Picture books with a theme of poverty and disadvantage

Picture books aren't just for kids - they're a great discusion starter for students of any age. The following picture books deal with themes of poverty and disadvantage in some way. Some of the books tackle difficult themes of homelessness or job loss, while others deal with 'making do' with less. Themes of fitting in, having the right clothes, and developing empathy are explored in this collection of books. For more information about the individual book, click on the cover. A few of the books presented were recommendations from the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario, as part of their social justice and equity initiatives.

We have available for lending The Table Where Rich People Sit, a tale about a family engaged in seasonal employment in a rural setting. A young girl is shown by her family that her unconventional lifestyle is priceless in many ways. We also have Those Shoes for lending, a tale about a young boy just trying to fit in. All he wants is shoes like his peers have, and when he finally finds them in a thrift shop, they're too small for him. A story about fitting in and developing empathy.