Five Books that Foster Resilience in Children

FIVE BOOKS THAT FOSTER RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN

 Resiliency is the ability to not only bounce back from adverse experiences but to move forward from them. Resilience can be fostered at any age but is best done during early childhood. Resilience is developed as children take initiative, self-regulate, develop healthy attachments, and problem-solve. One way to increase these skills in your child is through reading with them.  

Below are 5 books that can help cultivate resilience in early childhood (affiliate links included):

1.       After the Fall by Dan Santat

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Summary: After his fall, Humpty Dumpty found himself afraid of the wall and of heights. The story shows his journey to conquer his fear.

How it fosters resiliency: It helps readers see the step-by-step process of conquering fear and encourages them to take healthy risks.

Discussions: How was Humpty Dumpty’s life changed by falling off the wall? What did he miss because of his fear? How was he able to overcome his fear? Do you have any fears? How does this fear affect your life? What do you miss as a result of this fear? Did you do anything to face your fear? Are there some things that we should fear? Examine the pictures in the story; what do you notice?

 

2.       Dreams by Ezra Jack Keats

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Summary: Roberto makes a paper mouse in school. He is excited until his friend asks, “Does it do anything?” Later that night, his friend’s cat is being chased by an angry dog. In an amazing way, his paper mouse becomes a hero.

How it fosters resiliency: The book helps the reader see how small things can make a big difference. The book is good to start conversations about feelings. The book is also suitable for helping children to visualize scenes in a story.

Discussions: How do you think Roberto felt when he showed his friend his paper mouse creation? What do you think Roberto felt when his friend asked if his mouse did anything? Do you think Roberto’s friend asked him the question to make him feel bad? How do you think Roberto felt when he saw Archie’s cat in danger? How do you think the cat felt when it was cornered by the dog? How do you think the dog felt when he had the cat trapped? How do you think Roberto felt about the mouse after it chased the dog away? How do you think Archie will feel when Roberto tells him what happened? Examine the illustrations. How does the illustrator use color to show changes in time?

3.       Empathy is Your Superpower: A Book About Understanding the Feelings of Others by Cori Bussolari & Zach Greszkowiak

 

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Summary: Emma and Emmanuel use their empathy superpower to help their friends and family.

How it fosters resiliency: The book helps readers understand empathy and shows them ways they can be empathetic to others. It also guides them through the exploration of their feelings and the feelings of others. Each vignette in the book is followed by discussion questions that guide the learning.

Discussions: Can you remember a time when someone was empathetic towards you? How did it make you feel? Can you remember a time when you were empathetic towards someone else? How did that make you feel?

 

 

4.       Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour

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Summary: Lubna lives in a refugee camp with her father. She is able to find comfort in a pebble. She gives the pebble to another child at the refugee camp so that he can find comfort as well.

How it fosters resiliency: The book helps the reader see that you can find comfort and resilience during difficult circumstances. The book also helps the reader appreciate how you can show kindness even when you are going through hard times yourself. 

Discussions: How do you think Lubna felt in the refugee camp? How did the pebble make Lubna feel safe? What helps you feel safe when you are scared and worried? Why do you think Lubna gave the pebble away even though she loved it so much? How do you think Lubna felt after she gave the pebble away? How do you think the boy felt when Lubna gave him the pebble? Would you have done the same thing as Lubna? Why or why not? Has there ever been a time that you gave someone something that you really wanted? Why did you give it to them? How did it make you feel?

 

5.       The Rabbit Listened by Cori Deerifeld

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Summary: Taylor spent a lot of time on his creation only to have it fall. One by one the animals in the playroom try to comfort him to no avail. Then the rabbit comes and listens.

How it fosters resiliency: The book shows that sometimes the best thing that you can do to help another person is to just listen. It also shows that sometimes you don’t know how you feel when things happen and that is okay. Sometimes you just need time to figure out your emotions.

Discussions: What are some of the things that the animals tried to do to comfort Taylor? Do you think any of these solutions would have worked? Why or why not? How do you think Taylor felt? How would you have felt? How do you think Taylor felt after he talked to the rabbit? Do you think Taylor will try to rebuild? Why or why not?

 

If you read any of these with your child, I would love to hear about your experience. Also, if you have any other books that you feel would help strengthen resiliency in children, please share in the comments.

 

Dr. Rachel