Critical Literacy and Self-Esteem
Taking a critical approach to literacy helps children become more emotionally stable, and improves reading comprehension and critical thinking.
Using Bibliotherapy
7 picture books to enhance self-esteem
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy is a charming and uplifting book about Lucy, who is constantly teased by Ralph. Ralph tells her how she’s one of a kind – but not in a good way! Initially Lucy lets his words get to her, but eventually when Ralph needs help, Lucy makes a courageous choice that will change their dynamic forever. This book shows kids the rewards of doing the right thing and of being proud of who they are – even when it’s not easy to make the right decision and feel good about themselves.
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from ChildrensBookGuide.com)
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from ChildrensBookGuide.com)
Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud focuses on helping to give kids a greater sense of purpose through helping others. With a focus on kindness, respect, being fair, being responsible and generous, this book shows kids how rewarding it can be to help out those who are in need. It is a character development program that works for kids of all ages. The metaphor of ‘bucket filling’ is simple, straight forward, and will be understood by virtually anyone. This book showcases how a community is a much better place to live when everyone treats each other kindly.
Ages: 6-9
(Retrieved from ChildrensBookGuide.com)
Ages: 6-9
(Retrieved from ChildrensBookGuide.com)
Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell is short and clumsy and has buckteeth and a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. But armed with the encouraging words of her grandmother, Molly Lou confidently confronts the class bully at her new school. A not-to-be missed story for the less-than-perfect part of everyone!
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from MommyEdition.com)
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from MommyEdition.com)
You Are Special by Max Lucado centers around a small, wooden people named Wemmicks. Every day they do the same thing: they either put a gold star or a gray star on one another. The beautiful, flawless smooth wooded people get gold stars, while the ones with a bit of chipped paint or other minor flaws get the dreaded gray dots. This is a heartwarming tale that shows kids that no matter what others may think of you – or what kind of star they think you deserve – you are special in your own right. It is a powerful tale that shows that it doesn’t matter how the world rates you. What matters is how you rate yourself.
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from ChildrensBookGuide.com)
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from ChildrensBookGuide.com)
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman is an inspiring children's story to achieve their full potential by believing that anything is possible. Promoting tolerance and acceptance and celebrating diversity. Boosting self-esteem and dealing with prejudice.
Grace adores play acting and dressing up as her favourite fictional characters. So when her teacher announces her class are going to do the play of Peter Pan Grace immediately volunteers herself as Peter. Some of her classmates protest, telling her she can't be Peter Pan as he's a boy, and he's not black. This upsets Grace. But when her Ma and Nana hear about what the children have said, they explain to Grace that she can be anything she wants to be if she has determination. Nana takes Grace to the ballet, where the lead dancer is a beautiful black girl. Grace realises her family was right: she can be anything she wants to be. At the school auditions, all the children vote for her and she is given the role of Peter Pan. The play is a great success and Grace gives a magical performance.
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from LittleParachutes.com)
Grace adores play acting and dressing up as her favourite fictional characters. So when her teacher announces her class are going to do the play of Peter Pan Grace immediately volunteers herself as Peter. Some of her classmates protest, telling her she can't be Peter Pan as he's a boy, and he's not black. This upsets Grace. But when her Ma and Nana hear about what the children have said, they explain to Grace that she can be anything she wants to be if she has determination. Nana takes Grace to the ballet, where the lead dancer is a beautiful black girl. Grace realises her family was right: she can be anything she wants to be. At the school auditions, all the children vote for her and she is given the role of Peter Pan. The play is a great success and Grace gives a magical performance.
Ages: 4-8
(Retrieved from LittleParachutes.com)
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae is about Gerald, a very self-conscious giraffe. Gerard is painfully aware of his gangly legs which made him stumble and trip when he tried to run. So when the time for the annual Jungle Dance came around, he felt very sad at the prospect of his dancing skills not being up to scratch. The other animals all performed flawless routines. Gerald bravely walked towards the dance floor, but was halted in his tracks by the other animals teasing him about his dancing. He crept off into the jungle, feeling useless, sad and lonely. In a beautiful moonlit clearing he met a cricket, who politely explained to him that "sometimes when you're different you just need a different song". He told Gerald to listen to all the beautiful natural sounds around him and to imagine the moon was playing just for him. Accompanied by the cricket's violin, Gerald felt the urge to move and performed the most spectacular dance. The other animals arrived to watch, and were amazed by Gerald's miraculous abilities. When they asked him how he was able to dance so well, Gerald replied, "we all can dance...When we find the music that we love."
Ages: 3-8
(Retrieved from LittleParachutes.com)
Ages: 3-8
(Retrieved from LittleParachutes.com)
Unstoppable Me by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer teaches children how to hold on to the no-limit thinking he believes they were born with, rather than just trying to "fit in." In doing so, they can learn to truly enjoy life and become unstoppable as they strive to attain their dreams. The 10 important lessons in this book include the value of taking risks, dealing with stress and anxiety, and learning to enjoy each moment. Each point includes an example showing how a child might apply the concept in his or her everyday life. Similar to Incredible You! there are questions at the end of the book to help spark discussion and to further reinforce Wayne's message.
Ages: 3-5
(Retrieved from HayHouse.com)
Ages: 3-5
(Retrieved from HayHouse.com)