24 p., Walker and Company, 1999.
In this almost wordless book, a little bear sees a bird that has fallen from its nest, and offers to help. The bear is doubtful and scared climbing up the bird's tree, but keeps on going. The bear eventually puts the bird back in the nest, and feels confident. This story encourages children to keep trying even when they think they can't do something, and shows them that courage means persisting even when they're afraid.
Ages 1-3
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Healing Tree by Kathleen Maresh Hemery
Illustrated by Kyra Teis.25 p., Centering Corporation, 2001.
Samantha asks her Baba (grandma) Marta why the tree has a scar. Baba tells her how the tree was special to her because it had an important role in some of her best times with her mother. When Baba's mother died, when Baba was still a little girl, lightning struck the tree, causing it to lose the branch from which Baba's swing hung. The tree became like Baba and her family, scarred by a sudden loss and changed forever, but eventually healing. This story offers children empathy with the pain of losing someone close, and hope that there is healing after grief.
Ages 6-10
Samantha asks her Baba (grandma) Marta why the tree has a scar. Baba tells her how the tree was special to her because it had an important role in some of her best times with her mother. When Baba's mother died, when Baba was still a little girl, lightning struck the tree, causing it to lose the branch from which Baba's swing hung. The tree became like Baba and her family, scarred by a sudden loss and changed forever, but eventually healing. This story offers children empathy with the pain of losing someone close, and hope that there is healing after grief.
Ages 6-10
Monday, March 12, 2012
All Kinds of Children by Norma Simon
Illustrated by Diane Paterson. 32 p., Whitman, 1999.
Children all over the world have a lot in common: they all need food, clothes, sleep, and people to love them; they all live in houses; they all like to play, to hold something special, like a blanket, and to hear or read stories. And all children grow up. At the same time, there are differences among children; for example, although all children sleep, they may have different kinds of beds and dream different kinds of dreams. This story helps children recognizes their commonalities across cultures, while acknowledging differences.
Ages 2-5
Children all over the world have a lot in common: they all need food, clothes, sleep, and people to love them; they all live in houses; they all like to play, to hold something special, like a blanket, and to hear or read stories. And all children grow up. At the same time, there are differences among children; for example, although all children sleep, they may have different kinds of beds and dream different kinds of dreams. This story helps children recognizes their commonalities across cultures, while acknowledging differences.
Ages 2-5
Monday, March 5, 2012
How Humans Make Friends by Loreen Leedy
32 p., Holiday House, 1996.
Zork, an extraterrestrial, gives extraterrestrial audience a slide presentation about the ways that he or she has observed that humans make friends. Zork gives examples of how and where friends meet and what they might do together and talk about. Zork explains the ways that humans do (for example, by taking turns and listening) and don't (for example, acting bossy or selfish) get along with each other, and identifies some of the feelings people have in each case. Zork explains how humans work out conflicts, admit their mistakes, and apologize to and forgive one another. Zork's lecture ends with information about types of friends (for example, close or casual friends) and ways to keep in touch (for example, phone, letters, and email). Zork tells readers that friends get along by keeping secrets and don't get along when they "blab" them; children may need to be reminded that they should tell a secret if it makes them uncomfortable or could cause someone to get hurt. Otherwise, this book is full of practical, accessible information about friendship and social skills.
Ages 3-8
Zork, an extraterrestrial, gives extraterrestrial audience a slide presentation about the ways that he or she has observed that humans make friends. Zork gives examples of how and where friends meet and what they might do together and talk about. Zork explains the ways that humans do (for example, by taking turns and listening) and don't (for example, acting bossy or selfish) get along with each other, and identifies some of the feelings people have in each case. Zork explains how humans work out conflicts, admit their mistakes, and apologize to and forgive one another. Zork's lecture ends with information about types of friends (for example, close or casual friends) and ways to keep in touch (for example, phone, letters, and email). Zork tells readers that friends get along by keeping secrets and don't get along when they "blab" them; children may need to be reminded that they should tell a secret if it makes them uncomfortable or could cause someone to get hurt. Otherwise, this book is full of practical, accessible information about friendship and social skills.
Ages 3-8