I was asked by our Local News team to do a segment on Back-To-School books. Although I love books about the back to school jitters and meeting your new classmates for the first time, I really wanted to focus in on the importance of books with examples of character. Let’s give our children a tool belt filled with skills they can use when they are out there on their own in school, away from our support and advice. This way, when there is a situation at school, your children have some experience on how they may go about handling the problem and becoming a problem solver!
Here’s what I suggest:
- Read at LEAST one book a week with your children from this list of TOP NOTCH children’s books.
- Ask questions and discuss what is happening in the book with your children.
- You can get the books used online, from garage sales from your local library or from your children’s school library. Another option: Several authors read their books aloud for children on YouTube.
- Check out this initiative by a teacher here in Michigan to inspire families and teachers to read a character book with their students/children each Thursday. If you are on social media, follow me on Instagram where I will post my own family’s #TakingCareThurs book each week.
- For further learning on character, check out my video playlists for parents and children over on YouTube.
Book List:
- Sesame Street: We’re Different, We’re the Same (Diversity)
- Spaghetti In A Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy (Courage)
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (Love)
- The Potato Chip Champ by Maria Dismondy (Generosity)
- Trouble Talk by Trudy Ludwig (Trust)
- The English Roses by Madonna (Friendship)
- One by Kathryn Otoshi (Community)
- Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus (Individuality)
- Knitting Nell by Julie Jersild Roth (Thoughtfulness)
- You’re Mean Lily Jean! by Frieda Wishinsky (Honesty)
- Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett (Compassion)
- The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein (Acceptance)
- Willow Finds a Way by Lana Button (Bravery)
- I Can Believe in Myself by Miriam Laundry (Positivity)
- The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig (Inclusion)
- Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud (Kindness)
- Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (Bullying)
- Enemy Pie by Derek Munson (Forgiveness)
- Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry (Loyalty)
- The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon (positive)