I need your help! I’ve been on the search lately for cute children’s books that teach morals/life lessons. My toddler loves reading stories, and she is just getting to the point where she’ll actually let me read them to her rather than just looking at one page and snapping the book shut on me.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how busy each day can be sometimes.
I’ve often wondered if I’m doing enough teaching, and sometimes I wonder if I’m totally dropping the ball in that department. However, as busy as life can get sometimes, there is almost always enough time in a day to read a story or two before bed at our house. And that’s what made me think a little more deeply about the stories that I am reading her. I love reading her the silly books, and the educational books to help her learn colors, animals, etc., but I want to make sure that I make time throughout our week, to read her books that teach important life lessons. That way, she’s learning something valuable–even on the hectic and crazy days.
I’ve been asking around, and this is where I need your help too! What are your favorite picture books that teach kids positive behavior? I’d like to add at least 1-2 new books to my collection each month. I mentioned in my previous post on How I Save Money Online, a few ways that I earn a few extra bucks (and Amazon credit) just by doing a few simple things.
I’ve decided I want to use the Amazon gift cards that I get from the Swagbucks search bar to build up my collection of children’s books.
So enjoy the list that I have rounded up thus far and please comment if you know of a good one as well! I will update this list, so feel free to bookmark this page or pin in on Pinterest so that you have it to reference back to.
AND…I thought I would make this extra fun. Comment below and mention one of your favorite children’s books, along with the lesson that it teaches, and I will send one lucky winner a free children’s book. Yes, out of my own limited budget. Don’t tell my husband 
It will be worth it when 10 years down the road my kid tells me her life was forever changed by the book that YOU recommended!
And don’t worry, you don’t have to pin, tweet, like, share, email, or even give up your first-born child to enter this contest! I hate those kind of giveaways. Just comment below. If you don’t have a favorite book, then you can pin this on Pinterest and still be entered.
Picture Books That Teach
photo credit: thejbird via photopin cc
I want to start the list with two of my favorite books: Fanny’s Dream and You’re All My Favorites.
Fanny’s Dream
Book Description: In this inventive take on the traditional Cinderella tale, Fanny Agnes is a sturdy farm girl with a big dream. Someday, she believes, she will marry a prince. When the town mayor announces he is throwing a grand ball, Fanny is convinced her time has come. She puts on her best calico dress and goes out to the garden so that she’ll be ready when her fairy godmother arrives. As the seconds tick by, Fanny waits and waits. Finally, she hears a voice. It isn’t her fairy godmother-but it is someone who will change her life forever.
LESSON: I LOVE this book! It has so many lessons. Making reality your fairy tale, appreciating what you have, true love, hard work, and I’m sure there are a few I’m missing here. I want each of my girls to have their own copy as the lessons become especially important through their dating years.
You’re All My Favorites
Book description: a story that answers a timeless question with the ultimate reassurance — and offers the ideal way for parents to remind their own little cubs how very much each one is loved.
LESSON: Parents love each of their children uniquely.
One of my favorite children’s books that teach parents love each of their children individually.
The Way I Act
A great book for recognizing appropriate behavior
LESSON: How we act effects other people. Teaches traits such as compassion and bravery.
A great book to teach about appropriate behavior
The Way I Feel
LESSON: Teaches kids about various emotions and how to express them with words
A book that teaches about emotions
I Just Don’t Like the Sound of No!
LESSON: Good for kids that don’t like to follow directions. Learning to disagree appropriately.
about disagreeing appropriately
Don’t Squeal Unless it’s a Big Deal
Book description: With humor and exuberance, a compassionate problem-solving teacher shows classmate piglets who squeal incessantly on each other how to know when to tell and when to solve conflicts themselves. Includes Note to Parents and Teachers.
LESSON: conflict resolution and tattling
Wilma Jean the Worry Machine
LESSON: Teaches strategies for dealing with anxiety
Spoon
This is the first one I am ordering off of this list. My friend who teaches second grade LOVES this book. From the book description: “Meet Spoon.
He’s always been a happy little utensil. But lately, he feels like life as a spoon just isn’t cutting it. He thinks Fork, Knife, and The Chopsticks all have it so much better than him. But do they? And what do they think about Spoon? A book for all ages, Spoon serves as a gentle reminder to celebrate what makes us each special.”
LESSON: We are all special in our own way
Just be you. We are all special
Cookies: Bite Sized Life Lessons
Each version of the Cookies books teach “bite sized” life lessons in a fun and creative way
LESSON: Patience, Respect, Kindness, etc. (Varies by book). For teaching Fair: I get a bite, you get a bite. For Regret: I wish I didn’t eat so many cookies. For trustworthy: If I say I’ll watch your cookie, it will still be here when you get back. VERY cute books!
Fill a Bucket
Book description: When children have their buckets filled and learn how they can fill other people’s buckets too, they understand how special, valuable, and capable they are.
Hooway for Wodney Wat
From the book description: ”Poor Rodney Rat can’t pronounce his R’s and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybara joins Rodney’s class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. It seems she really is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the rest of them. Until our unwitting hero, Wodney Wat, catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully. Children will delight as shy Rodney Rat triumphs over all and his tiny voice decides the day, R’s or no R’s”
LESSON: Anti-bullying, Our disabilities can become our strengths, Overcoming Adversity
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Book Description: this heartwarming book encourages positive behavior as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation, and love. Bucket filling and dipping are effective metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves.
LESSON: daily kindness, appreciation and love
Mean Jean Recess Queen
Book Description: Oh, would that all bullying problems could be solved so easily! Mean Jean is the reigning Recess Queen, pushing and smooshing, hammering and slammering the other kids whenever they cross her. And then one day a puny new girl shows up on the playground and catches Mean Jean completely off-guard. Not only is little Katie Sue not the least bit intimidated by the bully, she actually asks her to jump rope with her. In no time flat, Jean and Katie Sue are best buddies, and the playground is safe for all again.
LESSON: Conflict Resolution, Anti-bullying
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Book Description: Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkable–she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!
Lesson: It’s Okay to Make Mistakes
Lacey Walker, Non Stop Talker
Book Description: Lacey Walker loves to talk. She talks all day, and sometimes all night. But when she loses her voice, Lacey learns the importance of listening.
LESSON: The Importance of Listening
Do Unto Otters
LESSON: treat others the way you would want them to treat you.
It’s Time to Start Using Your Words
Book description: Young children accustomed to expressing themselves with tantrums, gestures, or simple silence need to learn that using their words is the best way to make their thoughts and feelings heard. This book helps kids learn to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and express themselves in productive ways.
LESSON: Learning to communicate with words
You Get What You Get
Book Description: Melvin throws fit after fit when he doesn’t get what he wants. He must learn how to deal with disappointment. After all, you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.
LESSON: We don’t always get what we want, Gratitude
Photo Sources: Amazon.com
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