Being Grateful

Social emotional learning is a broad topic to introduce, yet this series does so succinctly. The information presented is plain and straightforward, defining what it means to be kind or generous, how to show responsibility or honesty, and how to handle a bully and persevere. The notion that life can be hard, or that someone can be mean, might be difficult for younger child to comprehend, but the short examples given, such as finishing a race even when it appears that you won’t win, offer the ability to discuss the texts for meaning. Each title starts with information for caregivers or teachers, and suggests taking a “walk” through the book before reading it, to begin discussion on the topic. Suggested activities are thematically tied to each title, like a gratitude jar or an anti-bullying poster. VERDICT An unpretentious look at emotion and character education suited for classroom and library settings alike.