During the summer I posted a Target for Character Education books since teachers at
my school were looking for fiction picture books to help in the teaching of
character traits such as helpfulness, cooperation, etc. I was particularly looking
for books that involved a classroom setting.
Although I was primarily looking for fiction picture books, the results I received
included fiction, nonfiction,and websites of interest. Several of the websites
offer extensive lists of books. I hope this is helpful to all of you. I am still
interested in gathering additional well-recommended titles with a school setting.
What is your favorite read aloud that your teacher's use for character education?
Please don't send me an extensive list, but one of your top notch choices.
Books listed by Character Trait
*Books for older students
Acceptance
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
Accepting Differences/Tolerance
Different is not bad, different is the world: a book about disabilities- by Sally
Smith
Somebody called me a retard today...and my heart felt sad - by Ellen O'Shaughnessy
Compassion:
The boy who ate words - by Thierry Dedieu
Boxes for Katje, Candace Fleming
Caring
The Pinballs by Byars
Elmer by McKee
The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Brumbeau
Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs by DePaola
Cooperation
The Enormous Potato by Aubrey Davis
Fairness
Yertle the Turtle by Seuss
My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother by Polacco
Friendship
Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores by James Howe
Helpfulness
Helping out is cool - by Ellen Moss
Honesty:
The Empty Pot by Demi
The Candy Corn Contest by Patricia Reilly Giff*
Respect
Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester
The Sneeches by Seuss
Armadillo Tattletale by Helen Ketteman
Crow Boy-Taro Yashima
The First Strawberries-Joseph Bruchac
Fishing Sunday-Tony Jonston
How My Parents Learned to Eat-Ina R. Friedman
I Wish I Were a Butterfly-James Howe
The Mixed-Up Chameleon-Eric Carle
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters-John Steptoe
Now One Foot, Now the Other-Tomie De Paola
The Patchwork Quilt-Valerie Flournoy
Pondlarker-Fred Gwynne
The Rag Coat-Lauren Mills
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge-Mem Fox
Respect (of Environment)
Each living thing by Joanne Ryder
Resolving Problems
Blabber Mouse by True Kelley
Responsibility
The Lorax by Seuss
Horton Hatches the Egg by Seuss
The Sign of the Beaver by Speare*
A Week in the Woods by Clement*
Pedrito’s Day by Luis Garay
Self-acceptance
The Blue Ribbon Day by Katie Couric
Self-esteem
Nonsense! By Sally Phillips, 2006
Self-discipline
Baby Rattlesnake by Te Ata
Self expression
Elbert’s Bad Word by Audrey Wood
Standing up for oneself/Dealing with Bullying
Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle by Jennifer Jacobson
Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen
Loudmouth George and the sixth-grade bully by Nancy Carlson
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Lovell and Catrow.
Tolerance
The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric
Nonfiction Series:
Bridgestone Books/Capstone Press ©2000.
Series: Character Education (22 titles) Author, Lucia Raatma. Int Lvl K-3
Simple descriptions and everyday examples help students recognize and practice the
character values important in today's society. The approachable text describes
positive patterns of behavior.
Gareth Stevens
Series: Doing the Right Thing
These charming books are certain to make character building fun and easy. Each
easy-to-read volume focuses on a single behavior, illustrated with colorful art or
photography.
Int Lvl K-3; Rd Lvl 1.3-1.8
Pebble Books/Capstone Press
Series: Character Values
Provides young readers with everyday examples of positive values. Colorful photos
and easy-to-read text makes learning these values engaging, and even fun.
PowerKids Press/Rosen
Series: Character Building Book
A Character building book series based on biographies of famous people, e.g.
Learning about Achievement from the Life of Maya Angelou
Multiple topics:
Series: The Barkers by Tomie de Paola
Feelings - by Aliki
Pictures, dialogs, poems, and stories portray various emotions we all feel:
jealousy, sadness, fear, anger, joy, love, and others.
Series: Feather Tale Series by Dave Sargent, Ozark Pub. Inc. c2002 Various titles,
e.g. Bob White (Good Judgement) and Kitty Hawk (Honesty)
Series: Help Me Be Good by Joy Wilt Berry, Grolier, 1988
Series: Let’s talk about …by Joy Wilt Berry, Scholastic, 1996
Young People’s Stories of Sharing, Young People’s Press, San Diego.
Edited by Henry Billings, 1995
Other books in the series: kindness,cooperation, etc
Well illustrated and they use good folktales, not overly simplistic stories.
Websites
Character Counts:
http://www.charactercounts.org/booklist.htm
There is a link to books that promote good character. It is broken down by
character trait and reading level
Advance Publishing
http://www.advancepublishing.com
Character-Building Resources and books by Carl Sommer. Series: Sommer-Time Stories
Perfection Learning
http://www.perfectionlearning.com/explorer/librintopic.adp?topic=CHARCNT
Divides books by topic and grade level.
Stone Arch books
http://stonearchbooks.com
Books for upper elementary aligned by character traits.
http://www.stonearchbooks.com/aspx/pIndex.aspx?EntityGUID=92b4914a-01e5-4d2c-9958-d34d6b633672
Heartwood
http://www.heartwoodethics.org/2-teaching/books.asp
Literature-based character education. The list of books is annotated.
Marjorie Pettersen
Library Media Specialist
East School
215 Hogan Drive
Torrington, CT 06790
860-489-2303, ext. 235
controller53@excite.com
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