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Using Books to Specifically Support Christian Virtues

Monster Mama.jpg

This material is from an American (Catholic) publication which contains a section of books suitable for various age levels, classified under various virtues.  The books may not be ones you use for your children, but I hope that the idea of specifically and consciously linking virtues to stories for small children will inspire you, and enable you to look at the books you are using, as explicit support for the virtues you wish to teach. Books, as you know, can provide valuable starters for conversations about behaviours, and virtues.

These extracts are provided as examples of how you might look at the books you are using.

Hope:   

  • Angelina Ballerina, Katherine Holabird.  A young mouse dreams of dancing her way to stardom. This is one in a series of books with the same principal character.
  • Caterpillar’s Wish, Mary Murphy.  This is the story of a caterpillar who longs to fly like a bee or ladybug. She grows into a beautiful butterfly.

Love:

  • My Monster Mama Loves Me So, Laura Leuck.  This book tells the story of what a monster mom does to show her love.
  • You are my Love, Maryann E. Cusimano. A parent expresses love for a child through a rhyming text that describes the parent as a safe haven and the child as adventuresome.

 Community:

  • Millions of Cats, Wanda Gag.  An older person seeks to find a cat for another older person. He comes home with many cats, but one remains faithful.

Courage:

  • Arthur Lost and Found, Marc Brown.  Arthur takes a city bus to his swimming lesson for the first time by himself. He falls asleep and misses his stop.  He gets off and is lost, but he finds courage to find his way home.
  • Monster Moments, Daniel J Porter.  This is a series of poems that help children deal with their fears.

Reconciliation:

  • The Grouchy Ladybug, Eric Carle. As the reader progresses through a series of brilliantly-coloured pages, a bad tempered bug becomes nicer, happier, and better-behaved.
  • It’s Mine, Leon Lionni.  This is the story of three childlike frogs in a pond who learn the importance of co-operation.

Service:

  • The Clown of God, Tomie dePaola. This story shows that all people have something to give. If we give happiness to others, we are giving glory to God.
  • Dr. DeSoto, William Steig. A clever mouse helps all of his dental patients, even the ones who are not trustworthy.