Guest Post: www.readbrightly.com
Children’s Books That Show Kids the Goodness in the World
by Denise Schipani
Denise Schipani would always rather be reading, but if she must put down the book, she’s a writer, editor, author, blogger, and mother to two tween boys, who don't seem quite as obsessed with Laura Ingalls Wilder as their mom. She's written for The New York Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Working Mother, Parents, and many others. Her book, Mean Moms Rule, is also the title of her popular parenting blog.
💜💜💜💜💜
You can be forgiven if, in recent times, it’s gotten harder for you to show and tell your kids stories that reflect goodness and a spirit of community. My boys, now teens, are old enough to absorb not just negative news stories, but my reactions to them. So I find myself casting about for the good stories to counterbalance the bad. We got lucky last winter when, while walking through a local park, we saw a bird in a pond, struggling helplessly, its wing tethered to a tree by a length of fishing line. My husband — a more intrepid person than I (this was winter, remember) — waded chest-deep into the mucky pond to free the bird. My husband’s a good guy, but he’s hardly alone. Just a few weeks ago at a beach in Florida, scores of beachgoers formed a human chain in the surf, saving a family that was in danger of being swept out to sea in a rough riptide.
But you don’t have to wait for heroic avian saves or heartwarming news tidbits, especially if you have little ones. Tons of books provide opportunities to bring to life inspiring stories of the innate goodness of our fellow humans. Start with these simple tales.
by Julia Durango, illustrated by Bianca Diaz
How many times have we looked into a hazy future and promised ourselves that “one day” we will do something to pay our good fortune forward or build something lasting or make a measurable difference in someone’s life? For young Wilson, that “one day” comes when he looks at his friend Gigi’s house, which is in obvious need of repair, and realizes there is something he can do. On that “one day,” a community comes together to rebuild the house — and restore everyone’s faith in themselves and each other. The book also includes information about nonprofits Labor of Love, United Way, and Habitat for Humanity, in case it’ll soon be your “one day.”
by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes, illustrated by Sue Cornelison
Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of heartbreaking stories in the news about refugee families desperately searching for new homes in a world turned upside down by conflict. But sometimes harrowing tales have happy endings and many involve simple but indelible acts of kindness and grace. This book tells the true story of an Iraqi refugee family whose beloved cat, Kunkush, travels with them as far as Greece, hidden away for safety. But he’s lost at some point in the journey, and the heartbroken family must go on. Amazingly, Kunkush resurfaces, a worldwide community of kindhearted folks scour the scattered refugee world via the Internet, and … well. No spoilers!
by Kerascoët
Inspired by true events, this wordless picture books tells the story of a young girl who is deeply troubled when she sees Vanessa being bullied after school. The next day she knocks on Vanessa's door to walk with her to school, a small yet effective gesture that saves Vanessa from further mistreatment. I Walk with Vanessa is a simple story with a powerful message for little ones about caring for one another.
by Bob Graham
My husband isn't the only bird whisperer out there. Young Will, on a city street streaming with oblivious people, notices a pigeon struggling on the sidewalk. with the help of his parents, Will carefully takes the injured bird home and nurses it back to health. It's a simply told tale, but one that reflects the expression of kindness children are drawn to - noticing the suffering of something even smaller than they are, and having a desire to help.
by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Loren Long
Matt de la Peña and Loren Long’s lyrical meditation on love will have you and your family, as the Wall Street Journal writes, "brimming with feeling." The gentle and heartfelt prose poem makes love tactile — it starts with parents’ voices when you’re new to this world and grows into community and universal bonds. Love is everywhere, especially in us.
by Michelle Edwards, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
This sweet book introduces young readers to the concept of mitzvah - a good deed. Mrs. Goldman is always knitting hats and scarves for people in the neighbourhood, but as winter sets in, Sophie realizes Mrs. Goldman doesn't have a hat for herself. The little girl decides to surprise her neighbour with her own handmade hat. But Sophie isn't very good at knitting, and the hat she makes has too many holes. Filled with small acts of kindness throughout, this heart-warming story of friendship is a model for creating generous and caring communities.
by Peter Spier
There are a great many people who share this planet — people that come in all shapes and sizes from different lifestyles, cultures, and personalities. The visually stunning, insightful illustrations in this picture book deftly capture the human experience across the globe, setting children up to be open-minded and respectful citizens of the world. People is a celebration of the cultural diversity that makes up humanity and a reminder that what makes us different is what makes this world beautiful.
by Peter Spier
There are a great many people who share this planet — people that come in all shapes and sizes from different lifestyles, cultures, and personalities. The visually stunning, insightful illustrations in this picture book deftly capture the human experience across the globe, setting children up to be open-minded and respectful citizens of the world. People is a celebration of the cultural diversity that makes up humanity and a reminder that what makes us different is what makes this world beautiful.
by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by April Harrison
Celebrated author Patricia C. McKissack left behind a legacy of poignant children’s books, including her last, What Is Given from the Heart. Though James Otis and his Mama are grieving the loss of James’ father, they still want to help when a family from their church loses everything in a fire. James is worried they don’t have anything good enough to give, but Mama shows him that heartfelt generosity is always enough.
by Holly M. McGhee, illustrated by Pascal LeMaitre
Sometimes what it takes to see the goodness in your surroundings is deceptively simple: Get out there, and really open your eyes. In this story, a young girl is feeling overwhelmed by stories of fear and hatred, and asks her dad what she should do. “Come with me,” he says, and the two of them go for a walk and greet passersby. Later, the girl takes her father’s cue and goes out walking with her dog and the boy across the hall. Turns out you don’t have to stray too far to find examples of basic human kindness.
by Barbara Cooney
The award-winning classic Miss Rumphius, written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney, tells the timeless story of the real-life Alice Rumphius, who lived in Maine and wished to leave the world a lovelier place. The gorgeous lupine blooms that grow wild on the coast of Maine are Miss Rumphius’s legacy, and the telling of her story reinforces that even simple acts have profound and lasting effects.
by Oliver Jeffers
This bestselling picture book provides a brief yet illuminating tour of Earth for little readers. With an emphasis on being kind, Jeffers reminds kids that our planet’s diverse ecosystems and people are what make it so beautiful. In its final pages, the book reiterates that no matter what, we humans are here for one another — after all, we’re “never alone on Earth.
by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Our world is made more beautiful by diversity and inclusion, as exuberantly demonstrated in All Are Welcome. At one urban elementary school, families of all kinds bring their children to learn and spend the days together. Whether they arrive wearing hijabs, yarmulkes, or baseball caps, the children can feel comforted by the knowledge that they’re not just welcomed but celebrated, and there’s more than enough room for everyone’s cultural traditions.
by Julianna Margulies and Paul Margulies, illustrated by Grant Shaffer
In Three Magic Balloons, award-winning actress Julianna Margulies shares a sweet tale her father wrote for her and her sisters when they were children. Every Saturday, three sisters use their treat money to buy food for the animals at the zoo. A balloon man is so moved by their selflessness that he gives each girl a magic balloon. A whimsical story that demonstrates the limitlessness of kindness — and how it can appear when you least expect it.
by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
One thing that can always lift me up during difficult times is the reminder that so many people are out there doing their utmost to make the world a better place. She Persisted Around the World highlights 13 such women who changed history — including Marie Curie, Malala Yousafzai, and more — whose stories bring comfort but also valuable inspiration.
💜💜💜💜💜
Thank you for visiting with me this week on Storywraps. Have an amazing weekend everyone. Love that you drop by and check out the wonderful books that I review daily to share with family, friends and classmates. Reading is a gift that we must pass on to our children so they too can become happy, lifelong readers. Everyone has a story to tell. Read to each other, listen to each other's stories because we all are books with many chapters ahead to write. Books fuel our souls. Happy Saturday everyone!
Follow Storywraps
*Instagram: Storywraps
Email: storywrapsblog@gmail.com
*Facebook: www.facebook.com/Storywraps
*Twitter: Storywraps@Storywraps1
*Pinterest: Storywraps
I put hours of work finding the best kid's books to review for you each day. If you enjoy visiting Storywraps and would like to donate something for my time and effort I would greatly appreciate it.
Go to the top of my blog at the right hand corner (below my photo) and please donate what you feel lead to give. The amount you donate and the frequency you donate is totally up to you.
I also have added a new button... ko-fi.com/storywraps Simply buy me a cup of coffee if you would rather. That would be fun. Coffee and blogging go together like two peas in a pod as I'm always brewing up something here on Storywraps.
I thank you in advance for your support. I adore what I do and would appreciate any amount that you may give so that I can make our Storywraps' community more thriving and exciting. Thanks a million! Books bind us together.
Read on...
Read always.
It's a wrap!
💜💜💜
No comments:
Post a Comment