by Dr. Z
March 22 2010
Categories: Books of the Month
This month I am highlighting two books we use as part of our Posies and Polliwogs Character Development Program. Our teachers use these books to introduce the character trait, Caring. We have one book for our younger students and another for older ones.
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak is a favorite of many young children and their parents. It’s very wisely published as a board book which means it will hold up to some vigorous loving by your little one. We selected this book because we know that in order for children to become caring individuals, they must first experience what it means to be loved and cared for. The underlying theme is that you love everything about your child. However, the book is also a great vehicle for introducing or reviewing body parts, familiar actions, opposites, and feelings.
For our older children, we chose A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams. It is a Caldecott Honor book which means it has exemplary illustrations. They are colorful and engage children’s attention as they carry the events of the story along. It is a poignant story that children as young as 3 can understand. It tells of a family’s struggles after their house burns down and how they manage with the help of their neighbors and extended family. The heart of book, however, revolves around their love for one another and their determination to save enough money to buy a new chair. It’s a wonderful way for children to learn that optimism can win out even in tough circumstances.
At Primrose, we believe that the partnership between our school and your home is important. In an effort to support this partnership, we have pulled together toys, books, puppets, and more that parents and children can enjoy together. The lessons at Primrose School can continue with mom and dad at home! To learn more about this school-to-home connection and to purchase the books highlighted here, please visit www.PrimroseStore.com.
