Social Issues Books Give Children Permission To Address Tricky Topics

Social Issue books deal with issues that explore and enrich our understanding of different cultures, languages, histories, classes, genders and race. They often give a voice to those who are traditional excluded in mainstream literature, challenging traditional ideas, and consequently offer new points of view or opinions.

Social issue books also question why people are “positioned” in society based on their culture, gender, race etc.

Books that address social issues offer amazing opportunities for robust discourse in the classroom. They deal this issues that challenge typical ideals held by many people. They open the minds of children and ask them to question they way the think and feel about traditional conventions.

Social issue books do not often have a “happily ever after” ending. They commonly end in an ambiguous or open ended way, leaving the reader with questions or lack of clarification. They can lack a moral or positive message, typically found in conventional literature. However they engage challenging and troublesome issues

Below is a list of 10 children’s Books that explore social issues.

Michael Rosen's Sad Book By Michael Rosen

Sometimes I'm sad and I don’t know why. It's just a cloud that comes along and covers me up. Sad things happen to everyone, and sometimes people feel sad for no reason at all. What makes Michael Rosen sad is thinking about his son, Eddie, who died suddenly at the age of eighteen. In this book the author writes about his sadness, how it affects him, and some of the things he does to cope with it—like telling himself that everyone has sad stuff (not just him) and trying every day to do something he can be proud of. Expressively illustrated by the extraordinary Quentin Blake, this is a very personal story that speaks to everyone, from children to parents to grandparents, teachers to grief counselors. Whether or not you have known what it's like to feel deeply sad, the truth of this book will surely touch you

Out By Angela May George and Owen Swan

I’m called an asylum seeker, but that’s not my name.

A little girl and her mother have fled their homeland, making the long and treacherous journey by boat to seek asylum. Timely, powerful and moving, Out celebrates the triumph of the human spirit in the darkest times, and the many paths people take to build a new life.

The Big Book Of Happy Sadness By Colin Thompson

George is a lonely young boy who lives alone with his Grandma, a very sweet lady but not the best of company for a young boy.

This beautifully illustrated story of loneliness, friendship and helping others is a true book of happy sadness.

I would recommend this book to grade 3 and 4. The illustrations and perfect for visual literacy discussions.

Fox By Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks

This extraordinary picture book that has been acclaimed throughout the world for its mastery of words and pictures. Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, have created an allegory of heroic proportions that is told in a spare, poetic text and hauntingly arresting illustrations. They engrave on the reader’s heart profound ideas of love, grief, loyalty, desire and redemption.

Suri's Wall By Lucy Estela and Matt Ottley

Suri's Wall by author Lucy Estela is one of the most moving, powerful and important stories of recent times. As much about personal themes of growing up, friendships, coping with being different and loneliness, the story also encompasses more universal themes of displacement by war and the power of the human spirit.

Gary By Leila Rudge

Gary the pigeon can't fly. When his racing pigeon friends head off in their travel basket, Gary has to stay at home. But when Gary accidentally ends up a very long way from home, he discovers that flying is not the only way to have adventures.

A simple, accessible text that explores themes of rising above limitations, ingenuity and daring to dream.​ Perfect for very young children aged 3 and over.

Piggybook By Anthony Browne

Mr Piggot and his sons treat Mrs Piggott so badly that she decides to leave home and let them fend for themselves. The father and sons slowly start to transform in very strange ways.

The Running Man By Michael Gerard Bauer

“Tom Leyton, a reclusive Vietnam veteran, has been the subject of gossip and rumour for thirty years. When Joseph Davidson, his young neighbour and a talented artist, is asked to draw a portrait of him, an uneasy relationship begins to unfold, one that will force each of them to confront his darkest secrets.

This is a story about how we perceive others, the judgements we make about them, how we cope with tragedy, and the nature of miracles.

Once & Then By Morris Gleitzman

Originally published separately, Once and Then by Morris Gleitzman are the first 2 books in a trilogy about Felix, a 10 year old jewish boy from Poland. Set in 1942, during the second world war it is a harrowing tale of how Felix makes sense of a tragic time in history.

Many teachable concepts are raised in this, incredibly sad, yet funny and brave story.

Best suited to upper primary and early high school students.

Just A Dog By Michael Gerard Bauer

Mr Mosely isn’t a pedigreed dog, but he is just the dog Corey and his family want: he is loyal, protective and loving. And he is much more than that. He might well be the one thing that holds them all together.

This is a story about what makes a family: love, trust, rituals and patience. Mr Mosely is clearly more than ‘just a dog’. he is one that we won’t forget. (CBCA Judges report)

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