Compiled by Elizabeth Campos

Community Care in Picture Books

If you are looking for picture books that are rooted in community care and explore topics of
community organizing, then this is the list for you! The list of materials serves to help parents
and guardians navigate the collection to find items for their children. The materials provided
are best suited for elementary school-aged children. These materials can be found at the
Santa Ana Public Library in the Children’s Library.

J 152.42 MCC - Have You Filled a Bucket Today? By Carol McCloud and illustrated by David
Messing

This story uses the metaphor of filling a bucket to refer to the ways we can positively
impact others in our community. It uses these examples to describe the ways in which
self esteem works in simpler terms.

J 305.90691 GRA - What is a Refugee? By Elise Gravel

This book gives an understanding of what is a refugee, including experiences some

refugees have gone through. It encourages readers to embrace people who have
different experiences than their own and welcome them into the community.

J 324. 62 DIE - Equality’s Call written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Magdalena Mora

This book chronicles a brief history of how voting rights were won across various
demographic groups. The book uses rhyming and repetitive chants to mimic the
demands of activists, while subtly depicting historical figures in the illustrations.

J ECE Emotion Pict Bk Beaumont, K. - Being Friends written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated
by Joy Allen

This is a book with lots of rhyming about two young girls who are very different but value
each other’s friendship despite their differences.

J Pict Pk Alary, L. - What Grew In Larry’s Garden by Laura Alary

A young girl and her neighbor tend to a garden together and participate in an effort to gift
seedlings to other members of the community, hoping to connect with them.

J Pict Bk Antony, S. - We Love You Panda by Steve Antony

This is a simple tale about a Panda who is not feeling too great and could use a hug and
his community is there to support him.

J Pict Bk Cabrera, J. - The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera

A young girl writes thank you letters to demonstrate appreciation for many community
members, pets, and other elements who have gifted her things and services. There is
unfolding flap in this book to illustrate a plot surprise.
 Compiled by Elizabeth Campos

J Pict Bk Clinton, H. - It Takes a Village written by Hillary Rodham Clinton and illustrated by
Marla Frazee

This book depicts what community support for one another can look like and details the
ways in which community members can work together to create something great. It is
written like a series of abstract statements tied together with concrete examples via
imagery.

J Pict Bk Cronin, D. - Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type written by Doreen Cronin and
illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Cows on a farm organize amongst themselves to give their farmer written demands in
order to take care of their needs. They gain leverage by withholding the means of
production which leads to other farm animals doing the same.

J Pict Bk Doremus, G. - Empty Fridge by Gaetan Doremus

Several folks in the neighborhood find that they are running low on food supplies and
find a way to come together as a community to solve this problem in time for dinner. This
book uses illustrated sketches to depict this.

J Pict Bk James, L. - I Promise written by Lebron James and illustrated by Nina Mata

Written like a series of promises to the self, this book reads like affirmations for young
children to reach their full potential by committing to values that will impact them and
others positively. This book includes a wealth of imagery depicting happy children with
diverse ethnic backgrounds in community with each other.

J Pict Bk Middleton, C. - Nibbles: A Green Tale by Charlotte Middleton

A guinea pig who lives in a community who loves dandelions finds they are becoming
scarce and investigates at his local library a means to bring them back so everyone can
enjoy them again.

J Pict Bk Seuss - The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

A forest creature advocates for the wellbeing of other forest creatures by protecting the
land they live on and the environment they call home, while another being seeks to use
the resources available in this habitat for profit. This book is written in rhyming patterns.

J Pict Bk Underwood, D. - Finding Kindness written by Deborah underwood and illustrated by

Irene Chan

The story pans over imagery of different acts of kindness possible in a community. This
book uses rhyming and has very colorful images with a lot going on in them.

J Pict Bk Verde, S. - Hey, Wall written by Susan Verde and illustrated by John Parra

A young boy recounts his community experiences by an unadorned wall and concludes
he will change the face of that wall with his community, to reflect their experiences by
creating a community mural. The illustrations are very colorful and dynamic.
 Compiled by Elizabeth Campos

Additional Materials

These materials can be found elsewhere but share the same theme as the collection above.

The Seed of Compassion by Dalai Lama XIV and illustrated by Bao Luu (2020)

The Dalai Lama reflects on moments of childhood that taught him compassion and
shares these lessons.

The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell, Benjamin Hart, and illustrated by Daniel
Wiseman

The book shares how one can be a keeper of kin in their own community and do work
that benefits all.