Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! As we think of ways to show how valuable others are today and of opportunities to demonstrate humility in our everyday lives, Dr. Bleisch joins us again with her list of books specific to teaching this month’s character trait.
We learned last week that:
“Humility means knowing, accepting and being who we are while demonstrating modesty about our accomplishments and gifts, admitting mistakes and valuing others for who they are and for their input. Our catch phrase: Admit mistakes and cheer others on.”
Take a look below for this month’s set of books then visit our library or den, and enjoy! You can also click on the links below to see where you can purchase these items.
Reading a biography of Abraham Lincoln with your children is a great way to explore the virtue of humility. The SLOCA Library has several, for all ages:
- Abe Lincoln Grows Up, by Carl Sandburg (J NF 973.7092 L736)
- Young Abe Lincoln, by Cheryl Harness (J NF 973.7092 L736)
- Abraham Lincoln, by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire (J NF 973.7092 L736)
- Meet Abraham Lincoln, by Barbara Carey (J NF 973.7092 L736)
- Abraham Lincoln: Lawyer, Leader, Legend, by Justine & Ron Fontes (BR FON)
- I Am Abraham Lincoln, by Brad Meltzer (J PB MEL)
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, by Dr. Seuss
These three modern classic fables focus on pride (“Yertle the Turtle”), vanity (“Gertrude McFuzz”), and boasting (“The Big Brag”). For ages 3 and up.
Frog and Toad Together, by Arnold Lobel. (J BR LOB)
In the story called “The Dream,” toad falls asleep and has a dream: he performs magnificent feats onstage, while his best friend frog applauds him from the audience. As the dream toad gets more and more puffed up with his accomplishments, what happens to frog? Can friendship and vanity coexist? For ages 3 and up.
Town Mouse, Country Mouse, by Jan Brett. J PB BRET
Many of Aesop’s fables teach humility. The classic tale of a town mouse and a country mouse takes a new twist this version, where two cute mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives agree to swap homes. Each couple finds unexpected adventures around every corner. Lush green scenes alternate with the elegant details of a fine Victorian townhouse. Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home! For ages 4 and up.
The Tiger and the Brahmin, by Brian Gleeson, illustrated by Kurt Vargo.
“I give you assurances,” cried the Tiger to the Brahmin. “I shan’t eat you if you let me out of the cage.” But when the Brahmin makes the mistake of taking the Tiger at his word, he discovers that the dishonest beast intended to eat him all along. The lowly jackal, whom everyone scorns, is the one who saves the Brahmin. This picture book is a charming version of a beloved folktale from India. The award-winning audio version is narrated by Sir Ben Kingsley with original music by Ravi Shankar, part of the Rabbit Ears series “We All Have Tales.” For ages 5 and up.
Martin de Porres: the Rose in the Desert, by Gary D. Schmidt, illustrated by David Diaz (J NF 282.092)
The story of Saint Martin de Porres, beautifully rendered by an award-winning author and a Caldecott-winning artist. Born into extreme poverty, Martin was the illegitimate child of a Spanish nobleman and a former slave. Barred from the priesthood, he joined the Dominican order as a servant instead. Soon he was performing miracles and healing nobles and beggars alike. The humility and faith of this gentleman overcame the racial and economic prejudice of 17th century Peru. For ages 6 and up.
Miss Hickory, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey (J FIC BAI)
Miss Hickory is the star of this whimsical fantasy about country creatures. She is a little person whose body is an apple-wood twig, and whose head is a hickory nut. Miss Hickory has a good heart, but her hard-head leads her into trouble. This story has an unexpected ending, but also an enduring charm. Newbery Medal winner in 1947. For ages 7 and up.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo (J FIC DiC)
Edward Tulane is a china rabbit with a very high opinion of himself. He lives in a nice home and is adored by a little girl named Abilene, who takes very good care of him. But one day, Edward is lost. Edward makes an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, fragile Edward discovers that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again. Featuring beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline. For ages 8 and up.
A Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis (J FIC LEW)
Shasta is not too surprised to learn that he has sold been sold as a slave to a nobleman. But he is surprised to find that the nobleman’s horse can talk! Bree is proud to be from Narnia– not “dumb and witless” like ordinary horses. Bree persuades Shasta to ride North with him, to the land of Narnia, ruled by King Peter and Queen Susan. Traveling across the harsh desert, the horse and his boy join forces with Aravis, yet another runaway, and her talking horse, Hwin. All they want is to escape a life of servitude. But the four find themselves at the center of a terrible conflict, one that will decide the fate of Narnia itself. Will they succeed in their mission, or will all be undone by Bree’s vanity and Aravis’ arrogance? For ages 8 and up.
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (FIC AUS)
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Set in Regency England, this classic novel follows Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet, the second of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s five unmarried daughters. Everyone in their village is abuzz when Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood, accompanied by his friend, Mr. Darcy—two young, handsome, wealthy bachelors. Mr. Bingley and the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, are immediately attracted to one another, and their path seems smooth. Meanwhile, Lizzy finds Mr. Darcy arrogant and insufferable and prefers the gentle manners of Wickham. Lizzy has a lot to learn about pride, and about prejudice– as does Mr. Darcy! For ages 14 and up.
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