32 p., Candlewick, 2004. Criticism by others can lead to painful self-criticism and shutting down. Ramon loves to draw, but when his brother laughs at him, and hints that his drawings don't look like what he means them to look like, he questions himself. He can't make his drawings look "right." Finally, he stops drawing altogether. Then he discovers that his sister, Marisol, has been rescuing his discarded drawings and hanging them on her walls. The one that his brother had laughed at is one of Marisol's favorites. When Ramon says that it doesn't look like a vase of flowers, Marisol replies that it looks "vase-ish." As he looks at his drawings on her walls, he realizes that they really do look "ish", and gives himself permission to think and draw "ish-ly." He even begins to write "ish-ly." He lives "ishfully ever after." With expressive, charming, yet somehow scribbly-looking, illustrations rendered in ink, watercolors, and tea, this story shows children how to allow themselves to create from who they are, rather than what they think (or they think others think) they should be. Ages 4-9
Showing posts with label resilient sense of self. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resilient sense of self. Show all posts
What a Treasure! by Jane Hillenbrand
Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand.24 p., Holiday, 2006. Finding treasures can depend on your perspective. In this story, Mole gets a new shovel. When he digs for treasure, at first he finds things that are treasures to birds, snails, and squirrels. He generously gives these things to the creatures who identify them as treasures. Finally, he finds a new friend, another mole – a treasure for himself. With charming repetition in its text and unique, colorful, cheerful illustrations, this story gives children meaningful messages about believing in yourself, sharing, and the value of friendship. Ages 2-5
Yes We Can! by Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Charles Fuge. 32 p., HarperCollins, 2007. When children make fun of each other, they feel bad. In this story, three animal friends (Little Roo, Quacker Duck, and Country Mouse) goad each other to do things that they can’t do, and then laugh at them when they can’t. Not surprisingly, they all end up feeling grumpy. When Little Roo’s mother sees this, she tells them that no one likes being laughed at, and suggests that they demonstrate what they can do, instead of what they can’t. Each one shows off a skill that one of the others had failed at earlier, and each time, receives compliments from the other two. Then Roo’s mother asks them whether they can be friends again. That’s something that all of them can do. With its friendly, colorful illustrations, this story encourages children to be empathic when someone can’t do something, and offers a way for them to feel good about themselves and their friends. Ages 3-7
You Can't Do That, Amelia! by Kimberly Wagner Klier
Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly.32 p., Calkins Creek, 2008. From the time she is a little girl in Kansas, Amelia (Earhart) dreams big, and has every intention of making her dreams a reality. From her childhood and into her adulthood, people tell her, "You can't do that, Amelia!" Each time, says this book, "But Amelia did" - from building a roller coaster in her backyard, to learning to fly, to participating in the 1929 Women's Air Derby, to flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Even when things don't go well, or when she is frightened or discouraged, she persists. The story ends with her triumphant landing in Ireland. An afterword summarizes her life in more detail, and includes a brief description of her final flight. A time line and a list of other biogrraphical resources are also included.With its colorful, upbeat illustrations, this story supports children's capacity for self-confidence, even in situations of prejudice against them. Ages 7-10
Nathan's Wish: A Story About Cerebral Palsy by Laurie Lears
Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. 32 p., Whitman, 2005. When a chronic condition limits what you can do, it's easy to become discouraged. Nathan has cerebral palsy and is unable to move around without a wheelchair or a walker. He wishes more than anything to walk on his own. Nathan's neighbor, Miss Sandy, take care of injured raptors until they're well enough to fly again, and he enjoys watching her, although he wishes he could help, too. Miss Sandy takes care of an owl that Nathan names Fire. Fire has a broken wing, and seems to want very much to fly and to hunt for her own food. It's hard for Nathan to wait for Fire's wing to heal, but finally, she's well enough to try flying in a large cage. At first, she soars, but then she falls to the ground. With empathy and deep sadness, Nathan realizes that she will always need to be in captivity. In the following days, Fire seems depressed. Nathan wants to help. He goes online and finds an article about another owl, nearly blind, who serves as owlets' foster mother. He shares the article with Miss Sandy, who decides to try this with Fire. At first, Fire appears completely uninterested in the nestlings. But one day, she begins to feed them. Nathan comments, "Although Fire's wish to be free can't come true, she has found something important to do. And that give me an idea!" He finds ways to help Miss Sandy after all - filling the birds' baths with a hose and a lot of persistence, taking in the mail, answering her phone and taking messages. Miss Sandy appreciates his help, and he feels very proud. Illustrated with expressive oil paintings, this story offers empathy, support, and encouragement, showing children how to find and make use of their strengths regardless of their limitations. Ages 4-8
Eddie: Harold's Little Brother by Ed Koch and Pat Koch Thaler
Illustrated by James Warhola. 32 p., Putnam, 2004. When you want to be like someone you admire, you can sometimes miss noticing your own strengths. Eddie wants to be like his older brother, Harold, who is an excellent athlete. Harold is supportive, playing catch with Eddie, and insisting that other kids include Eddie on their baseball team. But Eddie just isn't good at sports, although after the games, he talks about them in great detail. Finally, Harold suggests that Eddie find something besides sports - something that he does well and loves doing. Eddie replies that he likes to talk, and Harold suggests that he compete in a public-speaking contest at school. He gives Eddie honest feedback about his strengths and limitations. And Eddie wins the public-speaking contest with a speech titled, "Doing What You Do Best." Harold is enormously proud of him. And Eddie grows up to use his strength in speaking to become a lawyer, and then mayor of New York City. With friendly watercolor illustrations, this story not only shows kids a wonderful example of a supportive relationship between siblings, but also encourages them to consider their own strengths. Ages 4-8
Milli, Jack, and the Dancing Cat by Stephen Michael King
32 p., Philomel, 2004. Sometimes creative children may be shy about expressing their imagination. Children who feel this way will find a role model in Milli, who has the soul of an artist and spends her days making very plain shoes. When two vagabond minstrels, Jack and the Dancing Cat, wander into town, they agree to trade dance lessons for new shoes. Milli finds that dancing makes her feel free and confident. When it's time to make shoes for her new friends, she makes unique, remarkable ones - and makes herself some special things, too. Jack encourages Milli to show her creativity to the world, Although she's scared at first, dancing helps her to remember what it feels like to be confident, and she decides to go ahead. People love what she's made, and she continues on her creative path. The watercolor and ink illustrations are both gentle and exuberant. Milli will help children feel free to express their true selves. Ages 5-8
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
Illustrated by David Catrow. 32 p., Harcourt, 2004.
Liking ourselves means liking all that we are. In this charmingly rhymed story, full of delightful silliness, a little girl expresses liking for herself - her body, her moods, her thoughts, and even her potential to look very very strnge. She knows that no matter what she looks like, she's the same inside, and "nothing in this world, you know,/ can change what's deep inside." She doesn't mind if other people think she's strange, in part because she realizes that what someone else sees of her is at most, only part of who she really is. With colorful illustrations whose silliness matches the text and that are sometimes reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, this story vigorously supports kids' self-acceptance.
Ages 3-7
Liking ourselves means liking all that we are. In this charmingly rhymed story, full of delightful silliness, a little girl expresses liking for herself - her body, her moods, her thoughts, and even her potential to look very very strnge. She knows that no matter what she looks like, she's the same inside, and "nothing in this world, you know,/ can change what's deep inside." She doesn't mind if other people think she's strange, in part because she realizes that what someone else sees of her is at most, only part of who she really is. With colorful illustrations whose silliness matches the text and that are sometimes reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, this story vigorously supports kids' self-acceptance.
Ages 3-7
Brave Bear by Kathy Mallat
24 p., Walker and Company, 1999.
In this almost wordless book, a little bear sees a bird that has fallen from its nest, and offers to help. The bear is doubtful and scared climbing up the bird's tree, but keeps on going. The bear eventually puts the bird back in the nest, and feels confident. This story encourages children to keep trying even when they think they can't do something, and shows them that courage means persisting even when they're afraid.
Ages 1-3
In this almost wordless book, a little bear sees a bird that has fallen from its nest, and offers to help. The bear is doubtful and scared climbing up the bird's tree, but keeps on going. The bear eventually puts the bird back in the nest, and feels confident. This story encourages children to keep trying even when they think they can't do something, and shows them that courage means persisting even when they're afraid.
Ages 1-3
Being Me by Julie Broski
Illustrated by Vincent Vigla. 32 p., Children's Press, 2006.
Disability is only one part of who we are. In this story, a little girl tells about the things she likes to do (for example, play dress-up, paint, play with friends) and her capabilities (for example, she can add and subtract, do cartwheels, and help with chores). Each of these is part of who she is - as is being deaf and signing. She acknowledges both differences and similarities with the reader, saying that she loves the reader for her/his unique self, and feels confident that the sentiment is reciprocated. With cheerful, rather edgy illustrations, this story communicates acceptance of a range of human experience.
Ages 3-7
Disability is only one part of who we are. In this story, a little girl tells about the things she likes to do (for example, play dress-up, paint, play with friends) and her capabilities (for example, she can add and subtract, do cartwheels, and help with chores). Each of these is part of who she is - as is being deaf and signing. She acknowledges both differences and similarities with the reader, saying that she loves the reader for her/his unique self, and feels confident that the sentiment is reciprocated. With cheerful, rather edgy illustrations, this story communicates acceptance of a range of human experience.
Ages 3-7