In this season of giving and gratitude, these fiction books for children about hunger address a serious problem in a way your girls can understand.
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In my opinion, one of the most important aspects of Girl Scouting is performing community service. In today’s busy world, there are a million excuses not to volunteer (which is why you are the one who stepped up to lead your daughter’s troop-everyone else was “too busy”). While there are periods of one’s life when giving of your time is not possible (no babysitter or grandparents to help, caring for a sick family member, working 80 hours a week), we all do have time to help out on short term projects. We have to choose to make the time.
Image created by the author in Canva
Young children have a natural empathy for others in need. If we as leaders can harness that willingness to help, we may be able to help sow a new generation of volunteers.
Service projects do not have to elaborate at this age. Before you do your project, you may want to read one of these great picture books to the girls.
Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen
Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen tells the story of a boy who accompanies his Uncle to the soup kitchen where he works. Using pictures and words that children can understand, compassion is taught to the reader as she gets a realistic look at how one operates.
Maddi’s Fridge
Maddi and Sofia are friends who like to play together after school. One day, Sofia sees that there is no food in Maddi’s fridge, and Maddi tells Sofia to keep this a secret. While there are good secrets and bad secrets, Sofia is torn at what to do. This book has so many valuable lessons to teach the girls, including that hunger can be right in their own community affecting children their own age. This book has a five star rating.
If you are looking for activities to go along with Maddi’s Fridge, the author, Lois Brandt, has them for you. Find them here.
If You Plant a Seed
Here is another book that shares how one small act can reap great rewards. After not cooperating, the characters realize that they all need to help to get their coveted vegetables. A lesson in cooperation and how working together helps all achieve their goals and kindness and sharing create positive results.
Have you read any of these books? Do you have any others to suggest?
