This is a list of fabulous books you should read.
If you have a child, I recommend you read these books together and talk about the messages inherent within them. Discuss what the message means for your own life and share that with your child. And listen carefully to what s/he has to say about his or her own interpretation of the message contained within the book both for his/herself and his/her thoughts on your sharing.
If you don’t have a child, read them anyway. We can all play, have fun and take the message on board via these means. Great insights are to be had in just minutes. Think about the characters, the plot, what the take-away is for your own life. Bring some fun to the process, write down your thoughts, apply the lesson.
These books are correlated with the 6 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Change The World that I believe are critical for success at home, at work, and at play. Enjoy!
Children’s Storybook #1:
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Only change yourself. Change comes from within; it requires respect for self and others.
Children’s Storybook #2:
Just Grace by Charise Mericle
Don’t assume; ask. Don’t ever assume what the “other person” needs or wants. Try asking.
Children’s Storybook #3:
Beautiful Oops by Barney Salzberg
Take risks; be willing to fail, but never give up.
Children’s Storybook #4:
Waiting For Wings by Lois Ehlert
Wait before deciding. Waiting improves thinking; become a “delay specialist.”
Children’s Storybook #5:
Weslandia by Paul Fleishman
Know that hard work and character triumph over high-test scores.
Children’s Storybook #6:
Don’t Need Friends by Carol Crimi
Remember friends are more important for long life and happiness than any other element.
Do you have any favorite picture books you’d like to recommend for adults? Tell us in the comments!
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Anabel Jensen
Thank you for these great books. These suggestions help me stock my SEL resource library at school.
Dear Anabel,
Thank you for this list. I am speaking at Stanford next Thursday as a parenting expert on Emotional Intelligence. I would like to share this information. I am able to get 4 of the books from the library. How would you like me to talk about your organization to the parents? I hope you are well.
“Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge” by Mem Fox. A sensitive, gentle, imaginative account of a child encountering old age with all its frailties and all its strengths and beauty. The water color illustrations by Julie Vivas are pure delight.
I adore this book Pat – I think it teaches a great deal about empathy, imagination, and friendship.
Hi Anabel,
i posted the link to this article on my blog. Great information.
Great list, thank you Anabel! There’s a couple that I obviously need to buy for my grandchildren 🙂
I would recommend the Kingdom of Silk books by Glenda Miller and also Dr Seuss Oh the Places you’ll go (which is also available on youtube, read by some great people – it’s used at graduations!)
Regards
Jenni
One of my favorites is “One” by Kathryn Otaoshi. This is the description:
Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand — until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count. As budding young readers learn about numbers, counting, and primary and secondary colors, they also learn about accepting each other’s differences and how it sometimes just takes one voice to make everyone count.
I like to recommend “Do I have to? What if I don’t want to …” by Jamie Anderson, Christinia Cheung, Beth O’Connor. http://www.amazon.com/have-What-dont-want/dp/0615346375/ref=sr_1_24?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349677866&sr=1-24&keywords=do+i+have+to%3F+what+if+I+don%27t+want+to
Thank you, Anabel! I am posting an additional list of favorites, and an article on the book “Have you Filled a Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud. This book is so delightful, on so many levels, I have used it to teach many of the EQ competencies from age five to adulthood. It is very adaptable, with universal lessons.
Best,
Michele
Another book to add is: The Best Colors by Barbara Taff. An illustrated book where the primary colors, Red, Yellow, and Blue are characters who compete to be the “best” color. Finally, they all learn about color mixing and teamwork, differences and the value of diversity. I had lunch with the author/illustrator the other day, and we talked about the possibility of creating a Six Seconds version of this book, linking it to our competencies.
Cool idea? what do you think?
Love your very detailed book list! Can’t wait to get out there anc purchase them all!
We are just beginning to teach SEL skills in our school and these books seem like
a good tool. Thank you! (:
Thanks. There’s a new school in Kings Beach – The Tahoe Expeditionary Academy; I’ll be sharing this list with them. They’re certainly on MY list too for myself and my granddaughters.
An oldie, but a goody: “Hope for the Flowers” by Trina Paulus. Metaphor of the change from caterpillar to butterfly – love/compassion/character contrasted with self-promotion. Wish I still had my copy. Never loan things out that are hard to replace.
Cheers,
Bill
Bill – I loved this book! Back when I was a middle school teacher, I used to read this w/ my students. It’s lovely and inspiring and hopeful. Thanks for the reminder!
Hello Bill,
If you are seeking a copy of this book you can find it at http://www.AbeBooks.com. They have lots of old books, sometimes for only a penny. I just checked and it is in stock!