It’s a time of year when many people are focused on getting. Kids write about the presents they want or hope to get. Advertisements urge us to buy more for everyone on our list. While there is nothing wrong with dreaming about what you want, there is something to be said for focusing on giving.
Giving can take a lot of forms. You can give gifts, donate money, give your time. You can give to people you love or organizations or people you will never meet. Everybody has something to give. Stories are a great way to get kids thinking and talking about giving (and maybe even inspire them to give something too!)
Teach kids about giving with these books
Use these books as read alouds to the whole class, read them (if at the appropriate level) with your reading groups, or assign children to read them. Then lead discussions or do follow up writing about giving.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1. [easyazon_link identifier=”039924302X” locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]An Orange for Frankie[/easyazon_link] by Patricia Polacco
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”039924302X” locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/61ufgFSpH6L.SL160-1.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”146″]
If you’re after a holiday themed story about giving for this time of year, An Orange for Frankie might fit the bill. Like many of Patricia Polacco’s stories, this tale about Frankie’s generosity and what it inspired, is drawn from her own family. Although a picture book, it’s a longer text and can be used with some of your older students too. Also by Polacco, [easyazon_link identifier=”0689838573″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]The Trees of the Dancing Goats[/easyazon_link], set during Hanukkah and Christmas, shares a message of giving something precious to you to help others.
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0310712556″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving[/easyazon_link] by Jan and Stan Berenstain
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0310712556″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/61NxbjTG2xL.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”160″]
Each Berenstain Bear book has a lesson. In this story, Brother and Sister are excited about what they will get for Christmas but learn about the joy of giving to others. Other titles in this series, such as [easyazon_link identifier=”0679889574″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need[/easyazon_link], could also be used to teach about giving your excess, unwanted or unneeded stuff to people who need it.
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”1554530288″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference[/easyazon_link] by Katie Smith Milway
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”1554530288″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/61N33NvYGNL.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”121″]
This book is based on a true story based on the experience of Kwabena Darko who used a small loan to start a poultry farm. The story tells of Kojo, a boy from Ghana, who uses a small loan his mother received to buy a hen and how that grew. The story shows kids that small actions can have big consequences—and that kids can make a difference.
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0060256656″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]The Giving Tree[/easyazon_link] by Shel Silverstein
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0060256656″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/41sl4PH795L.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”121″]
Many people love this classic about selfless giving. Others feel that it shows giving up too much of oneself or gives a message that it’s okay to keep taking, taking, taking. Either way, it is on topic and could lead to interesting discussions.
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0375836152″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]What Is Given from the Heart[/easyazon_link] by Patricia McKissack
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0375836152″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/51uac23Vi7L.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”128″]
Even if you don’t have much yourself, you have something to give. In this story, Otis and his mama have had a tough few months. When a family loses everything in a fire, Otis tries to think what he can contribute to their church collection for the family and discovers he has something to give.
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0449811425″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]Mama I’ll Give You the World[/easyazon_link] by Roni Schotter
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0449811425″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/51IRob6oQJL.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”134″]
Luisa’s mother works hard and is saving money to send Luisa to college, but Luisa wants to do something for her mother. Luisa shows that it doesn’t take a lot of money to make someone smile.
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0142423386″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]Strega Nona’s Harvest[/easyazon_link] by Tomie dePaola
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0142423386″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/61ay1Zq3obL.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”124″]
Have you read Strega Nona with your students? Consider this book about cooperation and generosity. You can teach kids about giving and do some interesting compare and contrast about the characters or plot in this and other Strega Nona stories.
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”043933909X” locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]Stone Soup[/easyazon_link] by Jon J. Muth
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”145″ identifier=”043933909X” locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/51TOqKoZ2BbL.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”160″]
There are many versions of this classic tale about a community coming together and what happens when everybody gives something. At first, the villagers hide their food and refuse to give anything to the three strangers who entered their village. One of the strangers suggests making stone soup, and one by one, people begin to give what they have. It is a story of giving and community and what we can do when we come together.
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0439309107″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]The Quiltmaker’s Gift[/easyazon_link] by Jeff Brumbeau
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0439309107″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/61wxBgmfBJL.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”144″]
The quiltmaker makes beautiful quilts and gives them to those in need. A greedy king decides he wants one, but she won’t sell one. She says she’ll give him one if he gives away all he has. This story looks at having more than we need, holding on to things just to have it, and the joy of giving.
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”1423143434″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]Should I Share My Ice Cream?[/easyazon_link] by Mo Willems
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”1423143434″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/41r5lTFM0LL.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”116″]
Much loved Elephant and Piggie are featured in this story about sharing with a friend. This puts giving and sharing in a very simple situation that kids can relate to. This is a great story for newer readers.
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”0553497103″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]A Hat for Mrs. Goldman[/easyazon_link] by Michelle Edwards
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0553497103″ locale=”US” src=”https://topnotchteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/41GmOgl1s2L.SL160.jpg” tag=”topnottea-20″ width=”129″]
Mrs. Goldman makes hats for others, but she walks around in the cold with a bare head. Then Sophia decides to make a hat for Mrs. Goldman. This story will teach kids about giving to somebody who gives to everyone else and encourages them to try hard things.
These are great stories to help teach kids about giving. Aside from the first two, that are holiday themed, these stories can be used throughout the year. Looking for some nonfiction books for your collection to teach kids about giving? Check out [easyazon_link identifier=”0975986805″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]The Giving Book[/easyazon_link] by Ellen Sabin or [easyazon_link identifier=”1584764899″ locale=”US” tag=”topnottea-20″]A Kid’s Guide to Giving[/easyazon_link] by Freddi Zeiler.
What books do you love to use to teach kids about giving?
0 Comments