The concept of inclusion can be a difficult one to help children understand. Reading aloud the book Strictly No Elephants, by Lisa Mantchev is a great way to begin a discussion about including everyone. The story’s main character is a little boy who has a “tiny” elephant as a pet. He talks about how hard it is to have a pet that is so different than the pets most people have. He shares some of the struggles he has as a pet owner. The climax of the story is when he goes to a Pet Club at someone’s house and when he arrives there is a sign on the door stating “Strictly No Elephants”. The little boy is so sad that he and his elephant are not included, but soon finds there are other people and pets that have not been included either. They decide to make their own club where everyone is welcome.
This book provides the perfect opportunity to spend time talking with the children you interact with about how it feels to not be included and what you can do when you or someone else is excluded. The book is empowering in that it shows children who make the best of an unpleasant experience and bring about change. It reminds each of us that we can be the one to make a difference. The book is simple enough to share with even the youngest of children, yet the concepts introduced can be just as important for older children. If you are looking for a book that will provide for great discussion, pick up a copy of Strictly No Elephants.
Reading is something that has brought me joy and helped me relate to others and the world around me throughout my life. I believe that sharing books together is one of the quickest and most effective ways to connect with one another. Sharing books about life experiences can bring us closer even when our experiences are vastly different. On this blog, I share some of my favorite books that help me connect with my refugee friends. I hope as you find out about great books about refugees you and your children will feel a connection with their experiences and recognize that we are all more similar than we realize. I also share books that might help you to teach the children in your sphere of influence more about compassion, tolerance, and kindness as these traits help bring us all a little closer in the world.
Voice Your Support for Afghan Adjustment
The Afghan Adjustment (AA) has been reintroduced in both the House (H.R.4627) and the Senate (S.2327) of the United States by a bipartisan group of legislators. We invite you to join us in honoring our promise to our Afghan allies by urging your representatives to pass the Afghan Adjustment!
Uniting for Ukraine: U.S. Sponsors Needed
Just as citizens in Europe and the U.K. have heroically supported displaced Ukrainians by opening up their homes or securing other housing, assisting with school enrollments, employment needs, and language learning, Americans now have the opportunity via the Welcome.us Sponsor Circles program to directly help newly arrived Ukrainians. The United States has committed to welcoming 100,000 Ukrainians temporarily for a period of two-years and the ability to apply for employment authorization in the U.S. as long as they have a U.S.-based sponsor to petition for them.
Call for Comments - Refugee Resettlement
If you have a story, experience or opinion to share in support of our Afghan allies, we ask you to share it to help us demonstrate public support for legislation that supports and aids these individuals and families.