Posted on Monday, May 5, 2014

Books on Being Gentle

Book summaries originally from Amazon web page. We Choose Virtues has not personally read all of these books.

This months virtue is I am Gentle! Here is a list of books about being gentle that can teach you and your children how live out this virtue in your everyday life.

Be Gentle

By Virginia Miller

“Be Gentle!” is the perfect book for toddlers learning the intricacies of proper social behavior. This book is my two year old’s favorite because he knows many of the words. He has heard the phrase “be gentle” many times since the birth of his little sister, and this book helps him to truly understand what that means. He also gets excited because the book uses familiar objects such as a swing, a red wagon, and a drum in the storyline so he can sympathize with the characters. A great book for new, young siblings.

Tails Are Not for Pulling

By Elizabeth Verdick

If pets could talk, what would they say? Maybe “Fur is for petting, backs are for scratching, noses are for nuzzling . . . and tails are not for pulling!” Toddlers and pets belong together—as long as toddlers don’t chase, grab, squeeze, yank, and tease. In simple words and delightful illustrations, this book teaches the basics of kindness to animals: careful handling, awareness, safety, and respect. It also includes helpful tips for parents and caregivers.

Be Gentle With the Dog Dear

By Matthew Baek

Baby Elisa loves Tag, the family dog. She loves to squeeze him, and pull his tail, and tackle him. Tag loves Elisa too—especially when she’s sleeping. Elisa’s parents tell her, “You must be gentle with the dog, dear.” But this is easier said than done. What’s a good dog to do?

With spare, pithy text and laugh-out-loud illustrations, debut author/illustrator Matthew J. Baek brilliantly captures the warmth, frustration, and rampant comedy of life with a toddler and the object of her delight. Whether the pursued or the pursuer, any kid with a pet or sibling will love this tale of two characters who share a true regard, and learn— with much hilarity along the way—the right way to show it.

Gentleness: Cultivating Spirit-Given Character

By Calvin Miller

Best-selling author Calvin Miller has written an in-depth, biblically based study on the Fruits of the Spirits (Galatians 5:22). This unique study guide can be used as a personal study or in a small group setting. Features include: Lesson overview of each 6-week study Questions for reflection Character studies Bonus parable study Questions for small group discussion

A Little Book of Manners: Courtesy & Kindness for Young Ladies

By Emilie Barnes

Emilie Barnes introduces children to good manners. Fascinating facts explain why we follow certain rules, and helpful hints demonstrate courtesy in a child-friendly way.

Fruit Of The Spirit For Children

By David Walters

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. We are going to look at these nine fruits and see how they can grow in our lives

The Crippled Lamb

By Max Lucado, Jenna Lucado, Liz Bonham

In this timeless best selling children’s book by acclaimed author Max Lucado, young readers will experience the tender love God has for those who feel alone and different. The Crippled Lamb is Joshua, a lamb with a crippled leg who felt left out because he couldn’t run and… Read More

Posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Prayer Jars-Creating a vibrant prayer life with your kids

Prayer Jars: Asking and Thanking

I was homeschooled when I was a child and we had morning devotions with my mother every day. After we read the Proverb of the day, we had a Prayer Jar that we passed around from which each of us drew 2-3 prayer requests. The requests included names of people we wanted to pray for each day like the president, our pastor, each family member, as well as prayer needs that our family had been made aware of. As a family, we saw many answers to prayer. We also saw that some prayers that were not answered the way we had hoped. The times when the prayers seemed to go unanswered gave us an opportunity to talk about God and His sovereignty. I hope this set of Prayer Jars will help your family to…

Constantly watch for needs that God can meet.
Grow in compassion for others as you bring their needs to God.
Become more confident in prayer.
Strengthen your faith as you watch God answer prayers, large and small.
Develop a grateful heart and express your thankfulness to God.
Deepen your love and trust in God.

What to do:

Decorate two Jars. One says “Prayer Jar: Asking” the other says “Prayer Jar: Thanking”
Make strips of paper and put them with some pens where everyone can find them.
Write each prayer need or name and the date on a single strip of paper and add them to the Asking Jar.
Pass the Asking Jar at any family meal, devotions, or maybe at bed time. Everyone can draw two or three to pray for each time. (Or pray for all of them every time if you choose) Then put the paper back in the Asking Jar for the next time.
When God answers, shout Hallelujah and thank Him for His goodness as earnestly as you asked for it.
Write the date on the back of the strip of paper and put it in the Thanking Jar.

Posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2014

The Blessings Calendar

“Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things. Keep on doing all the things you learned and received and heard from me. Do the things you saw me do. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 (NLV)

The God of peace…I love this promise and I have SEEN HIM SHOW UP in my life so many times!

I grew up with five brothers and sisters of which I’m number two, the oldest girl. My mother homeschooled us and my father was a pastor and also held any other job he could find to support us. We lived in a small lumber town and the economy was brutal. I remember there was a lot of concern about how the needs would be met.

I’m not suggesting you share all the weighty details of your family trials with your children, wisdom would say that they need to be sheltered from too heavy a load, but I am grateful that we knew some of it and that my parents let us walk through it with them, hand in hand with Jesus.

During this time, my mother decided to begin to keep track of everything the Lord did and all that He provided for us. She found a small calendar and each day, sometimes at dinner, would ask the children to name everything we could think of that the Lord had done for us that day and she would write it down. Nothing was too small or, in the case of a giant zucchini placed on our door step, too large! It was amazing how our faith grew as we watched the Lord provide for each family member. Often He answered prayers that we hadn’t even prayed, but rather were heart’s desires.

As parents, we are so used to thinking that WE are the ones our children should be able to look to for all their needs. We try to come to their aid when there is injustice or pain, real or imagined. We pull out the credit card if there is no other way. It might be time we bow out gracefully and let our children idolize a new Hero, One who has a perfect timing for all things and wants to lavishly bless in the midst of it all. They need to see God’s footprints walking right through their lives every day. This calendar did that for my family.

As my mother wrote in it over several years, she began to notice something amazing, something that she never would have known if we had not been keeping track of the blessings. It seemed that every time a difficult situation came along in our life, there appeared mountains of blessings surrounding it. It was as if the Lord was causing the mountains to fill in the valleys. The result was an even greater attitude of thanksgiving for all that the Lord was doing for us.

Who knew how very much I would need to know the Lord in this way? I have battled kidney failure my entire life, and more recently, cancer. The little girl whose mother kept a Blessings Calendar needed to know that God would take care of everything her parents couldn’t, and that mountains of blessing would surround the valley of the shadow of death. My mother’s faith in God became my faith because our family trials were opportunities to “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him” (Psalm 34:8)

Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2013

Books about being Honest

I’m Telling the Truth: A First Look at Honesty (First Look at Books)

~ By Pat Thomas

Children are shown that although being honest can be hard sometimes, it is worth it. Everyone likes people who speak the truth and keep their word. Kids learn that when we all practice being honest, the world becomes a fairer and happier place to live in. Titles in the popular “A First Look At” series for pre-school and early-grades kids explore emotional issues, encouraging children to discuss things that bother them with trusted adults. The series also helps them begin to develop basic social skills. Written by a psychotherapist and child counselor, these books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. They are written in easy-to-comprehend language, and have child-friendly illustrations on every page.

The Berenstain Bears and the Truth

~ By Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain

When Brother and Sister Bear accidentally break Mama’s favorite lamp, their little lie grows bigger and bigger, until Papa Bear helps them find the words that set everything right again.

Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie

~ By Laura Rankin

Ruthie loves little things–the smaller, the better. When she finds a teeny tiny toy on the school playground, she can hardly believe her luck. There’s just one problem: it belongs to somebody else! Ruthie insists the toy is hers, but deep down, she knows better. How could one little toy turn into such a great big problem?

What Do You Stand For? For Kids: A Guide to Building Character

~ By Barbara A. Lewis

Even elementary school children can build positive character traits like caring, citizenship, cooperation, courage, fairness, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The true stories, inspiring quotations, thought-provoking dilemmas, and activities in this book help kids grow into capable, moral teens and adults. Previously titled Being Your Best, this award-winning book has a fresh new cover and updated resources.

Knowing and Doing What’s Right: The Positive Values Assets (The Adding Assets Series for Kids)

~ By Pamela Espeland amd Elizabeth Verdick

Kids learn how to build the six Positive Values assets: Caring, Equality and Social Justice, Integrity, Honesty, Responsibility, and Healthy Lifestyle. Stories, tips, and ideas help them to make good choices and build positive character traits.

Little Abraham Learns a Lesson in Honesty: Honesty (American Virtues for Kids: Honesty) [Board Book]

~ By David Mead

Publication Date: January 2004 | Age Range: 4 and up | Series: American Virtues for Kids: Honesty. BOARD BOOK

Honest Abe Lincoln: Easy-to-read Stories About Abraham

~ By David A. Adler

Born into humble beginnings, Abraham Lincoln lived in a log cabin and helped run the family farm. Later he became a store clerk, postmaster, and lawyer. People liked Abe’s funny stories and kind words, and he quickly earned a reputation for his honesty, which he brought with him all the way to the White House. Newly independent readers will relish this straightforward story of the life of an American Hero.

10-Minute Life Lessons for Kids: 52 Fun and Simple Games and Activities to Teach Your Child Honesty, Trust, Love, and Other Important Values

~ By Jamie C. Miller

52 playful and easy to understand activities to help parents teach children moral lessons that they won’t forget. A child says, “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” 10-Minute Life Lessons for Kids is a book about seeing and doing–a book that gives parents the ability to teach the powerful principles of honesty, trust, generosity, love, and other values. Children will discover the objectives themselves as they actively participate in fun games and activities. The games can be done in any order, with very little planning and with very few supplies–just common objects most people have around the house like toothpicks, string, pennies, or an apple. Some can be done while riding in the car, and others can be expanded to fill a whole evening with family fun. The activities in 10-Minute Life Lessons for Kids will not only create cozy and enjoyable moments of family togetherness, they will have a lasting impact on your growing child.

Big Whopper (Zigzag Kids)

~ By Patricia Reilly Giff

The author of the beloved Kids of the Polk Street School series introduces a new generation of readers to a multicultural group of kids who enjoy all the activities of an after-school center. It’s Discovery Week at the Zigzag Afternoon Center! Everyone writes their discoveries on a big sheet of paper in the hallway. But Destiny Washington can’t think of anything new to discover. Before she knows it, Destiny has told a BIG whopper. And snooty Gina, who’s great at discovering things, knows all about it. Destiny has to find a way out of the whopper. In the end, she makes the best discovery of all. In this delightful new series, award-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff introduces readers to a quirky, lovable group of kids, capturing all the excitement and surprises of new friends and after-school fun.

Max and the Big Fat Lie: A Book About Telling the Truth (Building Christian Character)

~ By Michael P. Waite

Max feels bad after he lies to his mother in order to see a scary movie. Includes a related Bible verse.

Treasury of Virtues: Courage, Love, Honesty

~ By Jennifer Boudart

Twenty well known childhood stories, each with a message about virtues. If you have small children and you want to impress upon them the importance of being virtuous, then this book is recommend.

Penny and Her Marble

~ By Kevin Henkes

When Penny spots a marble in Mrs. Goodwin’s front yard, she picks it up, puts it in her pocket, and takes it home. It’s a beautiful marble—it’s big, shiny, blue, smooth, and fast, and Penny loves it. But does the marble really belong to Penny?

Whitney Solves a Dilemma with Solomon, and Learns the Importance of Honesty

~ By Therese Johnson Borchard

Whitney would do anything to get to soccer practice, even copy a friend’s homework so she won’t have to waste time on boring Math herself. But what was supposed to be a one-time solution becomes a habit. Copying homework leads to copying a quiz–and getting caught. The teacher’s demand for a confession on who was cheating from whom puts the girls’ friendship on the line. Whitney turns to Nana’s Emerald Bible for help and gets sent back in time to King Solomon’s court. The uncanny wisdom of the king and the “wisdom” of the strange foreign girl are tested when two women come to court, both claiming to be mother of the same child. Whitney offers a solution to the king, who in turn tells Whitney what she must do in her own situation to at last make things right with both her friend and her teacher.

I Repeat, Don’t Cheat!

~ By Margery Cuyler

Jessica and her best friend Lizzie do everything together. But when Lizzie starts copying words from Jessica’s spelling test, Jessica knows it isn’t right. Then Jessica tries to help Lizzie write a poem for their homework, but Lizzie takes credit for it in class! Jessica doesn’t want to lose her friend, but she can’t take it anymore. What should she do? With simple text and engaging illustrations, young readers will relate to Jessica’s latest worry—and they’ll have a great example to follow after they see how Jessica handles her problem.

Jared and Joshua’s Whopper

~ By Alan Portmann

Author Alan Portmann uses humor, imagination, and wit in Jared and Joshua’s Whopper, telling the tale of two young brothers who exaggerate circumstances to a new level of storytelling to avoid the truth about why they were all wet to their momma. 32 pages, paperback.

Honesty (Adventures in Odyssey Life Lessons) [Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

This collection of previously released episodes is a great way to introduce new listeners to the characters and the early days of Adventures in Odyssey at the low price of only $5.99 each! Collect them all! Each volume features three exciting, action-packed stories. Bible stories, character-building adventures, and historical events are all fair game for object lessons in living.

30 Very Veggie Devos about Honesty (Big Idea Books / VeggieTales) [Paperback]

~ Big Idea (Creator)

This list was compiled by Sherry Andrew (the mother of Heather McMillan, creator of We Choose Virtues)

If you know about more books and stories that would make a good addition to this list, please leave your ideas in the comments, we will check them out and add the to the list with our THANKS!