Ella May and the Wishing Stone written by Cary Fagan and illustrated by Geneviève Côté Picture book about friendship, problem solving published by Tundra Books
While on a trip to the beach, Ella May is fortunate to find an extra special stone – a stone that has a white line all around it. Certain that her extra special stone has the power to grant wishes, Ella May decides that her first wish should be to show the stone to all of her friends. Before long, Ella May’s friends have gathered ’round her, hoping to touch the magical stone. When Ella May refuses to let them hold it, they decide to find their own special stones. Although the children find all sorts of interesting stones, none is equal to Ella May’s.
“You’re not nice,” Manuel said. He put his stone in his pocket and tromped down the sidewalk to his own house.
Ella May watched him go, “Hey,” she said, “I wanted Manuel to go home and he did. Thank you again, wishing stone.”
Unable to find their own wishing stones, Ella’s friends come up with a creative but short-lived solution to the problem. Unfortunately, nothing resolves the conflict amongst the children; Ella May wants to be the only person with a wishing stone and she wants to keep her friends. The other children are resentful of the stone and of Ella May.
When Ella May finally realizes that having a wishing stone is not nearly as special as having friends, the stage is set for a happy and imaginative solution that reunites the group.
A great choice for children aged four and up, Ella May and the Wishing Stone is a (32 page) story that invites readers to think about what it means to be a friend, how best to share treasured items and imaginative ways to solve problems.
Note – illustrations and children’s names depict a racially diverse group of friends.
Jack the Bear – written and illustrated by Christina Leist Picture book that explores social responsibility published by Simply Read Books
When an unfamiliar bear appears in his forest, Nosy Fox is immediately curious. Nosy asks Brainy Owl about the stranger and is unimpressed when Nosy says that Jack the Bear is making the world a better place.
“I thought,” said Nosy Fox, twitching his tail, “that making the world a better place was a job for kings and queens and presidents and prime ministers.”
As Nosy and Brainy observe the stranger from a distance, Brainy answers the fox’s questions and encourages him to reconsider his assumptions about who can make a difference. The world is awfully big, after all, and there are many ways to make it better – some even involve honey!
“Exactly.” Brainy Owl beamed. “Little good deeds that everyone can do, like making somebody smile, turn the world into a better place.”
Nominated for a 2011 Blue Spruce Award, Jack the Bear is a very good starting point for discussions about social responsibility.
It is also worthwhile to note the inventive illustrations were created on recycled brown paper bags using chalk, watercolours, crayon, felt pen, and pencil.
We Share Everything! written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko Picture book about kindergarten and sharing published by Scholastic
While not strickly speaking an “anti-bullying” resource, We Share Everything! is a story about getting along – with a pink twist. A perfect book to use in a kindergarten class to celebrate Pink Shirt Day.
Amanda and Jeremiah’s first day of kindergarten is filled with clashes. When Amanda selects a story from the bookshelf, Jeremiah demands that she give it to him. Their noisy conflict draws the attention of an enthusiastic kindergarten teacher who gushes, “This is kindergarten. In kindergarten we share. We share everything.” As the day progresses, the kindergarten teacher shares these same pearls of wisdom through conflicts with building blocks and paint spatters. She remains unflappable until the youngsters take heed of her advice and decide to share their clothes. “The teacher came back and said, “Oh Jeremiah and Amanda. You’re sharing, and you’re learnning how to act in kindergarten, and you’re being very grown-up, and Jeremiah, I really like your… PINK PANTS! Jeremiah, where did you get those pink pants?” A fun look at sharing and getting along, best for children aged four to six.
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Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
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Ella May and the Wishing Stone written by Cary Fagan and illustrated by Geneviève Côté
is a very good starting point for discussions about social responsibility. 
is a story about getting along – with a pink twist. A perfect book to use in a kindergarten class to celebrate Pink Shirt Day. 
