Kindness resources
how full is your bucket?
In this story we are invited to follow along with Felix as he grows in his understanding of kindness and the way his interactions with others either build him up or leave him discouraged. In the same way, he realizes that the way he treats others impacts them similarly--either in an encouraging or a discouraging way. Using the analogy of the bucket that is filled up with kindness and drained with harsh and unkind words, this book helps build awareness in individual children of their actions and words which can very much affect a classroom and school culture for the better.
be kind
This beautiful story contains a young child pondering what it means to be kind. In the pondering and reflection on kindness, this child concludes that kindness can take place in many forms--in big ways, but also in small ways. Whether you are giving, helping, or paying attention to those around you, you are engaging in kindness. By being kind yourself, you are helping spread kindness both in your community and across the world. This book highlights the power of kindness and inspires kindness even in the smallest of ways.
the golden rule
This poignant book inspires the ultimate kindness of considering others before ourselves. This book tells of the Golden Rule through a conversation between a boy and his grandfather. The grandfather speaks of the universality of the rule across religious faiths as well as the simplicity of the rule, yet he stresses that being simple does not mean it is easy to follow. The boy, in learning about the Golden Rule, sees the power of living by it and the impact it could have on the world at large if more people lived by its golden wisdom. This book offers depth and provokes thoughtful reflection for both children (and adults) as they consider how they want to live their lives.
the invisible boy
This book reminds its readers the vulnerability of feeling invisible and yet how that dynamic can shift through the kindness of even one friend. Not feeling seen is a terrible feeling, and in this story Brian goes from feeling invisible to being seen through a new friendship. This book may normalize this dynamic of feeling invisible for a more quiet, introverted child who often feels overlooked, and it also may encourage more sensitivity and kindness from peers to remember to connect and extend friendship to others.
DISCLAIMER: Elizabeth is a member of Amazon Affiliates. If you choose to buy a product from any of these links, Burton Counseling will receive a small portion of the proceeds. You may choose instead to support your local bookstore and buy directly from them. These are book recommendations with therapeutic and character education themes that may or may not be helpful. This is not therapy itself.
Elizabeth B. Burton is a licensed professional counselor and life coach with Burton Counseling, PLLC. Elizabeth lives just outside of Chattanooga, TN., and you can learn about Elizabeth here. You can learn more about working directly with Elizabeth here. Elizabeth also provides support to individuals and groups through an online course on Coping with Anxiety & Stress and through providing workshops. Elizabeth communicates about mental health and well-being through both the Narrating Hope newsletter and podcast as well as through her writing. Elizabeth would love to connect with you and welcomes you to sign up for the newsletter, listen in to the podcast, reach out about working together, and connect on social media.