Raising Peacemakers: Sparking Peace Book Tour
One of the most important lessons we can teach our children is how to navigate conflict in order to create peaceful relationships. As we know, one of the best tools for passing on our values is literature, which is why I am proud to be a part of the Sparking Peace Book Tour. Read on to find out more about this excellent resource for raising peacemakers, and don’t miss out on entering the giveaway! Be sure to check out all of my children’s book recommendations, including diverse books that teach values.
Raising Peacemakers: Sparking Peace Book Tour
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. I received a complimentary copy of the book below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own.
Resource for Raising Peacemakers
What are your tips for raising peacemakers? Let us know in the comments!
It seems every day we see another story in the news about gun violence. If we feel overwhelmed, how must our children feel? How can we help them not only understand but inspire them to make change – and give them the tools to do so?
Sparking Peace is beautiful new picture book that teaches children about how to navigate conflict and create peaceful relationships, even with people with whom they might think they have nothing in common. Crucially, it helps them understand and navigate the powerful emotions that arise out of violence and how to channel those into the work of peace.
In some ways, it is a classic story: a young child accidentally kicks a soccer ball through a neighbor’s window and has to make amends. Predictably, that neighbor is old and grumpy, but what we don’t see coming is the source of the initial crankiness. What can be inferred later (though never spelled out directly) is that the older woman has lost a child to violence.
With patience and hard work, the child begins to win the neighbor over, and they soon change her backyard from a junk-filled landscape into one ready for gardening.
Then, the child attends a community event, where a blacksmith begins to work on transforming an object in his forge. Community members are invited to swing the hammer, pounding on the hot metal to make a change, bit by bit. One of those that steps up is the neighbor, who pounds and pounds with the hammer as tears flow down her cheeks.
Later, the child and the woman, who now seems less burdened, work together companionably in her yard to plant a garden.
Inspired by a real life organization that transforms guns into tools, this book not only teaches children the importance of working for peace, it also gives them the tools to do so, such as patience and empathy. It also suggests ways that people can work through the emotions of dealing with loss and injustice. I love that the book comes with discussion questions, as the story has so many layers to be slowly peeled away and studied.
Because it talks about violence indirectly, it is appropriate for all ages, as families and educators can adapt the conversation according to the capacity of the child or classroom. Highly recommended.
About the Book
Written by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky and Hannah Rose Martin
Illustrated by Gabhor Utomo
Ages 5+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Herald Press | ISBN-13: 9781513813707
Publisher’s Book Summary: Broken into beautiful. A story of friendship and healing.
Buy Sparking Peace on Amazon, Bookshop, or Barnes and Noble
Sparking Peace GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win one of TEN signed copies of Sparking Peace! Plus, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a signed copy AND a $50 Amazon gift card!
