Books That Heal Kids: gratitude

Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts

Book Review: The Thank You Letter

Author/Illustrator: Jane Cabrera

From the Book Jacket: Grace writes thoughtful Thank You Letters for all her birthday gifts. She thanks her grandparents for Bob, a toy puppy. She sends a note to her cousins to say thanks for her sparkly shoes and to Taye for the magic wings. But that is only the beginning. This sweet and lively story reminds us that gratitude can be contagious. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is a lovely reminder that we can give thanks to everyone for all that they are and do. I used this book to teach my kids how to write thank you letters but it has a deeper message about how we can also thank people for the simple acts of kindness they do for us daily. 


A Link to This Book:
0

Book Review: Bernice Gets Carried Away


Author/Illustrator: Hannah Harrison
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Bernice is having a truly rotten time at her friend’s birthday party. First, everyone else gets a piece of cake with a frosting rose. But not Bernice. Then, everyone else gets strawberry-melon soda. Bernice gets the prune-grapefruit juice. And it’s warm. The last straw is the one lousy (squished) candy she gets from the piñata. So when the balloons arrive, Bernice knows just what she has to do: grab them all. And then, poor cross Bernice gets carried up, up, and away. Luckily, she figures out just how to make her way back down to the party…and she brightens lots of other animals’ days on her way.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: A great message in this one - focus on others...don't focus on what you can GET from others. What's most important are friendships and relationships. Bernice Gets Carried Away delivers this message in such a lovely way. I want to figure out how to add this to my bucket filling lessons. What makes Bernice most happy in the end is when she gives all the balloons away. Because it's really not about the balloons - it's about being a giving person. If you are focused on being a receiving person - you are going to miss out on being connected to those around you. Love.


A Link To This Book and Others That Might Be Helpful:
1

Book Review: Thank You, World


Thank You, World
Author: Alice B. McGinty
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: The joys of childhood are the same the whole world over. In this compelling book of celebratory rhyme and glowing pictures, eight very different kids, from eight different countries, all go about their day and experience the same moments of happiness: greeting the sun in the morning, swinging, on a swing, flying a kite, being tucked in by Mommy at bedtime. Uplifting and visually rich, this book reminds us that the world isn't as large as it seems, and that life's greatest pleasure are the simple ones.

A Library Find.......
Was at the library yesterday with my daughter and as we were leaving I spotted this beautiful book called Thank You, World......of course I had to stop and take a peek. I about teared up as I read! This is just the kind of book I'd like to start reading before bed with my girl. It's about being thankful and at the end of our day - that's what really counts. Falling asleep with gratitude in your heart - yep!
 

A Link To This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

1

Book Review: The Thankful Book

Author: Todd Parr
Interest Level: Kindergarten and Up

A Note From the Publisher: 
I am thankful for music because it makes me want to dance.
I am thankful for my feet because they help me run and play.
I am thankful for kisses because they make me feel loved.

 

The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for. From everyday activities like reading and bath time to big family meals together and special alone time between parent and child, Todd inspires readers to remember all of life's special moments. The perfect book to treasure and share, around the holidays and throughout the year. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Best book to read to kids during Thanksgiving week ever!! First page of the book starts out: Every day I try to think about the things I am thankful for. Totally love that. It's a classic Todd Parr book with just the right amount of humor and goodness. If kids need help brainstorming what they are thankful for - grab this off your shelf and start reading! 

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for my lovely little blog.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
2

Book Review: The Secret of Saying Thanks

Author: Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Greg Shed
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

About This Book: With a gentle, assured tone and graceful phrasing, Wood shares a life lesson sure to inspire: that true happiness lies in giving thanks and appreciating all there is to be thankful for. Addressing readers directly, the author suggests that everyone learns this secret in their own way and own time. "Maybe you'll first find the secret/ in your own home/ sitting around a table with people you love..."; "You might discover the secret at dawn,/ a morning like all other mornings." In this same fashion he creates a descriptive catalogue of many of the simple gifts to be treasured, from a warm hand to hold, to a cool breeze or singing bird. The spiritual notes rung here, and a brief mention of "your bedtime prayer," should prove applicable to a broad readership of many faith traditions. Shed's airy oil paintings depict a girl and her dog exploring and experiencing their outdoor surroundings on a sunny spring day in the country. The skillful play of light and shadow in his work adds depth to the soft-edged portraits. -Publishers Weekly

Why It's On My Bookshelf: After I had taken my first Yoga Calm class, I wanted to find a book to help students find their own inner calm and have positive thinking. Somehow I stumbled upon The Secret of Saying Thanks and I'm so glad I bumped into it. 

Read this little excerpt:
"The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, 
for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time. 
The more we say thanks, the more we find to be thankful for. 
And the more we find to be thankful for, the happier we become."  

Wow! Aren't those the types of words and thoughts we want filling our kids minds throughout the school day!?! It is so APPARENT to me when their minds are filled with goodness you see the results during their day. I see more smiles, cooperation, and kindness.

I sort of winged an activity and asked students to find a comfortable resting spot. I used the Hoberman Sphere to help students find their breathing. Introducing the concept of gratitude before I read also helped kids focus their thoughts on being thankful. I just knew if I had everyone in front of me sitting "criss cross apple sauce", I would lose them. When we re-gathered to talk about gratitude - there was a really good calm energy in the air. Words revolved around who and what they were thankful for. And they weren't thankful for material stuff, their gratitude was aimed at what really matters in life, each other. If you are looking for a book to help kids meditate, relax, and have positive thinking - try this one. I absolutely love The Secret of Saying Thanks.

A Link to This Book:
0