When we read aloud, we give our kids practice living as heroes. Practice dealing with life-and-death situations, practice living with virtue, practice failing at virtue. As the characters in our favorite books struggle through hardship, we struggle with them. We consider whether we would be as brave, as bold, as fully human as our favorite heroes. And then we grasp — on a deeper more meaningful level — the story we are living ourselves as well as the kind of character we will become as that story unfolds.
–Sarah Mackenzie, The Read-Aloud Family
We hope that during these different days you have been able to carve out some time to read-aloud with your family. Sharing a story with our kids is a powerful way to connect and offers a jumping-off point to discuss topics that may not always arise organically.
Our character traits for the month of May are Resilience and Resourcefulness. Today we have a handful of books purposely selected by our librarian, Dr. Pamela Bleisch, to assist in teaching these character traits. With the closure of public libraries, we recognize that it may be difficult to get your hands on these titles, so we have included links to YouTube read-aloud versions of several of these books. (Also, take a moment to look around your own personal library, you may be surprised to find that you own quite a collection of books that highlight these traits as well.)
Sometimes You Fly by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Beginning with a first birthday and ending with graduation, the scenes travel through childhood messes and milestones. Watercolor illustrations and simple, rhyming text. Ages 3 and up.
Reach for the Moon, Little Lion by Hildegard Müller
Little lion learns strength and resilience in the face of ridicule when he takes the advice of a supportive raven and reaches for the moon. Ages 3 and up.
Bounce Back! a Book About Resilience by Cheri J. Meiners; illustrated by Elizabeth Allen
This non-fiction picture book instructs children on how to build the skills of resilience while recovering from losses and other setbacks. Outlines how to build a positive outlook and seek help from supportive people. Ages 4 and up.
The Rough Patch by Brian Lies
Evan and his dog do everything together, from eating ice cream to caring for their prize-winning garden. One day the unthinkable happens: Evan’s dog dies. Heartbroken, Evan destroys the garden and everything in it. The ground becomes overgrown with prickly weeds and thorns, and Evan embraces the chaos. But beauty grows in the darkest of places, and when a twisting vine turns into an immense pumpkin, Evan is drawn out of his isolation and back to the county fair, where friendships—old and new—await. A Caldecott Honor book. Ages 4 and up.
Through the Gate by Sally Fawcett
A little girl doesn’t like the broken-down old house she and her family just moved into, but as time goes on and repairs are made, the house becomes more and more like her home. Each time the child passes ‘through the gate’, into the world beyond, she notices more of her surroundings and discovers that her new life has some wonderful things in it. Within the illustrations is a ‘spot the difference’ game. Ages 4 and up.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez
Each of us will feel like an outsider at some point. But if we go forth bravely, and share our stories, others will meet us halfway. Lyrical text by Jacqueline Woodson is illuminated by Rafael López. Ages 5 and up.
A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker
A beautiful story for all ages, told in pictures, with no words. Without Sascha, the beloved family dog, this year’s summer vacation will be very different. But as a wistful young girl walks along the beach to gather cool, polished stones, her grief reaches a turning point. At the edge of a vast ocean, beneath an infinite sky, she uncovers a profound and joyous truth. Ages 5 and up.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
Louis is a trumpeter swan– but unlike his four brothers and sisters, he cannot trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can’t even make a sound. And since he can’t trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him. Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena’s affection—he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father finds him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning his love? Ages 8 and up.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, illustrated by Ronald Himmler
Based on a true story, Sadako celebrates the determination that made one young woman a heroine in Japan. The star of her school’s running team, Sadako is lively and athletic… until the dizzy spells start. Then she faces the hardest race of her life: the race against time. Her resilient spirit makes Sadako an unforgettable character. On the 3rd Grade Battle of the Books List. Ages 8 and up.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
A thirteen-year-old boy’s diary and sketchbook, relating his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the Catskill Mountains. He reflects honestly on his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship. Ages 8 and up.
Unbroken: An Olympian’s Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive by Lauren Hillenbrand.
As a boy, Louis Zamperini was a delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and stealing. As a teenager, his brother encouraged him to channel his defiance into running, discovering a supreme talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics. But when war came, the Olympian became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, and adrift on a tiny sinking raft on miles of open sea. Rescued and imprisoned by the Japanese, Zamperini was driven to the limits of endurance. But his resilient spirit would not be broken. This gripping page-turner is a testament to resilience and the power of hope. This version is adapted for young readers, ages 12 and up. The adult version is: Unbroken: a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Lauren Hillenbrand
