Last Friday I reviewed a picture book for children about homelessness, Lily and the Paper Man, by Rebecca Upjohn. Today I’m following up with a brief review of a hands-on workbook for kids and how they can be part of the solution.
A Kids’ Guide to Hunger & Homelessness: How to Take Action
Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A.
Free Spirit Publishing, 2007
Suitable for Ages: 10 -17
Themes: Homelessness, Hunger, Understanding the problems, Taking action
Book Overview: Kids explore what others in the world (including young people) have done and are doing to address the issues, find out what their community needs, and develop a service project. The workbook includes facts, quotations, real-life examples, write-on pages, resources, a note to adults—and a lot of inspiration to get out there and make a difference in the world. Includes exclusive interviews with author and activist Francis Moor Lappé, and Lindsey Lee Johnson, author of Soul Moon Soup, the story of a girl living on the streets with her mother.
Why I like this guide: Children are caring and compassionate and want to help when they see a need. Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., has carefully designed this exceptional guide to show four major stages children must learn to be of service: Preparation, Action, Reflection and Demonstration. Children first learn all they can about hunger and homelessness in the Preparation stage. Once they prepare themselves they are encouraged to think about whether their Action is direct, indirect, advocacy or research. The third stage involves Reflection on what they have learned to decide what they want to do. The final stage, kids Demonstrate what they want to accomplish and what unique skills they have to give to the project. This is an excellent workbook for parents, teachers and youth group leaders to use at home, in the classroom, at church and in youth service programs. It will help children focus on both local and global issues. We are living during a time when the face of hunger and homelessness is rapidly changing. Children may see a family member or a neighbor suddenly hungry and homeless. Kaye’s guide empowers children to look at tough issues and take action.
Other Resources: Free Spirit Publishing has a How to Take Action! series by Cathryn Berger Kaye. There are guides for climate change and global warming, protecting and caring for animals, service learning, and kids helping kids to read and succeed. There is a teen guide for saving our oceans and waterways. Visit the Free Spirit Publishing website.
Children's Books Heal 
Pat,
The book and thought process to an action step sounds wonderful for a family, class,or school project. I have forwarded your post to our church’s religious Ed department. (And to my older, out of town grandchildren.) Children always want to help! Thank you for sharing this information. Janie
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Janie, I was impressed with this important workbook/guide for kids. Cathryn Berger Kaye does an outstanding job of educating and preparing youth before they jump into action. She has a number of service workbooks. Great for use at home, school and church. Glad you thought enough of the guide to forward it to your church youth group and family members. Wishing you a speedy recovery
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What a great resource to show kids to take action for those in need.
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Catherine, it is a fabulous guide that can be used by kids with parents and teachers to take action. The author has written a number of guides. Was also intrigued with her oceans/waterways workbook.
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Love that all these four important stages have been included. This does look like an amazing resource. Thanks for spotlighting it, Pat. I have been lucky to be able to get teens and young adults involved in homeless projects on various cities in which I have lived.
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Joanna, I am glad you’ve have gotten students involved in homeless projects. You would like this guide. And, she has written others. I thought of you when I saw her workbooks for teens on saving the ocean and waterways, and on protecting animals.
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What a great book! I think I need this book.I like how it gives examples of what to do!
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Erik, I think you’d have fun with this book. Could do it with your family, school or church friends. She has a variety of service books.
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This is the kind of inspiring grass-roots, ground-up initiative necessary to educate and empower children to become compassionate citizens of the future. This issue is very close to my own heart Patricia.
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I knew you would find it of interest, Niamh. You have been in the middle of some very important global work for the hungery and homeless. It’s great that authors are writing guides to help kids, teachers and parents.
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What a wonderful idea for a book. I think this could easily fill a niche and be one of those books every parent would like to talk to their child about.
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Hi Michael. Glad you liked the workbook/guide. I think it is perfect for kids. But, it’s great to involve parents, teachers and youth group leaders. Really makes kids think.
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What an excellent book! I’ll have to check this out! Thanks!
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Rhythm, I am so happy you liked this guide for kids on hunger and homelessness in the world. Hope you check it out.
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