I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children [Hardcover]

Marian Wright Edelman (Author), Barry Moser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Marian Wright Edelman has drawn from a variety of cultures and peoples to compile these timeless stories, poems, songs, quotations, and folktales that speak to all children to let them know that they can make a difference in today's world.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Edelman takes that sturdy statement and breaks it down into 12 components, easily understandable by kids, and then decorates each with meaningful poems, stories, and memorable art. Ways to make a difference are stated in the personal affirmative: "I can make a difference by loving myself and others as God loves us and treating others respectfully and fairly"; "I can make a difference by being courageous." The section about making a difference by working with others begins with a Persian proverb about individual drops becoming a sea. A short tale from China shows how the same situation can be either heaven or hell, depending on whether people cooperate. There's also an except from Leo Lionni's Swimmy (1963), an Aesop's fable, and a saying from Sitting Bull. An oversize format allows Moser to mix full-size paintings, portraits, and spot art in artwork that ranges from utilitarian to effective to stunning. Edelman, a well-known children's rights activist and winner of such awards as the MacArthur Prize Fellowship and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, discusses her hopes for inspiring children to see their lives as a means of improving the lives of others. A strong package that will lead to fruitful discussions between adults and children. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Marian Wright Edelman is the founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours, and eight other books. She is the winner of many awards for her work, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, a Heinz Award, and a Niebuhr Award. In 2000, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award for her writings. Edelman is a graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School. She and her husband live in Washington, D.C., and have three children and four grandchildren.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Amistad; First Edition edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060280514
• ISBN-13: 978-0060280512
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary Criticism & Collections

More About the Author

Marian Wright Edelman is the founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours. She is the winner of many awards for her work, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, a Heinz Award, and a Niebuhr Award. In 2000, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award for her writings. Edelman is a graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School. She and her husband live in Washington, D.C., and have three children and four grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, February 24, 2006

By 

Joan Mason (Los angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children (Hardcover)

This book is such a treasure for children and adults as well.
I recently shared this book with a local school in Fiji, while I was there doing a bit of volunteer work. These children absolutely loved it. It opened their minds to the possibilities
awaiting them in life.
Use Your Voice and read this to your children and see how we can all make a positive difference in our world.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gift for Parents & Students, November 9, 2008

By 

Denise Dean - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children (Hardcover)

I gave this book as a gift to my 5th grade students & their parents. Part of what I said to them is, "I Can Make A Difference is a collection of short stories, poems, and quotes that focus on values that I believe we need to instill in all of our children, the future leaders of our country. I trust and believe that better days continue to be ahead for America. The key to that better future is our children. As important as it is for our children to know how to read, write and do arithmetic, our larger goal is to help them to be thoughtful, self-sufficient, caring, compassionate, and happy citizens. I believe that we have to do all we can to make sure our children are ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Essential to that are the values that shape and guide how they think and what they do." I encouraged them to use this book to affirm for their child the values they currently demonstrate AND to highlight those they could develop more. This is a treasure!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, November 8, 2009

By 

S. Wilder "sheryjean" (MN) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children (Hardcover)

The paintings and accompanying texts from a variety of sources from around the world make this book an absolute must-have for a classroom or family library. You're never too old to enjoy this book.