Kids Reading Books
that Teach Life Skills
By Stephen Walton © 2013
The kids reading books that we recommend have a wonderful way of communicating to children the importance of life skills such as:
- Teamwork and learning to get along with others.
- Developing good listening skills.
- Being polite and using good manners.
- Making and keeping friends.
- Respecting others and accepting differences.
It can be challenging for parents to teach children these life skills, as they often shy away assuming their parents are being controlling.
Our selected kids reading books on life skills are a wonderful way of exposing children to such real life situations in a fun and amusing way.
Here are a few of many books to be listed. Bookmark us and visit again for further updates.
Kids Reading Books about
Teamwork and Sharing
Teamwork Isn't My Thing
and I Don't Like to Share!
"Commissions Earned"
Little RJ is having a hard time understanding what sharing has to do with teamwork. For a school project his teacher teams him up with some kids he's not happy about. After telling his soccer coach he hates to be in a group and work as a team, his coach clarifies things by explaining how his team playing skills in soccer can be applied off the field as well.
It finally all makes sense how teamwork is about sharing responsibilities and he soon discovers that sharing makes him a better friend and his life a whole lot better.
There are many tips for parents and educators on encouraging teamwork and the concept of sharing. Another well written book by Julia Cook and impressively illustrated by Kelsey De Weerd. (Boys Town Press) Suggested age is 5 to 9 (click picture for USA orders
or the text link below for Canadian orders)
Listening Skills
Listen and Learn
"Commissions Earned"
In a classroom setting these children not only learn to listen but to think about what is being said, even in a group setting with other distractions. They learn to listen carefully in taking directions and ask questions if they don't understand. They learn that showing respect for others by listening to their feelings helps to understand each other.
It also covers the family setting and how good listening skills can strengthen the family by showing they care about solving problems.
In the back of the book there are many ideas to reinforce the listen and learn concept for both teachers and parents.
From the "Learning to Get Along" series (free spirit publishing) skillfully written by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed. and the illustrations by Meredith Johnson do a wonderful job of expressing the children's undivided attention.
This series provides many wonderful kids reading books.
Suggested ages 3 to 5 (click picture for USA orders
or the text link below for Canadian orders)
Kids Reading Books about
Teaching Manners
Suppose You Meet A Dinosaur
(A First Book of Manners)
"Commissions Earned"
A funny story about a polite well mannered little girl who meets an equally well mannered but clumsy dinosaur in the grocery store. Their interaction humourously highlight the use of good manners like "please" and "thank you," "excuse me," "I'm sorry" and "your welcome".
This rhyming, whimsical story authored by Judy Sierra and
delightfully illustrated by Tim Bowers is a sure winner for reinforcing
good manners in your preschool child… Our suggested age is 2 to 4
(click picture for USA orders
or the text link below for Canadian orders)
My Mouth is A Volcano
"Commissions Earned"
A cute story of a boy named Louis that can't seem to hold back his thoughts and words. He feels they are so important they just push their way out of his mouth at inappropriate times always interrupting others.
After the tables are turned on him he can't understand how others can be so rude. After protesting to his mother, with empathy she enlightens him of his own rude habits and teaches him a way to control his urge to outburst.
Humourously written by Julia Cook with equally amusing illustrations by
Carrie Hartman it teaches children to manage their thoughts and words
without interrupting others. Our suggested ages are 4 to 7
(click picture for USA orders
or the text link below for Canadian orders)
Friendship, Understanding
&
Acceptance of Diversity
The Sandwich Swap
"Commissions Earned"
Lily and Salma are best friends that spend all their time together, including eating lunch at school. Unexpectedly they begin to squabble over whose lunch is better. Lily says Salma's hummus and pita sandwich looks yucky, Salma snaps back and tells Lily her sandwich looks gross and smells bad.
As both girls become furious with each another and part ways, the incident spreads with the entire school taking sides. As things get nastier, insults fly rampantly eventually breaking out in a food fight in the cafeteria.
As the two girls watch from the sidelines they feel ashamed by what they see. Coming to their senses they exchange lunches only to discover to their amazement how delicious each sandwich is.
With a renewed friendship (and encouragement by the girls) the story ends with a multicultural smorgasbord putting a positive spin on the entire incident.
The book's theme gives a lesson on the value of friendship, understanding and acceptance of cultural and personal differences.
Cleverly written by Kelly Dipucchio and humorously illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Our Suggested ages 4 to 7 (click picture for USA orders
or the text link below for Canadian orders)
Priscilla McDoodleNut Doodle McMae
Asks "Why?"
"Commissions Earned"
The story setting is on a moon spinning round in a place far away where
everyone has either red or blue hair. Two smug and stubborn old kings
attempt to control the land by their own rules. They draw two lines in
the sand in the color of red & blue.
By denying those with apposing colored hair to cross they divide the hearts and minds of all those living there.
To everyone's surprise a shy little girl named Priscilla steps up and
uncovers her purple hair sending shock waves throughout the square, she
musters up the courage to stand tall and represent all colors of hair by
asking the kings the simple question… Why?
A scared but brave
blue haired baboon steps up to support her which encourages others to do
the same. Eventually the entire population stands up to the smug
kings, after setting their own rules they live happily ever after in
peace, harmony and new found hope.
This is an enchanting and
uplifting story of accepting diversity and standing up for what you
truly believe in. It touches on the many virtues such as courage,
fairness, kindness, respect, and honour.
Janet Mary Sinke does a
marvelous job in rhyming the story as Craig Pennington brings the
characters to life with his superbly humourous illustrations.
Our suggested ages 4 and up (click picture for USA orders or the text link below for Canadian orders)
Kids Reading Books about
Mixed Life Lessons
The 7 Habits Series
You will notice throughout our site we promote the philosophy of the late Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" as they have served us well in our personal life.
Continuing in his father's footsteps, Sean Covey with his collaborative team have done an absolutely marvelous job of conveying the "7 Habits" through these exceptional childrens reading books.
They have created a superb host of fun characters that teach lessons encompassing these simple but effective habits.
There is no need to be familiar with the habits as each individual book explains the respective habit the story is built around.
Although, I do strongly suggest starting with their Premier Book "The 7 Habits of Happy Kids" as it introduces the reader to the 7 Oaks gang of characters, their personalities, and the small village in which they all live.
There is a very impressive section at the end of each story; a "Parents Corner," "Discussion Questions," and "Baby Steps," designed to help parents initiate conversation, with suggested ways for children to practice the particular habit.
"Check out their kids reading books"
The Premier Book
"The 7 Habits of Happy Kids"
Here are some exceptional kids reading books. This is a brief summary of the lessons to be learned from the seven wonderful stories within the "Premier Book."
"Commissions Earned"
1) Sammy Squirrel learns not to blame his boredom on others, and discovers while creating his own fun that; happiness comes by learning to control his own life.
2) Goob Bear gives Jumper Rabbit a lesson on how to spend his money wisely, and to save for a rainy day by planning ahead.
3) Pokey Porcupine finds more exciting things to do than study for his spelling test. After failing, he learns the importance of putting first things first.
4) After Lilly Skunk's mother won't let her plant a vegetable garden, Lilly convinces her mother by writing a promissory letter to maintain it, and lists all its benefits. Lilly and her whole family eventually reap the benefits in a win-win situation.
5) While Jumper Rabbit and Goob Bear set out to find Goob's lost butterfly net they have a problem understanding Tagalong Allie's words. Eventually after learning to listen with their eyes and heart, and not just their ears, Allie leads them to Goob's Butterfly net.
6) The Big Bad Badgers challenge the 7 Oaks gang of characters to a soccer game with high expectations of winning. After goofing off too much the 7 Oaks gang are losing badly until they decide to play as a team. They eventually beat the Badgers and learn a good lesson; "Together is Better"
7) Sleepy Sophie loves to read and can't seem to get enough of it. Too much reading catches up with her and she falls asleep in class and always feels exhausted. She learns by exercising her heart, body, and soul, she is able to find balance in her life.
Our suggested age category for the premier book is 4 to 8
(click picture for USA orders
or the text link below for Canadian orders)
"The 7 Habits of Happy Kids"
(Boxed Collection)
"Commissions Earned"
This boxed set of 7 books follows the daily lives of the 7 Oaks gang.
Each individual book provides its own lesson based on the original 7
habits.
They are all excellent story books that I highly recommend. The collection makes a wonderful gift for a child or grandchild.
Here is a brief summary of the lessons highlighted.
Just The Way I Am
Pokey Porcupine learns that he can't control what others say or do to him, but he can control how he reacts to the situation.
When I Grow Up
Tagalong Allie knows it's OK to dream, but realizes in order to get the big things tomorrow, you need to do the little things today.
A Place for Everything
Jumper rabbit learns if he's organized his life becomes easier and will have more time to do the things hey enjoys.
Sammy and the Pecan Pie
Sammy Squirrel learns not to be jealous of the success of others. After he discovers his own personal assets, he succeeds in his own special way and realizes there will always be enough success to share with everyone.
Lily and the Yucky Cookies
Lily Skunk discovers that she doesn't know it all and learns to listen before she talks. She learns a hard lesson not to hurry but take the time to really listen and understand.
Sophie and the Perfect Poem
While writing a poem with Biff, Sophie Squirrel learns that valuing each others strengths and working together they can accomplish much more than she could alone.
Goob and His Grandpa
This is a very sensitive story, and I would suggest it be read only in appropriate circumstances.
When
Goob's grandpa dies, he is comforted by all of his friends. Together
they learn how important it is to spend time with the people you love.
The underlying message is that we must take the time to invest in our
most important relationships.
Our suggested age range is: 2 to 5
(click picture for USA orders
or the text link below for Canadian orders)
...
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