Explore Citizenship This Month

The Pink Hat

The Pink Hat By Andrew Joyner

Celebrate girl power with this charming and empowering picture book about a pink hat and the budding feminist who finds it.

"This simple and cheerful tale suggests, with not an ounce of preachiness, values of care and comfort and the support women have for each other across generations." --The Washington Post

Here is a clever story that follows the journey of a pink hat that is swiped out of a knitting basket by a pesky kitten, blown into a tree by a strong wind, and used as a cozy blanket for a new baby, then finally makes its way onto the head of a young girl marching for women's equality.

Inspired by the 5 million people (many of them children) in 82 countries who participated in the 2017 Women's March, Andrew Joyner has given us a book that celebrates girls and women and equal rights for all!

With themes of empathy, equality, and solidarity, The Pink Hat is a timeless and timely story that will empower readers and promote strength in the diverse and active feminist community.

This Is Our Constitution

This Is Our Constitution By Khizr Khan

From Gold Star father, beloved Democratic National Convention speaker, and 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Khizr Khan comes a book for young people about the Constitution—what it says and why it matters for everyone.
 
Our Founding Fathers created the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights as a blueprint for American government and the rights of American citizens. This document is not merely a piece of parchment but a living, breathing promise of our deepest democratic values.

Khizr Khan grew up in Pakistan, with few of the fundamental rights that are enshrined in the Constitution. He immigrated to America and became a citizen, raising his family to appreciate and honor all our nation has to offer. Khizr Khan is deeply passionate about the Constitution: the guarantees and protections it provides for each and every person and the beacon of light it shines throughout the world.

This Is Our Constitution is a personal journey that Khizr Khan is taking with our nation’s young people.
 
The book includes:
* A highly personal introduction and conclusion
* Notes throughout that share Khizr Khan’s reflections on and connections to the U.S. Constitution
* The fascinating history of why and how the Constitution was written
*Article by article and section by section, an easy-to-follow explanation of what the Constitution means
* A closer look at key amendments, including the Bill of Rights, and pivotal Supreme Court decisions
* The complete texts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
 
This is a book about why the Constitution matters to you, and us all.

Thurgood

Thurgood By Jonah Winter; illustrated by Bryan Collier

Thurgood Marshall--the first black justice on the Supreme Court and a giant of the civil rights movement--jumps to life in this inspiring picture-book biography from an award-winning author and six-time Coretta Scott King, four-time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator.

Thurgood Marshall was a born lawyer--the loudest talker, funniest joke teller, and best arguer from the time he was a kid growing up in Baltimore in the early 1900s. He would go on to become the star of his high school and college debate teams, a stellar law student at Howard University, and, as a lawyer, a one-man weapon against the discriminatory laws against black Americans. After only two years at the NAACP, he was their top lawyer and had earned himself the nickname Mr. Civil Rights. He argued--and won--cases before the Supreme Court, including one of the most important cases in American history: Brown v Board of Education. And he became the first black U.S. Supreme Court Justice in history.
    
Like its subject, here is a biography that crackles with energy and intensity--a great introduction to a great man.

A Washington Post Best Book of the Year
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
Booklist Youth Editor’s Choice Selection
A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature’s Best Book

We the People

We the People By Peter Spier

The US Constitution brought to life for young readers! 

In this visual celebration of the US Constitution and America's founding fathers, Caldecott Medalist Peter Spier tells the stirring American tale of how this most important document came to symbolize freedom, justice, equality, and hope for all citizens. This fact-filled volume includes:
• An illustrated preamble to the Constitution, illuminating its signifcance from its birth through to modern times
• The complete text of the Constitution
• The fascinating history of the struggle to create and ratify the Constitution
• A historical reproduction of the original document

Full of illustrations that bring the Constitution to life, this is a must-have resource for every American classroom, library, and home.

★ “A joyful celebration of the people whose leaders created the Constitution.” —Booklist, starred review

“A celebration of America’s diversity.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
“Spier has created a tribute that can be appreciated in more than one sitting.” —Publishers Weekly

What Is a Refugee?

What Is a Refugee? By Elise Gravel

An accessible picture book that oh-so-simply and graphically introduces the term "refugee" to curious young children to help them better understand the world in which they live.

Who are refugees? Why are they called that word? Why do they need to leave their country? Why are they sometimes not welcome in their new country? In this relevant picture book for the youngest children, author-illustrator Elise Gravel explores what it means to be a refugee in bold, graphic illustrations and spare text. This is the perfect tool to introduce an important and timely topic to children.

Random House Teachers and Librarians