Every elementary school teacher knows the secret to a successful school year is not dependent upon phenomenal lessons delivered, but rather on classroom culture and learning environment. When a classroom is full of students at peace in mind and heart, they are ready to listen, collaborate, take risks, feel confident, and achieve. Once the learning environment is established, then teaching can have its power. Achieving this requires setting expectations at the beginning of the school year; to maintain it takes daily calibration, like a conductor tuning every instrument to play in harmony.
During my first years in the classroom, I used a lot of lectures to calibrate my classroom culture. I stated expectations for respect, taught valuable lessons about life, and instilled a desire for quality character traits. But many times, I felt my words falling on deaf ears. I can remember ranting, “Are you listening to me?” Or at the end of my stellar pep talk I’d say, “Repeat back what I just said,” only to have a student respond with a confused look. This made me realize his intergalactic tour was way more interesting than the words coming out of my mouth.
Looking back at my childhood, I remembered my mother teaching me many lessons through books, so I decided to try that approach. Thus began my children’s-literature obsession. I discovered a multitude of fabulous stories with captivating characters capable of lasting impressions. I realized these impressions could paint pictures worth a thousand words in the minds of my students, leaving nuggets of wisdom to ponder and apply to life situations.
I let the picture book do the talking,
and it started to make all the difference.
My pep talks, inspired by characters and books, soon sounded like, “This situation reminds me a lot of Mean Jean. What did Katie Sue do to solve her problem with Mean Jean? Do you think that might be something you could try?” I let the picture book do the talking, and it started to make all the difference. As a class, we took it a step further and created a “Wall of Wisdom” where we collected quotes or lessons learned from books that would help us deal with life’s obstacles. Suddenly, we were making connections between book characters and our own lives. I even heard students giving each other advice from the Wall of Wisdom.
It seems that our story-seeking, visual minds and innate desire for connections allows children’s literature to become a powerful tool—it can help shape the character and moral compass of both young and old. Here are 10 of my favorite children’s books that powerfully convey a valuable lesson.
The Quiltmaker’s Gift
by Jeff Brumbeau and illustrated by Gail de Marcken
Generosity — True happiness comes from what we give others, not from what we get from others.
The Empty Pot
written and illustrated by Demi
Honesty — “I admire Ping’s great courage to appear before me with the empty truth…”
The Story of Ruby Bridges
by Robert Coles and illustrated by George Ford
Tough Times — Be courageous, forgive your enemies, and trust that God will make you strong.
Harmonious Social Perspective — Cultivating Confidence and Promoting Individuality
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
by Patty Lovell and illustrated by David Catrow
Confidence and Individuality — Love who you are and “walk proudly.”
The Recess Queen
by Alexis O’Neill and illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
Bullies — Cure bullies with love.
Crickwing
written and illustrated by Janell Cannon
Compassion — Sometimes when people are mean it’s because their love bucket is low;
they just need someone to help fill it up.
You Are Special
written by Max Lucado and illustrated by Sergio Martinez
Identity and Other’s Influence — “The stickers only stick if you let them.
The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers.”
Wings
written by Christopher Myers
Stand Up for Others — “Stop!” I cried. “Leave him alone.” And they did.
“Your flying is beautiful.” And for the first time, I saw Ikarus smile.
How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids
written by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer and illustrated by Maurie J. Manning
Encouraging Others and Selflessness —
“The strange thing was that for every drop he helped put in someone else’s bucket,
he felt another drop in his own bucket.”
Mr. Peabody’s Apples
written by Madonna with illustrations by Lauren Long
Judgment and Gossip — “It doesn’t matter what it looked like, what matters is the truth.
Next time, don’t be so quick to judge a person and remember the power of your words.”
Note: Since Mr. Peabody’s Apples is out of print, you may enjoy this similar title:
Help! A Story of Friendship
written and illustrated by Holly Keller
Brynn Redmond is a Learning Specialist at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA. With experience as an elementary classroom teacher and a reading specialist, Brynn has grown passionate about sparking a love for reading, writing, learning, and discovery inside young minds.