How Do We Discuss the Russian Invasion of Ukraine with Young Children?
When I cannot make sense of our world, I turn to picture books.
It might sound a strange thing to do, but I have found some powerful picture books that do not hesitate to address the complex issues facing our world today. They might not provide answers, but they break things wide open — reframing an idea or looking at something from a different perspective in a way that only picture books can do. They offer a starting point for discussion and questioning what is. It’s a way to build inquiring, young minds. Here are some picture books to further the discussion around war and peace.
The Conquerors by David McKee
This book was first published in 2004. It tells the story of a large, powerful country taking over other countries until it has conquered all the countries except for a small, seemingly insignificant country. It is a gentle plea for peace and a good way to start a discussion around power — what it is and what it could be.
The Enemy: A Book About Peace by Davide Calì and Serge Bloch
Along the same lines but taking the discussion from general to personal where two soldiers from opposing sides come to understand their similarities. While this is marketed as a children’s book, I feel it could be taken into classrooms of older children to start a discussion about war and peace and the implications for real people.
Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion by Jane Barclay and Renne Benoit
This book follows a young boy as he watches his grandfather prepare for Remembrance Day. It weaves in animals to better answer the boy’s questions; finishing with elephants as “Elephants never forget.” It’s a poignant story at this time; one that is well worth sharing with young children.
The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter
This picture book tells the story of librarian, Alia Baker, who together with friends, saved the books from the Basra library in Iraq. I appreciate this book as it tells of an everyday hero — a librarian — and highlights the importance of books, especially during times of war. It also depicts Iraq and the war itself. Use your discretion as to whether your children might find this disturbing or whether this would further the discussion around the realities of war.
The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee
I love the way there is a sense of humor in many picture books even if the subject is a serious one. Picture books can be so simple and say so much. What will your children make of this one? What divisions do they see? Again, this little book could be shared with older children to initiate a meaningful discussion.
Even if they don’t know the content, children can feel the emotion
Right now, families might be having discussions about the invasion of Ukraine and what that means for our world. Be mindful when you discuss current issues, news stories, and politics around children. While we might think they are preoccupied with something else, they hear all that is going on around them. Even if they don’t hear the detail, they are perceptive and sensitive to the underlying emotion.
Check-in with your children
It can be helpful to check in with your children when a large news story breaks. Children can hear information from their peers, from teachers, or from listening to the news on TV or the radio. They might not understand all that they have heard. Rather than explain, ask them what they have heard and if they have any questions. Let the questions show you their level of understanding and where the discussion could be developed in an age-appropriate way.
“Maybe this is why we read, and why in moments of darkness we turn to books: to find words for what we already know.” Alberto Manguel
