Heroes - Lives to Learn From
March
Compassion Faithfulness Mercy
March
Compassion Faithfulness Mercy
In this section, we spotlight those who have embodied the key virtues of compassion, faithfulness and mercy, but March is also Women's History Month. Check out our dedicated Women's History Month listings in the Holidays and More tab.
Compassion - Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama
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This month we spotlight two quintessential embodiments of the virtue of compassion: Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. Inspired by different faith traditions (Christian and Buddhist) and near contemporaries, both made their home on the Indian subcontinent and have exemplified compassion- sensing the pain of others and acting to end their distress -- in word and deed.
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Mother Teresa, born in Albania (1910) and named Agnes Bojaxhiu, came from a Catholic family devoted to helping the poor. She entered the convent at a young age, went to India, and as "Sister Teresa," taught and became principal of a girl's school. But increasingly she felt called to serve the poorest of the poor and to live among them. She left high school teaching behind to serve "the abandoned, the sick, the orphaned and the dying" on the streets of Calcutta, India. Moved by compassion for those who were ending their lives alone and in squalor, she sought to be a witness to love, and specifically the love of Jesus. As Mother Teresa, she set up homes, hospitals, orphanages and founded a religious order of sisters (The Missionaries of Charity) to devote themselves to this cause throughout the world. The Dalai Lama, exiled leader of Tibet and spiritual leader of the world's 535 million Buddhists, has a very different biography. Born in 1935 to a farming family in the region of Tibet, young Tenzin Gyatso's mother modeled for him a life of compassion, and he took many lessons from his youth. Buddhists give primary emphasis to that virtue, and believe that through re-incarnation a specific person (the Dalia Lama) can embody the essence of compassion and act as spiritual leader. There have been fourteen "Dalai Lama"s to this point. The current Dalai Lama has been an extraordinary spokesman for training minds to have a heart for others, for acting with kindness toward others and toward the world we inhabit. We feature lovely children's biographies below.
Teachers in public schools may wonder how much they can or should emphasize the faith inspiration of Mother Teresa or the Dalai Lama, but this is key to understanding their motivation and is not an instance of proselytizing but educating. Curricula such as the Core Knowledge Sequence provide an introduction to the world's three major monotheistic faiths in first grade (Christianity among them) and to Hinduism and Buddhism in second grade. This month's hero and heroine have life stories that witness to faith motivating service of others. Both Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work, just a decade apart: Mother Teresa in 1979 and the Dalai Lama in 1989.
Teachers in public schools may wonder how much they can or should emphasize the faith inspiration of Mother Teresa or the Dalai Lama, but this is key to understanding their motivation and is not an instance of proselytizing but educating. Curricula such as the Core Knowledge Sequence provide an introduction to the world's three major monotheistic faiths in first grade (Christianity among them) and to Hinduism and Buddhism in second grade. This month's hero and heroine have life stories that witness to faith motivating service of others. Both Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work, just a decade apart: Mother Teresa in 1979 and the Dalai Lama in 1989.
Mother Teresa. Demi.
Margaret McElderry Books, 2009. (4-6) Humility, Compassion Demi’s exquisite books on major figures in world religions set her apart. She has respectfully told the stories of the Buddha, Confucius, Krishna, Jesus, and Muhammad. Her Mother Teresa is a sympathetic, accurate and visually elegant presentation of the life of Agnes Bojaxhiu, the Albanian-born Sister, who became known to the world as “Mother Teresa.” From an early age, Sister Teresa felt drawn to serve in India. She started out as a teacher and principal of a girl’s school, but increasingly felt called to serve the poorest of the poor and to live among them. She founded a religious order to do just that, and specifically, to serve Jesus in “the poor, the abandoned, the sick, the orphaned, the dying.” Demi presents Mother Teresa as an extraordinary “organizer, energizer, and galvanizer, a true leader,” but she does not shy away from presenting her deep faith as her unwavering motivation. The text includes several of Mother Teresa’s prayers and reflections on seeing Jesus in the poor. There is a generous amount of text in this book, so plan ahead for dividing it over two or three days 
National Geographic Readers: Mother Teresa. Barbara Kramer. National Geographic, 2019. (K-2) Written to be read independently by beginning readers, this biography is not lyrical but is informative, well illustrated and could be read aloud in the classroom as an early introduction to the great heroine of compassion.
Mother Teresa (Little People, Big Dreams). Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. Illustrated by Natascha Rosenberg. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2018. (K-2)
Charmingly written and buoyantly illustrated first biography of Mother Teresa, emphasizing her desire to help others from an early age. Perfect for the early grades. |
The Dalai Lama. Demi. Henry Holt, 1999. (2-5) Lives to Learn From
When the thirteenth Dalai Lama died in 1933, a search party began to look for the one who would take his place. They believed the Lama’s spirit would be reborn in a child. They find Lhamo, who at the age of two, saw the search party coming to his village and said, ”Now I am going home!” He was taken with his family to the temple in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. Taught by the Buddhist monks, he was well schooled in their ways of kindness and compassion. The takeover of Tibet by Communist China is not glossed over in this book. The Dalai Lama continues to work to advance peace for his people. Demi’s beautiful two-page spreads evoke the height and breadth of Tibetan mountains and the peacefulness of the Buddhist people. Could be used fruitfully with the Core Knowledge second grade unit on Buddhism. 
The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Illustrated by Bao Luu. Kokila, 2020. (K-3)
In his own words, the Dalai Lama describes his Tibetan childhood, "raised on a diet of love," his focused attention to ordinary tasks, and how children can cultivate compassion to all and for all. Stunning illustrations. 
Who is the Dalai Lama? Dana Meachen Rau. Illustrated by Ded Putra. Penquin Workshop, 2018 (3-6)
The signature verve and whimsy of the "Who Is?" series continues here. This is a 112 page overview of the Dalai Lama from his enthronement at age four to modern times. It covers his childhood, exile from Tibet, life and teaching in India, and his signature message of compassion throughout. |
Mother Teresa: The Smile of Calcutta. Charlotte Grossetete. Illustrated by Catherine Chion. Ignatius Press, 2015. (2-6) Despite its picture book format, this lovely work is for second grade and up. A touching presentation of Mother Teresa's path to God through the service of others.
Who Was Mother Teresa? Jim Giglioti. Illustrated by Nancy Harrison. Turtleback Books, 2015. (3-6) Humility, Service
This lively retelling of Mother Teresa’s life (112 pages, large print) could be read aloud at Morning Gathering over 3-4 days. The book includes many revealing details from her childhood in Albania, including her family’s devotion to helping the poor. The Giglioti version is not as elegant as the Demi volume (distinguished by its illustrations), but the narrative is charming, compelling, and easily understood on a third to sixth grade level. The black and white pencil illustrations are energetic and a good complement. |
Boy on the Lion Throne: The Childhood of the 14th Dalai Lama. Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. Flash Point, 2009. (4-6)
This 160 page biography is a deeper dive into the life of the Dalai Lama for older children. Not a morning read-aloud but fine independent enrichment. For Parents and Teachers
The World Needs Your Kid: Raising Children Who Care and Contribute. Craig and Mark Kielburger. MeToWe, 2010.
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Faithfulness - Anne Sullivan (1866-1936)
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Anne Sullivan is renowned for her life-long instruction and companionship of Helen Keller. A model of faithfulness and compassion, Sullivan overcame many obstacles in her life in order to undertake this extraordinary task. Born into poverty, nearly blind herself, and a graduate of Perkins School for the Blind, Anne graduated valedictorian of her class. As a child, she endured three failed operations to restore her sight, but later operations improved her vision. She did not let her new abilities deter her from helping others who had suffered as she had. Just a year after her graduation from Perkins, Anne was hired as a teacher for seven-year-old Helen Keller, who was both blind and deaf. It was the beginning of an extraordinary forty-nine-year relationship, blossoming from teacher and governess to companion and friend. Annie taught Helen to read, speak, study, and ultimately attain a degree from Radcliffe College. She stood by her through life. Both women are stellar role models of the possible in life, but Annie Sullivan stands out for a degree of faithfulness in adversity that is truly remarkable. The following is from her Valedictory address at Perkins in 1886. (She met Keller in 1887).
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"Fellow graduates, Duty bids us go forth into active life. Let us go cheerfully, hopefully, and earnestly, and set ourselves to find our special part. When we have found it, willingly and faithfully perform it; for every obstacle we overcome, every success we achieve tends to bring man closer to God and make life more as He would have it." |
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Annie and Helen.
Deborah Hopkinson. Illustrated by Raul Colon. Schwartz & Wade, 2012. (1-5) Compassion, Faithfulness, Friendship Compassion meets backbone in this well told and richly illustrated picture book. As one who had suffered a painful eye disease in her youth, Annie Sullivan was eager to help Helen Keller escape the prison of her blindness and deafness. A graduate of Perkins School for the Blind, Annie reached out to a willful and unruly six-year old, Helen Keller. Her teaching involved some tough love. This is one of the great teacher-student friendship stories of all time. It also illustrates that sensing the needs of others and acting to end their distress doesn’t necessarily mean giving them everything they want. (Appropriate for March also because March 8, 1887 was the date Annie began teaching Helen.) |
Helen Keller's Teacher. Margaret Davidson. Scholastic, 1992. (4-6) Faithfulness, Courage, Perseverance
An extraordinary biography of Annie Sullivan's life, chronicling the many challenges that confronted her early on - poverty, an infirm mother, father who abandoned the family, brother who died of tuberculosis, and impaired sight. Annie manages to enroll in Perkins School for the Blind, is taught by Laura Bridgman, learns Braille and graduates at the top of her class. Having partially recovered her sight, Annie was somewhat daunted by the prospect of educating the willful Helen Keller, but persevered and became her life-long companion. This 160 page book could be read over several morning gatherings, or is fine supplementary reading for fourth to sixth graders. It is a classic. |
Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller.* Doreen Rappaport.
Illustrated by Matt Tavares. Disney, Hyperion, 2012. (2-6) Lives to Learn From
Many know the story of Helen Keller, an American child stricken blind, deaf and mute by early childhood disease, but who, with the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, triumphed over all three challenges. Few have told Keller's story as compellingly as Doreen Rappaport, or made it the visual delight provided by Matt Tavares. Rappaport’s graceful prose draws the reader forward (her text is interspersed with quotes from Keller’s own works.) Tavares’s illustrations make the book sing. The book’s format (almost Big Book in scale) make Helen’s Big World appear a pre-school child’s book. It is not. Because of the content (how Helen learned to read, speak, and write; the nature of her friendship with Anne), it will be cherished by second graders to sixth graders alike. Young readers will be awed by the persistence, and wonder of a child facing a dark and silent world, and the touching resolve of a dedicated teacher. A story of friendship, grit, and human resilience.*Available on Epic!
Illustrated by Matt Tavares. Disney, Hyperion, 2012. (2-6) Lives to Learn From
Many know the story of Helen Keller, an American child stricken blind, deaf and mute by early childhood disease, but who, with the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, triumphed over all three challenges. Few have told Keller's story as compellingly as Doreen Rappaport, or made it the visual delight provided by Matt Tavares. Rappaport’s graceful prose draws the reader forward (her text is interspersed with quotes from Keller’s own works.) Tavares’s illustrations make the book sing. The book’s format (almost Big Book in scale) make Helen’s Big World appear a pre-school child’s book. It is not. Because of the content (how Helen learned to read, speak, and write; the nature of her friendship with Anne), it will be cherished by second graders to sixth graders alike. Young readers will be awed by the persistence, and wonder of a child facing a dark and silent world, and the touching resolve of a dedicated teacher. A story of friendship, grit, and human resilience.*Available on Epic!
Mercy - Clara Barton (1821-1912)
Founder of the American Red Cross
“I have an almost complete disregard of precedent and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.”Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton fully embodies this month’s focus on compassion, faithfulness, and mercy. Her depth of compassion for others, whether school children, battlefield wounded, or victims of hurricanes and other disasters has been unmatched. Her own code was uncompromising: “You must never so much as think whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not, you must never think of anything except the need and how to meet it.”
A painfully shy girl, Clara grew up in a large family and was schooled mainly by her brothers and sisters. She began her nursing career at home, when one of her brothers fell ill, and she nursed him back to health. For years she taught school, and actually founded two schools – one in North Oxford, Massachusetts, and a second in New Jersey. But she found her life’s work during the Civil War, when her path-breaking service to the wounded on the frontlines earned her the title, “Angel of the Battlefield.” She went on to found the American Red Cross, which unlike its European counterpart, aided in disaster relief as well. A spectacular children’s book on Clara Barton has yet to be written, but read more about the life of this amazing woman.
Founder of the American Red Cross
“I have an almost complete disregard of precedent and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.”Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton fully embodies this month’s focus on compassion, faithfulness, and mercy. Her depth of compassion for others, whether school children, battlefield wounded, or victims of hurricanes and other disasters has been unmatched. Her own code was uncompromising: “You must never so much as think whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not, you must never think of anything except the need and how to meet it.”
A painfully shy girl, Clara grew up in a large family and was schooled mainly by her brothers and sisters. She began her nursing career at home, when one of her brothers fell ill, and she nursed him back to health. For years she taught school, and actually founded two schools – one in North Oxford, Massachusetts, and a second in New Jersey. But she found her life’s work during the Civil War, when her path-breaking service to the wounded on the frontlines earned her the title, “Angel of the Battlefield.” She went on to found the American Red Cross, which unlike its European counterpart, aided in disaster relief as well. A spectacular children’s book on Clara Barton has yet to be written, but read more about the life of this amazing woman.
Brave Clara Barton.
Frank Murphy. Illustrated by Sarah Green. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2018. (K-3) 
Who Was Clara Barton?
Stephanie Spinner. Illustrated by David Groff. Grossett and Dunlap, 2014. (4-6) Slender chapter book as possible read-aloud. |
Time for Kids: Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield.
Editors of Time Magazine. Collins, 2008. (2-6) 
A Woman of Valor: Clara Barton. Stephen B. Oats.
Free Press, 1995. (Strong middle school readers and up) Chunky, definitive adult biography of this amazing woman. |
Clara and Davie. Patricia Polacco. Scholastic, 2014. (2-4)
Compassion, Faithfulness
There are many biographies of American Red Cross founder, Clara Barton, but this lovely picture book focuses on her childhood (early 19th century Massachusetts) and Clara’s close relationship with her older brother. Davie adored Clara, and early on saw her talent for healing animals. While other children made fun of Clara’s lisp—a speech impediment that sometimes brought punishments—Davie saw only her strengths, and stood by her. When he suffered a devastating accident that broke both his legs, Clara did all she could to nurse him back to health and inspire him to walk again. It was the beginning of a career in nursing that would define her life and memory to most of us. The love and compassion of brother and sister eventually had enormous ripple effects. The Red Cross has become symbol of caring in moments of disaster.
Compassion, Faithfulness
There are many biographies of American Red Cross founder, Clara Barton, but this lovely picture book focuses on her childhood (early 19th century Massachusetts) and Clara’s close relationship with her older brother. Davie adored Clara, and early on saw her talent for healing animals. While other children made fun of Clara’s lisp—a speech impediment that sometimes brought punishments—Davie saw only her strengths, and stood by her. When he suffered a devastating accident that broke both his legs, Clara did all she could to nurse him back to health and inspire him to walk again. It was the beginning of a career in nursing that would define her life and memory to most of us. The love and compassion of brother and sister eventually had enormous ripple effects. The Red Cross has become symbol of caring in moments of disaster.