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Teaching Kids Kindness and Compassion - Book List

Prepared by D.J. Schubert
Animal Welfare Institute

Few people can forget that favorite book from their childhood.
Perhaps it was a story of Winnie the Pooh and his friends and their
adventures in The Hundred Acre Woods or, maybe, it was Bambi's story
that reminds you of childhood. Whether funny, sad, silly, or
serious, books provide us all with the opportunity to escape, to put
ourselves in a different time, a different place, to undertaken
wonderful adventures, and to learn. For kids, learning to read is
fundamental to their future and experts have consistently reported
that the more you read to your kids the better they are prepared for
life.

In this day of multi-media, television, and video games, the gift of
a book or the act of reading to a child provides immeasurable
benefits far beyond those gained from a television. Since books
promote learning, books with message of kindness, compassion, and
caring for animals are ideal to promote the inherent interest in
animals that all children seem to possess. While Winnie the Pooh,
the Disney book, and the adventures of Clifford the Big Red Dog will
always be popular, there are literally hundreds of lesser-known books
that promote peace, caring, respect, and empathy toward animals and
the environment that should be on the reading list or bookshelf of
every child. So whether you're a parent, grandparent, friend,
relative, or teacher, if you are looking for a book to read to or
give to a child, here's a sampling of lesser known books with
messages and themes perfect for the compassionate child. Though many
of these books are older, search the Internet or check with your
local book store as most remain available new or used. Many of these
titles may also be available at your local library.

Hannah's Cold Winter by Trish Marx, Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1993.
Based on a true story, Hannah's Cold Winter tells the story of
Hannah, a hippo at the Budapest Zoo who, during World War II when
Budapest was in the center of battles between the German and Russian
military, survived a particularly cold winter through the kindness of
the city's residents who donated their straw hats, slippers, and door
mats to feed Hanna and her friends. Though hippos belong in the
wild and not in captivity, Hannah's Cold Winter demonstrates how a
compassionate family and community can come together to help animals
even during the most difficult of times.

Bird Dogs Can't Fly by Mary Jane Auch, Holiday House, Inc. 1993.
Blue is a bird dog who detests hunting. When Blue is ordered to
fetch a goose who had just been shot, Blue finds an injured goose
and, instead of returning with the goose, he cares for the goose
eventually departing with the goose to a place called South. As
their long journey continues, goose regains the ability to fly and,
after Blue saves the goose from becoming a Christmas dinner, they
make it to South where, as best friends, they will stay forever
together. This is a story about compassion, caring, and friendship
that will surely entertain any child.

Hey! Get Off Our Train by John Burningham, Crown Publishers, Inc.
1989. A boy and his dog take an imaginary ride on a toy train.
Along the way they encounter an elephant, seal, bird, tiger, and
polar bear all who ask to get on the train to escape the multitude of
threats to them and their habitat. Hey! Get Off Our Train, in simple
words, tackles the increasing threats facing the world's imperiled
wildlife. For teachers, Hey! Get Off Our Train would provide an
excellent starting point to discuss why wild animals become
endangered, the consequences of habitat loss, and why it's so
important to save them.

The Cabbages Are Chasing The Rabbits by Arnold Adoff, Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, Publishers, 1985. This story is of a sunny Tuesday in
spring when roles are reversed with cabbages chasing rabbits, rabbits
chasing hunting dogs, and hunting dogs chasing hunters while a group
of stubborn birds sit on the ground waiting for their breakfast to be
served. Through image-rich illustrations and poetry, this imaginary
tale is about the weak rising up against those who oppress them, of
the hunter becoming the hunted. Though clearly make-believe, The
Cabbages are Chasing the Rabbits promotes equal treatment and empathy.

My Way Sally by Mindy Bingham and Penelope Colville Paine, Advocacy
Press, 1988. In this clever story set in England, Sally, a
foxhound, befriends two foxes after becoming separated from the other
hunting dogs. This experience is followed by others where Sally
experiences the sheer terror and fear of being chased incessantly by
humans through Windsor Castle until she meets the Queen's corgi's who
teach Sally about leadership. Sally soon becomes the leader of the
foxhounds but, when asked to hunt, Sally leads the hounds and
horsemen and women in the opposite direction of the fox providing all
with an exciting adventure while not harassing or harming the fox.
My Way Sally is a charming story both about compassion and leadership
revealing that the traditional way of doing something is not always
the only or most humane approach.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving, by Eve Bunting, Clarion Books, 1991. In
this holiday tale, Mr. Moose sets off to grant his wife's wish to
have real turkey like everyone else for Thanksgiving. With the help
of Rabbit, Mr. and Mrs. Goat, Sheep, and Porcupine, Mr. Moose finally
finds a turkey who, when seen, runs away in fear. Turkey is
eventually caught and taken home by Mr. Moose for dinner. In this
compassionate tale, Turkey is a guest for Thanksgiving dinner instead
of being dinner. This story teaches children that not everyone
celebrates holidays in the same way.

They Came from the Bronx – How the Buffalo Were Saved from Extinction
by Neil Waldman, Boyds Mills Press, 2001. By 1899, the once vast
herds of American bison, commonly known as the buffalo, were nearly
gone largely as a result of over-hunting by white hunters. They Came
from the Bronx contrasts the story of a Native American grandmother
telling her grandson about the importance of the bison to native
culture and the tragic story of their annihilation with the story of
a handful of individuals who reintroduced captive bison to Oklahoma
as the first step toward restoring wild bison to the western United
States. Though bison on our public lands continue to be mismanaged
and exploited, They Came from the Bronx is a must read for anyone who
cares about these remarkable animals.

Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, Pfeifer-Hamilton Publishers, 1992. The
peaceful coexistence of the animals, plants, and mountains of the
world is interrupted by a disagreement about God. Everyone argued
about what God is to them until Old Turtle explained that God is
something to everyone and everything. Old Turtle explained that
there would soon be a new family of beings in the world who will be
strong yet gentle, strange yet wonderful. The new beings came but
they too began to argue. As they argued they hurt one another and
the earth, killed the forests, the rivers, the oceans, the plants and
the animals. In time, after a voice from the mountain, ocean,
stone, and star explained who God is, the people began to hear and to
see God in one another and in the beauty of the Earth. This fable,
with its beautiful watercolor illustrations, explains the
relationship between and among all of the being who inhabit the
earth.

Oliver and the Oil Spill by Aruna Chandrasekhar, Landmark Editions,
Inc., 1991. Written and illustrated by 9 year old Aruna
Chandrasekhar, Oliver and the Oil Spill tells the story about Oliver,
a sea otter, and his mother and the impact of a large oil spill on
themselves, their ocean home, and other ocean animals. Thanks to
caring people who rescue and rehabilitate the stricken animals,
including Oliver, Oliver is returned to the ocean to live in
freedom. This story provides a child's perspective on the impacts of
oil spills on our oceans and ocean wildlife.

Coyote Winter by Jacquelinne White, Lester Publishing Limited,
1991. This tale, set in Alberta, Canada, tells the story of a
teacher, her children, a coyote, and kindness. After one of the
fiercest winters on record, Mrs. Elliott and her class were excited
to take a walk in the glistening white winter world. They were
shocked to discover a coyote caught in a steel-jawed leghold trap,
surprised that the coyote didn't bite or run away when they set him
free, and overjoyed that they were able to save his life. This story
demonstrates that a single act of kindness can make a difference.

Wildebeest by Franz Berliner, Ideal Children's Books, 1990. A lone
wildebeest traveling with vast herds of African wildlife is
confronted about his wildness. Embarrassed by his looks but
belligerent about his wildness, the Wildebeest desired to be alone.
When he found a valley full of lush grass he decided to guard his
secret valley and prevent any other animals from finding or using his
valley. One day, his selfish behavior changed when he came across
vast herds of dirty and haggard wildlife, including other wildebeest,
who needed food and water to survive. Wildebeest shared his secret
valley with the other animals and learned the benefits of sharing and
friendship. In exchange, Wildebeest was given a new name, a softer
and nicer name, of gnu. This story will teach children valuable
lessons of accepting others and about sharing.

Jaguarundi by Virginia Hamilton, The Blue Sky Press, 1995. With
their rainforest habitat disappearing, Jaguarundi and Coatimundi go
in search of a safer and more peaceful place to live free from traps,
dogs, hunters, fences, and habitat destruction. Throughout their
journey they meet other animals who have also suffered as their
rainforest home is destroyed and as humans pursue them for their fur
and meat. Some choose to flee, some to stay, and some to adapt but
all suffer as their home is destroyed. A great book to introduce
children to a variety of rainforest animals and to the tragic and
ongoing loss of the world's rainforests.

Where the Buffaloes Began by Olaf Baker, Puffin Books, 1981. This
tale, told from a Native American perspective, depicts the journey of
Little Wolf who goes to the lake to see where the buffaloes begin.
What Little Wolf doesn't know is that the buffalo are soon to save
his people. In addition to the compelling story, Where the Buffaloes
Begin includes stunning black and white pencil drawings that capture
the mystery and majesty of the American buffalo.

Oregon's Journey by Rascal, BridgeWater Books, 1993. Oregon, a sad
performing bear held captive in a circus, desires to return to the
forest and to be free. Oregon gets his wish with the help of Duke,
a dwarf clown who accompanies Oregon from Pittsburgh across the Great
Plain and the Rocky Mountains until Oregon finds his freedom in, of
course, Oregon. Simply written and beautifully illustrated, Oregon's
Journey is a story about friendship, compassion, and would remind
anyone who reads it why wild animals don't belong in circuses.

Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1990.
This story about the future provides Walter with a shocking glimpse
of what may happen to our world if we don't protect our environment.
From mountains of garbage, a clear-cut forest, choking pollution,
excessive development, depletion of our wildlife, and a smog-filled
Grand Canyon Walter's journey transforms him from an uncaring
litterbug to a committed conservationist. A great book to teach
children to care about our environment.

Wolf Island by Celia Godkin, W.H. Freeman and Company, 1989. The
island ecosystem was in balance until the wolves left the island. So
starts this tale which tells the story of what happens when an
ecosystem is disrupted and how all the island's species are harmed.
Wolf Island provides a simple lesson in the importance of maintaining
a healthy ecosystem and how every species depends on another for
survival.

Bringing Back the Animals by Teresa Kennedy, Amethyst Books, 1991.
This fact-based book provides information about a number of imperiled
species threatened by human activities, ignorance, and greed. From
rainforest destruction threatening the jaguar to poachers killing
African elephants, Bringing Back the Animals provides information on
the ecology, threats, and needs for a dozen species. This book is a
must for any child interested in saving animals.

Victor, the Vegetarian – Saving the Little Lambs by Radha Vignola,
Aviva! 1994. A simple story about a young boys love for two newborn
lambs, his efforts to save them from becoming lamb chops, and his
decision to become a vegetarian to save all animals used for food. A
great book to introduce children to a healthy, nutritious, and
environmentally sustainable diet.

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey, Orchard Books,
1990. This poem tells the story of a group of children who visit a
turkey farm on the day before Thanksgiving. Though once having
visions of drumsticks dancing in their brains, spending time with the
turkeys creates empathy and caring for their new feathered friends.
So on Thanksgiving night, eight families were blessed with turkeys as
guests. The pictures and rhyming verse will make any child smile.

Faithful Elephants – A True Story of Animals, People and War by Yukio
Tsuchiya (translated by Tomoko Tsuchiya Dykes), Houghton Mifflin
Company, 1988. War is a terrible thing. Faithful Elephants tells
the true story of John, Tonky, and Wanly who lived at the Ueno Zoo in
Japan. During World War II, by order of the military, all the zoo
animals were killed including John, Tonky, and Wanly who were starved
to death. This heartwrenching tale will remind anyone who reads it
that the impact of war extends well beyond people and property but
affects all creatures including those caged in zoos who require human
care. Faithful elephants is read aloud on Japanese radio every year
to mark the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II and as a
reminder of the tragic consequences of war.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group 11/7/06