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Books That Teach

Championing Character Through Children's Literature

List updated 4/28/08

A Bad Case of Stripes - David Shannon (respect for differences)
A Big Fat Enormous Lie - Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (trustworthiness)
A Castle on Viola Street - DyAnne DiSalvo (citizenship, volunteerism)
A Taste of Colored Water by Matt Faulkner (justice, equality, respect for differences)
Alley Oops - by Janice Levy (anti-bullying, respect, "wrestling" with good choices)
America Is Her Name - Luis J. Rodriguez (compassion, empathy, confidence, pride)
America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven (heroes, citizenship, honor)
Angelo by David McCauley (friendship, loyalty)
Armadillo Tattletale - Helen Ketteman (eavesdropping/gossip - being trustworthy)
Band-Aid Chicken - Becky Rangel Henton (justice, empathy, acceptance)
Blabber Mouse - True Kelly (loyalty, trustworthiness)
Carla's Sandwich - Debbie Herman (respect for differences, acceptance)
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krause Rosenthal (character values)
Crow Boy - Taro Yashima (respect for differences)
Do Unto Otters - Laurie Keller (friendship, manners)
Earth Day - Horray! by Stuart J. Murphy (recycling, teamwork, conservation)
Emily's Everyday Manners by Peggy Post and Cindy Post Senning (manners, courtesy, respect)
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson (friendship, respect)
Getting To Know Ruben Plotnick by Roz Rosenbluth (respect, caring, friendship)
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud (attitude, kindness, appreciation)
Heartprints - P.K. Hallinan - (caring, kindness, compassion)
Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose (respect, golden rule, peer pressure)
I Hate English! by Ellen Levine (compassion, culture)
I'm Thankful Each Day - P.K. Hallinan (gratitude)
Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell A Lie - Joe Hayes (trustworthiness, honesty)
Jungle Bullies - Steven Kroll (negotiation, friendship, anti-bullying theme)
Knitting Nell by Julie Jersild Roth (citizenship, knitting for service)
LEO the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman (perseverance, attitude, courage)
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire - Diane De Groat (honesty, trustworthiness, cooperation)
Looking After Louis - Lesley Ely & Polly Dunbar (respect for differences, fairness)
Mine! by Kevin Luthardt (fairness, sharing, taking responsibility)
Mookey the Monkey Gets Over Being Teased - Heather Lonczak (respect for differences, conflict resolution)
My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig (friendship, respect, conflict resolution)
One Grain of Rice by Demi (fairness, trustworthiness, great math extension!)
One Smile by Cindy McKinley (kindness, caring, compassion, stakeholders)
Please Is A Good Word To Say - Barbara Joosse (manners)
Rabbit's Gift - George Shannon (sharing, generosity, friendship)
Rotten and Rascal by Paul Geraghty (fairness, greed "eats you alive")
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn (Chinese New Year, compassion, generosity)
Score One For The Sloths by Helen Lester (responsibility, respect for differences)
Shhh! by Jeanne Willis (perseverance, listening, respect, peace/non-violence)
Snail Started It! by Katja Reider (stakeholders, forgiveness)
Some Dogs Do - Jez Alborough (positive-thinking and attitude)
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli (caring, stakeholders)
Something Else by Kathryn Cave (respect, diversity, friendship)
Thanks & Giving: All Year Long - Marlo Thomas and friends (caring, gratitude, service)
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz (diversity, celebrating differences)
The Crayon Box That Talked - Shane DeRolf (acceptance, tolerance, respect)
The Empty Pot by Demi (trustworthiness, honor, problem solving)
The Greedy Triangle - Marilyn Burns (acceptance, being satisfied with who you are)
The Hippo-NOT-amus - Tony and Jan Payne (perseverance, creativity, self-acceptance)
The Hired Hand - Robert D. SanSouci (fairness, kindness, compassion, trust)
The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff (respect, celebrating culture and diversity)
The Peanut-Free Cafe - Gloria Koster (respect for peanut allergies, flexibility, friendship)
The Recess Queen - Alexis O'Neill (tolerance, respect, friendship)
The Scrambled States of America - Laurie Keller (acceptance, respect for differences)
The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood (gratitude, appreciation)
The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss (discrimination, peer pressure)
The Summer My Father Was Ten by Pat Brisson (citizenship, compassion)
The Very Greedy Bee - Steve Smallman (sharing, helping one another)
Three Pebbles and a Song by Eileen Spinelli (responsibility, accountability, teamwork)
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge - Mem Fox (kindness, caring, friendship)
Winners Never Quit - Mia Hamm (sportsmanship, perseverance)
Yes, We Can - Sam McBratney (attitude, getting along, respect for differences)
You're A Good Sport Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler (fairness, sportsmanship)
NOTE: This ever-changing and growing list of illustrated picture books is recommended by Counselor Barbara Gruener for reinforcing character in children of all ages.
 

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