Library

The Library supports the school curriculum PPK-12 grades as well as the intellectual and information needs of our school community.

Library Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
• PPK - 5 scheduled library skills lessons
• MS/US library research lessons upon request

The Library is a cozy, inviting facility located within the Administration building near the Middle/Upper school area of Baldwin’s campus. 

Our Collection:

Children’s literature about being CARING

You are important to me! Thank you! I enjoy our talks. I’m listening! Take good care of yourself! Can I help? I’ll share with you.

In some instances, these are phrases used when demonstrating empathy, compassion, service, and respect. To be caring is “to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.” This is what IB learners strive to be. Starting in the early years and through meaningful experiences, planned learning engagements, we provide opportunities for our learners to build vocabulary, observe, analyze and inquire about the learner profile traits. 

Reading stories and books with caring characters and having conversations about the topic allow learners to observe moments and instances that the trait is purposefully used. 

Looking for stories or books to have these and other conversations at home? We suggest these.

• Rat and tiger by Keiko Kasza
• Strictly no elephants by Lisa Mantchev 
• Love by Matt de la Peña
• Zen Socks by Jon J. Muth
• A mother for choco by Keiko Kasza
• The great kapok tree by Lynne Cherry
• The world needs more purple people by Bell and Hart
• My three best friends and Me, Zulay by Cari Best
• If you plant a seed by Kadir Nelson
• The tin forest by Helen Ward
• Seeds and Trees by Brandon Walden
• Esos zapatos por Maribeth Boelts
• The kindness book by Todd Parr
• How to heal a broken wing by Bob Graham
• Wangari y los árboles de la paz por Jeanette Winter
• Wings by Christopher Myers
• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
• I am love by Susan Verde
• The cool bean by Jory John
• The three questions (based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) by Jon J. Muth

*The titles suggested are available in our library. Click here to browse. 

Here are some sample questions you can use before, during, and after the reading.

• What does caring look/sound/feel like?
• Why does being a caring person matter? 
• Why do you think [character] bullied other characters? What could they have done instead?
• Who was the most caring character? In what way?
• How could [character] have been more caring?
• What could [character] do differently next time to be more caring?
• How would it have helped [character] if they were more caring?
• Why was it important that [character] was caring?
• Did [character] think about how her/his actions affected other characters?
• Could [character] have understood the feelings of [character]? How?
• How could [character & character] deal with their differences in a better way?
• What caused [character] to act in this way? What else could they have done?

The titles above allow for other conversations too. You might see these used with other learner profile traits. Sometimes you can read the story to focus on how the characters were caring, and others how they demonstrated being open-minded, for example. 

Do you have a favorite? What other titles would you include? Share. We would love to read them.

Articles to keep reading about fostering a caring culture at home.

• Newman, Catherine. 6 Ways to Teach Kids to Be Kind. Parents. January 26, 2023. https://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/teaching-kids-to-be-kind/
• Being Kind. PBS. January 26, 2023. https://www.pbs.org/parents/being-kind

**Sources:

The IB Learner Profile. January 23, 2023. International Baccalaureate Organization. January 23, 2023.  https://www.ibo.org/benefits/learner-profile/Children's Books about Open-Mindedness and Acceptance.

The Children’s Library Lady. January 23, 2023. https://childrenslibrarylady.com/open-minded-books/**Format from: I can cite my sources! Baldwin Elementary School expectations for grade 5.