“…a powerful story (on page or screen) quickens [the] hero’s heartbeat within us. Well-chosen words touch and transform our souls — making us want to be better than we are right now. Nagging lectures from Mom and Dad simply can’t compare with the lessons of a story whose time has come.” — Jamie C. Martin, Give Your Child the World.
Happy Wednesday, Down Home readers. We have another Teaching Through Literature post for you today. Our fantastic librarians have curated a list of books that highlight our October character trait duo of kindness and respect. Pick a book and settle in with your kids, perhaps one of these books contains a “story whose time has come” for your child.
The Fisherman and the Whale by Jessica Lanan
This wordless story is told in beautiful watercolor and gouache illustrations. A father and son take their fishing boat out to sea. The boy sees a whale floundering, and persuades his father to go and help. Together, they realize a transcendent interspecies connection. The author-illustrator uses different perspectives to show life above and beneath the ocean’s surface. For ages 3 and up.
The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry, illustrated by the Fan Brothers
All the animals are afraid of old Scarecrow, and they avoid the field he guards. But when a young, frightened crow falls out of the sky, Scarecrow does something very odd… He saves the tiny baby crow. These two unlikely friends have a growing bond. But crows grow up, and seasons change. Will Scarecrow go back to being lonely? For ages 3 and up.
The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” A grandson asks his grandfather: “What does it mean? What makes it Golden?” Grandfather explains the simple statement on how to live, which is practiced by people of all ages and faiths and can be applied to our own lives. The author’s note includes original forms of the Golden Rule and where they are found in different faiths. For ages 3 and up.
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: a Story about Knitting and Love by Michelle Edwards, illustrated by G. Brain Karas
Mrs. Goldman knits hats for everyone, but she doesn’t have a winter hat. Sophia tries to make her one, but knitting is hard! This story illustrates the joy of making something for someone else and encourages a growth mindset when it comes to projects. Small mistakes can add to the charm of the finished work. For ages 3 and up.
The Giant of Jum by Elli Woollard
The giant of Jum sets out in search of a snack– a snack named Jack, of course! But, hungry as he is, his quest is interrupted by one child after another, each needing help with various chores. A fun read-aloud with a chorus everyone will want to say together. A silly book with a thoughtful message. For ages 3 and up.
Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett
The Gingerbread Baby is lonely when Matti goes out to play with her friends. So he sets off to the village to find friends of his own. In the bakery, he dances and prances in front of a sugar cookie girl, trying to make friends. But she just stares and doesn’t say a word, like all the other sweet treats he tries to meet. Discouraged, the Gingerbread Baby runs home, chased by a mouse, the baker and his wife, and a red fox. Back at home, Matti has a fantastic surprise for him–enough gingerbread friends to fill a giant fold-out page. A great story for talking about how to talk to friends and how to solve problems. Sidebars offer instructions for making gingerbread friends. For ages 3 and up.
Flabbersmashed about You by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Yumi Heo
Katie’s best friend in the whole entire world is Jennifer. But one day, on the playground, Jennifer suddenly wants to be friends with another kid. Katie is left feeling “flabbersmashed.” We’ve all been flabbersmashed by a friend–left out of an activity or secret, left to feel sorry for ourselves. This book is great for discussions about balancing more than one friendship at a time, how to deal with feeling left out– and how to befriend someone new! For ages 4 and up.
Emily by Michael Bedard, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
A young girl whose family has recently moved into a new neighborhood wonders about her reclusive neighbor across the street, who turns out to be Emily Dickinson. When her mother is invited to play the piano for Emily, secluded in her room. The little girl sneaks up to Emily’s room and exchanges a small gift for an authentic poem, which is included in the book. This story encourages us to respect those of different temperaments. Although fictional, this story is certain to ignite curiosity about the poetry of Emily Dickinson. For ages 5 and up.
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman.
Dr. William “Doc” Key was born a slave in Shelbyville, TN, in the 1830s. After the Civil War, he stayed in Shelbyville and built a veterinary where he sold his homemade remedies and became very successful. Key trained a clumsy colt named Jim to amaze audiences with his uncanny ability to spell and do math. Over nine years of exhibiting across the country, Doc and “Jim” donated portions of their proceeds to humane societies and were instrumental in raising awareness for the compassionate treatment of animals. Minter’s linoleum block prints, painted with acrylic, add the perfect historic feel to an incredible true story. Includes an appendix of historical notes. For ages 7 and up.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (on the Must Reads shelf in the Fiction Room)
A beautifully illustrated story of a captive gorilla, told in beautiful prose, from the point of view of the gorilla himself. Ivan has spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall. He doesn’t even think about his life in the jungle anymore. Ivan watches television and talks with his friends Stella the elephant and Bob the dog. And Ivan paints. When Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, is brought to the shopping mall, Ivan is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. Can kindness overcome commerce? The author was inspired by an actual captive gorilla named Ivan. Newbery Medal winner in 2013. This chapter book is on the “Must Reads” list for Intermediate students. For ages 8 and up.
Restart by Gordon Korman (on the Intermediate Battle of the Books shelf in the Fiction room)
Chase wakes up in a hospital room and suddenly has to learn his whole life all over again. He doesn’t remember falling off the roof or hitting his head, or even his own name. And he wonders: “Who is Chase?” When at last he can return to school, some kids treat him like a hero. But other kids are afraid of him. And he wonders: “Who was Chase?” Now that he has had to hit restart, who is Chase going to be? This chapter book is on the Battle of the Books list for Intermediate students. For ages 8 and up.
