This third part in a series of posts was inspired by a recent Back-To-School night at our Six Seconds lab school, Synapse, after the father of a kindergartener requested a list of books I would recommend reading.
I dithered when he asked and then said, “Okay, I can do that.” After some thought, I identified six enduring life lessons for creating change, six adult books that detailed these ideas, and paired them with six children’s picture books. I believe it is vastly important to grasp these notions if we want to successfully create change in our society and reading books can help us do this tremendously well. Plus, everyone loves a good, new book, don’t they? 
In the first post, 6 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Change The World, I outlined the six key concepts to becoming a change maker. In the second post, 6 Children’s Storybooks Every Emotionally Intelligent Adult Should Read, I correlated each of these key concepts with a picture storybook – books both children and adults can read – that demonstrate each concept using a children’s story.
In this third post, I have gathered adult books that pair with the children’s books to go into more detail about each fundamental tenet of creating change.
So within this post you have six of my favorite books accompanied by a picture book to be shared with the children in your life — and correlated with the six key concepts that I believe are critical for success at home, at work, and at play.
This is a fabulous list of books you should read. Put them at the top of your ‘To Read’ pile, buy them using those unused Barnes and Noble giftcards, order them from the library. If you read no other books this year, read these.
Key Concept #1: Only change yourself
Only change yourself. Change comes from within; it requires respect for self and others.
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip & Dan Heath
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Key Concept #2: Don’t assume; ask
Don’t assume; ask. Don’t ever assume what the “other person” needs or wants. Try asking.
The Empathy Factor: Your Competitive Advantage for Personal, Team and Business Success by Marie Miyashiro
Just Grace by Charise Mericle
Key Concept #3: Take risks
Take risks; be willing to fail, but never give up.
The Optimistic Child by Martin Seligman
Beautiful Oops by Barney Salzberg
Key Concept #4: Wait before deciding
Wait before deciding. Waiting improves thinking; become a “delay specialist.”
Wait: The Art and Science of Delay by Frank Partnoy
Waiting For Wings by Lois Ehlert
Key Concept #5: Know that hard work and character triumph over high-test scores
Genes are not a blueprint that predicts greatness for some and doom for the rest of us. Stimulus is what counts.
The Genius In All Of Us: New Insights Into Genetics, Talent and IQ
by David Shenk
Weslandia by Paul Fleishman
Key Concept #6: Friends are more important for long life and happiness than any other element
Don’t Need Friends by Carol Crimi
Do you have any books you’d like to recommend to those seeking to change their world? Tell us in the comments!
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Anabel Jensen
President of Six Seconds and professor of education, Anabel Jensen, Ph.D., is a master teacher and a pioneer in emotional intelligence education. A two-time Federal Blue Ribbon winner for excellence in education, she was Executive Director of the Nueva School from 1983 to 1997 where she helped develop the Self-Science curriculum featured in Daniel Goleman’s 1995 bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence.See 40 more posts by Anabel Jensen
Great piece of work. I loved that you included a kid concept book with each concept.
Connie B. C. in Utah
I would like to recommend Claude Steiner’s book; “Emotional Literacy” which changed my life! He is really a master in this field. Thank you.