When family or friends come to me with a challenge, I usually send them away with a list of books. It has gotten so bad that my boys will laugh, and before I even get the words out, say, “Let me guess. You have a book that I should read?” With the people I mentor and my students, I usually assign the books so that we can talk about them together and apply the lessons directly to their life and challenges. This article is the third in my Five Helpful Books series, where I share books that I have read or know of that can help you in some way!
With everything that is going on today (COVID 19, unemployment, government lockdown), kids don’t know what to do. If you are looking for some good picture books to help with your kids’ mindset, they need to be inspired to see more and be more. Here are five great books (some of them series) for the picture book crowd. These books would be great for 3 to 8-year-olds. Enjoy!
The Kid Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews. This book is the picture book version of my favorite book, The Butterfly Effect, by the same author. I love how it teaches kids how every person matters, and it isn’t just the big things that make a difference. Sometimes it is just being nice to each other and doing what we are meant to do.
2. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey. The adult and teen version of this book are some of my classics. Teaching young kids the habits of being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and more give them a head start as they get older. It also introduces the vocabulary so you can easily talk to them about these topics.
3. Unstoppable Me! 10 Ways to Soar Through Life by Dr. Wayne Dyer. I love the messages in this book! It is teaching kids about self-esteem, responsibility, creativity, and more. I can see this used as a conversation starter with kids who are having a challenge. It is also a great way to help kids understand their mindset.
4. What Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yamada. I love this book (and the others in this series)! The illustrations by Mae Besom are beautiful. How she uses color to move you through the story is delightful. The story is also incredible. It addresses the challenges of taking action on an idea and the benefits of doing so. I can see this book used with a little older kids as a conversation starter. They can talk about a person in history who took an idea and shared it with the world.
5. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty. I am passionate about teaching kids that they only fail if they quit, and this book shows this concept in a fun, relate-able way.
Don’t be afraid to read these to older students! Especially if the lesson is one they need. I regularly read picture books to my high school students. They always love it!