CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING By: Raven Hrtyanski

PICTURE BOOKS
HUMAN DIGNITY
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE A CHILD By Alain Serres
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE A CHILD
About the book:
This book describes what it means to be a child with
rights. It touches on topics such as the right to food,
water and shelter, to the right to go to school, to be
free from violence, to breathe clean air, and more.
The book emphasizes that these rights belong to
every child on the planet, whether they are "black or
white, small or big, rich or poor, born here or
somewhere else." It also makes evident that knowing
and talking about these rights are the first steps
toward making sure that they are respected.
Title: I have the Right to be a Child
Author: Alain Serres
Publisher: GroundWood Books
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards:
 Selected for the USBBY Outstanding
International Book List 2013
 Selected for the IRA Notable Books for a
Global Society 2013
 Selected for the Children's Literary Assembly
2013 Notable Children's Books 2013
Grade Level: PreK-2nd Grade
Other content areas: Social Studies
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE A CHILD
How it relates to CST:

This book talks about how all of the Children in the world have certain rights

and that these rights do not change because of your skin color or how much money

your family makes. This relates to CST and human dignity because the theme of

human dignity talks about how every human has the same rights
VOICES IN THE PARK By: Anthony Browne
VOICES IN THE PARK
About the book:
This book is about for different people
entering the same park. Throughout the
story you see four different visions.
here's the bossy woman, the sad man,
the lonely boy, and the young girl whose
warmth touches those she meets. As you
read the story moves from one voice to
another, their perspectives are reflected
in the shifting landscape and seasons
Title: Voices in the Park
Author: Anthony Browne
Publisher: DK Publishers
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: None
Grade Level: PreK- 2nd Grade
Other Content Areas: Social Studies,
Science, Life Skills
VOICES IN THE PARK
How it relates to CST:

This book relates to CST because throughout the book the author shows you

different perspectives of human and animal interaction in our society and their

different values. She shows us that we all are important and that these values

although they are all different they are important to us and no one can take those

away from us.

COMMUNITY AND THE
COMMON GOOD
TANGLEWOOD By: Margaret Wild
TANGLEWOOD
About the book: Title: Tanglewood
On a small island far away from Author: Margaret Wild
anywhere is a tree named Tanglewood.
All alone with no one for company, Publisher: Solastic
Tanglewood calls to the creatures of the Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
sea but none answer. One day a storm
brings a seagull seeking shelter and a Awards: None
friendship between the two begins. But Grade Level: PreK-1stGrade
now that Tanglewood has experienced
companionship, the tree’s loneliness is Other Content Areas: Social Studies,
greater than ever when the seagull Science
leaves.
TANGLEWOOD
How this relates to CST:

This relates to the Catholic Social teaching theme of community and the common

good. This relates to that theme because it talks about how important our

relationships are with others and that is what the theme of community and the

common good is about. This helps students see how we need to work together to build

relationships and help each other.

HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY? : A By: Carol McCloud
GUIDE TO DAILY HAPPINESS FOR KIDS
HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY? : A GUIDE
TO DAILY HAPPINESS FOR KIDS
About the book:
This book encourages positive
behavior by using the concept of an invisible
bucket to show children how easy and
rewarding it is to express kindness,
appreciation and love by "filling buckets.”
Children learn to fill others buckets by doing
something good to help others around them.
They learn to fill buckets by doing things such
as treating others with kindness and respect,
smiling, giving to others and more.
Title: Have You Filled a Bucket Today? : A
Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids
Author: Carol McCloud
Publisher: Bucket Fillers
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: 21 total awards total a few are..
 2016 - Gold, Children's Picture Books, Mom's
Choice Awards
 2016 - Winner, Children's Books, Great Southwest
Book FestivalGrade Level: PreK-2nd Grade
Other Content Areas: Social Skills
HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY? : A GUIDE
TO DAILY HAPPINESS FOR KIDS
How this relates to CST:

This book relates to Catholic social teaching because it is teaching students how

to improve our relationships with others by filling there buckets and not to be a

bucket dipper. Community and to common good theme says that because human

beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community and that human dignity can only be

realized and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ARTHUR’S PET BUSINESS By: Marc Brown
ARTHUR’S PET BUSINESS
About the book:
Arthur's determination to prove he is
responsible enough to have a puppy. He
starts his own business to prove to his
parents that he is responsible enough to
have one. He starts watching other
people’s pets for them to do this. Along
the way he learns how hard it is to take
care of a pet.
Title: Arthur’s Pet Business
Author: Mark Brown
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: None
Other Content Areas: Math, Social
Studies
ARTHUR’S PET BUSINESS
How this relates to CST:

In this book Arthur learns about the responsibilities that come with having a pet.

He also learns that pets have many needs and have the right to these needs. You can

relate this book to the theme of rights and responsibility because Arthur learns what

it means to care for someone else’s rights and responsibilities.

THE LORAX By: Dr. Seuss
THE LORAX
About the book:
The Lorax spoke for the trees and
warned of the dangers of disrespecting
the environment. We learn of the Once-
ler, who came across a valley of Truffula
Trees and Brown Bar-ba-loots, and how
his harvesting of the tufted trees
changed the landscape forever.
Title: The Lorax
Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher:
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: Penguin Random House
Other Content Areas: Science
THE LORAX
How it relates to CST:

The book the Lorax can relate to Catholic social teaching in many ways. Many

would relate this to stewardship of creation because it shows themes of caring for the

Earth and God’s creations. I also think this book has themes of rights and

responsibility because it show children that we need to be responsible for the world

and how we treat it because we all have a right to clean air water and environment.
OPTION FOR THE POOR AND
VULNERABLE
ALI THE BOLD HEART

By: Jane Jolly

ALI THE BOLD HEART
About the book:
This book is about a refugee who is
a magician. He is captured and is locked
up. Throughout the story Ali keeps his
and everyone else's spirts up by
preforming majic. One night a big sand
storm comes and in the morning the gate
is broken and Ali is gone.
Title: Ali the Bold Heart
Author: Jane Jolly
Publisher: Limelight Press
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: CBC Notable Book 2007
Grade Level: 2nd grade- 4th grade
Other content areas: Social Studies
ALI THE BOLD HEART
How it relates to CST:

In this book you hear about a man who fled his country because it was becoming

very dangerous to live in. This relates to option for the poor and venerable because

refugees are some who can’t always speak up for themselves. This book teaches

children why someone may leave their country for a safer life here and why we

should take them in and treat with kindness.

WAY HOME By: Libby Hathorn
WAY HOME
About the book: Title: Way Home
This book is about a boy who finds a Author: Libby Hathorn
stray cat on his way home. At first the
cat is mean to him and hisses. The boy Publisher: Anderson
talks calmly to the cat and calms him Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
down. The boy decided to take the cat
home with him and doesn’t let anything Awards: None
get in the way of that happening. Grade Level: 1st grade- 5th grade
Content Area: Social Studeis
WAY HOME
How it relates to CST:

The Catholic social teaching theme of option for the poor and vunerable teaches us that

we need to care for the least fortunate in our community and that how we treat the poorest is

a reflection on how we are as a whole. This story shows a small boy caring for a homeless cat

and that he will do anything to bring it home and share what he has with the cat. This story

shows students what it means to help those out who are less fortunate even the animals.
PARTICIPATION
VOTE! By: Eileen Christelow
VOTE!
About the book:
This is an informative introduction to
voting. The book talks about parties,
voter registration, campaigns, rallies,
debates, Election Day, even a recount.
This is all told through the story of how a
local election unfolds, with commentary
by the candidates’ pets.
Title: Vote
Author: Eileen Christelow
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: none
Grade Level: 1st-5th grade
Content Area: Social Studies
VOTE!
How this relates to CST:

This book talks about the importance of participating in voting. This can relate to

CST because under the theme of participation says, “all people have a right to

participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society.” We can us this book

to teach students how it is important to vote in our country because we are voting for

those who hold the same values as we do and who are willing to work to help other.
PEARL MOSCOWITZ’S LAST by Arthur A. Levine
STAND
PEARL MOSCOWITZ’S LAST STAND
About the book:
Pearl has lived on Gingko Street all
her live. While she has enjoyed watching
the neighborhood change, she becomes
an activist when a man from the power
company comes to cut down the last
gingko tree.
Title: Pearl Moscowitz’s Last Stand
Author: Arthur A. Levine
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: None
Grade Level: 4th and 5th grade
Content Area: Social Studies
PEARL MOSCOWITZ’S LAST STAND
How this relates to CST:

This book shows students how they can participate in their community to stand up

for what they think is right. Students will learn how to be an active citizen. Catholic

social teaching says that everyone has the right to participate in their community and

this book ties into that idea.

DIGNITY OF WORK AND
RIGHTS OF WORKERS
CURIOUS GEORGE
TAKES A JOB
CURIOUS GEORGE TAKES A JOB
About the book:
George longs to glimpse the wonders
that await outside the gates of the zoo.
He manages to escape the zoo and then
where he tries a number of jobs. He
works a a restaurant, is a window
washer, a painter and explores many
more jobs.
Title: Curious George Takes A Job
Author: H.A. Rey
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: None
Grade Level: PreK-2nd grade
Content Areas: Social Studies
CURIOUS GEORGE TAKES A JOB
How it relates to CST:

This relates to Catholic Social Teaching because it talks about the different jobs

that someone may have. One theme of Catholic Social Teaching is, Dignity of Work

and Rights of Workers. This is the idea that all jobs should be respected and are

worthy. George shows us that all jobs are worthy of having even for a monkey.
WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY? By: Richard Scarry
WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY?
About the book:
This book describing the
occupations and activities of many of her
citizens through detailed drawings with
labels indicating processes and
equipment used as they perform their
jobs. Some of these jobs include a
variety of doctors, a hairstylist, a car
salesman and many more.
Title: What Do People Do all Day?
Author: Richard Scarry
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: None
Other Content Areas: Social Studies
WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY?
How it relates to CST:

This book talks about a ton of different jobs that people in your community may

do. This is a great book for children to read and learn about how each job relates to

one another and how they are all important. This book would be part of the CST

theme of Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers because it promotes a lot of jobs

and show us how they are all important and are inner connected.
STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION
WINDOW By: Jeannie Baker
WINDOW
About the book:
In this wordless picture book. Each
spread features the window of a
boy’s room, from which the reader
can see the landscape being
destroyed as the boy grows up. The
forest and animals are replaced by
neighbors and houses, factories are
built, graffiti is scribbled on walls and
other problems indigenous to
populous cities appear.
Title: Window
Author: Jeannie Baker
Publisher: Greenwillows books
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards:
 Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book
of the Year Award 1992
 Young Australian’s Best Book Award Picture Books
1992
 Kate Greenaway medal UK Shortlisted 1992
 Notable Book in the Field of Social Science USA
1992
Grade Level: K-6th grade
Other Content Areas: Science, Art
WINDOW
How it relates to CST:

Throughout this book you see how humans are hurting our planet with our

constant development. This book can be used to teach Stewardship of Creation. The

idea of stewardship of creation is to care for the world that God created for all of

us. This includes the plants, animals, waters and lands. As teachers we can use this

book to show children what happens when we don’t care for our land.
THE TOMORROW BOOK

By Jackie French
THE TOMORROW BOOK
About the book:
This book is about a young prince who
wants to rule over a country where the
future is filled with environmental hope
and practical solutions, such as common
usage of solar and wind power. This
book gives students information about
their world and shows them that a lot of
environmental solutions are simple and
relatively easy to put in place.
Title: The Tomorrow Book
Author: Jackie Fench
Publisher: Harper Collins
Awards: Wilderness Society's
Environment Award for Children's
Literature
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Grade Level: PreK-2nd Grade
Other Content Areas: Science
THE TOMORROW BOOK
How this relates to CST:

This book also relates to stewardship of creation. Unlike the last book this book

shows us how we can change and help take care of the world God has created for

us. We can use this book to teach children what they can do to help take care of our

world and all of those who live in it.

SOLIDARITY
THELMA THE UNICORN By: Aaron Blabey
THELMA THE UNICORN
About the book:
Thelma is a horse that dreams of being
a unicorn. In twist of fate Thelma's wish
comes true. She rises to instant
international stardom. After a while,
Thelma realizes that she was happier as
her ordinary self. So she ditches her
horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns
home, where her best friend is waiting
for her with a hug.
Title: Thelma the Unicorn
Author: Aaron Blabey
Publisher: Scholastic
Awards: The 2016 Kids Own Australian
Literature Awards (KOALAs) for Picture
Books.
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Grade Levels: PreK-1st Grade
Other Content Areas: Social Studies
THELMA THE UNICORN
How this relates to CST:

This book teaches children that they should just be who they are and to be true

to themselves. This relates to solidarity in Catholic Social Teaching because solidarity

teaches us that no matter who you are we all belong to one community. At the end of

the book Thelma’s friend is waiting for her to come back home because she didn’t

care that her friend wasn’t a unicorn she just cared for her.
A RAINBOW OF FRIENDS By: P.K. Hallinan
A RAINBOW OF FRIENDS
About the book:
Friends come in all colors and sizes; they
can be funny or serious, musical or
athletic, outgoing or quiet. This book
shows us that when we celebrate the
uniqueness of others, our lives are
enriched and the world is a better place
for all.
Title: A Rainbow of Friends
Author: P. K. Hallinan
Publisher:
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: None
Grade Level: PreK and Kindergarten
Content: Social Studies
A RAINBOW OF FRIENDS
How this relates to CST:

This relates to CST because it talks about how everyone is different in their own

ways. It talks about how some may be athletic and others may be more musical.

Despite all of our differences we are all from the same human race. We can connect

this to solidarity because it talks about valuing our fellow human beings and

respecting who they are as individuals.

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
DUCK FOR PRESIDENT

By: Doreen Cronin

DUCK FOR PRESIDENT
About the Book: Title: Duck for President
Duck is tired of doing his chores (mowing the Author: Doreen Cronin
lawn and grinding the coffee beans), and
decides to hold an election to replace Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young
Farmer Brown. When he wins, Duck quickly Readers
realizes that running a farm requires too Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
much hard work, and sets out to run for
governor. With the help of the hens, and Awards: None
speeches "that only other ducks can
understand," he eventually ends up running Grade Level: PreK- 3rd grade
the country. Executive office gives him a Other Content Areas: Social Studies
headache, however, so Duck returns to the
farm to work on his autobiography.
DUCK FOR PRESIDENT
How this book relates to CST:

This book teaches children about running for different offices and all of the work

it takes to run for office as well as how much work it is to hold that office. You can tie

this into the catholic social teaching theme of role of the government by talking about

how everyone has a right and a responsibility to participate in political institutions so

that government can achieve its proper goals.

HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT By: Syl Sobel

WORKS
HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WORKS
About the book: Title: How the U.S Government Works
This book talks about all the different Author: Syl Sobel
roles of the United States Government.
This book will tell students about how Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
congress works, about the Legislative Genre: Nonfiction
body, composed of Senate and House
Representatives, the Executive branch, Awards: None
headed by the President and consisting Grade Level: 3rd-4th grade
of Cabinet members and their agencies,
and the Judicial branch, headed by the Other Content Areas: Social Studies
U.S. Supreme Court, and extending to
federal courts throughout the nation.
HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WORKS
How the book relates to CST:

This book breaks done the roles of the government. This relates to the role of government

theme in Catholic social teaching. You can use this book and talk about how in CST they

believe that the functions of government should be performed at the lowest level possible, as

long as they can be performed adequately. When the needs in question cannot adequately

be met at the lower level, then it is not only necessary, but imperative that higher levels of

government intervene.
PROMOTION OF PEACE
PEACE IS AN OFFERING By: Annette LeBox
PEACE IS AN OFFERING
About the book: Title: Peace is an offering
This group of neighborhood children Author: Annette LeBox
find love in everyday things such as in
sunlight shining through the leaves and Publisher: Dial Books
cookies shared with friends and learn Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
that peace is all around, if you just look
for it. The author uses rhyming verse and Awards: None
soft illustrations, this book will help
families and teachers look for the light Grade Level: PreK- 1st grade
moments when tragedy strikes and Other Content Areas: Social Studies
remind readers of the calm and
happiness they find in their own
community every day.
PEACE IS AN OFFERING
How this relates to CST:

This book relates to CST because it helps promote peace. It talks about all the

good things around the world. We can use this to help teach promotion peace by

showing students there are lovely things all around us.

PEACE By: Wendy Anderson Halperin
PEACE
About the book:
This book reveals the heart of where
peace truly must originate: within
ourselves. This book has many pictures
and thoughtfully placed text throughout
the book. The over all theme is you can’t
expect there to be peace anywhere else
until you are peaceful yourself.
Title: Peace
Author: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young
Readers
Genre: Fiction, Children’s Literature
Awards: None
Grade Level: PreK-3rd grade
Other Content Areas: Social Studies
ACTIVITIES
HUMAN DIGNITY
Place students in pairs and have them observe and interview each other. Have students list

their differences as well as similarities. See if these attributes are external or internal, and

discuss this with the class. Students should leave the activity realizing that it's important to

respect and celebrate human differences. This relates to human dignity because students will

realize although we are all different we all are born with the same basic rights. For students

with disability the can use voice to text to take notes on their partner.
COMMUNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD

In this activity, students will be learn to encourage others. Have kids offer "put-ups" rather

"put-downs" about classmates. This way, students will recognize the value of kindness and

affirming what is good about each individual. Students can write notes and put them in each

others buckets that they will have at their desks. I would use this activity along with the book

“Have you filled a bucket today?” to help teach children that it is importance of building

relationships with others. For students with disabilities I will help them write the notes.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

On the white board brain storm different ways you are responsible. In one column write

responsibilities you have at school another row for the responsibilities you have at home, to

yourself and to the environment. Then talk about how these responsibilities impact others if

they are not fulfilled. This will teach students about rights and responsibilities because they will

see how their actions impact others. For a student with disabilities we may talk about this

before hand so that they can participate in the discussion as well.

OPTION FOR THE POOR AND
VULNERABLE
I will have my students brain storm ideas that we as a class can complete to help the

poor in our community and then complete it. For example, if the students decided to do a

clothing drive and take it down to the local homeless shelter as a class we would do all of the

work. We would make flyers, pass them out, collect all of the clothing and take it to the shelter

(That may be something I need to do myself). This will help students understand that we need

to take care of those less fortunate in our community. For a student with a disability I may pair

him up with a partner to help he collect the clothing.

PARTICIPATION

In the classroom we will hold an election to teach how it is important it is to

participate. We will also talk about how everyone in the room has the right to

participate in the election. We will pick two types of parties to have either a pizza

party or an ice cream party. Each student will have a ballad and go into the “booth”

and vote. For this I can give the student a sticker to place on what they want to vote

for and have pictures next to what they are voting for.
DIGNITY OF WORK AND RIGHTS OF
WORKERS
Students will complete a ”When I grow up” activity. Each student will have a person on their

paper that they will color on a uniform of what they want to be when they grow up. The

students will also write a sentence stating what they want to be. This will tie into dignity of

work and the rights of workers. We will talk about how everyone's job relates to each other

and how they all help the community in some way. For a student with a disability I may have to

help them write their sentence stating what they want to be when they grow up.
STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION

As a class we can have a park clean up day. As a class we will go to our local park

and clean up any trash that is on the ground. We can also help plant new trees in the

park. This would relate to stewardship of creation because students will take care of

the community and start a new life for a tree. For this activity I will pair the student

up with a friend and have them help the student with a disability throughout the day

while I keep a close eye on them.

SOLIDARITY

As a class we will all make a puzzle of how we all fit together. Each student will have

a puzzle piece and will draw themselves on it. We will then build the puzzle and then

talk about how even though we all are different races and from different cultures we

all come together to work together and all have the same rights. For my student with

disabilities I will work with them to help draw. I will ask what color he thinks his eyes

are or skin and help guide him.

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

Students will create their own classroom rules. They will relate this to CST because the role of

government says that the functions of government should be performed at the lowest level

possible, as long as they can be performed adequately. The students will be doing the same

thing. They will be creating their own “laws” at the lowest level possible as long as they can do

this responsibly. Before the class creates some of these rules I will brain storm with the student

so that they can participate in the discussion as well.

PROMOTION OF PEACE

The students can create cards to send to soldiers. We can either do this around

Christmas, create birthday cards or just thank them for their service. This will help

students promote peace because although these soldiers are fighting a war it will talk

about how this will help the soldiers feel more at home and at peace. I will help the

student write their cards or give them a sheet with some thank you’s on them to model

what they should put in the card.