Books With character
The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
Crayons have feelings too. Duncan just wants to color. Yet, when he opens his crayon box, he finds multiple letters written by his crayons. These letters express that his crayons have had enough and they quit! A very funny story that will teach about stereotypes and acceptance.
Try this fun activity:
http://preschoolwondersblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-day-crayons-quit.html
Teaches: Cooperation, Fairness, Tolerance, Diversity
Others: Stuck, How to catch a Star, Lost and Found
Crayons have feelings too. Duncan just wants to color. Yet, when he opens his crayon box, he finds multiple letters written by his crayons. These letters express that his crayons have had enough and they quit! A very funny story that will teach about stereotypes and acceptance.
Try this fun activity:
http://preschoolwondersblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-day-crayons-quit.html
Teaches: Cooperation, Fairness, Tolerance, Diversity
Others: Stuck, How to catch a Star, Lost and Found
Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison
A story about accepting who you are! In this book Jane, a dog, feels that she is not as good as the extraordinary creatures around her. She tries to see what her special talent might be, but in the end feels great just being who she is.
Teaches: Self-esteem, Acceptance, Self-respect
Read about the author: http://www.hannaheharrison.com/dyn/showpage.php?id=21
Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
Zero is a big round number with low self esteem. How can a number worth nothing become something? As you share this book, children are not just exposed to numbers and counting, they are also exposed to the concepts of accepting differences, learning to value others, and developing their own self worth.
Teaches: Self-esteem, Diversity, Self-respect
Others: One and the recently released Two
Zero is a big round number with low self esteem. How can a number worth nothing become something? As you share this book, children are not just exposed to numbers and counting, they are also exposed to the concepts of accepting differences, learning to value others, and developing their own self worth.
Teaches: Self-esteem, Diversity, Self-respect
Others: One and the recently released Two
Betty Bunny Didn't Do It by Michael Kaplan
This is a modern day version of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. When Betty Bunny broke a lamp she blames it on someone else. Then when a vase gets broken no one believes her when she says she did not do it. This is a great story for teaching the importance of being honest and telling the truth.
Teaches: Integrity and Honesty
Others: Ruthie and the (Not So) Tiny Lie
Tumford The Terrible by Nancy Tillman
Tumford seems to possess a carelessness that continually finds him in unfortunate situations, most often resulting in a mess. The multiple mishaps do not change the owner's love for Tumford, but they are saddened by his ability to own up to his actions and tell the truth.
Teaches: Integrity, Honesty, Accountability
Others: Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You, On the Night That You Were Born
Tumford seems to possess a carelessness that continually finds him in unfortunate situations, most often resulting in a mess. The multiple mishaps do not change the owner's love for Tumford, but they are saddened by his ability to own up to his actions and tell the truth.
Teaches: Integrity, Honesty, Accountability
Others: Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You, On the Night That You Were Born
Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Chopsticks, they've been best friends forever. Then one day there is a terrible accident. For the first time, they have to work out how to function separately. Can they do it?
Teaches: Friendship, Indepenance, Confidence
Others: Spoon
Try comparing and contrasting these to stories: http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com/2012/07/chopsticks-and-spoon.html
Chopsticks, they've been best friends forever. Then one day there is a terrible accident. For the first time, they have to work out how to function separately. Can they do it?
Teaches: Friendship, Indepenance, Confidence
Others: Spoon
Try comparing and contrasting these to stories: http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com/2012/07/chopsticks-and-spoon.html
Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It is too dangerous out there. There is nothing that Scaredy Squirrel is not afraid of. All of this changes on the day when he realizes that he has talents that he never knew he had.
Teaches: Risk taking, Courage, Self discovery
Others: Scaredy Squirrel Collection
Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It is too dangerous out there. There is nothing that Scaredy Squirrel is not afraid of. All of this changes on the day when he realizes that he has talents that he never knew he had.
Teaches: Risk taking, Courage, Self discovery
Others: Scaredy Squirrel Collection
Neville by Norton Juster
A new neighborhood, a new house, and a new boy who doesn't know anyone at all. How will he ever make any friends?
Teaches: Friendship, Courage
Others: The Dot, The Line, and The Hello, Goodbye Window.
A new neighborhood, a new house, and a new boy who doesn't know anyone at all. How will he ever make any friends?
Teaches: Friendship, Courage
Others: The Dot, The Line, and The Hello, Goodbye Window.
Unstoppable Me by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer with Kristina Tracy
The 10 important lessons in this book include: the value of taking risks, dealing with stress and anxiety, and leaning to enjoy each moment.
Each idea rhymes to explain the concept and provides an example to illustrate how a child might use the lesson in their own lives. There are questions offered to promote classroom discussions.
Teaches: Acceptance, Persistence, Courage, Accountability, Generosity
There is also an app for this book. Read about it here: http://www.bestappsforkids.org/health/social-skills/unstoppable-me-dr-wayne-w-dyer-with-kristina-tracy/
The 10 important lessons in this book include: the value of taking risks, dealing with stress and anxiety, and leaning to enjoy each moment.
Each idea rhymes to explain the concept and provides an example to illustrate how a child might use the lesson in their own lives. There are questions offered to promote classroom discussions.
Teaches: Acceptance, Persistence, Courage, Accountability, Generosity
There is also an app for this book. Read about it here: http://www.bestappsforkids.org/health/social-skills/unstoppable-me-dr-wayne-w-dyer-with-kristina-tracy/
Same, Same, but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Elliot lives in America, and Kailish lives in India. Their world's might look different, but they are actually similar. After reading this book try becoming pen pals with another class or with kids in another state or country. This book could also have a social studies connection by mapping the countries where students and families originated from within your own classroom.
Teaches: Friendship, Tolerance, Diversity
Elliot lives in America, and Kailish lives in India. Their world's might look different, but they are actually similar. After reading this book try becoming pen pals with another class or with kids in another state or country. This book could also have a social studies connection by mapping the countries where students and families originated from within your own classroom.
Teaches: Friendship, Tolerance, Diversity
The Dream Jar by Lindan Lee Johnson
Adorable! One little girl, with the help of her big sister, discovers the secret of turning bad dreams into good dreams. The illustrations are so rich and inviting, if you close your eyes you can be in the dream too.
Teaches: Courage, Optimism, Compassion, Kindness
Pair with In The Small, Small Night by Jane Kurzt. Kofi can't sleep in his new home in the USA, so his older sister shares stories from their native Ghana about the nature of wisdom and perseverance.
Adorable! One little girl, with the help of her big sister, discovers the secret of turning bad dreams into good dreams. The illustrations are so rich and inviting, if you close your eyes you can be in the dream too.
Teaches: Courage, Optimism, Compassion, Kindness
Pair with In The Small, Small Night by Jane Kurzt. Kofi can't sleep in his new home in the USA, so his older sister shares stories from their native Ghana about the nature of wisdom and perseverance.
Everyone Can Learn To Ride A Bicycle by Chris Raschka
This is a wonderful picture book that celebrates the trait of perseverance. You will want to celebrate with the young girl when she masters the skill of riding her two wheel bike.
Teaches: Perseverance, Success
This is a wonderful picture book that celebrates the trait of perseverance. You will want to celebrate with the young girl when she masters the skill of riding her two wheel bike.
Teaches: Perseverance, Success
Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin
For there to be peace in the world...you must have peace in your heart.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that is enhanced by quotes from world leaders. It encourages everyone to consider the question...How can we bring peace to the world?
This book can be used to demonstrate all of the character traits that we would want to encourage in our students.
For there to be peace in the world...you must have peace in your heart.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that is enhanced by quotes from world leaders. It encourages everyone to consider the question...How can we bring peace to the world?
This book can be used to demonstrate all of the character traits that we would want to encourage in our students.
The King and The Seed by Eric Maddern
A new twist on a much loved story, The Empty Pot. Honesty is at the heart of this story. Knights and nobles flock to the palace and the King gives each of them a tiny seed to grow. Jack plants his seed. He then waters it and watches for it to sprout...
Teaches: Responsibility, Diligence, Patience, Courage, Honesty
A new twist on a much loved story, The Empty Pot. Honesty is at the heart of this story. Knights and nobles flock to the palace and the King gives each of them a tiny seed to grow. Jack plants his seed. He then waters it and watches for it to sprout...
Teaches: Responsibility, Diligence, Patience, Courage, Honesty
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Annabelle lives in a black and white world, until she finds a box filled with yarn of every color. She makes a sweater for everyone in town and animals too - all sorts of things that don't even wear sweaters. Watch as a town transforms from cold and bleak to warm and inviting.
Teaches: Generosity, Thoughtfulness
Check out other ideas at:
Big Bouffant by Kate Hosford
Annabelle doesn't want the same boring hairdo that all the other girls have. How can Annabelle stand out and how will her peers react to her new hairdo.
This story speaks to the desire of young children to celebrate their uniqueness and the courage to be different.
Other: Big Birthday
Annabelle doesn't want the same boring hairdo that all the other girls have. How can Annabelle stand out and how will her peers react to her new hairdo.
This story speaks to the desire of young children to celebrate their uniqueness and the courage to be different.
Other: Big Birthday
Mooshka: A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis
Karla loves the quilt that her grandmother made for her using old scraps of fabric. The quilt keeps her warm on cold nights and comforts her when she can't sleep. Read this book to find out the best part of the story.
Teaches: Sibling rivalry, Caring, Sharing, Joyfulness
After reading try making a class quilt:
Karla loves the quilt that her grandmother made for her using old scraps of fabric. The quilt keeps her warm on cold nights and comforts her when she can't sleep. Read this book to find out the best part of the story.
Teaches: Sibling rivalry, Caring, Sharing, Joyfulness
After reading try making a class quilt:
Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
It's about fitting in...
and standing out...
and with the help of others, finding your way.
Teaches: Courage, Acceptance, Understanding, Pursuit of Excellence
Here are some ways it fits with the six traits of writing too: http://sixtraitgurus.wordpress.com/tag/amy-krouse-rosenthal/
The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
Once there was a little girl whose life was filled with all the wonder of the world around her. Until one day she found that her special friend was not there to share these wonderful moments with. She puts her heart in a bottle to ease the pain of her loss, until the right moment came and she decided to get it back out of the bottle.
This is a wonderful story that addresses the issues of loss and grief. Caution is advised, however, as this book has received some criticism. It is recommended that you read this book first before sharing it with your students.
Teaches: Loss, Grief, Resilience
Trudy Ludwig has a wonderful way of addressing the real life issues of mean spirited behavior. Any of these titles will spark great classroom discussions.