Community Theme Booklist

A moving, powerful story that shines a light on those that feel invisible in our world. Isabel and her loving family are forced to leave their home due to poverty. Feeling alone and invisible to the world, Isabel begins to notice the many other people living in similar circumstances – in fact, there are other ‘invisible’ people everywhere. Isabel is stirred to action and decides to make a difference to her new community in the little ways she can. By gradually improving small things that cost nothing, she starts a community movement and, before long, colour floods into her life and the lives of others once again.

​This story links to whole school values of tolerance, kindness and caring and can be used for developing a sense of belonging and community. It shows how anyone can make a positive impact on those around them, regardless of how little they have.​

This simple story, of a favourite dish first eaten in India and later recreated to perfection by Monica’s father, is as much a delight to the eye as butter chicken is to all those who share it (Cousin Anya, Uncle Jai, Grandma, Jiya and Hadi, and the neighbours too). And it’s not sickly sweet: Anya struggles, as would many, young or old, with the prospect of sharing: she wanted to keep what was so special between her and Papa. But it becomes clear to her and us that “beautiful things do happen when you share food like this.”

Hospitality doesn’t diminish the experience; it enhances it, like spices in a pan. Each guest adds a new flavour to the mix; each has something to bring to the occasion.

A heartwarming and celebratory tale which could well prompt other children to delve into their own family’s culinary and/or cultural history. There could well be some lively discussion around food and family life as a result.

If you are looking for a story to inspire friendship in your classroom, then The Blue Umbrella is a perfect choice.

The story starts with a litle girl who finds a blue umbrella on her doorstep. She takes it with her as she goes for a walk with her mum. As she strolls, the rain begins and she starts to offer shelter to the people in her community. The umbrella grows and grows to fit more and more people under it, with surprising results.

This is such a heartwarming tale which is easy for younger children to understand. It offers lots of opportunities to talk about being a good friend and what it means to be part of a community. It can sometimes be tricky to understand how children can make a difference but the umbrella device perfectly is used to show that small actions can make a big difference and start as a catalyst for change.

The Blue Umbrella is a wonderful story to enjoy in its own right but would be a fantastic story to share as part of citizenship lessons or when focusing on community events or friendship.

Bibi is a heartwarming tale centred around one flamingo’s life and how she helps and supports the other flamingos in the pack. This beautifully illustrated book is a joy to read and would be lovely to share in the classroom for pleasure or it could be used to introduce and discuss several topics including community, support and old-age.

The story follows the life of Bibi, the leader of the flock for as long as anyone can remember. She takes on the role of looking after new chicks who can not fly, leading them to the lake, taking extra special care of a small chick Toto whilst sharing stories and wisdom to keep them all going. As the story continues and roles reverse, the true meaning of community, belonging and being supportive is realised.

One sunny day, Amanda comes out of her flat with a box of chalks and starts to draw on the concrete. Suddenly other children ‘spill out like sweets from a box’ as they run into the sunshine and a collaborative project ensues. An exotic garden begins to flourish on the concrete as each of the children adds their own touch of inspiration.

It is refreshing to see a picture book which casts urban life in such a positive light. The gently expressive illustrations and words have a warmth in them that emphasises the vitality and diversity of a tower block community. The uplifting message is that life there is neither dull nor dystopian; the magic of creativity can be found anywhere. For the many children who live in high-rise housing, it is a celebration of their world that we don’t often see.

The story is straightforward and optimistic.  The simple activity of chalking on pavements and playgrounds will be familiar to many; the message the book encapsulates is precious. Imagination, teamwork and valuing your environment can make beauty and stories blossom anywhere.

This spellbinding picturebook captures the power behind the simplest of all acts – a smile. When a baby smiles at her brother, the joy he feels is so powerful that it sets in motion a chain of kindness that spreads through the community and around the world. Journey through the illustrated pages and witness the magic behind each and every smile, seeing how far a smile can go and the impact it can have.

This beautiful picture book encourages children to reflect on their own smiles, who makes them smile and how they make others smile. It leaves children wondering ‘Where will your smile go?’.

This book’s attractive, full-page illustrations immerse readers in a magical and diverse world of happiness and possibility. It is incredibly hard not to smile when reading this book! This book is likely to help to bring back smiles for children whose smiles may have gone away. The book would work well as a whole class read but I also believe it could be used one-to-one with a child who may need a little support with their emotional well-being or assembly on how the smallest of actions can impact whole communities.

Number 7 Evergreen street is an absolute joy to read.

The book begins with Penelope Petersham, who lives in a flat in an old, grey building. However, as the story unfolds you meet the wonderful and diverse people sharing the building with her, who add colour and sparkle to the seemingly dull surroundings.

One day however, Penelope begins to worry about the strange yellow diggers and cones arriving outside her flat. Her and the occupants of the flat begin to fear that the building will soon be destroyed. However, Penelope and her friends work together, using their own special talents to try and save their home from the Mayors very big plans.

This story celebrates the power of communities working together and the importance of making friends. At the end of this tale, you see how nature and a little bit of love can make a small flat something very special indeed.

“As long as people are caring and kind, there is always hope, even when things seem hopeless.” This is the moral conveyed in this stunning picture book about the life of a big tree called Adoette.

This is a great book for school or home by author-illustrator Lydia Monks (best known for her collaborations with Julia Donaldson). Adoette is a tree (French for ‘big tree’) that has presided over the street for 100 years, seeing times change, people change, priorities change. This community-themed book would be great to use across the curriculum and could be used across a whole school.

At its heart, this is a story about how nothing lasts forever, but how you can have a positive impact wherever you are and leave a legacy.

When new girl Nadima arrives at school speaking very little English she struggles to make friends until Jas reaches out a hand of friendship by sharing her chocolate. Nadima’s experiences as a refugee are incredibly difficult for her friends to relate to, they can never truly understand what her life was like in Syria. This thoughtful story cleverly captures the fear and brutality she has experienced in a powerful and moving way.