For the first Perfect Pairing of the new year, I couldn’t think of a better topic than Peace: May you find it in your own life and may we work together to promote it in our world in 2019. Happy New Year!
Peace and Me: Inspired by the Lives of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates
Author & Illustrator: Ali Winter
Illustrator: Mickaël El Fathi
Publisher/Date: Lantana Publishing/2018
Ages: 7-11
Themes: peace; peace builders; non-fiction; Nobel Peace Prize
Short Synopsis (from publisher’s website):
What does peace mean to you? This illustrated collection of inspirational ideas about peace is based on the lives of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates of the 20th and 21st centuries, among them Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa and Malala Yousafzai. A must for anyone interested in exploring this essential issue of our times, this child-friendly exploration of what peace means to you and me is a book for every bookshelf.
Amnesty International endorses this book because it shows how standing up for other people makes the world a better, more peaceful place.
Read my review from last October.
Peaceful Pieces: Poems and Quilts About Peace
Author & Illustrator: Anna Grossnickle Hines
Publisher/Date: Henry Holt and Company/2011
Ages: 4-8
Themes: peace; peace builders; quilts; poetry; non-fiction
Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
In this evocative collection of poems illustrated by beautiful handmade quilts, Anna Grossnickle Hines explores peace in all its various and sometimes surprising forms: from peace at home to peace on a worldwide scale to peace within oneself. Pondering the meaning of peace and its fleeting nature, this book compels each of us to discover and act upon peace ourselves.
Read a review and see a Readers’ Guide at Poetry for Children.
I paired these books because both feature peace builders and invite readers to contemplate how they build peace in their own communities. Arranged chronologically, Peace and Me introduces children to 12 Nobel Peace Prize winners. Linked together with taglines that explore what “peace is” in the context of each winner, the one-page biographies highlight the impact the winners had on the world leading to their awards. In Peaceful Pieces, Grossnickle Hines explores peace via a series of poems about the meaning of peace and about the work of peace builders. How will you find peace in your life and promote peace in your community?
Looking for similar reads?
See, People of Peace: 40 Inspiring Icons (Sandrine Mirza, 2018).
Wander, Ponder, Write 
Patricia, what lovely books to share with children and encourage kindness. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Dee. Here’s to a peaceful 2019!
This is a great pairing! I love reviewing diverse picture books and am definitely going to check out Peace and me (as well as Peaceful Pieces).
Thanks Rachael.