Children’s Books About Respect and Inclusion

Everyone and everything deserves to be treated with respect.  This list of books for kids will model characters living respectfully and including others.  Let’s dive right into this list of children’s books about respect and inclusion.

“Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” – U. Thant

Here is a sneak peek at what you’ll find in this post.

1. Favorite books that focus on the theme of RESPECT/INCLUSION including a FREE printable book list.
2. A list of discussion questions/conversation starters about the character strength- RESPECT/INCLUSION which you can also print.
3. Resources for families to hold a Family Dinner Book Club on the RESPECT/INCLSUION theme including menu ideas, activities, and a family service project.

BOOKS ABOUT RESPECT/INCLUSION

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Meet a talking tree that has seen quite a lot in Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Through the perspective of the tree, we learn some big lessons about respect and inclusion. (chapter book selection)

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold is an AMAZING book that every classroom and home should own. It doesn’t matter what your background is, what color your skin is, or what your religion may be. All Are Welcome inside the school community.

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev is one of my favorites on the list for young children. A young boy can’t bring his pet elephant into a club so he decides to start his own club where all are welcome.

I also really like The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates. It seems like a very simple story, but when you let it soak in there is a great message about inclusion and the fact that there is room for everyone no matter size, race, or preference.

Just because we don’t look exactly alike doesn’t mean we aren’t all part of a big family. In I Am a Cat by Galia Bernstein, Cat tries to convince the other big cats, that he is a cat just like them.

Moving to a new country, learning a new language, and navigating new customs can feel lonely. In One Green Apple by Eve Bunting, those are all things Farah faces. Then, on a trip to the apple orchard, Farah notices that there are many things that sound the same in any language such as the crunching food, burping, and laughing. And, those common sounds can be a bridge to connecting with others.

It’s OK To Be Different by Todd Parr is a boldly illustrated picture book celebrating all the ways we are different and how grand it is to be different.

The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf is the story of a box crayons that don’t like each other. Each color thinks they are better than the other.  It takes a girl to start coloring with all of them for the crayons to realize that together they are so much greater than on their own.

Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco reminds us that if we stop and get to know someone no matter the age, we can enrich our lives and those around us.

Recognize the things that make us similar and appreciate the things that make us different is the message in Whoever You Are by Mem Fox.

The Barefoot Book of Children by Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma and David Dean highlights all the ways that people around the world are similar from the fact that we all need other people to we all do amazing things. It shows that we all have lots of needs and wants but that those needs and wants can look different from person to person.

Get your downloadable printable list of all the books on this list below. Take it to the library or copy it for families.

RESPECT/INCLUSION DISCUSSION STARTERS

Whether you pick one book to read on the list or many, you can use these conversation starters to talk about the character strength of RESPECT/INCLUSION. You can also print the list out below.

-What would you do if you saw someone being disrespectful to a friend?

-Have you ever felt like you weren’t included in something? How did that make you feel?

-How can you show respect to others? 

-Why do you think some people chose to hate?

-What can you do to make sure all of your classmates feel included at school?

–Tell about a time when you saw someone being respectful to someone else.

PRINT THE RESPECT/INCLUSION BOOK LIST AND DISCUSSION STARTERS

Print out the book list and discussion starters. Take it to the library or copy it for families.

RESPECT/INCLUSION FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB

This book list and theme make a great start for families to hold their own Family Dinner Book Club.

What is a Family Dinner Book Club?

Each month:

• On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
• Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
• Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity and a family service project.
• And, I share a book list that compliments the themes plus conversation starters.

For our theme of  RESPECT/INCLUSION,  you have found the book list and discussion starters on this page.

Check out the themed menu from Chef Sarah Elizabeth.—> MENU

And, visit Sunny Day Family for an activity to do with the theme.—> SEE THE  MAKING A WISHING TREE ACTIVITY

Also, follow our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook Page.  We love for you to share pictures from your RESPECT/INCLUSION Family Dinner Book Club.