Pfister, M,
The Rainbow Fish
, North-South Books, New York, 1992 Summary; the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship Character lesson; Sharing
Silverstein, S,
The Giving Tree
, Harper and Row, New York, 1964, Summary: A young boy grows to manhood and old age experiencing the love and generosity of a tree which gives to him without though of return. Character Lesson: Love for the environment, sacrifice for love ones
Lottridge, C.
The Name of the Tree
, M.K. McElderry Books, New York, 1990 Summary; when the other animals fail at the task, the slow but wise turtle finds a way to obtain the bountiful fruits of a magic tree. Character lesson: patience
Curtis, Ch.,
All I See Is Part of Me
, Illumination Arts Pub. Co., Bellvue, WA, 1994 Summary; A little boy discovers that all of creation is a part of him and he is part of all creation. Character lesson: universalism
Steptoe, John,
Mufaro's beautiful daughters an African tale
, Lothrop Lee and Shepard Books, New York, 1987 Summary: Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife. Character lesson: Physical aspects of a person are less important that internal characteristics
Seattle, Chief,
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
, Dial Book, New York, 1991 Summary: A Suquamish Indian chief describes his people's respect and love for the earth, and concern for its destruction. Character lesson: Respect and love for the earth
Connelly, B.
Follow the Drinking Gourd
, Sinmon and Schuster, New York, 1997 Summary: A young slave girl sets off north with her brother and mother, following the star in the Drinking Gourd or Big Dipper that points to freedom. Charter lesson: Determination, courage to reach a goal
Pingry, P,
The Velveteen Rabbit
, Candy Cane Press, Nashville, TN, 1999 Summary: By the time the Velveteen Rabbit is dirt, worn out, and about to be burned, he has almost given up hope of every finding the magic called Real. Character lesson: Love conquers all
White, E.B.,
Charlotte's Web
, Harper and Row, New York, 1952 Summary: Wilbur, The pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him. Character lesson: Universalism, caring for all beings
Saint-Exupaery, A.,
The Little Prince
, Harcourt, San Diego, 2000 Summary: An aviator whose plane is forced down in the Sahara desert encounters a little prince from a small planet who relates his adventures in seeking the secret of what is important in life. Character lesson: Classic finding love
Doris, Michael,
Morning Girl
, Hyperion Books for children, New York, 1992 Summary: Morning Girl, who loves the day, and her younger brother Star boy, who loves the night, take turns describing their life on an island in pre-Columbian America; in Morning girls' last narrative, she witnesses the arrival of the first Europeans to her world. Character lesson: Love of the world
O'Dell, S.,
The Island of the Blue Dolphins
, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1990 Summary: Left alone a beautiful but isolated island off the coast of California, a young Indian girl spends eighteen years, not only merely surviving through her enormous courage and self-reliance, but also finding a measure of happiness in her solitary life. Character lesson: Empowerment of women.