be nice. Books & Lesson Plans
It's easy to implement the be nice. Action Plan into any book! Where could a character have noticed something good or different about another character?Is there a time when a character could have invited themselves to reach out?Did they challenge themselves or someone else?Was there one character in particular who empowered the others?
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The story is about a quiet color named Blue who is bullied by a hotheaded color named Red. The other colors feel sorry for Blue but don't stand up to Red, until One comes along and shows them how to count and stand together. Through the story, readers learn about: The power of one, The strength of collective action, Accepting each other's differences, and Making a difference with their voices.
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Zero is a big round number. When she looks at herself, she just sees a hole right in her center. Every day she watches the other numbers line up to count: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 . . . !" "Those numbers have value. That's why they count," she thinks. But how could a number worth nothing become something?
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The Good Egg likes to help others and follow the rules. The other eggs in his carton…not so much. As they stay up late, eat sugary cereal, and throw tantrums, the Good Egg tries to keep the peace and get everyone to behave. Finally, the stress is too much, and he begins to crack.
It tells the story of a child who starts to feel overwhelmed by a "Worry" that grows bigger the more attention it's given. Through gentle rhymes and engaging illustrations, the book teaches children that it's okay to feel worried, but there are ways to shrink those worries by talking about them and facing them with courage. It's a supportive tool for emotional literacy and mental well-being.
This book follows Franklin the turtle, who feels sad and frustrated when his best friend Otter moves away. He finds himself in a bad mood, snapping at others and not wanting to play. As the day goes on, Franklin realizes he misses Otter and that it’s okay to feel sad. By the end, he learns to cope with his feelings by talking about them and spending time with friends, showing that bad days can get better with understanding and support.
This children’s picture book is about a young girl named Frida who dreams of creating the most beautiful fireworks display her town has ever seen. The book follows Frida’s journey of imagination, creativity, and determination as she learns how fireworks are made and overcomes challenges to bring her dazzling vision to life. It celebrates curiosity, science, and the joy of following one’s dreams.
This book tells a reassuring message that helps children understand anxiety is a normal emotion. Just like feeling happy or sad, feeling anxious happens to everyone at times—especially when facing something new, scary, or uncertain. The key is learning how to recognize those feelings and use healthy ways to cope, like talking to someone or taking deep breaths.
The book helps children understand that bad days are normal, temporary, and part of life—and that things usually get better with time and a positive attitude.
This is a children's book that teaches the importance of empathy—understanding and caring about how others feel. Through simple language and relatable situations, it shows how being kind, listening, and thinking about others' feelings helps build strong friendships and a more caring world. It's a great tool for teaching emotional intelligence and social skills.
There was only one way for Chester to do things - his own way. Wilson did things the same way; they were best friends. From double-knotting their shoes to cutting their sandwiches diagonally, Chester and Wilson were two of a kind.
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Chester's Way Lesson Plan
It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie.
Enemy Pie Lesson Plan
Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits.
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Stellaluna Lesson Plan
In this powerful novel researched in NYC schools, Newbery Medalist Virginia Hamilton documents the struggle young people face as they simultaneously assert their independence and yearn for guidance.
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bluish Lesson Plan
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A touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it's harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.
It can when she’s Ordinary Mary—an ordinary girl from an ordinary school, on her way to her ordinary house—who stumbles upon ordinary blueberries. When she decides to pick them for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, she starts a chain reaction that multiplies around the world.
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Ordinary Mary's Lesson Plan
A book about sharing for one and all! Gruntly is a hog—a ball hog, a snack hog, a treasure hog! He doesn’t share his toys with his pals and, in fact, helps himself to theirs!
All for Me Lesson Plan
Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually, Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world...
Each Kindness Lesson Plan
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Have you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete's new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about "The Promise". Will Pete decide to shed his bullying habits and make "The Promise"?
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The story of Punchinello, the wooden Wemmick who believes that he isn't good enough because of what others say about him. When will Punchinello realize how truly special he is?
Other suggested be nice. Books
Swimmy
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1963. This classic story shows how being different can be a strength and how friends can band together to protect one another. Teamwork—how working together you can overcome any danger.
The Very Angry Day That Amy Didn't Have
Margaret and Amy are two girls in the same class who are coincidentally both having a very difficult day. While Amy finds ways to solve the various problems she encounters, Margaret always makes things worse by her reactions. This simple but poignant book is an excellent tool to help young children learn alternatives to getting angry.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heartwarming book encourages positive behavior as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation, and love. Bucket filling and dipping are effective metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves.
My Mouth is a Volcano
All of Louis thoughts are very important to him. In fact, his thoughts are so important to him that when he has something to say, his words begin to wiggle, and then they do the jiggle, then his tongue pushes all of his important words up against his teeth and he erupts, or interrupts others. His mouth is a volcano!
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
"Leave it to Molly to transform all her 'faults' into marvelous talents. . . Catrow's pictures fill the pages with wild perspectives, goofy-looking kids, and hilarious details. . . . Leaves readers with the feeling that anything can be accomplished if you are the best person you can be and make the most of your gifts."
I Like Myself
High on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves--inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! Here's a little girl who knows what really matters.
Stand in My Shoes
When Emily asks her big sister what the word empathy means, Emily has no idea that knowing the answer will change how she looks at people. But does it really matter to others if Emily notices how they're feeling?
Be Kind
A picture book about the power of kindness. When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference--or at least help a friend.
Only One You
There's only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place. Adri's mama and papa share some of the wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world.
Something Else
New York: Mondo Publishing, 1998. Something Else wants to be like everybody else but finds he isn’t. This is a lovely story about accepting people’s differences. Great book to reassure that being different is a good thing.
