BotM: Pauli Pastrami Achieves World Peace
September 21st was International Day of Peace! Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace by James Proimos is a children’s picture book about a seven-year-old boy, Paulie Pastrami, who decides he wants to achieve world peace before he turns eight.
Although Paulie isn’t especially good at many things — matching his socks, whistling, or being picked first in sports — he believes even small acts of kindness can make a difference.
The story follows him as he starts with very simple gestures: being nice to his little sister, being kind to animals, reading to trees, cheering up his school principal, sharing cupcakes. Gradually his “peace influence” expands beyond the home and school. Pauli Pastrami reminds us that the smallest gesture can have a ripple effect, and none of us are too small to make a difference.
Questions for family engagement:
What small things can you do at home or school to help make peace?
Pauli wasn’t the very best at his hobbies, but he still worked hard to make a difference. Do you think it matters if you’re the best at something?
Which of Paulie’s acts of kindness was your favorite? Why? Are there any you could replicate?
How do you think the people (or animals, or even trees!) felt when Paulie was kind to them?
If you could add one more act of kindness Paulie could do, what would it be?