Picture Books that Illuminate Hunger, Poverty, & Homelessness in America
Explore complicated issues through the power of story
As America faces record poverty rates and increasing income disparities, it becomes more and more important that we take action in whatever ways we can. Nothing inspires action quite as much as a good story, which is why we've assembled this growing list of our favorite books and reflection tools on the subject.
You may also want to browse our collection of chapter books about hunger, poverty, and homelessness.
Jump to discussion guides ⬇️
Featured Title
Watercress by Andrea Wang
This beautiful new book will encourage conversation about the long-term impacts hunger and poverty can leave on a family. Kids will recognize the narrator’s embarrassment when her parents stop along the road and insist the whole family help gather watercress. When she discovers the significance of watercress to her parents’ personal stories and their Chinese heritage, readers will join her in wanting to build new memories out of the old.
More DGT Favorites
A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning
When Zettie and her mother move from Jamaica to the United States, they have to live in their car. Despite their dire situation, Zettie’s mother’s strength and love make the situation bearable.
A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams
A hopeful, heartwarming, and inspiring story about hard work, saving -- and what neighbors helping neighbors can mean when families are faced with hard times.
Changing Places: A Kid’s View of Shelter Living by Judy Wallace
Eight different children, ages 6-13, describe what it is like to live in a homeless shelter.
Dear Mr. Rosenwald by Carole Boston Weatherford
This book is based on actual events in the 1920s when a philanthropist – the founder of Sears – offered money to African American communities to build schools—but only after they raised money themselves. For an impoverished community, this was a difficult task. This story of how they achieved it is very inspiring.
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
This heart-wrenching yet hopeful book follows a boy and his father through their daily routines as they shelter in an airport, obviously before airline security became so strict. This book perfectly presents the heartbreak of being a homeless child in a non-threatening, non-frightening way.
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
This is the sweet simple tale of a kind organ grinder, his monkey, and the little girl who worries over whether they have a place to go in the storm.
The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough by Katie Smith Milway
A young girl in Honduras learns how to nurture her family’s garden to prosperity.
Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel
A photographic look at what 30 families from around the world eat.
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
Join CJ and his grandmother on their Sunday bus ride across town. Children will feel for CJ as he notices the differences between a cleaner part of town where other boys his age are playing on their iPods and the dirtier part of town he's headed to. Parents will find inspiration in CJ's grandmother's kind responses to CJ's observations. And your whole family will be ready to start a new service project when you reach the heart-warming conclusion.
The Lady in the Box by Ann McGovern
It is wintertime in the city and freezing cold, but not everyone is inside and warm. Ben and his sister Lizzie know that there is a lady who lives outside in a box over a warm air vent. The children worry about the kind-looking lady and begin sneaking food and clothes out of their apartment for her. Gently told- and not overly heavy - and powerfully illustrated in rich hues, The Lady in the Box deals candidly with the issue of homelessness.
Lily and the Paper Man by Rebecca Upjohn
Lily becomes worried when she sees that the paper man is not properly dressed for the cold. Then she comes up with an idea.
Lives Turned Upside Down: Homeless Children in Their Own Words and Photographs by Jim Hubbard
Children living in homeless shelters take photographs, tell their stories, and share their dreams.
The Lunch Thief by Anne C. Bromley
This classic has just been re-released as a paperback and is worth adding to any big-hearted book collection. When Rafael catches the new kid stealing lunches, he decides to listen to his mom’s advice and use his words. What he learns about Kevin makes him wonder how he can help, or even befriend, his thief.
Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt
This book is both a joyful story of friendship and an emotional tale of hidden need. Children will be inspired to learn more – and do more – about local issues of hunger after hearing Sofia’s desire to help her friend.
Maddi's Fridge is one of three exceptional stories featured in Helping the Hungry, DGT™'s three-lesson, book-based hunger curriculum for youth groups and families.
One Potato, Two Potato by Cynthia DeFelice
For a more whimsical approach to the issues of hunger and sharing, this folktale will entertain and enlighten any audience. It’s a variation on the theme of a magic pot, featuring a community pulling together. It’s a new favorite.
Our Little Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki
Based on Tamaki’s experience volunteering at a small community kitchen that feeds the hungry, this book bursts with energy and is perfect for young do-gooders.
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn
A charming story about a boy who gets “lucky money” for Chinese New Year and ventures into Chinatown to look for the best way to spend it. When he notices a homeless man with bare feet, he gets a very generous idea!
Shelter by Céline Claire
The animals are cozy and warm in their dens as a storm approaches. Two strangers arrive looking for shelter, but one after another the neighbors all say no. As the snow begins to fall, the strangers know they will be fine. But the fox family’s shelter is failing due to the weight of the snow. Who will help? This beautifully told story illustrates the importance of community in times of need and is sure to launch important conversations.
The Teddy Bear by David McPhail
When a child loses his teddy bear, a homeless man adopts it, showing the child how much he really has.
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Jeremy wants a pair of shoes just like everyone else has, but according to his grandmother, he must learn to separate his needs from his wants.
Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen
We all can relate to this tale of a boy who just wants a puppy of his own. Through his eyes, we watch the parents struggling with hard times, and better understand the stress families experience when money is tight.
Town Is By the Sea by Joanne Schwartz
The stark contrast of a sparkling, sea-side town and the hard work of mining deep underground provides the subtle back drop to this simple story, sure to tug at your heart strings.
Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by DyAnn DiSalvo-Ryan
A young boy who is afraid of homeless people gains a new perspective when he helps his uncle work at the soup kitchen.
Talk about the issue.
“Make time to discuss the books you read and the service projects you do together. By talking intentionally and openly about complicated ideas, you are giving your child the opportunity to strengthen their compassion, problem-solving, and empathy muscles. ”
How would you feel if you had to rely on a stranger to provide your lunch every day?
How does it feel when you are hungry and you have to wait to eat?
What are ways we could help those who are hungry?
What do you think would be the hardest part about not having a home?
If you did not have a place to live, what things would be most important to you? Where would you sleep? How would you stay clean?
What things are you grateful for? Are these things you need to live or things that are simply nice to have?
Print DGT’s reflection guide when you volunteer to fight poverty.
Print DGT’s reflection guide when you volunteer to help the hungry.
Print DGT’s reflection guide when you volunteer to help the homeless.
Click here for our complete list of reflection guides.
Haven't found what you're looking for? Visit our Complete Resource List.
Want to take the lessons further on this important subject?
Order the DGT™ Kindness Curriculum which uses stories and discussions to empower kids to help!
Disclaimer: Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.