This gift guide is for educators, caregivers, and the children they care for. In the overwhelm of holiday season, it can feel arduous to align giving decisions with our values. That’s why AmazeWorks is offering 6 gift ideas that support belonging for kids and classrooms across the US and beyond.
Not only do these gifts put belonging in children’s hands, but they also support a nonprofit improving the world of education when our schools need it most. Instead of buying from big corporations, support a nonprofit that brings belonging to life!
Created in partnership with Lerner Publishing Group, the Friendship Across Differences book set shows children the power of friendship to create a more peaceful world. Support children’s relationship development across differences of race, religion, and immigration status with these 5 synergetic picture books and their accompanying lessons.
Purchasing this gift supports a nonprofit and an independent publisher. Put your dollars towards your values with a gift that will spark or nurture a child’s love for reading.
See if this is the gift for you by checking out this sample lesson.
Persona Dolls are a unique classroom tool for social-emotional learning. These toddler-sized dolls enter classrooms as friends, sharing stories and asking for advice to help students develop empathy and respect across differences.
AmazeWorks makes 12 dolls with their own identities and personalities, each with an introduction video to help you choose the best doll for your gift recipient. Plus, they’re on sale through the end of the year—$50 off! That means now is the best time to introduce a classroom to a new friend.
Does your Persona Doll pick have an accompanying book set? This add-on can help your gift go further!
This gift is the antidote to rising book censorship. AmazeWorks themed book sets get specific about our identities that need affirming. Topics include Black Joy, Gender Identity, Ability/Neurodiversity, Indigenous Identity, and more. With more and more book bans targeting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ stories, this is the gift families need right now!
When kids see positive reflections of their identities in their books, their self-esteem and reading scores soar. Help a child feel affirmed in all of who they are with these celebratory book sets.
Want an identity-themed book set we don’t have in our shop? Reach out to let us know what to create next.
Our Courageous Children book set is the perfect gift for kids who aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions. Using both fiction and nonfiction to explore historical events, this set of 6 books and lessons prompts children to consider how they want to show up in the world. The stories get heavy, depicting children surviving World War II atrocities, school segregation, and more, but they invite kids into brave conversations that bring belonging to life. If you want to ground children in real events to counter the sometimes-toxic positivity of holiday cheer, this is the gift for you.
This set was also created in partnership with Lerner Publishing Group, supporting both an indie publisher and nonprofit! See if this is the gift for you by checking out this sample lesson.
For the first time ever, AmazeWorks curriculum guides are available on our website! Each guide has comprehensive lessons on 20 different picture books and includes background information, discussion questions, journal prompts, extension activities, & more.
If you have a bookish friend with overflowing library shelves, this is the perfect gift to take their reading to the next level. Help children read deeper with this tool, providing adults with the skills and confidence to lead conversations that matter.
We’ve got a great hack for the biggest question mark on your present checklist. Why not give the gift of giving? If you have a friend who believes in the power of belonging for all, consider donating to an AMAZE-ing education nonprofit in their honor. With this creative present idea, you help bring all the gifts shared above to classrooms across Minnesota and the US.
Here’s how it works: Fill out our donation form and check the box that reads, “Add a dedication to your donation.” Select your dedication address, and share the name and email address of your gift recipient. Then, you’ll help your dear one bring belonging to life this holiday!
That wraps up this gift guide! Let us know what we should add to our store for future holiday shopping.