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about the author |
Principle: Solidarity
(Adults’ definition) The previous principles of Catholic social teaching culminate, in a sense, in this one. Jesus calls us to love one another. And because our Earth is limited, we all are interconnected. When one group of people suffers, all the world’s people are hurt in some way. We must work for justice on a global dimension.
(Children’s definition) We all are God’s children. And we all are connected to one another. Even though we can be very different from one another, and live in different places, we are still one family—God’s family.
Book recommendation: Children Just Like Me by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley, in association with UNICEF
This popular book offers children and adults ample opportunities to learn about the many peoples of the world. But its title states simply what the book is all about: solidarity. The Kindersleys traveled to many parts of the world to meet, interview and photograph more than 28 children from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia. What they created, however, was not merely a book but a testament to the wonder and joy of all children, and how much the world’s young people have in common, even while their circumstances create great differences. This book is a feast for all readers. And, it teaches unequivocally that we must care about, and care for, one another.
Discussion Starters: Choose one of the children from the book, such as Celina from Brazil. Look for a few interesting differences in her life from that of your children (for example, days and nights are always the same length for Celina because she lives near the equator.) Then find similarities. Talk about the fact that we are connected to Celina and her family because we are all of the human family.
Big Book ideas: Have each child do a self-portrait of his or whole body, about 4 inches high. Cut these out. Then have each child choose one child from the book and draw that child too. Cut these out also. While they are doing this, draw a circle in the center of the page to represent the Earth. You can put in continents, or just make it blues, greens, browns and whites. Have each child’s people drawings encircle the Earth, radiating out from it. Make certain you have enough drawings to circle the world. Write the words, “We all belong to one another.” Attach the front and back covers and the book is complete.
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