| March
2008
Dear Fellow Book
Lovers:
PEACE
AND FRIENDSHIP
On
March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive
order to establish the Peace Corp. The idea was to mobilize
Americans to help people in other countries learn the skills
necessary to improve their lives. To date more than 190,000
Americans have volunteered in 139 host countries. They have
helped erect homes, offered medical care for diseases such
as AIDS, and established schools. Now, information technologists
are traveling to undeveloped nations and helping them develop
a technology infrastructure so that they may be connected
to people throughout the world.
Today,
more than ever, it is important to maintain John F. Kennedy’s
passion for establishing world peace and friendship. The only
knowledge that most children and young adults have about other
countries is through their social studies textbooks, or National
Geographic specials on television. They may see pictures,
and film clips of children who live in crude huts, ill young
people who need medical care, and adults who desperately want
to make life better for their children. But, the best way
to create a global awareness is through story. Peace and friendship
won’t happen without an appreciation for other cultures.
- Introduce young readers to global cultures by sharing
People
by Peter Spier. How are the people in this book different?
What do all people have in common?
- Ask children and young adults to read about the Peace
Corp (www.peacecorp.gov).
- Encourage them to find a book set in one of the 139 nations
that Peace Corp volunteers have offered aid. Ask them to
make a note of unique things about the culture of the people.
- Have them find out the type of aid Americans have provided
to that country.
- Encourage them to find a folktale from the country. How
does the folktale differ from the traditional stories told
in the United States?
- Sponsor a special event for young readers to share the
book they read.
- Display a world map and allow readers to place a pin in
the country where their book is set.
- Invite as special guests local people who have immigrated
to the United States from other countries. Ask these people
to share a story from their homeland.
Books
from Random House that young readers may enjoy include:
You
may email me at pscales@bellsouth.net.
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