Positive Qualities

Picture Books Library < Positive Qualities

Picture books about Positive Qualities from the Little Parachutes reviews library

Books that promote positive qualities such as kindness, resilience, courage, confidence and gratitude.

Acceptance & Inclusion

A collection of picture books that encourage children to be accepting and welcoming to all.

A collection of picture books that champion confidence and self-esteem, encouraging children to appreciate their own self-worth and positively appraise their own appearance, emotions, beliefs and behaviours.

Courage

These children’s picture books contain characters who have shown courage, or contain messages that encourage children to be brave.

Curiosity & Creativity

Picture books that will foster children's natural curiosity and creativity, encouraging them to ask questions, discover and appreciate the new, and inspire them to create and develop their own ideas.

Gratitude

Picture books that encourage children to show gratitude and appreciate what they have. Scientific studies have shown that people with a strong sense of gratitude have better physical and psychological health, higher self-esteem and are able to empathise with others.

Kindness

These children's picture books contain characters which show kindness, or contain messages that encourage children to be kind to others.

Resilience / adaptability

Picture books that show resilient characters, or encourage children to recover from difficulty or change.

Odd Bods

By celebrating the fact that every child alive is an ‘odd bod’, with their own set of idiosyncrasies which should be accepted as the things that define them. Nobody is perfect, and who would want to be anyway?

Bumposaurus

May help young children to understand why wearing glasses is important.

I Can Make a Difference: A First Look at Setting a Good Example

Helps children to understand the importance of good manners, helping others and being considerate by setting a good example.

Witches and Fairies

Children can sometimes form friendship circles which exclude others, which can be difficult for the children left on the outside. This book focusses on Clotilda, a little girl who doesn't really fit into the group of fairies and group of witches she longs to play with.

I’m Special, I’m Me!

Promoting tolerance, co-operation and acceptance and celebrating diversity. May help to boost a child's self-esteem and realise that being different isn't a negative trait.

It’s Not Fair!

Children with a baby brother or sister may identify with this story, which acknowledges the advantages and disadvantages of being the older sibling.

Tyrannosaurus Drip

While predominantly being a book for pure entertainment, this book also has the underlying themes of bullying, acceptance and prejudice.

Collywobble

The story shows that appearances are not always as they seem. It has an underlying message that even the youngest and weakest can achieve great and unexpected things with enough determination.

Christopher’s Bicycle (Christopher Nibble)

Encourages children to get involved in recycling and offers simple instructions on how to make recycled gifts.

Giraffes Can’t Dance

The story would be a good starting point for a discussion on self-esteem and persistence, or the positive side of being different. It also has an anti-bullying/acceptance message.

Do Unto Otters: A Book about Manners

Encouraging young children to respect differences in others and act with kindness and politeness.

My First Day at Nursery School

Reassuring children who have anxieties about starting playgroup or nursery. Promoting a positive view of this big milestone.

Ping and Pong are Best Friends (mostly)

When your child falls out with their best friend this book will show that even the greatest friendships have their ups and downs.

Peace At Last

A great book which children going through challenging times will be able to 'escape into'.

The Cow That Laid an Egg

A great choice to cheer up a child going through difficult times - they will probably be giggling out loud by the end of the book! There's also an underlying theme of acceptance, and may even strike a chord with adopted children.

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet

Molly and Her Dad

A touching portrayal of the bonding process between a distant father and his daughter. Although their interaction is awkward at first, love shines through and their similarities become obvious to the reader. As the book progresses, Molly adopts her father's funny expressions and behaviour.

I Don’t Care!: Learning About Respect

The book explains what respect means and shows a child the different ways respect can be shown and received. It also explains how negative it is when you are not respected or do not respect other people.

It’s Not Fair (Your Feelings)

Explores the concept of unfairness in a child-friendly way and encourages children to come to terms with this emotion. Also touches upon the subject of anger and violence as the child in the story feels like 'hitting out' when she considers things to be unfair.

Catherine’s Story

Promoting tolerance and understanding of those with physical or mental disabilities. Highlights the positive traits of disability.

Sometimes

Children with siblings with long term illness

Smile (A Sunny McCloud Book)

Never Say No to a Princess!

Sometimes children just can't stop themselves from asking for everything they see and in the modern consumerist society it is increasingly difficult for parents to say no to their children's demands. The little princess's parents give her all the sparkly things she wants whenever she asks for them but she is never happy and she never says please.

Beegu

A story for anyone who has ever felt lonely, lost and unloved. Children who have experienced loneliness may empathise with Beegu. This book teaches the importance of being kind to others, particularly those who have moved from a different place and may be feeling homesick and anxious.

Everybody Matters: A First Look at Respect for Others

This non-fiction picture book introduces children to the concept of respect, fair treatment and anti-discrimination. It explains that you can earn respect by being polite, honest and by listening to others: qualities that will ultimately lead to making the world a better place.

Odd Bird Out

Whilst generally children want to fit in with their peers many others either cannot or do not want to be like everybody else.

My Grampy Can’t Walk

A positive book which sends out the message that a person's disabilities need not define them. It would be a good choice for a child who has a family member in a wheelchair.

A Dog Called Rod

This would be a good choice if you are trying to discourage a child from owning a pet that wouldn't be suitable or practical for their household. It also may make a child realise there is sometimes hard work and inconvenience associated with pet ownership.

Mr Big

Wilbie’s Gift

Acknowledging some common uncertainties a child may have associated with a new baby in the house.

Ready, Steady, Grow!

Describing to the very young positive things they can do to help their bodies grow strong and healthy. May also reassure a child eager to 'be grown up' that each day, little by little, they are moving towards this. Personal safety issues, healthy eating and good hygiene are also touched upon.

The Shopping Basket

A positive account of how a child uses his brain to outsmart bullies. May encourage children to react to teasing and bullying in ways other than physical retaliation.