17 Books About Peace To Inspire Us All

This list feels more important than ever.

Hands holding two books about peace. Rare Tiny Flower and Good People Everywhere.
We Are Teachers

The news can be hard to process these days—and it’s even harder to navigate talking about it with kids. Sharing books about peace can help reassure kids and inspire them to seek peace within themselves, in their classrooms, schools, and communities, and throughout the world. From sweet stories to share with little ones to thought-provoking informational books for older kids, the titles on this updated list of books about peace belong on all classroom shelves.

1. Peace by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul

Book cover for Peace
Amazon

“Peace is on purpose / Peace is a choice / Peace lets the smallest of us have a voice.” This poetic definition of peace is worth sharing with people of any age. It would make a lovely whole-school read-aloud. The author’s note gives added perspective for older kids.

Buy it: Peace on Amazon

2. You, Me, We: A Celebration of Peace and Community by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus

Book cover for You, Me, We: A Celebration of Community
Amazon

Written by Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, this straightforward exploration of peace is a must-have for lower elementary collections of books about peace. Use it to explore the questions “How can we have a peaceful classroom?” and “How can we have a peaceful school?” with kids.

Buy it: You, Me, We: A Celebration of Peace and Community on Amazon

3. Wild Peace by Irene Latham

Book cover for Wild Peace as an example of Books About Peace
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Where do you go to find peace when the world feels like too much? This child goes to the forest of her imagination. This is one of those brief books about peace perfect for sharing to launch a class discussion.

Buy it: Wild Peace on Amazon

4. I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde

Book cover for I Am Peace
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A lovely title from a reliable author-illustrator team. We love using this text as a guided meditation for kids. It reminds all of us, including adults, that peace starts within ourselves.

Buy it: I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness on Amazon

5. I Have the Right: An Affirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by Reza Dalvand

Book cover for I Have the Right
Amazon

This kid-friendly summary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an essential message to kids about how all kids have the right to grow, think, and live in peace. Share it with all ages; for older students, it can inspire further research.

Buy it: I Have the Right on Amazon

6. Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen

Book cover for Good People Everywhere as an example of books about peace
Amazon

An encouraging picture book with vibrant illustrations that inspires children to grow into grateful, caring, and giving people.

Buy it: Good People Everywhere on Amazon

7. Peace Is an Offering by Annette LeBox

Book cover for Peace is an Offering as an example of books about peace
Amazon

A beautiful rhyming book that teaches that peace can be as simple and easy as being kind to one another and noticing the beauty in everyday things. “Peace is gratitude for simple things, light through a leaf, a dragonfly’s wings.”

Buy it: Peace Is an Offering on Amazon

8. The Peace Tree From Hiroshima: The Little Bonsai With a Big Story by Sandra Moore

Book cover for The Peace Tree from Hiroshima as an example of books about peace
Amazon

This heartwarming picture book tells the story of an almost-400-year-old bonsai tree that survived the Hiroshima bombing that was donated to the United States as a gesture of friendship.

Buy it: The Peace Tree From Hiroshima on Amazon

9. What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky

Book cover for What Does Peace Feel Like? as an example of books about peace
Amazon

Explore the concept of peace as a full sensory experience as kids from around the world share what peace feels, looks, tastes, smells, and sounds like to them.  

Buy it: What Does Peace Feel Like? on Amazon

10. Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story From Africa by Jeanette Winter

Book cover for Wangari's Trees of Peace as an example of books about peace
Amazon

The inspiring true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, whose passion, vision, and determination profoundly improved her country’s health and economy through the simple act of planting trees. We love this title for teaching elementary school students about this iconic activist.

Buy it: Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story From Africa on Amazon

11. Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Gwendolyn Hooks

Book cover for Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai as an example of books about peace
Amazon

This impeccably organized and engaging nonfiction picture book for upper elementary and middle school students is so powerful. Another book about environmentalist Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, honoring a lifetime of work promoting peace and sustainability in Kenya. It’s an ideal title for inspiring a concept map and discussion of all the things peace can be.

Buy it: Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai on Amazon

12. Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams

Book cover for Four Feet, Two Sandals as an example of books about peace
Amazon

Peace can prevail even in challenging situations. This is a moving story of two girls who learn to share and become friends in an Afghan refugee camp. It’s ideal for upper elementary classroom discussions.

Buy it: Four Feet, Two Sandals on Amazon

13. The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq by Jeanette Winter

Book cover for The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq as an example of books about peace
Amazon

Set in war-torn Iraq, this deeply touching story teaches how one person can make a difference in her community, against huge odds, and inspire others to help. Add this to your books about peace and activism.

Buy it: The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq on Amazon

14. Walking Toward Peace: The True Story of a Brave Woman Called Peace Pilgrim by Kathleen Krull

Book cover for Walking Toward Peace
Amazon

Share the fascinating true story of Peace Pilgrim with students. She left her former name and life behind to crisscross the United States on foot (seven times!), denouncing war and spreading messages of peace. This is a great title for eliciting and discussing student questions during reading.

Buy it: Walking Toward Peace on Amazon

15. Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin

Book cover for Peace
Amazon

A beautiful book, intricately illustrated with tiny, precisely rendered details of life across the globe with powerful quotations from famous peacemakers. One could look at this book for hours.

Buy it: Peace on Amazon

16. The Rare, Tiny Flower by Kitty O’Meara

Book cover for The Rare, Tiny Flower as an example of books about peace
Amazon

This allegorical picture book is made for mulling over with upper elementary or middle school kids as they learn about world conflicts in social studies. A unique flower grows in the forest, and community members all disagree about its color. They learn crucial lessons about listening to one another and how different beliefs can coexist peacefully.

Buy it: The Rare, Tiny Flower on Amazon

17. A Bowl Full of Peace: A True Story by Caren Stelson

Book cover for A Bowl Full of Peace
Amazon

Here’s one to add to your books about peace for older students to expand their understanding of historical events. Don’t be swayed by its picture book format. This true story shares one family’s experience as victims of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki, Japan, during World War II. A special bowl became a quiet symbol of activism for peace.

Buy it: A Bowl Full of Peace: A True Story on Amazon

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Plus, check out our list of  Books About Activism and Speaking Up to inspire your students!

 

Spread a crucial message of compassion and kindness with these stories, poems, and informational books about peace.