Communities are amazing places filled with people and resources just waiting to be discovered. use these children’s books about community to broaden students’ horizons and help them learn what it means to be part of a community.
I asked my friend Lauren Bercuson, the blogger behind Happily Ever After Elephants, to put together a list of community picture books for you. she came up with an amazing list. take a look.
You are reading: Children’s books about community
books about the community
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Hey Wall: A Story of Art and Community, by Susan Verde and illustrated by John Parra: The mere mention of a wall is so divisive these days, but in this book, a wall becomes an extravagant mural showcasing the beauty and diversity in one neighborhood. The wall, big and bleak, is an eyesore in Angel’s bustling community, and he wishes it adequately reflected the joy and laughter spilling out of every doorway. Angel wants to make a change, but he knows he can’t do it alone. Harnessing the power of art, Angel and fellow community members turn that wall into a joyful mural, representing the hearts and lives of the people residing within their town.
last stop on market street, by matt de la pena and illustrated by christian robinson: While a boy and his grandmother ride the bus one afternoon, the boy continually asks his grandmother about various luxuries he sees others enjoying himself and his family do not have. his grandmother opens the boy’s eyes to all the ways they are rich, even if they don’t have the particular possessions the boy so admires. as he finishes his bus ride, the reader learns that the grandmother and grandson are going to volunteer at a soup kitchen. we love how this story shows that no matter where you are in your neighborhood, each of us can find meaningful ways to give back to our communities.
*also, check out our book club with family dinner that includes the last stop on market street.
What is Given from the Heart, by Patricia McKissack and April Harrison: James Otis and his Mama don’t have much, but they have their health and strength, so Mama knows they are blessed. One Sunday at church, their reverend makes an announcement: a family in their community has lost everything in a fire, and the congregants will compile a Love Box containing anything they think will be helpful to the family. James Otis wonders hard – what can he give? What would the family’s young daughter want from him, a boy who has so little? James Otis eventually comes up with an idea from the heart – but will it be enough? This book is sheer perfection, teaching every human being, no matter how old or how young, that even those who have so little still have much to offer others.
thank you omu!, by oge mora: an impressive debut! Everyone in the neighborhood follows the delicious aroma of the stew to omu’s door, where omu (meaning “queen” in the author’s parents’ Igbo language) lovingly serves her stew to her neighbors. But when it’s time for Omu to sit down to dinner, he realizes he hasn’t left any stew for her! this is a beautiful and timeless story of generosity and community, beautifully conveying that one good deed deserves another, and sharing is everything.
perhaps something beautiful: how art transformed a neighborhood, by f. isabel campoy and theresa howell: young mira believes that a little splash of color can make a big, big difference in her otherwise dull community. Based on the true story of the urban art trail in San Diego, Mira shows us how even children can achieve great things, including harnessing the power of art to transform and revitalize an entire city. rafael lopez, the book’s illustrator, was also the artist behind the urban art route. his illustrations are as beautiful as his real-life murals. this is such an evocative story of community, conveying how together we have the power to create beauty where none existed before.
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*also, grab our activity book to maybe go along with something beautiful.
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love, by Michelle Edwards and illustrated by G. Brian Karas: Mrs. Goldman is known for knitting hats for everyone in the neighborhood and helps so many people stay warm during winter’s chill. So when the freezing temperatures arrive and Mrs. Goldman has no hat of her own because she is so busy knitting for all her neighbors, Sophia decides to make something special for her special friend. A wonderful story of paying it forward that describes how small acts of generosity make the largest impacts on people’s lives!
The Last Castle, by Travis Jonker and Illustrated by Mark Pett: An old, seemingly abandoned castle is ripe for rumours, and the townspeople have no problem making up stories about the horrors that must lurk within. we love the way this book challenges the preconceived notions of an entire community, that is, all but one curious little girl who is constantly trying to get the attention of the man who guards the mysterious castle. the boy overcomes the fear of the unknown by being brave enough to discover for himself what really lies behind the gates of omen. In the process, he discovers his inner courage, makes a new friend, and creates great change within his neighborhood.
the curious garden, by peter brown: this is a calm and beautiful story about a boy in a dreary town who discovers a messy garden while walking. he decides to take care of it, nurture it with love, patience and perseverance, even after it has been damaged by the elements. once he tends to the garden, an amazing thing happens: gardeners from all over town show up to help! all revitalize the city landscape, bringing life to the city and blue to the skies. This book is impressive in both story and illustration, with themes of perseverance, environmental activism, and community improvement.
be kind, by pat zeitlow miller and illustrated by jen hill: a girl is in despair after spilling grape juice on her new dress. Seeing her sadness, one of the girl’s classmates wonders what it means to be kind, even when others are not. This book explores acts of kindness, big and small, and beautifully teaches that even our youngest children have the power to make an impactful difference in our classrooms, in our communities, and in the world at large simply by making kind choices.
pie is for sharing by stephanie persley ledyard and illustrated by jason chin – we love the way this book captures a community picnic and togetherness on a warm summer day! nothing says summer like apple pie and picnics and what better way to eat a good meal than to share it? This story joyfully conveys all the things you can share with friends and neighbors in the community, and its lyrical text and gorgeous illustrations by a Caldecott Award winner make it sing.
Mary’s Extraordinary Action by Emily Pearson and Illustrated by Fumi Kosaka: If you love the idea of random acts of kindness, you’ll love this delightful book! On her way home from her ordinary school, ordinary Mary goes to her ordinary house and comes across an ordinary blueberry bush. Mary decides to pick them out for her neighbor, and the result is a world-conquering chain reaction of kindness! this one is so beautiful in the way it shows that one good deed can truly be a catalyst for the most positive and important kind of change.
Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt and Illustrated by Vin Vogel: This heartwarming story provides an important look at community and childhood hunger in a way that is easily understood by young children. I always read this with my elementary students, and it sparks great discussions not only about how important it is to help others in need, but also about how to handle a situation where a friend makes you promise to keep a secret that worries you. your well-being.
See Also: The Champion Reading I – Chapter 1 – by Azaelia Silmarwen in Harry Potter Fanfiction | FictionHunt
*maddi’s fridge is also included in our book club with family dinner in the year kids make a difference.
A Chair for My Mother, by Vera M. Williams: After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa and her family save coins in a big jar. What are they saving up for? A big, comfortable chair so the family can relax after their long days. This story is poignant and so beautifully conveys one spirited family’s will to persevere after a tragedy, their neighborhood’s compassion and willingness to help, and the gratitude the family displays to those around them, even when their own losses were devastating.
This is How We Do It, by Matt Lamothe: This fabulous work of nonfiction tells the story of seven children living in various countries around the world: Italy, Peru, Uganda, Russia, Japan, India and Iran. It is a study in culture, daily routines, family, cuisine, and education, giving kids a peek into communities overseas. This is a perfect “window” book, transporting kids around the world and back again, all the while allowing them to see that while the details of our days may differ, we share the same foundations and the same passion for family, friends, education and recreation.
ada’s violin, by susan hood and illustrated by sally wern comport: ada rios grew up in cateura, a small town in paraguay built on a landfill. his community feeds itself by sorting the garbage that arrives from the capital city of asunción, and they earn money by recovering items that they recycle and sell quickly. ada dreams of music, and when a music teacher named favio chavez arrives, he begins to give music classes to the town’s children. But musical instruments fell short, so Chávez and the town’s recyclers start making all kinds of beautiful instruments with the treasures they find in the dump. With their revamped instruments, tons of dedication, and a lot of heart, Ada and the other kids in the recycled orchestra eventually garnered international attention.
snow globe wishes by erin dealey is a beautiful story about a family coming together during a blizzard followed by a morning when a community comes together in the tranquility of a fresh snowfall.
printable list of community children’s books
Get the printable book list of these great books to take to the library.
related publications
Dive deeper into the community and learn about community workers in our community helpers preschool literacy unit.
and, check out lauren’s posts below about elephants happily ever after. she has some great book lists too.
See Also: "Books That Shaped America" Exhibition to Open June 25 | Library of Congress
* lauren is a mother of two like me and an elementary school librarian who is as passionate about children’s literature as I am. she reviews everything of hers, from board books for her younger children to books for her newer readers and novels for tweens. She also has book lists on every topic under the sun, including the importance of adopting a growth mindset and books to instill confidence in kids.