Moral and Ethical Concepts

"Books can make a difference in dispelling prejudice and building community: not with role models and literal recipes, not with noble messages about the human family, but with enthralling stories that make us imagine the lives of others…Stories, writing them, telling them, sharing them, transforming them, enrich us and connect us and help us know each other." –Hazel Rochman, Against Borders (ALA, 1993)

Beyond the delightful encounter with a story, children develop moral and ethical perspectives and values from the books they read or that are read to them. This happens because of the powerful connections that a good story can help readers make—connections to their own experiences, and connections to the experiences of others. However, the finest literature does not make these associations directly. Rather, it is respectful of children's ability to arrive at their own conclusions. After all, the connections that we make for ourselves are the ones that last.

Literature for children has a long and strong tradition of tales written specifically to illuminate certain values, attitudes, and behaviors, and there is still a place for such stories. Ed Young's Seven Blind Mice, for example, transforms a well-known fable onto a new imaginative level. Other types of stories approach the task indirectly. Pam Muñoz Ryan's When Marian Sang relates the struggles and triumphs of a real person, Marian Anderson. The well-crafted text joins with Brian Selznick's dramatically striking paintings to encourage empathy, and ultimately, perhaps, a sense of outrage toward discrimination.

Within a picture-book format, the setting, characters, plot, and theme must be defined with brevity, and the art quickly acts to establishes mood and tone. When read aloud, these titles can be used to generate discussion and debate among children of various ages. This bibliography contains works of fine literature, illustrated stories with which children can identify, complex, evocative stories that point even the youngest readers in the direction of empathetic connections beyond themselves. And isn't that the basis of ethical and moral behavior? –Lee Bock

Fiction

BANG, Molly. Goose. illus. by author. Scholstic/Blue Sky. 1996.
K-Gr 3 –What makes a family? A baby goose, raised by woodchucks, finds out when she strikes out on her own and accidentally learns to fly. She returns to share her newly found gift with the furry folks who adore her. This small, exquisitely illustrated book affirms a broad definition of family. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

BANG, Molly. When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry. illus. by author. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 1999.
PreS-Gr 2 –When Sophie is forced to share a favorite toy with her sister, she explodes in anger. Bold, vibrantly hued illustrations effectively capture her fury and subtly change to softer colors as she calms herself. Acknowledging a child's capacity for rage, the story explores alternative ways to deal with this strong emotion. Video & audio avail. from Spoken Arts.

BUNTING, Eve. Smoky Night. illus. by David Diaz. Harcourt. 1994.
K-Gr 3 –During a big city riot, an African-American boy and his mother watch fearfully from their window as looters attack Mrs. Kim's grocery. Mama has never shopped there because the Kims are not "our kind." Nevertheless, missing cats pull the two families together, sowing the seeds of acceptance and friendship. Complex collage backgrounds magnify the drama of the story.

CARLSON, Nancy. Loudmouth George and the New Neighbors. illus. by author. Carolrhoda. 1983.
K-Gr 2 –When a family of pigs moves in next door, George, a rabbit, stubbornly refuses to play with them, stating that "But pigs are dirty…They're not like us at all." Isolated by his obstinacy, he eventually relents and decides to get acquainted with his new neighbors. Featuring uncomplicated, full-color illustrations of animated animals, this small book offers a gentle look at prejudice.

COONEY, Barbara. Miss Rumphius. illus. by author. Viking. 1982.
PreS-Gr 3 –Miss Rumphius has a deep desire to leave the world more beautiful than she found it, an idea planted years earlier by her grandfather. She does what she can, spreading lupine seeds that grow in colorful splendor. Cooney delivers a strong message of our obligation to care for the environment. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

EHLERT, Lois. Mole's Hill. illus. by author. Harcourt. 1994.
K-Gr 2 –Mole's hill is blocking the path to the pond and Fox demands that she move it. Cleverly, Mole beautifies her space with glorious plants and flowers, changing Fox's mind with a non-violent solution. Bold, colorful graphic illustrations draw readers into this Seneca tale.

FOX, Mem. Whoever You Are. illus. by Leslie Staub. Harcourt. 1997.
PreS-Gr 2 –Children, whoever they are, wherever they are on Earth, share basic emotions, needs, pains, and desires. This universal message, conveyed simply through spare text and gilded Mexican folk art oil paintings, speaks against prejudice and racism.

FOX, Mem. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. illus. by Julie Vivas. Kane Miller. 1985.
Gr 1-3 –Young Wilfrid helps his friend Miss Nancy, who lives in a nursing home, recapture her memories. In accomplishing this, he listens with care to other wise old people. Lively watercolors capture the little boy's enthusiasm for his aged friends. This story encourages a respectful attitude toward the lives, experiences, and stories of elders. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

FRASIER, Debra. On the Day You Were Born. illus. by author. Harcourt. 1991.
K-Gr 4 –Wherever children are born on this Earth, they are welcomed into the flow of life. Bold, graphic designs of the world's landscapes and animals provide a colorful background for an animated human figure who dances across the pages. This book recognizes that every life is worthy of respect by emphasizing the connections among us all.

HENKES, Kevin. Sheila Rae, the Brave. illus. by author. Greenwillow. 1987.
PreS-Gr 2 –Sheila Rae is fearless and bold, a hero to her little sister. Yet, even this little mouse needs help when she wanders off and gets lost. Enter the shy, quiet sibling who leads them both to safety. With finely drawn, humorously expressive characters, Henkes demonstrates the ability of the smallest to help. Audio avail. from Live Oak Media.

KEATS, Ezra Jack. Peter's Chair. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 1967.
PreS-Gr 1 –Peter becomes angry when his father paints his baby furniture pink for his new sister. After camping in the front yard, Peter concludes that he has outgrown his chair after all. Sibling jealousy and acceptance of change are strong themes in this contemporary classic. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

MARTIN, Rafe. Rough-Face-Girl. illus. by David Shannon. Philomel. 1992.
Gr 3 Up –An Algonquin Cinderella story, this tale conveys the hidden nature of real beauty. Existing within, it can only be seen by those who risk love. The illustrator delivers clean, dramatic images, and his elegant, visually engaging paintings fill the pages.

MUTH, Jon J. The Three Questions: Based on a Story by Leo Tolstoy. illus. by author. Scholastic. 2002.
Gr 1-4 –"When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?" By contemplating these essential questions of life, young Nikolai learns how to respond to others' needs. Muth provides a clear look at the importance of compassion and the power of the moment.

POLACCO, Patricia. Chicken Sunday. illus. by author. Philomel. 1992.
Gr 1-3 –Miss Eula believes her two grandsons and their friend Patricia when they are unjustly accused of vandalizing old Mr. Kodinski's shop, and she counsels the children to prove him wrong. They do, and a warm friendship blossoms. Dominant themes of trust and acceptance are beautifully expressed with Polacco's signature illustrations. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

RASCHKA, Chris. Yo! Yes? illus. by author. Scholastic/Orchard. 1993.
PreS-Gr 2 –Two lonely children, one black and one white, meet on the street. With the exchange of a few simple words, their friendship develops. Appealing watercolor and charcoal pencil drawings demonstrate the excitement and joy of reaching out to another. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

RYLANT, Cynthia. The Old Woman Who Named Things. illus. by Kathryn Brown. Harcourt. 1996.
K-Gr 3 –A lonely old woman names things that she will not outlive, calling her chair Fred and her car Betsy. She refuses to risk the pain of developing a caring relationship with anyone else, including a stray dog. When the pup wins her heart, she welcomes him into her family. Endearing watercolor illustrations confirm the importance of love.

SIMONT, Marc. The Stray Dog. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 2001.
PreS-Gr 2 –In this story that encourages empathy and responsibility, a family out for a picnic spends a lively afternoon with a lovable stray dog. Fearing for its safety and worrying about its lonely plight, they return to rescue it–just in the nick of time. Children can easily "read" the story and emotions of the characters in the simple pastel watercolor pictures. Audio avail. from Live Oak Media.

STEWART, Sarah. The Gardener. illus. by author. Farrar. 1997.
PreS-Gr 2 –Times are tough during the Depression, so a little girl is sent from her poor country home to an unsmiling uncle who owns a bakery in a rundown city neighborhood. The child's passion for gardening, reflected in flower-filled illustrations, transforms both the neighborhood and her uncle. The power and influence of the individual is clearly drawn. Video & audio avail. from Live Oak Media.

VAN ALLSBURG, Chris. Just a Dream. illus. by author. Houghton. 1990.
Gr 2-5 –Careless about the environment, Walter imagines an earth without trees, littered with trash, and the air terribly polluted-is this the world of the future or only a dream? Masterful, full-page illustrations feature luminescent, surreal paintings.

WILD, Margaret. Let the Celebrations Begin! illus. by Julie Vivas. Scholastic/Orchard. 1991.
Gr 4 Up –The setting for this surprisingly upbeat story is a World War II German concentration camp filled with women and children. Determined to create toys for the youngest, everyone contributes what they can to the effort. Joyful, warm illustrations show that even in the harshest situations, people can still choose to help one another.

WILLIAMS, Vera. A Chair for My Mother. Greenwillow. 1982.
PreS-Gr 2 –Little by little, coins collect in a jar as a child, her waitress mother, and her grandmother save for a comfortable chair. After losing everything in a fire, they are determined to begin again. Bright bordered watercolor paintings cheerfully reflect the family's perseverance and resilience. Audio avail. from Spoken Arts.

YOUNG, Ed. Seven Blind Mice. illus. by author. Philomel. 1992.
K-Gr 3 –This retelling of a classic Indian tale, "The Blind Men and the Elephant," illustrates an important moral: many perspectives are needed to understand a whole situation. Vibrant cut-paper collage on a stark black background has strong visual impact.

Nonfiction

AARDEMA, Verna. Who's in Rabbit's House? illus. by Leo and Diane Dillon. Dial. 1977.
K-Gr 5 –When the mysterious Long One takes over his house, Rabbit asks his friends to remove the intruder. Frog's help is finally accepted, and this small but wise ally scares away the fearsome creature–a harmless caterpillar. The value of the smallest is humorously portrayed in this traditional Masai tale, intriguingly illustrated as a mask drama. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

HAUSHERR, Rosmarie. Celebrating Families. illus. by author. Scholastic. 1997.
PreS-Gr 3 –Full-page, color photographs of children with their families introduce young readers to a variety of loving units. Using a matter-of-fact tone, the author describes these different households. The result is an affirming portrait of diversity.

KRULL, Kathleen. Wilma Unlimited. illus. by David Diaz. Harcourt. 1996.
K-Gr 5 –Olympian Wilma Rudolph's triumph over the enormous physical challenge of polio and the cultural boundaries of racism is related in elegant prose and dramatic illustrations. The rewards of perseverance and the importance of a family's loving support are clearly revealed.

NYE, Naomi. Come With Me: Poems for a Journey. illus. by Dan Yaccarino. Greenwillow. 2000.
Gr 2-6 –The beauty and value of everyday sights and experiences are honored in these 16 free-verse poems. Bold, mixed-media collages enhance the theme of respect and appreciation for our world.

RAPPAPORT, Doreen. Martin's Big Words. illus. by Brian Collier. Hyperion/Jump At the Sun. 2001.
Gr 3-5 –"Big words" influenced young Martin Luther King, Jr. in his resolve to heal a racially troubled nation. "Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that." A minimal text and dramatic collage paintings create a stunning introduction to King's life and words. Video & audio avail. from Weston Woods.

RYAN, Pam. When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson. illus. by Brian Selznick. Scholastic. 2002.
K-Gr 5 –Marian Anderson's extraordinary vocal ability is recognized by her supportive family and church, but the prevailing racism of the day makes the development of her talent and career difficult. Still, she perseveres without bitterness to become an internationally renowned opera star. Stunning brown and gold toned illustrations reflect the scale of her talent.

TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON: VERSES FROM ECCLESIASTES. illus. by Leo & Diane Dillon. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 1998.
K Up –Ancient, essential wisdom about the cycles and seasons of life is spectacularly illustrated through spreads that reflect the art of cultures from all over the world. Common human experiences such as living and dying, reaping and sowing, laughing and crying are shown to be universal, confirming that we are more alike than different.