Tag Archives: Character Education

Elem. – Lessons with Aesop’s Fables (Series NF)

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Hansen, Grace. Lessons with Aesop’s Fables. DiscoverRoo, 2022. $23.00 ea. $138.00 set of 6. Unpaged. Grades 2-5.

The Ants & the Grasshopper: A Lesson in Hard Work. 978-1-098-24128-5.
The Boys & the Frogs: A Lesson in Empathy. 978-1-098-24129-2.
The Hare & the Tortoise: A Lesson in Determination. 978-1-098-24130-8.
The Lion & the Mouse: A Lesson in Acts of Kindness. 978-1-098-24131-5.
The North Wind & the Sun: A Lesson in Respect. 978-1-098-24132-2.
The Shepherd Boy & the Wolf: A Lesson in Honesty. 978-1-098-24133-9.

Each title in this series introduces Aesop, explains what a fable is, presents an actual fable, and explains the lesson it is trying to teach readers. The text is very straightforward and is broken up by illustrations and other interesting features, such as fun facts and QR codes that link to relevant online resources. A glossary, index, and “Making Connections” questions round out each volume in the series. This is a very useful, accessible series for teaching kids important lessons. 

THOUGHTS: What I loved about this series is that it does an excellent job of taking old fables and making them relevant to kids today. It incorporates technology through the use of QR codes, provides real-life examples of consequences one might actually experience, and poses questions that enable readers to relate the lessons to their own personal experiences. The online resources are entertaining and interactive. This would be an excellent addition to any elementary school in which character education is taught.

398.2 Folklore          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. – Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle

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Ballou Mealey, Cathy. Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle. Kids Can Press, 2021. 978-1-5253-0238-1 p. 32. $17.99. Grades K-2. 

Teamwork. Perseverance. Flexibility. Problem Solving. Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle, a children’s book written by Cathy Ballou Mealey, shines a spotlight on all the qualities mentioned and models a growth mindset with character development. Sloth and Squirrel are loyal friends who work together to achieve a common goal; purchase a new shiny bike that they can enjoy together. However, they find a job in a pickle factory to buy the bike to earn some money. Although loyal within their friendship to each other, Sloth and Squirrel find themselves in a pickle at work when they realize they have different strengths and weaknesses, different styles of learning, and different abilities. Will they be able to work together, complete the job, and earn their wages? Or will everything fall apart, even their friendship? In this heartwarming story, two friends stumble together and remain kind to each other as they learn a few lessons along the way. Who would have thought that a squirrel and a sloth could be such a resourceful team! 

THOUGHTS: This picture book would be a great addition to character education. There are hilarious moments, darling illustrations by Kelly Collier, and many opportunities within the story for educators or parents to discuss growth mindset. Perfect for a read-aloud within a classroom or school library (or even a snuggle at bedtime), young readers will love the silly duo- Sloth and Squirrel! 

Picture Book          Marie Mengel, Reading SD

Elem. – Can You See Me? A Book About Feeling Small

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İrten, Gökçe. Can You See Me? A Book About Feeling Small. Kids Can Press. 2021. 978-1-5253-0837-6. $18.99. Gr. PreK-3.

When we think of the world, we think of things being either small or large. But what is small to you may be large to someone else! This book dives into the idea of perspective using everyday items that young children would know. As children begin to develop spatial understanding, this book can help guide them to see how different the world is depending on whose eyes you are looking through! Whether you are a tiny flea, an orangutan, or you are on an airplane, the world differs in size compared to you!

THOUGHTS: This book did a nice job of explaining how different perspectives can be depending on who/what you are and where you are! Although designed for younger students, this is a book that could be read throughout elementary school to help discuss perspective and spatial awareness.

Picture Book          Rachel Burkhouse, Otto-Eldred SD

Elem. – Daisy

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Bagley, Jessixa. Daisy. Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2021. Unpaged. 978-0-823-44650-6. $18.99. Grades K-1.

Daisy is a young warthog named after her mother’s favorite flower. Her mother often comments that “They seem plain, but when you look closer you see their beauty.” At school, the other animals laugh at her name, saying she looks more like a thistle. This teasing makes her sad and she finds herself often looking down at her feet. One day, the young warthog realizes that there are marvelous objects to be found when looking at the ground and begins to collect them. Among her treasures are a chipped teacup, buttons, old glasses, and other discarded and overlooked items, which she keeps in a secret place. While her classmates see her collection as junk, Daisy finds beauty in every object. Then, new pieces suddenly appear in her path and on returning to her special place, Daisy finds the most important gift of all- friendship. The full bleed illustrations by the author are done in watercolor and pencil. The endpapers reflect the theme, picturing unopened daisies in the front, but in full bloom in the back. It may be a little puzzling to the reader why Daisy is called “Thistle” when a porcupine is also in the class. This and a retrospective examination of the animals’ facial expressions would be good discussion starters. Readers will enjoy the clever way that the author reveals the animals’ names.

THOUGHTS: This story works as a great read aloud for anti-bullying and character lessons and to help students understand that all individuals are special in their own way.

Picture Book          Denise Medwick, Retired, PSLA Member

Elem. – Be Your Best You (Series NF)

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Olsen, Elsie. Be Your Best You (series). Abdo, 2020. $20 ea. $120 set of 6. 24 p. PreK-2.

Be Aware! A Hero’s Guide to Being Smart and Staying Safe. 978-1-532-11964-4.
Be Bold! A Hero’s Guide to Being Brave. 978-1-532-11965-1.
Be Kind! A Hero’s Guide to Beating Bullying. 978-1-532-11966-8.
Be Respectful! A Hero’s Guide to Being Courteous. 978-1-532-11967-5.
Be Strong! A Hero’s Guide to Being Resilient. 978-1-532-11968-2.
Be Well! A Hero’s Guide to a Healthy Mind and Body. 978-1-532-11969-9.

Designed for a preschool and early elementary audience, this series encourages readers to be heroes by becoming the very best version of themselves they can be. This involves actions like being brave, standing up to bullies, being respectful, exercising, eating healthy, and more. By including tips, examples, and real-life scenarios, these straightforward books are very easy to understand and perfect for very young readers.

THOUGHTS: I personally read Be Bold! A Hero’s Guide to Being Brave and was impressed with the simplicity of the book and the importance of its message. I especially liked the scenarios at the end, which provide readers with an opportunity to think critically and decide how they might display bravery in specific situations. I could absolutely see this being used with preschool and early elementary students to supplement a character education curriculum, or even in a life skills classroom to teach valuable social skills and fundamental health and wellness concepts.

302 Social Interaction          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member
613 Personal Health & Safety

Elem. – The Perfectly Perfect Wish

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Mantechev, Lisa. The Perfectly Perfect Wish. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020. 978-1-534-40619-3. 32 p. $17.99. Grades K-2.

When a young girl finds a wish in grass, will she wish for something for herself?  As she asks her teacher and her friends what they would wish for, and as they share their wishes with her, the girl realizes that she can achieve her own wishes with hard work and patience. In the end, the girl wishes that everyone else’s wishes come true … which is the perfectly perfect wish.

THOUGHTS: This sweet little book relays the importance of thinking about the bigger picture and of others. It also is a good reminder to appreciate all of the things you already have.

Picture Book          Krista Fitzpatrick, Waldron Mercy Academy