Last April, we teamed up with ArtBridge to put out a call for children’s art to be included in a new mural by Tomashi Jackson around the corner from Children’s Museum of the Arts in Hudson Square. We asked kids to consider: What does peace look like? How do we make peace? Why do we want peace? The resulting artworks are now view at 550 Washington Street.

Dive into themes of peace, harmony, and understanding with these seven children’s books below.

"The Peace Book" by Todd Parr
With colorful pictures and simple prose, Todd Parr explains peace in terms of helping a neighbor, making new friends, keeping streets clean, or listening to music. Peace becomes less of an immaterial concept and more of a concrete way for children to emulate peacefulness with actions.

"Peace is an Offering" by Annette LeBox and Stephanie Graegin
For children concerned with war, mass shootings, and unrest in our society, this book will help ease their fears and remind them that there are peaceful, helpful people everywhere.

"Peace" by Wendy Anderson Halperin
Expanding on the eastern philosophies behind peace, this book explains that the path to peace begins from within, making it a great choice to share with children when discussing bullying, conflict, or inappropriate actions.

"What Does Peace Feel Like?" by Vladimir Radunsky
What does peace feel like, taste like, sound like, smell like, and look like? This charming book reveals children’s answers on peace as it relates to the five senses.

"Peace Pool Magic" by Diane G. Tillman
Facing modern day middle school troubles from mean kids and bullies, Mana discovers an old world mystery with the mystical Menehunes of Hawaii. They teach him about peace and self-respect, as well as the achievements that kids are capable of when they are determined to be the difference in their own world.

"The Peace Tree from Hiroshima: The Little Bonsai with a Big Story" by Sandra Moore
This true children’s story is told by a little bonsai tree, called Miyajima, that lived with the same family in the Japanese city of Hiroshima for more than 300 years before being donated to the National Arboretum in Washington DC in 1976 as a gesture of friendship between America and Japan to celebrate the American Bicentennial.

"Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class" by Eileen Spinelli
Miss Fox is tired of hearing her young students quarrel. So she announces Peace Week ― no more squabbling for one whole week! The children chime in with their own rules: no fighting, don’t say mean things, and help others. Throughout the week, each of the little animals gets a chance to practice this new behavior.

Pictured: Caitlin, age 7, shows off her artwork to artist Tomashi Jackson