures

One important series of lessons in the elementary years teaches the fundamental needs of humans.  Children explore how groups of people around the world and across the ages meet and have met their needs.  Physical needs, such as food, shelter, defense, and transportation are considered, as well as spiritual needs like art and religion.

Giving Them Tools

Montessori teachers are equipped to give children skills to resolve conflicts.  We give children tools such as micro-mediation, and give them the words and actions to express their needs and feelings while listening to those of others.

In Montessori classrooms, children often learn a variety of self-calming strategies.  This might include mindfulness meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or the use of small hand-held tools such as a finger labyrinth or polished stone. 

Taking the Time

In Montessori classrooms the day is not structured with rigid timed intervals.  For example, there is no predetermined time for math, reading, etc.  This flexible schedule lends itself to shifting courses and having discussions in the moment.

For example, if a group of children are experiencing difficulty resolving a problem together, the teacher is able to stop and sit with them.  Without feeling rushed, they can take the time to figure out what went wrong and how to make it right.  Instead of an adult doling out consequences, we have the time to sit and work through conflict authentically.  

Giving to the Community

As Montessori children get older, they are encouraged to give back to their community.  These acts of charity will often be inspired by the children’s ideas.  Children may collect food and supplies for a local animal shelter, read stories and sing songs to residents of a nursing home, or make and sell baked goods to benefit a cause they believe in.  

By supporting children with logistics, we can encourage them to learn how to be active and supportive members of their communities at a young age.  They learn the importance of volunteering and contribution to others.

Giving back is just one way a child begins their active role as a peaceful member.