First Book: Books to Learn about Global Citizenship
Thank you to First Book for generously sharing its book recommendations about Global Citizenship with the Big Heart World community. Eligible teachers can follow the links to find discounted versions of the books on the First Book Marketplace. Parents and other caregivers can find the book at First Book’s Bookshop.org shop.
We Move The World
Meet some of the world's most beloved movers, shakers, scientists, activists, dreamers, and doers in this inspirational book by debut author Kari Lavelle, who gently reminds us that before folks like Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Neil Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Misty Copeland were activists and trailblazers, they spoke their first words, took their first steps, and dreamed about the future. "We Move the World" introduces these folks and more from the past and present as models for what every childhood first can lead to. From first steps to solving puzzles and learning the alphabet, all the small things are only the beginning. They can lead to future activism and innovation that just might change the world!
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Global Citizenship
Discussion Questions
- Everyone — from famous artists to pathbreaking scientists to presidents — started out as a baby! Why do you think some babies turn out to change the world?
- Who in the book is most interesting or inspiring to you? Why?
- Did anything in the book surprise you?
- How do you want to "move the world" in your lifetime?
More
Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
Malala's Magic Pencil
Malala's first picture book will inspire young readers everywhere to find the magic all around them. As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. But as she grew older, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Global Citizenship, Helping
Discussion Questions
- Describe Malala's magic pencil.
- What would you wish for with a magic pencil?
- What does Malala realize about her magic pencil?
- What BIG problems do you want to try to solve — with or without a magic pencil?
More
Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics
There's no doubt about it—plastic is in almost everything! From our phones and computers to our toys and utensils, plastic is everywhere. But the amount of plastic we throw away is hurting the health of our planet. In "The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics," readers will be fascinated by the growing plastic problem and meet just a few of the young activists who are standing up and speaking out for change.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Upstanding
Discussion Questions
- What is good about plastic?
- What is harmful about plastic?
- What happens in the book?
- Did the story inspire you to do anything new or make any changes to your behavior or the world around you?
More
Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
The Shape of Home
It's Rashin's first day of school in America! Everything is a different shape than what she's used to: from the foods on her breakfast plate to the letters in the books! And the kids' families are from all over! Open this book to join Rashin in discovering the true things that shape a place called home.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Global Citizenship
Discussion Questions
- The new teacher asks each child to imagine the shape of home on a map. Can you imagine "home" on a map? what does it look like?
- Where is the country your family is originally from on a map? What shape is it?
- What "shapes of things" remind you of home? Your pet? Your favorite food?
More
Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
Rocket Says Clean Up!
Rocket, is off to the islands to visit her grandparents. Her family loves nothing better than to beach comb and surf together…but the beach is clogged with trash! When she finds a turtle tangled in a net, Rocket decides that something must be done! Like a mini Greta Thunberg, our young activist's enthusiasm brings everyone together to clean up the beach and prevent plastics from spoiling nature.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Global Citizenship, Upstanding
Discussion Questions
- What does Rocket notice on the beach?
- What does she do to fix the problem?
- Who helps Rocket?
- What problems do you want to try to solve to make world a better place?
- Who will help you accomplish your goals?
More
Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 200 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income communities in all 50 states and provinces in Canada. First Book currently reaches an average of 5 million children every year and supports more than a third of the estimated 1.3 million classrooms and programs serving children in need. First Book members work in classrooms, after school, and summer or early childhood programs, shelters and health clinics, libraries, community programs, military support programs, and other settings serving a majority of children in need.