We Are Better Together
What’s inside...
From environmentalist and bestselling author Bill McKibben comes a hopeful, inspiring picture book celebrating the power of human cooperation and the beauty of life on Earth, beautifully illustrated by artist Stevie Lewis. When we work together, we humans can do incredible things. We share the responsibility to address climate change and our changing planet. It is critical that we act collectively to protect our beautiful, fragile world. Renowned environmentalist Bill McKibben and the incredibly talented artist Stevie Lewis team up to bring this gorgeous picture book to life. Celebrating the amazing things people can do, it’s an inspiring message of hope.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think teamwork is important in the stories shared in the book?
How can we help each other in our family to achieve our goals?
What are some ways you like to help others?
Can you think of a time when someone helped you? How did it make you feel?
What did you learn about the power of community from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation with a personal story about a time you achieved something as a team, setting a precedent for sharing.
Encourage your child to think of specific examples from their own experiences when relating to the stories in the book.
Praise empathetic responses and insights into teamwork to foster a deeper connection with the book’s themes.
Connect discussions to real-life applications by planning a small family project that requires teamwork, inspired by the book.
Keep the tone of the conversation light and encouraging to make the discussion enjoyable and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of cooperation
Explanation: The book emphasizes the importance of working together to achieve common goals, demonstrated through the characters' collaborative efforts to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this concept by participating in group activities at school or helping out with family tasks at home, learning that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: We Are Better Together showcases a variety of characters from different backgrounds, teaching children to embrace and celebrate diversity.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice this lesson by showing curiosity and respect towards classmates who may come from different cultures or have different abilities.
Example Lesson: Importance of environmental stewardship
Explanation: Through the storyline, the book inspires a sense of responsibility towards taking care of the planet, illustrating how collective efforts can make a significant impact.
Real-World Application: Children can engage in simple environmental actions like recycling, conserving water, or participating in local clean-up events, fostering a sense of ecological responsibility.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing
Explanation: The characters in the book frequently share with each other, creating happiness and strengthening their community.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be practiced by children sharing their toys, books, or snacks with friends, teaching them the value of generosity and collaboration.
Example Lesson: Embracing change as growth
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face and adapt to changes, learning that change can lead to positive outcomes and personal growth.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding when encountering new situations such as moving to a new city or changing schools, helping them to adapt positively and see the potential for growth in change.