If you’re in Australia, each March ‘Harmony Day’ is an event that is celebrated. It’s a day of recognising different cultures, of acceptance and celebrating diversity.
I like to promote this special day in this library in a number of ways.
- I create a Harmony Day bookmark colouring station at lunch time
- I have students enter a Harmony Day colouring in and short answer competition. I display all the entries with the winning students getting book prizes
- Harmony Day Book Scavenger Hunt- I’ve had this as a lunch time activity and also as a class activity
- Harmony Day Book Display (of course!) The poster I use for my Harmony Day book display can be found here
These are some of my favourite books that promote inclusivity and are just perfect for Harmony Day:
- Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin & illustrated by Lauren Tobia
A simple rhyming book with a positive message about skin colour- a book that recognises and values diversity. - Hello! By Tony Flowers
A colourful and inviting book about countries and cultures. 12 Australian friends who share with us their traditional language, food, dress, culture and hobbies. A fantastic way to introduce students to the diversity that may be within their class or school. - Wide Big World- Maxine Beneba Clarke & illustrated by Isobel Knowles
A book that celebrates differences. Perfect for the lower years, with simple language and bright and inviting pictures. - I’m Australian Too- Mem Fox & illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh
One of my absolute favourites- from the detail on the end papers (go ahead- compare the front and the back!), the rhyming text and simple message. A stunning book about diversity and inclusion. - Whoever You Are- By Mem Fox & illustrated by Leslie Staub
A book that celebrates the differences in our lives that unite all of us. “and there may be difference wherever you are, wherever they are, in this big wide world. But remember this: joys are the same, and love is the same. Pain is the same, and blood is the same. Smiles are the same, and hearts are the same.”
The message is simple, but fundamentally important. - Under the Love Umbrella by Davina Bell & illustrated by Alison Colpoys
Beautiful and inviting illustrations. Depicts people from all backgrounds with a strong message around love. - Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai & illustrated by KeraScoet
The true story of Malala Yousafzai in simple picture book form- perfect for all school aged students. A story of hope and change with a focus on inclusivity. “together we make a chorus, standing up for what we believe. We raise our voices for those in need, help people in danger, even if they are an ocean away, think of the world as a family.”
I currently have a FREE Harmony Day pack in my resource library- this includes both ‘Harmony Day’ and ‘Harmony Week’ wording. It includes bookmarks, a printable and a scavenger hunt. This is exclusive to Little Library Learners newsletter subscribers. If you’re not a member, you can sign up HERE.
Happy reading!
