Pink Shirt Day falls on the last Wednesday of February every year – which means that it is coming up SOON! (Next Wednesday, Feb. 28th). This week is the perfect time to launch discussions in your class about the history of Pink Shirt Day and how we can all work together to create a more kind, inclusive world. And what better way to launch that discussion than by starting with a great Pink Shirt Day read-aloud?
There are MANY books that focus on some of the important themes of this day – bullying, kindness, inclusion, empathy, and staying true to what you believe in. Here are ten (okay, eleven!) of my favorites:
Penguins Don’t Wear Pink – Jeffrey Turner
Henry the penguin loves all things pink – his pink bicycle, his pink lemonade… but when the other animals start teasing him for wearing his favorite pink hat, Harry decides to wear different colous and the teasing stops. But Henry finds the strength to remain steadfast in embracing his love of pink regardless of what other penguins may say. A great read-aloud for beginning readers – simple language and colourful illustrations.
Pink is for Boys – Robb Pearlman
Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! A great book to help readers rethink and reframe the stereotypical blue/pink gender labels and empowers us to express themselves in every color. The simple language makes it accessible for young children as you discuss favourite colours. Could also inspire your class to create a display of what everyone loves and what makes everyone different
Pink Is For Everybody – Ella Russell
A cute, wonderfully illustrated book with a simple message: you can love what you love, wear what you want, and not be worried. Don’t like pink? That’s okay too. This is a great book for younger students about inclusivity, breaking down gender stereotypes, and being yourself.
How to Be a Lion – Ed Vere
When the other lions tease Leonard for being best friends with a duck named Marianne, he finds the courage to focus on being true to himself and his friend and not backing down to hurtful criticism. This book is gentle, funny, thoughtful, and an empowering story about choosing kindness over bullying. One of my favorites!
Everybody: You, Me, and Us– Elise Gravel
Perfect inclusion themed book by the great Elise Gravel emphasising that we are all humans and we all share the same hopes, dreams, fears & failures. Everybody needs love and everybody needs to be treated with respect. Signature Gravel-monster illustrations depict all the feels!
What Happens Next – Susan Hughes
An excellent book about bullying to share with students (recommend grade 3-5). Such a simple and powerful story depicting a scenario where a non-gender specific child is bullied and how the situation is resolved. An excellent starting point for discussing feelings and what we say vs. what we don’t say about bullying. I also appreciate that it emphasizes that we’re all people — including the bully.
Little Wolf – Teoni Spathelfer
Heartfelt storybook about a young Indigneous girl moving from her home in the country to a big city (Vancouver) and finding ways to hold onto her connection to nature and her Indigenous heritage and culture, despite facing bullies in her school. Great read for older students (Gr. 4-6).
My Secret Bully – Trudy Ludwig
Emotional bullying between friends is the theme of this important book that explores the fact that bullying isn’t always in-your-face, loud, mean, and physical. It can be verbal and quiet, but enough to hurt. Ludwig does an amazing job writing books that are important for older learners and this one is no exception.
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress – Christine Baldacchino
Love this book about a sensitive, artistic child who is bullied for not following gender norms. Morris loves the swishy, crinkly tangerine-colored dress in the costume box at school. He wears it every chance he gets and allows the dress to fuel his imagination. But when he is teased by his peers, he decides to stay home from school. With the help of his supportive mum and his cat Moo, Morris dusts himself off and returns with new determination to be true to himself. Love this one!
A World Of Kindness – Suzanne Del Rizzo
This simple book outlines clear, concrete examples of different ways you can be kind. From waiting your turn, to helping someone younger – this book is a great starting point for discussing “actions of kindness” that leave “heartprints” on others. For my lesson on leaving heartprints, click HERE.
When We Are Kind – Monique Gray Smith
This is a such a lovely story about being kind by the amazing Monique Gray Smith. It tackles the wide definition of kindness and the many ways it can be shown in a way that is accessible for both young and older students. (good reminder for adults too!) The diversity featured in the book is wonderful.
For those who are interested, Monique Gray Smith will be doing a live author visit webinar on Pink Shirt Day for you and your whole class to enjoy. She will be reading from some of her books and leading an engaging converstation on kindness, empathy, and standing up against bullying. Perfect event for Grades 2-5 but all are welcome. Register now to participate in the live event or watch on your own time via the recording:
👉 REGISTER now at joyfullearningcanada.ca/psd24
Adrienne Gear - Reading Power Ltd. 