FINDING WORDS FOR HARD MOMENTS
Books for Peacemakers — Minnesota's K–5 Classroom Book Program for Social-Emotional Learning
Every teacher has seen it—that moment when things get tense, and a small problem suddenly feels huge. We get it. That’s why we want to give every K–5 student in our partner schools and after-school programs a book that’s just right for their age. Whether it's about teasing, anger, friendship, or finding the courage to speak up, these skill-building lessons and the classroom discussions that follow teach conflict resolution by helping kids put tough feelings into words before things spiral. And the best part? The book is theirs to keep.
26%
of Minnesota 5th graders say they're bullied every week — and 1 in 4 say they rarely or sometimes resolve conflicts without anyone getting hurt.
Minnesota Student Survey, 2025
A book can't fix everything. But it can give a child the words for the moment before it becomes a fight.
16
unique schools served
3,714
books placed with students
$30,147
spent on books
Numbers reflect the 2025–26 academic year.
A book for every grade, kindergarten through fifth
Six books. Six skills. Each one is chosen for what that grade is working through right now — open a book to see exactly what it teaches.
-
Kindergarten
One
When children learn that they count.
What a child will learn
- Colors and numbers
- That everyone counts
- The importance of standing up for oneself and others
-
1st grade
The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace
The moment right before feelings get hurt.
What a child will learn
- Stop and breathe to cool off angry feelings
- Tell how you feel, using an "I" message
- Open your mind to different options
- Plan a deal
-
2nd grade
Make a Friend, Be a Friend
The kid standing alone at recess, unsure who to sit with.
What a child will learn
- The value of friendship, and how to find friends
- Four ways to show you want to be a friend
- Three ways to be a good friend
- What to do when you and your friend have a tough time
-
3rd grade
Ease the Tease
When "just kidding" doesn't feel like a joke anymore.
What a child will learn
- Responding in a controlled way instead of reacting
- How what you think can change how you feel
- How to be assertive with an "I" message
- The importance of speaking up instead of standing by
-
4th grade
How to Take the Grrr Out of Anger
The moment a bad morning turns into a blow-up at school.
What a child will learn
- Ways to de-escalate anger
- Five things to tame temper
- Six steps to talking through a conflict
- Everyday habits that help prevent anger
-
5th grade
Stick Up for Yourself!
When speaking up feels harder than staying quiet.
What a child will learn
- Taking responsibility for the kind of person you are
- Making your own choices about your behavior and feelings
- Getting to know yourself
- Standing up for oneself and others
How it works
A simple path from a book on a shelf to a conversation a whole classroom, grade, or after-school program shares to learn social-emotional skills.
01
Your school applies the book(s)
Each book is written for a specific age range, kindergarten through fifth grade. The skills inside, from naming a feeling to standing up for a friend, are useful at any age.
02
A storyteller or your staff brings it to life
Have a professional storyteller from The Story Table Foundation visit for two interactive storytelling sessions — a session can cover a single classroom or an entire grade level. This option is available to elementary schools within a five-hour drive of Minneapolis.
Outside the area, or prefer to lead it yourself? A teacher can read the book and lead the discussion and activity anywhere in Minnesota.
03
Every student keeps their book
It becomes a resource for reinforcing what they learned and a way to build an interest in reading, something a family can return to at home long after the classroom discussion ends.
"I think they took away positive ideas to deal with things that bother them rather than yelling, physical hurting or crying about it."
— 1st Grade Teacher, Isanti Intermediate
"I love these books so much! They put into words and specific examples how children should treat each other."
— 2nd Grade Teacher, Isanti Intermediate
"The discussions and books will help my students better understand empathy, kindness and respect. I believe the stories will give them real life examples of how to be peacemakers in the classroom and at home."
— 3rd Grade Teacher, Isanti Intermediate
"I think it will help my students communicate with each other on how they are feeling and what it looks like and feels like to be a friend, rather than a bully."
— Teacher, St. Paul School of Northern Lights
"The sessions and books have already helped! Two days after the event, my kids got into a fight with each other. Instead of parental intervention, they stopped and shared their feelings and resolved it on their own!"
— Teacher, Riverview Dual Language
What it costs to bring this to your school or program
Books for Peacemakers is available directly to any Minnesota elementary school or after-school program—each tier below includes both the books and the storytelling sessions. Businesses or individuals can also sponsor a classroom on a school's behalf.
$100
Up to 136 books and up to 2 storytelling sessions from The Story Table.
$200
Up to 272 books and up to 4 storytelling sessions from The Story Table.
$300
Up to 408 books and up to 6 storytelling sessions from The Story Table.
$400
Up to 544 books and up to 8 storytelling sessions from The Story Table.
$500
Up to 680 books and up to 10 storytelling sessions from The Story Table.
The book One is hardcover and ships in sets of 34; the other five titles are softcover and can be ordered in the exact number you need. Storytelling sessions are funded separately — PeaceMaker Minnesota sends your school a check to cover The Story Table Foundation's invoice directly, so it's never an extra cost on top of your book order.
Bring Books for Peacemakers to your school or program
Two steps to get started — and three small things we'll ask for after the classroom discussion ends.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the Books for Peacemakers request form.
If your school or program isn't already part of the PeaceMaker Minnesota network, complete a short school partner application.
WHAT WE’LL ASK AFTERWARD
Most schools have books and funding in hand within 45 days, and we'll connect you with a storyteller within 5 days of your request. Once the discussion happens, we’d appreciate:
A photo — a few students with the book, or a classroom mid-discussion, for our newsletter, website, or annual report.
What students wrote or drew — about what they learned. The Story Table Foundation collects this for us if they led your session.
A few words from the teacher — how it helped your students, what books you recommend that teach social-emotional learning, and how we can improve our program.
A $100 sponsorship provides about 10 books helping more Minnesota students learn the social-emotional skills to handle teasing, anger, and friendship.
PeaceMaker Minnesota's other programs
Books for Peacemakers is one part of a bigger toolkit — most schools use more than one.
GET INVOLVED
Put these books in your students’ hands.
Tell us your grade levels and we’ll help you choose. Or fund the work directly: your gift puts books in the hands of students who need them.
Prefer to talk? 651.631.1604
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