Children’s Books for Teaching Character Traits in the Classroom (2024)

A fresh retelling of the classic Humpty Dumpty story told from the egg's perspective. Humpty Dumpty bravely faces his fear of heights, teaching us about courage, overcoming adversity, and the importance of self-esteem. His perseverance and resilience paint an inspiring picture of the triumph of determination over fear.

After the Fall promotes discussions around character traits, perspectives, and a growth mindset. It encourages students to understand and embrace their fears, foster adaptability, and celebrate resilience.

Amazing Grace is about a book-loving young girl who dreams big and defies gender roles. Despite being told she can't play Peter Pan in the school play because she's a girl, Grace, backed by her mama and Nana's unwavering support, auditions and wins the role, breaking stereotypes.

The story of Grace encourages discussions on self-esteem, adaptability, determination, fairness, gender roles, and the significance of making personal connections.

Camilla Cream loves lima beans but won't eat them because her friends hate them. A mysterious illness causes her to become what others think she should be. Only when she embraces her true self does she recover.

A Bad Case of the Stripes serves as a reminder that individuality should be celebrated and that personal growth stems from self-acceptance and the courage to resist societal pressures.

A sunflower seed believes he's bad due to the negative comments he overhears about himself. He decides to change his ways and make an effort to become better. He doesn't change overnight but commits to taking it one day at a time.

The Bad Seed introduces discussions on a growth mindset, self-management, self-awareness, and social awareness, emphasising that effort and determination make change possible.

A Boy Like You encourages boys to celebrate their uniqueness, exhibit kindness and fairness, and value emotional intelligence. It encourages boys to stay true to themselves, understand their emotions, exhibit resilience, and use their strengths to support others.

A Boy Like You highlights instances where boys can make a difference, such as standing up against bullying or expressing their emotions openly. It inspires them to be whoever they wish as long as they remain kind, honest, and authentic.

Change Sings: A Children's Anthem tells the empowering story of a young girl and a diverse group of children who come together to influence change in their community. They realize that their words and actions, big or small, can make a significant difference and inspire others to follow their lead.

The book teaches your students that age is no barrier to making a difference and that their unique voices can bring about positive changes in the world.

A young mouse, Chrysanthemum, adores her unique name but faces teasing at school due to its uniqueness. However, when her music teacher names her baby Chrysanthemum, it triggers a shift in perspective, leading her classmates to appreciate their unique identities and Chrysanthemums.

Chrysanthemum encourages your students to embrace their identities and respect others' uniqueness. It reminds us that open-mindedness and empathy can shift perspectives and contribute to an accepting environment.

Dragons may love tacos but hate spicy salsa. A boy discovers this peculiarity and hosts a taco party for his dragon friends. The party takes an unexpected turn when the salsa, much to the dragons' dismay, turns out to be spicy, leading to a chaotic and fiery mess.

Dragons Love Tacos offers opportunities to discuss the concepts of problem-solving, cause and effect, and the importance of careful planning and reading labels!

Inspired by Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a girl who shattered Cuba's taboo against female drummers, this story portrays a young girl devoted to drumming. Despite societal prohibition, she practices, remaining steadfast in her passion. Her diligence attracts attention, causing people to join her in dance and song.

Drum Dream Girl underscores the significance of challenging societal norms, staying true to oneself, and the power of dreams and determination. The book inspires discussions on courage, determination, and gender equality.

Follow Gerald's journey of courage, self-belief, and resilience as he longs to participate in the annual Jungle Dance, despite the taunting of other animals.

Giraffes Can't Dance teaches students the power of perseverance, determination, and a growth mindset. It also inspires discussions on self-awareness, self-esteem, enthusiasm, confidence, and overcoming bullying and self-doubt.

As a boy grows, a tree generously fulfils his needs at every stage of life, reminding us of the profound love and selflessness that nature embodies. Only in his later years does the boy realise the depth of the tree's generosity, prompting feelings of gratitude and appreciation.

The Giving Tree sparks discussions on appreciation, selfishness, forgiveness, generosity, responsible decision-making and personification.

Meet ‘The Good Egg', an egg-cellent friend who always lends a helping hand. But even the best of us can crack under pressure. Through its journey, the good egg learns about balance and self-care.

Use The Good Egg in your classroom to explore the importance of balance, self-acceptance and well-being, and self-management.

In Henry’s Freedom Box, author Ellen Levine takes us on a journey of courage, resilience, and creative thinking. Through his incredible determination, resilience and problem-solving, Henry finds a way to escape slavery by mailing himself to the North.

This book is a reminder of the importance of freedom and the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.

Meet Brian, a shy boy who struggles to stand out. When he befriends a new student from Korea, his world begins to change, helping him feel less ‘invisible' and more confident in himself.

Read The Invisible Boy to spark discussions about inclusion and acceptance, the power of kindness, empathy towards others' feelings, coping with loneliness, making friends, and self-esteem.

This biography narrates Kamala Harris's journey, the first woman, the first Black person, and the first South Asian American to become Vice President of the United States. It highlights how her immigrant parents instilled justice, equality, and activism values, inspiring her to fight for rights.

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice facilitates discussions on gender roles, empowerment, social justice, equality, representation in leadership and women's ability to effect change.

Join CJ and his nana on a bus ride filled with colourful characters. As CJ questions why he doesn't have the same things as his friends and why they volunteer at the soup kitchen, his nana's wise and positive responses help him see the beauty in what he has and the power of giving.

Use Last Stop on Market Street to discuss appreciation for what we have and the joy of gratitude, generosity, helping others in need, developing a sense of community, being reflective and considering different perspectives.

Lilly adores her school, teacher, and purple plastic purse. Her enthusiasm for her purse leads her on an unexpected journey of self-discovery, teaching her important lessons about self-management, forgiveness, integrity, and self-reflection.

Through Lilly's experiences, readers learn the value of controlling their impulses and honesty. Lilly's experiences teach the importance of second chances, making amends, and learning from our actions.

Overlooked by the other animals, a mouse takes a bold step to make its voice heard, paving the way for an unforeseen friendship and a revelation that even the most intimidating creatures harbour fears. The mouse learns it's okay to feel small, but we can all find the lion inside us with a little courage.

The Lion Inside encourages your students to confront their fears and leap into the unknown, fostering resilience and self-confidence.

Paj Ntaub connects with her older neighbours, Ruth and Bob. After Ruth's passing, Paj Ntaub's touching gesture of drawing a map for Bob in his driveway shows how even the smallest acts of kindness can provide comfort and support in times of need.

A Map into the World offers a platform to discuss intergenerational relationships and effect of kindness and compassion.

Growing up surrounded by poetry, books, debates, performances, and songs, Jane Austen found her creative voice despite the gender bias and adversity she faced.

Read A Most Clever Girl to discuss the power of the writing process, the strength of perseverance, and understanding gender roles.

Unhei considers choosing a new name when students at her new school in America struggle to pronounce it. As she embraces her Korean heritage and with the support of her friends, she discovers the beauty and strength in her name.

The Name Jar illustrates the importance of valuing our unique identities, appreciating diverse cultures and perspectives, nurturing an inclusive environment, and reminding us to take pride in our name and identity.

Mary Walker was born into slavery in 1848 and experienced the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. When she was 116 years old, she learned how to read and showed everyone that it is possible to learn no matter how old.

Mary Walker's determination teaches us important lessons about black history, the joy of reading, perseverance, and character and exemplifies how people can adapt to change.

Over the Shop, told without words, captures how a young girl, her grandmother, and an enthusiastic couple rejuvenate a dilapidated apartment above a small shop.

Over the Shop encourages discussions on questioning assumptions and welcoming diverse perspectives and is a reminder against letting preconceived notions interfere with accepting others.

Mrs. Piggott, the mother, single-handedly manages all domestic duties while her husband and two sons do nothing. Exhausted, she goes on strike, leaving the men to their own devices. The house quickly descends into chaos. Eventually, they recognise their lack of appreciation, plead for her return, and vow to divide household chores more fairly.

Piggybook encourages discussions about gender stereotypes, equality, gratitude, respect, fairness and the effects of taking others for granted.

A young girl initially finds humour when a classmate is teased for blushing. But she recognises the harmful impact of her actions and grapples with her fear of standing up to the bully. Through self-reflection, compassion, and integrity, she summons the courage to do what's right.

Read Red to discuss topics like integrity, understanding and addressing bullying, courage to stand up against wrongdoings, consequences of actions, and the importance of self-reflection.

Sally, a small yet observant girl, notices everything, especially the bullying in her school playground. Despite her size, Sally stands tall and makes a difference by bravely confronting the bullies.

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade promotes courage and resilience. It teaches children that no matter how small, they can make a big difference in their community, fostering principles of compassion, respect, and tolerance.

Jeremy experiences peer pressure when his old shoes fall apart, and finds himself in a pair of ‘uncool' replacement shoes. His quest for ‘those shoes' leads him to a thrift shop and a pair too small. Despite this, he buys them, only to realize later that someone else needs them more.

Those Shoes explores empathy, generosity, compassion, and the best gifts are those we give to others. It offers a glimpse into the realities of poverty and the pressures of social conformity.

Boris von der Borch, a stereotypical tough, mean pirate, reveals his vulnerability when his pet parrot dies. He mourns, showing deep emotion.

Tough Boris discusses gender stereotypes, emotional intelligence, and empathy, encouraging children to relate to their experiences, understand emotional complexity, and reconsider the meaning of toughness.

Auggie enjoys doing ordinary things but often struggles to fit in because he doesn't look like everyone else. Auggie shares his story to inspire others to see past physical appearances and recognise that everyone is wonderful in their own way.

We're All Wonders encourages discussions about self-esteem, identity and open-mindedness, teaching children the value of accepting and celebrating each other's differences.