July 2009 Archives

The fabulous Just One More Book Podcast has featured One Smile in this Wednesday's edition of their show. The episode is just over six minutes long, and also highlights the Pay It Forward Foundation as well as another pay-it-forward inspired picture book.

As new faces are constantly added to the human population, kindness and compassion are essential tools for maintaining a harmonious community and a peaceful world. Whether it's a simple smile or a courageous, selfless gesture, treating others with compassion is the best way to be a hero. When you exercise compassion, you make the world a better place. Here are a few picture books from Illumination Arts that show the many forms compassion can take.

• The Doll Lady: Teach children that, just as dolls "must be loved and respected for their uniqueness," people must be treated with compassion and valued for their individuality.
• Little Squarehead: In this heartwarming story, children will learn, like Rosa, that no matter what their differences in outer appearances, all people are beautiful inside and deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion.
• One Smile: Follow Katie's example and discover how easy it is to show compassion; even with a simple smile, the lives of many can be brightened, and that one heroic, though small, act of kindness can make the world a better place.
• Dragon: With a little cooperation and understanding, peaceful reconciliation is always possible, even in the face of a terrible dragon. Just as ruling with peace rather than violence leads to a better kingdom for Langilor, living compassionately will lead to a better world for all.
• The Errant Knight: Compassion, though rewarding, can sometimes require a heroic selflessness that leads to putting personal goals on hold. For the errant knight, following his heart means helping those in need, even when it delays his journey to the king. He ultimately discovers that by putting the needs of others before his own, he has become a true hero.
• Too Many Murkles: Though she is young, wise Juliana teaches children that showing others compassion by considering their perspective can lead to wonderful results, and that oftentimes the most horrible events can be happy, humorous blessings in disguise.
• The Bonsai Bear: In this heartfelt tale about letting others live out their true nature, childless couple Issa and Kyomi must find in themselves the selflessness and compassion to let their bear cub return to the wild where he belongs, even when they could keep him forever.

A sense of belonging is very important to children's self-confidence and many of them fear standing out from the crowd. But in an increasingly diverse world, differences abound. Books can be great tools for teaching kids how to embrace these differences--and for showing that other children may not be as different as they appear. These beautifully illustrated picture books will inspire children to accept and embrace their differences:

• Am I a Color Too? (Written by Heidi Cole & Nancy Vogl; Illustrated by Gerald Purnell): A young interracial boy examines racial differences and discovers that regardless of other people's labels, he's "just a person, a person just like you."
• We Share One World (Written by Jane Hoffelt; Illustrated by Marty Husted): As a boy travels around the world, visiting different countries and cultures, he realizes that we all share the same sun, moon, and world.
• Little Squarehead (Written by Peggy O'Neill; Illustrated by Denise Freeman): A sad little girl is taunted and teased because of the odd shape of her head, but her world changes when she discovers courage, confidence, and compassion.
• Dreams to Grow On (Written by Christine Hurley Deriso; Illustrated by Matthew Archamault): A young girl explores the possible careers she might follow when she grows up--from doctor to sea captain, and everything in between.

The Children's Book Group over on GoodReads has a great discussion going about classic fairy tales. The group is recommending several different picture books for parents whose children have somehow missed out on these nostalgic tales.

For those looking for a modern twist on a traditional tale, I highly recommend our own Little Ruth Reddingford and the Wolf. In this retelling, Red uses her Native American heritage to help overcome the bullies waiting for her on the way to her grandmother's house.