I Am Human

“I Am Human: A Book of Empathy”

What does it mean to be human? Find out in this original book with delightful illustrations.

Intro: “I was born. A miracle! One of billions but unique!”

Find one’s way on life’s journey by being curious and playful, dreaming, and making discoveries. 

Being human also means not being perfect.

But being human means making choices.

The back of the book includes a loving-kindness meditation.

This book promotes creative components of uniqueness, interconnectedness, and mindfulness.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK:  I like this book because it shows the best parts of being human as well as the not so good parts. It shows how we can make choices, particularly when we make a mistake because we are only human.

TITLE: I Am Human: A Book of Empathy

AUTHOR: Susan Verde

ILLUSTRATOR: Peter H. Reynolds

PUBLISHER: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2018

AGE GROUP: 4-6

TOPIC(S): compassion, social-emotional, self-awareness

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: uniqueness, interconnectedness, mindfulness

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) In what ways do you express compassion for others? 

2) Perform a random act of kindness.

3) Tell someone how much you appreciate them and/or apologize for a hurt you did. 

4) In what ways are you a unique human?

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author Susan Verde, visit:

https://www.susanverde.com/about-susan#bio

To learn more about illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, visit:

https://www.peterhreynolds.com

The Brain Storm

“The Brain Storm”

Follow a young boy as a bad mood pesters him throughout his day and rubs off on those around him.

His grandmother tries to help him by knitting the dark cloud into a sweater but ultimately he discovers that he must work through his own feelings.

Read to discover how this boy creatively resolves his dark cloud.

This wordless picture book is a thought-provoking exploration of disruptive feelings. Readers may interpret these as anger, anxiety, or even a creative brain storm.

This book promotes creative components of creative problem solving and open-ended interpretation.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK:  I like this book because it allows the reader to interpret the story on their own.

TITLE: The Brain Storm

AUTHOR: Linda Ragsdale

ILLUSTRATOR: Claudio Molina

PUBLISHER: Flowerpot Press, 2019

AGE GROUP: 3-6

TOPIC(S): feelings, social-emotional

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: open-ended, creative problem solving

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Make a list of feelings. Next to each feeling, write the color(s) that you feel go with that feeling. 

2) Write on a piece of paper something that bothers you. Turn that paper into a paper airplane and let it soar away.

3) Color a piece of paper with lots of different colors. Make sure to fill the paper. Then color over those colors with a black crayon. Using a toothpick, scratch a picture that makes you happy.

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author Linda Ragsdale, visit:

http://thepeacedragon.com/about/president-bio

To learn more about illustrator Claudio Molina, visit:

https://www.freelanced.com/claudiomolina69831

The Earth and I

“The Earth and I”

This is a story about a very special friendship.

INTRO: “The Earth and I are friends. Sometimes we go for long walks together.”

Then the child listens to her.

The Earth helps the child grow and the child helps the Earth grow.

The child helps clean up Earth and she’s happy again.

This book promotes creative components of nature and compassion.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK:  I like this book because it illustrates in a kid-friendly way how nature and people connect together and the benefits of this friendship for both.

TITLE: The Earth and I

AUTHOR: Frank Asch

ILLUSTRATOR: Frank Asch

PUBLISHER: A Gulliver Green Book, 1994

AGE GROUP: 3-6

TOPIC(S): Earth, friendship with nature

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: nature, compassion

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Learn about a region such as a meadow, forest, swamp, tundra, or jungle that is unfamiliar to you.

2) Take a nature walk. Find a nature item that sparks your interest and what a short story or poem about it.

3) In what ways are you thankful for the Earth? How might you show your gratitude for Earth?

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator Frank Asch, visit:

http://frankasch.com/an-interview-with-frank-asch/