Family Book Club - Community Connections: Pre-K & Kindergarten

Young children have a natural focus on their own singular needs…

The books we have selected for this group will nudge them into thinking about the connections that matter to us all, now more than ever: friends, neighbors, essential workers, teachers, family.

In kid-friendly ways, these are stories of children who celebrate what is special about their own community. We hope that they invite your family to do the same.

Below you’ll find books and activities that are appropriate for Pre-K and Kindergartners around the concept of “Community Connections.”

GREAT BOOKS & CONVOS

Counting on Community

By Innosanto Nagara

Why We LOVE This Book

This simple counting board book has spare text and rich collage illustrations depicting things that will seem familiar across settings (bikes sprawled on a sidewalk), within urban life (urban community farm), and across cultures (potluck food of many kinds). It shows the aspects of being in a community that resonate with kids (parties, play, music) and ends with the line, “So what can you count on in your community? I can count on you and you can count on me.” A comforting way to end storytime.

Conversation Launchers

Talk about times when your child has participated in a community activity. What made it fun? Is there another community activity you want to try (following safety guidelines, of course)?
What is something you would miss in your community if it was gone?
Is there something you wish we had in our community? Why would it be a good addition to your community?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Make A Poster – Sketch a simple drawing on construction paper that tells why your family loves their favorite community spot. If you pass it along to the owner, I’m betting it gets posted on a wall!

Celebrate Other Cultures – Try a community activity and make a wish list for future community activities. Most larger communities have a family oriented monthly publication that offer a ton of ideas… Pick one and put it on your calendar each month! (Example: www.chicagoparent.com)

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Maybe Something Beautiful

By F. Isabel Campoy & Theresa Howell

Why We LOVE This Book

This gorgeous book celebrates a community that worked together to joyously create a mural. The illustrations and text carry you along with a little girl who loves art… and then one day she happens upon a muralist who hands her a brush and empowers her to join in the creation. It’s the true story of a husband and wife team who created a community project near downtown San Diego, CA to bring a huge cross-section of the town (police officers too!) into the development of something beautiful. The true story is depicted in photos and collages at the end of the fiction story… very cool way to help your kids see how other kids were actually part of a team that created something very big and very beautiful for their own community.

Conversation Launchers

Talk about how the art in this book made people in the community feel. Whether the art was big or small, how did it affect people’s hearts and minds?
What do you think was the most fun part of making the mural? Would you like to help paint a giant mural someday?
The author says “His paintbrush was like a magic wand.” What kind of magic did that paintbrush make? Did it make more magic than just a pretty picture?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Community Cards – In the book, Mira makes everyone’s day better by giving them a picture she drew especially for them. Who could you make cards for in your community? Take a walk through the neighborhood and deliver the cards so your child can see the smiles first hand.

Explore Urban Murals – If you have urban murals in your area, plan a field trip to see one. Or look at Urban Art Trail to see photos of the murals that the husband and wife team in the book (Rafael and Candic Lopez) designed.

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Daniel’s Good Day

By Micha Archer

Why We LOVE This Book

We’ve all heard, “Have a good day!” Daniel wonders what that really means to the different people in his beloved neighborhood, so he sets out to ask each one, and ends up collecting a long list of everyday things that make our days good. A warm and fuzzy way to end the day.

Conversation Launchers

Ask everybody in the family: What’s something that makes an ordinary day a good day? Make a list on the wall or refrigerator to add to throughout the week. When you’re on the look-out for the signs of a good day, you might just discover that you’re having a great day!
Can a hard day ever become a good day? How can we make good days happen?
Think about some of the people in your community. What would make their day better or worse? (This question can be a good way to help your child start building empathy for others. You might talk about the pediatrician, the store clerk, the ice cream truck driver, etc.)

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Family “Good Day” Token – Once, when working at an especially difficult and dirty job, my husband drew this little smiley face on a lug nut to joke with his partner. Since they were often feeling grouchy and tired in this place, one of them would hide the lug nut in a funny spot to remind the other one to laugh. Now I carry his lug nut in my car to remind myself that I can have a good day even under tough circumstances, if I lighten up a little. Maybe your family will make a “smiley lug nut” or a “smiley rock” or a “smiley mug?” to share when the going gets tough?

Well Wishes – Every kid loves to throw pennies in a fountain! Play a game where your child throws pennies in a bowl at home. For each penny thrown, they should make a wish for someone else’s good day (i.e., “I wish that it would stop raining so the postal carrier doesn’t get wet.”). You could use the pennies (and maybe a little extra if you are inclined) to donate to help others in your community have a good day. Homeless shelters, nature centers, libraries, and senior centers would all love to receive a small donation and a homemade card from your child.

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Resources for OTHER AGE GROUPS

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