Peace

Teacher
Resource
Guide
The Book
Peace is on purpose. Peace is a choice. Peace lets the smallest of us have a voice. From a hello and
pronouncing your friend’s name correctly to giving more than you take and saying I’m sorry, this simple
concept book explores definitions of peace and actions small and big that foster it.

The Creators
Award-winning authors, Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul, have teamed up with illustrator Estelí Meza—
winner of the ‘A la Orilla del Viento’ the premier Picture Book Contest Award in Mexico—to create an
inspiring look at things we can all do to bring peace into our lives and world.

Miranda Paul
Miranda Paul is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children, including Little
Libraries, Big Heroes, illustrated by John Parra (Clarion Books). She is a founding member of the
organization We Need Diverse Books, and lives with her family in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Baptiste Paul
Baptiste Paul grew up in Saint Lucia. He loves sports, likes to roast his own coffee, and grills. His first book
for NorthSouth was The Field, winner of the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award, a Junior Library Guild selection,
and also appeared on the Horn Book Fanfare Best of 2018, the School Library Journal Best of 2018, and
the CCBC 2018 Choices lists.

Estelí Meza
Estelí Meza grew up surrounded by books, and her love for illustration began when she attended la Feria
del Libro Infantil y Juvenil with her father. In 2018, Estelí was awarded A la Orilla del Viento, Mexico’s
most important picture book award. Finding Home is her author-illustrator debut in the United States,
published by Scholastic. She has also illustrated books published in Mexico, Spain, and the United Arab
Emirates. Estelí spends her days drawing in her neighborhood in Mexico City and is always happiest
with her notebook and pencil, and a chocolate pastry and Cafecito.

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The Guide
This guide is designed to help children understand the role and importance of peace in our world.
It offers integrated social-emotional, English/language arts, social studies, science, art and music
activities for students ages PreK through 5th grade. Discussion and activities were created in
conjunction with the Common Core Standards and the pursuit of information according to the
American Association of School Librarians (AASL) foundations of inquiry, inclusion, collaboration,
exploration, curation, and engagement. Activities may be adapted for each grade level as necessary.

The Curriculum Writer

Carrie Charley Brown holds a BS is Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in School Media Library.
Additionally, she also holds a Literacy endorsement and is currently an elementary school library
media specialist in Louisville, Kentucky. She is the founder and co-coordinator of the Reading
for Research Month (ReFoReMo) online challenge for picture book Forcreators and educators
Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan at
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
www.reforemo.com. She keeps the peace by connecting people of all ages with picture books that
— B. P. & M. P.
fuel the pursuit of information.
For all the children of the world
— E. M.
The Publisher and Copyright
Peace, text copyright © 2021 by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul, illustrations copyright © 2021 by Estelí
Meza, published by NorthSouth Books

Before Reading
Common Core Connections
• Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
• Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.

Guided Discussion
What is peace to you?
Close your eyes and breathe in, then out.
Visualize a peaceful picture or scene. What do you see? idea idea
Share with your class. idea idea

idea idea
The teacher may want to gather student ideas on
a circle map. A circle map is meant for brainstorming idea idea
ideas. It begins with the topic in the center of the map. Peace
The student ideas will float around the center circle. idea idea
When all ideas have been added, a larger circle will
idea idea
be drawn around the outside to enclose the ideas.

idea idea
idea idea
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What is peace?
Peace is a state of being, a feeling, a choice, and also a way of interacting with each other. Peace can
be different to each of us individually and different still to a family unit, a neighborhood, or an entire
community or country.

What are some words (synonyms) associated with peace?

calm, acceptance, agreement, union/unity, promise, truce, deal, harmony, balance, stable,
forgiveness, reconciliation, resolution, friendship, love, kindness, justice

Other Discussion Questions

Are certain things peaceful?
What classifies something as peaceful?
How does peace sound? Taste? Smell? Or feel? For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
How does peace look in a group of people? — B. P. & M. P.
How can we use peace in a sentence?
For all the children of the world
How can we show peace on our hands?
— E. M.
What are some other symbols for peace?
How is peace different from one person to the next?
Can anything happen to take peace away?

What is the opposite of peace (antonyms)?

fight, argument, chaos, rejection, hate, frustration, frazzled, worry, anxious, upset, insecurity (insecure),
insurrection, war, out of control

Peaceful Sort
As you lead discussion with the questions above, you may want to list peaceful vs. upsetting things.
Consider classifying student ideas on a tree map or compare them with a Venn diagram.
https://www.thinkingmaps.com/tree-2/ and https://educators.brainpop.com/printable/venn-diagram/

Classifying Tree Map Venn Diagram

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Picture Walk
Common Core Connection
• Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to
demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

Starting with the cover, take a picture walk through the book while asking:
How are the characters keeping the peace?
Could something happen to disturb the peace?
What disturbs your peace?

During Reading
Common Core Connections
• Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.For Eugenie, Chris-Anne, and Ethan
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
• Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
— B. P. & M. P.
• Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply
rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song. For all the children of the world
— E. M.
• Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.

Vocabulary Radar
Each vocabulary word below has accompanying questions that may facilitate discussion and help
students’ oral language grow as you read. Using the context is important for comprehension.

Pronouncing/Correctly
Is there a right and wrong way to say someone’s name? How do you feel when someone says your
name wrong?

Directly
What are the characters doing in this picture? How are they talking to each other directly? Why is it
important to look at someone and be near them when talking? What could happen if you tell someone
else a message that is meant for another person?

Bold/Brave
Which characters are bold and brave on these pages? How are they bold
or brave? How are bold and brave similar? Different? Have you ever done
something bold or brave?

Differences
What are some things about you that could be different for someone else?

Strengthens
What is strength? Can you think of a time that you were not strong?
How did you get stronger?
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Softens
How are the characters softening their sleep? Why do we soften our sleep each night? How would we
feel in the morning if we did not?

Birth
How does the picture show us new birth? (Note three ways: Kittens, Pregnant mother, plant clippings
growing shoots.) What is birth?

Embrace
What is another good word for embrace? How do we embrace something in our lives? How are the
characters embracing peace?

Rhyme Detective For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
After reading the book once, ask students if they noticed any words that sound alike. Rhyming words
— B. P. & M. P.
have endings that sound the same. As you reread the story, tell students that they will hear some
words that sound alike. Encourage them to be rhyme detectives! ForWhen all the they
childrenhear a rhyming word, ask
of the world
— E. M.
them to raise their hands to share what they heard.

You may alternately choose to pause and allow students to fill in the blank before you read the
rhyming word.

Words to keep on your rhyme (and near-rhyme) radar:

hug-snug
correctly-directly (assonance)
wave-brave
take-make
choice-voice
live-forgive
sleep-deep
birth-earth

After Reading
Curricular Connection
Identify and give examples of good citizenship at home, school, and in the community and explain why
civic engagement in the community is important.

Coping Skills
We need to find peace inside ourselves before we can find peace with others. Sometimes we have to
work hard to find peace. A coping skill is something we can use to help us find it. Sometimes we use
coping skills alone and sometimes we use them with other people. The first step is always naming your
feelings.
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Name Your Feelings

How do you feel right now? Are your feelings positive or negative?
1. Use the chart to identify your feeling.
2. State how you feel. Example: I feel frustrated.

Name Celebration For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
Names have distinct sounds and accents. They are chosen especially for us and they define who we
— B. P. & M. P.
are. We are important and that means our names are important, too!
For all the children of the world

Reflect: How many times do you think you hear your name in one— day?
E. M.
A week? A lifetime?

Explore: Orally model how to say your (teacher) name correctly and incorrectly.
Role play: Ask permission to do the same with one child volunteer’s name.
Discuss: What did you think when I said your name wrong? Describe how you felt.
To the group: What did you think when I said ____’s name the wrong way? Why is it important to say a
name correctly?

Celebrate each name by introducing the rhyming name song:

Examples:
Eric beric-bo-beric, fanana fanna-fo-feric, me-my-mo meric, Eric!
Tanisha bisha-bo-bisha, fanana fanna-fo-fisha, me-my-mo-misha, Tanisha!

Deep Breathing Besties

Breathing deep can help us change negative feelings. It can bring us inner peace.
What kind of breathing bestie will help you?

Rainbow Breaths
1. Relax with your arms by your sides.
2. Breathe in, raising arms up and around to the sky.
Imagine colors coming out of your fingertips.
3. Breathe out, lowering arms around to your sides again.
Imagine the colors disappearing.
4. Repeat 5 times.

Take a look at this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTy_fogH2v0
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Octopus Breaths
1. Inhale, extending arms outward to the right and left.
2. Exhale in short puffs, each time swishing arms inward like a swimming octopus.
3. Repeat 5 times.

Bee Breaths
1. Inhale slowly.
2. Add a buzz or hum as you exhale.
3. Repeat 3 times.

Explosion Breaths (Good for releasing excitement or anger) hold

1. Inhale quickly, raising arms up and around to the sky.

e in

bre
Fill your tummy balloon as much as you can. For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

ath
ath
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
2. Hold your breath for 3-5 seconds at the top.
— B. P. & M. P.

e ou
bre
3. Explode your exhale with a popping sound.
For all the children of the world

t
brea— th e out
E. M. breathe in

hold
Star Breaths
hold

1. Spread your hand out like a star. br

in ea
2. Place your other hand’s finger at the bottom th
e
eo
th
of your thumb. ea
br ut
3. Inhale, tracing the outside of the thumb to the top.
ut

4. Exhale, tracing down the inside hill of the

brea
the o

opposite side of thumb.

the i
br
Repeat inhaling and exhaling with each t
brea

ea u
th eo
finger until your star is complete.

n
ei h t
n ea
br
Take a look at this video: hold hold
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67JDaNcX3gE

Shape Breathing
Use the shapes to guide your breathing.
https://copingskillsforkids.com/blog/using-shapes-to-teach-deep-breathing

Read Body Language

What do you notice?
1. Use the chart to identify body language.
2. What does the body language tell
other people? How can you reach
out to someone else?
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Work it Out
Peace Table/Corner
Sometimes we are upset with other people and we need to find a way to solve problems together. A
Peace Table can be a permanently designated space in the classroom or home, and it can also be a
flexible idea implemented in any space, at any time. We invite others to the peace table when we need
to work things out. With peace as our goal, it is important to always accept the invitation, even when
we are angry.
When using the Peace Table we must agree to:
1. Pause and breathe: Sit down at the table and take three deep breaths.
2. Engage with Empathy: Using eye contact, talk and listen.
3. Agree who will go first, then take turns sharing your feelings one at a time. When one person
talks, the other(s) must listen, without interrupting. Let the other person know when you are
finished sharing. For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
4. Accept and Apologize: Put aside your differences and agree to move forward.
— B. P. & M. P.
5. Create a solution: Ask- How could we have handled this better? What needs to change? What
will we do to move past this? For all the children of the world

6. Endorse: Bump elbows or shake hands to seal the deal. — E. M.

Peace Treaty
A peace treaty is a lot like the Peace Table. It goes a step further by putting the agreement in writing.
Opposing people usually come to their own peace table before they sign their names to a written
peace treaty agreement.

Look at the book and think about what would happen…

. . .if some of the characters on the butterfly pages captured the butterflies?
How would that make the butterfly observers feel?
. . .if the boy on the panda page took the panda’s bamboo to build a tree house? What would happen to
the pandas if they didn’t have bamboo to eat?
. . .if the kids on the garden page wouldn’t share with the animals? How would the animals get their
food?

Choose one of the pages above and ask:

How could they work it out?
What are the characters currently doing to keep peace?

Group students together that have chosen the same issue/page. As they discuss the solutions, have
them write a peace treaty for their page.

Think about and include:

• How could they have handled the disagreement better?

• What needs to change?
• How will they move past the disagreement? (How will they handle things better in the future?)
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Sentence starters for your treaty:

We acknowledge that ________________________________ (What needs to change)

We resolve to _______________________________________ (What is the solution)

On this day, signed __________________________________ (Who is endorsing the treaty)

Text-to-Self Extensions:
Think about a time when you disagreed with another person. Write a peace treaty that helps you move
past the disagreement to a peaceful future.

Propose a peace treaty for your classroom, school, or home.

Acts of Kindness For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
Think back to the story. How were the characters being kind to one another? How can you be kind to
— B. P. & M. P.
others?
For all the children of the world
An act of kindness happens when you intentionally set out to do,—perform,
E. M. or
accomplish something for another person. We can also call this a good deed.

Make a plan to spread kindness with a good deed. Use the questions
and sentence starters below to help you.

How will you spread kindness during your good deed? (What is your goal?)
I would like to spread kindness by:

What materials will you need?

I will need:

How will you prepare for and complete your plan?

I will:

Who do you need help from in order to complete your plan?

I need help from:

Who will you need special permission from in order to complete your plan?
I need permission from:

When will you complete your plan?

I will complete my plan on:

Once your plan is complete, reflect:

Did your good deed go as planned?
How did it make you feel to spread kindness?
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Peace Tree*
Common Core Connection
Recall information from experiences or gather information
from provided sources to answer a question. What were
some of the peaceful ideas mentioned in the story?

Give each child a blank peace tree or allow them to

create their own, as the illustrator did in the end pages.

For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
— B. P. & M. P.

For all the children of the world

— E. M.
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Using the words from the text, brainstorm ideas that are peaceful to you.
For example, in spread 6-7, ask: What do you notice in the pictures that is bold, quiet, and snug? Can
you think of something else in your house that is snug? Do you have a favorite quiet place or activity?
Focus on one word at a time.
For example, a special blanket or cat curled
in a lap may be snug to a child.

Allow students to share orally, piggy-backing off each idea. Ask them to write their ideas on the leaves
of their peace trees. Continue to look at other illustrations to help students brainstorm peaceful
objects, actions, people, or places.

*For students with limited writing skills, you might choose to apply this activity to drawing directly on
the Peace Umbrella on the next page. For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
— B. P. & M. P.

For all the children of the world

— E. M.
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Peace Umbrella
Common Core Connection
Recall information from experiences or gather information.

Your peaceful ideas protect you by bringing your mind to a peaceful place.
Using the ideas from your tree, create your own peace umbrella. Fill your umbrella with peaceful
illustrations.

For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
— B. P. & M. P.

For all the children of the world

— E. M.
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Peace is a Metaphor
Common Core Connection
Describe how phrases create meaning in written language.

A metaphor is a special way to describe something. It states that one thing

IS another thing.Example from the book: Peace is a pillow.
What does that mean? Is peace really a pillow? How does peace resemble a pillow? Why?

Look at the peaceful words on your tree. What is your perfect peaceful metaphor?
Choose one word from your tree to incorporate into a metaphor.
Write your metaphor. Start with Peace is a ______________________________.
Then, draw your metaphor.
Share. For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
Is your peaceful metaphor the same as your classmates? Why not?
— B. P. & M. P.

We all have different opinions because we have our own beliefs and
For alllikes.
the children of the world
— E. M.

Peaceful Opinions
Common Core Connection
Write opinion pieces in which the topic is introduced, opinion is stated, reason(s) supplied for the
opinion, and provide some sense of closure.

Prompt:
O- In your opinion, what is most peaceful to you? (Use your metaphor for reference)
R- Why do you think that peace is like your (metaphor) object?
E- How are you personally connected to your claim?
O- State your opinion again.

Use the OREO structure for support:

Opinion- State your opinion Sentence starters: I think . . . I believe . . . I feel . . .

Reason(s)-Why do you think that? Sentence staters: I think that because . . .

Evidence- Share your background Sentence starter ideas: One time… At my house . . .
experience or personal connection I have . . .
related to your claim.

Opinion- State your opinion again. Sentence starters: I think . . . I believe . . . I feel . . .
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O-
R-
For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

E-
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
— B. P. & M. P.

For all the children of the world

— E. M.

O-
For older readers, consider expanding the reasons, or write about a different opinion.
For example: What is the most peaceful way to work out a disagreement?

Text to Text Connections: Research

Common Core Connection
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to
produce a report or other writing)

Research stories or periodicals where peace occurs with animals and people after hardship.

Read: One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul,
Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (Millbrook)
What did the people do to cause a disruption of peace in the Gambia?
How did the animals in the story suffer from the unpeaceful actions of people?
How did Isatou Ceesay’s actions make a peaceful impact on other people?
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How did her actions impact the environment?

Opinion: Can one person’s peaceful actions matter?

Read: I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon by Baptiste & Miranda Paul,
Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (Millbrook)
How did a lack of clean water disrupt the characters and environmental peace?
How did Farmer Tantoh’s actions make a peaceful impact on other people?
How did his actions impact the environment?
Opinion: Can one person’s peaceful actions matter?

What actions can we take to foster peace with our environment?

Read Lights Out by Marsha Diane Arnold. For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
Think & research: How do man-made lights change animal behaviors?
— B. P. & M. P.

For older readers: For all the children of the world

— E. M.
Read and discuss the authors’ note.
Research other stories or periodicals that discuss recovery after war.
Suggestions:
The Peace Tree from Hiroshima: Little Bonsai with a Big Story by Sandra Moore and Kazumi Wilds
(Tuttle Publishing, 2015)
Branches of Hope: A Story About the 9/11 Survivor Tree by Ann Magee and Nicole Wong (Charlesbridge-
May 2021)
Survivor Tree by Marcie Colleen and Aaron Becker (Little, Brown- August 2021)

Peace Across Cultures

Return to the dedication page to notice the dove with the olive branch. This symbol dates back to the
story of Noah’s Ark in the Bible. In a flooded world, Noah releases a dove from the ark to look for land.
The dove comes back with an olive branch to symbolize that new growth is underway on dry land.

Picture Hunt: How many times do you notice the dove in the book?

Older students:
Research how the dove is a symbol of peace across different cultures.
Then, research the meaning of different peace symbols across different cultures.

Here are some examples: Two fingers V-sign, round peace (anti-nuclear) symbol, white poppy (Europe),
peace crane (Japan), Pax Cultura (ancient Asian) peace symbol, (Native Americans) sun cradled in moon,
Statue of Liberty (peace and friendship between France/America), rainbow (relationship between
humans and their gods; for example: God’s promise not to flood the world)

After researching, design your own peace symbol.

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Peaceful Explorations
Music Moves Us
What you will need:
Instrumental or Nature-Inspired Music
Large sheet of paper (butcher/newsprint/poster size is best)
Crayons, markers, or poster/finger paints

1. Before beginning, name your feelings. In this moment, are

you calm? Frustrated? Angry?Excited? Notice how you feel.
2. With art materials in hand, close your eyes.
3. Listen to your music and allow your movements to be loose and free as you contact the
paper. Don’t peek yet! Don’t worry about what you create. This exploration relies on allowing
the music to move you. For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan
and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
4. Continue for 1-3 minutes.
— B. P. & M. P.
5. Now peek at your creation. Retrace the lines with your finger and reflect: Where does the
music get faster or slower? How did your feelings make it onto the
For all the page?
children of the world
— E. M.
6. Notice: How do you feel now? Did you achieve inner peace? If not, repeat the activity or try
an alternative material/method below.

Alternative Materials:
Plastic bag prepared with poster paint or hair-gel zipped inside
Gel cool-pack (meant for injuries)
Soft blanket

If using an alternative material, focus on the feeling under your fingers as you manipulate the gel.

Alternative Method:
In a sitting position, close your eyes and inhale/exhale deeply five times before beginning. Then, allow
the music to move your upper body to the music.

Art Moves Us
What you will need:

large dinner plate dishwashing soap

½ cup milk cotton swab or toothpick
food coloring adult supervision
small bowl
1. Pour ½ cup milk on the dinner plate.
2. Add a few small droplets of food coloring to the milk.
3. In a separate bowl, add a few drops of dishwashing soap.
4. Dip the toothpick or cotton swab in the soap, then gently touch the color splotches in the milk.
5. Observe the peaceful movement and beauty of the colors as they expand!
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Nature Moves Us
Common Core Connection
Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.

Plant Inquiry: Sometimes after a big storm, we find branches and plants strewn about.
How can we cultivate plants or seeds back to new life? What can we do to restore peace after
the storm?

For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
— B. P. & M. P.

For all the children of the world

— E. M.

What you will need:

medium-sized basket or tub with holes in the bottom and/or sides
a bag of play sand
rooting compound (Optional)
plant cuttings (flowering shrubs and evergreens work well)
water
white Trash Bag
pencils (or other sticks)
butter knife
notebook
an outdoor space to work
1. Select several small plant cuttings that do not have a wooded stem.
2. Cut them down to about 2-5 inches each.
3. Strip away most of the bottom leaves, keeping only a few leaves at the top of the cutting.
4. Fill the tub or basket with sand.
5. Use the butter knife to create deep, thin rows in the sand.
6. If using a rooting compound, dip the stems in the liquid for five seconds.
7. Place the cuttings in the rows.
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8. Stick pencils around the border of the tub.

9. Drench the sand with water, letting the water escape the holes.
10. Slide the entire tub into the trash bag, with the pencils acting as a shield from the plastic.
11. Put some extra water in the bottom of the bag and tie it shut.
12. Put the bag in a shady place outside and leave it there overnight.

Observe the bag periodically over time without opening it the first day. Discuss the condensation that
has formed on the bag. Use a notebook as an observation journal, drawing and writing about changes.
Water the sand before it gets dry, always keeping condensation as your guide. Check for roots after 3-4
weeks. Let inquiry and questioning lead the way.

For Eugenie , Chris-Anne , and Ethan

and in loving memory of Christopher Moonie
— B. P. & M. P.

For all the children of the world

— E. M.