GENEROSITY
STORIES
(excerpts
from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure
to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material
is not in the public domain)
1)
Here are three adaptations by Aaron Shephard with the underlying
theme of generosity.
GOS #7 -- The Baker's Dozen
http://www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/GOS07.html
GOS #5 -- The Gifts of Wali Dad
http://www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/GOS05.html
Aaron's Storybook -- The Magic of Mushkil
Gusha
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/048.html
2) Elisa Davy Pearmain's book Doorways to the Soul: 52 Wisdom Tales from Around the World
.
There is a thematic index. Under "generosity" she lists these five stories: The Monk and the Scorpion; The Good Samaritan; Water Not Wine; The Difference between Heaven and Hell; You're Still Carrying Her.
3) Growing Good Corn. James Bender,
in his book How to Talk Well
relates the story of a
farmer who grew award-winning corn.
4) Check out this great resource.
http://www.learningtogive.org/
Bob K. 6/17/08
CHILDREN'S BOOKS ABOUT GENEROSITY
• Christmas Wish (Little Einsteins)
by Marcie Kelman. (2007 - Ages 4-8)
Review by a reader
This is a very cute book with a good lesson about what's important -- friendship! It's a little more advanced than I expected -- a bit over the 2- and 3-year-old mindset, but still a great book.
• Boxes for Katje
by Candace Fleming and Stacey Dressen-McQueen (illus). (2003 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
Simple seeds of friendship grow into something extraordinaryAfter World War II there is little left in Katje's town of Olst in Holland. Her family, like most Dutch families, must patch their old worn clothing and go without everyday things like soap and milk. Then one spring morning when the tulips bloom "thick and bright," Postman Kleinhoonte pedals his bicycle down Katje's street to deliver a mysterious box – a box from America! Full of soap, socks, and chocolate, the box has been sent by Rosie, an American girl from Mayfield, Indiana. Her package is part of a goodwill effort to help the people of Europe. What's inside so delights Katje that she sends off a letter of thanks – beginning an exchange that swells with so many surprises that the girls, as well as their townspeople, will never be the same.This inspiring story, with strikingly original art, is based on the author's mother's childhood and will show young readers that they, too, can make a difference.
• Money Troubles (A Little Bill Book for Beginning Readers)
by Bill Cosby. (1998 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
While trying to raise enough money for a telescope, Little Bill makes a discovery about generosity and the needs of others.
• Mr. Tanen's Tie Trouble
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. (2003 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
Mr. Tanen and his ties are back! But now there's trouble. Mr. Tanen's school has run out of funds for the long-awaited playground. He needs to raise money—fast. But how? Then Mr. Tanen remembers the words of Mr. Apple, his boss, "I wish our bank account was as full as your tie closet." "That's it!" shouts Mr. Tanen. And the next day, the entire town is plastered with signs that read "Mr. Tanen's Tie Auction." Readers first met Mr. Tanen in Maryann Cocca-Leffler's award-winning "Mr. Tanen's Ties," based on a real school principal and his crazy ties for every occasion.
• A Lunch With Punch (Rookie Readers)
by Jo S. Kittinger and Jack Medoff (illus).(2004 - Ages 4-8)
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 1. Fine for beginning readers but just as satisfying for their younger brothers and sisters, this little book is all about making lunch. A boy narrates as he packs his lunch bag before school: fixing a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, examining the dimes and nickel his mother gives him for milk, and adding grapes, pickle, carrots, crackers, cookies, and a pudding cup. At school, he shares his enormous lunch with a friend who forgot his. Simplified to a few expressive lines and brightened with watercolor washes, the engaging illustrations show a brown-skinned boy who is pleased with his work, as is his dog, grinning hopefully in the background. Whether for reading practice or culinary encouragement, this rhyming, here-and-now story packs a lot into a small but satisfying package from the Rookie Reader series. Carolyn Phelan
• Mama Panya's Pancakes: A Village Tale From Kenya
by Mary and Richard Chamberlin with Julia Cairns (illus). (2005 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
On market day, Mama Panya s son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give.
• The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving
by Dandi Daley Mackall and Guy Porfirio (illus). (2007 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
This gentle Christmas book introduces the original St. Nicholas and tells why we give gifts in remembrance of the greatest gift of all. Nick is much more interested in contemplating his presents under the tree than he is in being dragged along for last-minute shopping with his dad. But while his father's off shopping, Nick hears someone say his nameits a mall Santa, telling a group of children a story about the original St. Nick. In the long-ago story, a wealthy boy named Nicholas is moved by the sight of poor children and decides to use his familys wealth to help the needy, starting anonymously with his less-fortunate friends. Young Nick is inspired as at last heand young readersunderstand the joy of giving. A note at the end explains how the story of this early Nicholas might have grown into the Santa Claus of legend. Bright, festive artwork accompanies the text of master storyteller Dandi Mackall, who reminds children that God gave us the greatest gift ever given.
• Best Friends Forever (Holly Hobbie and Friends)
by Sonali Fry and Bob Berry (illus). (2007 - Ages 4-8)
Review by a reader
In "Best Friends Forever," Holly and her pals Amy and Carrie meet an elderly lady and learn that friends can be of any age. Annabel Crow lives in a house that seems rather old and scary. She's been mostly on her own for so long, but is really a kind and friendly person. In fact, she was best friends with Holly's grandma. The group of friends livens up the fence surrounding her home, but are devastated when they hear that she's received a letter from the government telling her she has to move out because her home is being torn down for a railroad track (shades of "Hitchhiker's" anyone?)
This is a great book, and absolutely faithful to the video release on which it is based. A wonderful book for "Holly Hobbie" fans. Great message, and well-told story.
• A Perfect Snowman
by Preston McDaniels (illus). (2007 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
Dressed in his best hat and scarf, with the finest carrot nose, and the roundest coal eyes, the perfect snowman believed that having the best of everything was all there was to life, and all that really mattered. But after receiving a visit from two special friends and a little girl who appeared out of nowhere, like an angel, the snowman begins to realize the true qualities that make him so special.
Using captivating, classical sepia-colored art and a text that evoke scenes from stories by Charles Dickens, author and illustrator Preston McDaniels tells the heartwarming tale about a snowman who receives the most perfect gifts of all: humility, compassion, and love.
• Amy's Story: Portraits of Little Women
by Susan Beth Pfeffer. (2001 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
Beautiful Amy March, the youngest March sister, is a talented artist. Everyone praises her lifelike portraits. The one person she can’t draw is herself. So when a photographer’s studio opens in town, Amy is thrilled. Now her pretty blond curls and piercing blue eyes can be captured forever in a photograph. Except that a photograph costs quite a bit of money–more than she has, and more than her parents can give her. Amy thinks of a clever way to come up with the money . . . and soon she has enough. But she decides to spend her savings on a gift for her father–a gift that will warm his heart when he’s far away from home, and that ultimately gives Amy an unexpected gift in return.
• No Strings Attached: A Story About Generosity (Disney Princess: Snow White)
by Jacqueline A. Ball with Teresa Lester with S.I. International (illus). (2004)
Book Description
Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: A story about generosity.
• Brother Juniper
by Diane Gibfried. ( 2006 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
Brother Juniper lives in the hills of Assisi with Father Francis and seven other brothers. Brother Juniper is the most generous of the brothers. He is so generous that he will happily give the robe off his back to someone in need—even if that leaves him with nothing else to wear. When Father Francis asks Brother Juniper to look after the church by himself one day, the other brothers are very worried about what they'll find when they return. But with his kind heart and simple ways, Brother Juniper reminds them all what it means to truly look after a church.
This fresh take on the traditional stories of Brother Juniper is beautifully rendered in playful and expressive paintings, creating an unusual story that inspires equal amounts of laughter and goodwill.
• Giving
by Shirley Hughes (illus). (1993 - Baby-Preschool)
From Kirkus Reviews
If childhood has an illustrator laureate, it must be Hughes: no one else captures emotions, concerns, and body language with such sensibility and affection. Here, she explores the concepts embraced by her title in a series of statements by a young child, depicting her in typical activities involving her family and neighbors. ``I gave Mom a present...And she gave me a big kiss.'' Not all return gifts are as welcome: ``...the baby gave me two of his soggy bread crusts''; the cat, coerced into a doll carriage, ``a nasty scratch.'' Touching on smiles and frowns, parties and bus seats, Hughes gently considers generosity, reciprocity, and even turning the other cheek--in this warm, wise, deceptively simple book. Endpaper vignettes introduce additional verbs; a companion title, Bouncing (ISBN 1-56402-128-9) follows the same tots through a merrily rambunctious day. (Picture book. 2-6)
•
Perfect Porridge - A story about Kindness
by Rochel Sandman, Hachai Publishing, Chana Zakashansky-Zverev (illus) and Dina Rosenfeld (illus). (2000 - Ages 9-12)
Book Description
When Bubbe Hinda and Zayde Mendel are forced to become refugees in the Soviet Union, they take holy books and generosity with them to their new home.
• As Big As an Egg: A Story About Giving
by Rochel Sandman, Hachai Publishing and Chana Zakashanskaya (illus). (1995 - Baby-Preschool)
From Children's Bookwatch
As Big as an Egg is a whimsical story highlighting the value of giving to others. To escape the Nazis, a young man flees to Samarkant (an area which is now Uzbekistan). Many Jews settled there during the war. What follows is a wonderful uplifting story based on a real-life event in the life of Bubbe Hinda Deitsch (1883-1973). The artwork by Chana Zakashauskaya is superlative and perfectly suited to Rochel Sandman's text. As Big as an Egg is highly recommended reading for preschool through first grade.
•
The Shine Man: A Christmas Story by Mary Quattlebaum and Tim Ladwig (illus). (2001 - Baby-Preschool)
Book Description
During the hard times of 1932, a poor shoe shine man gives a child his cap, gloves, and an angel made from a spool, then receives a wonderful gift in return.
• "Little Charlie And His Tu-Ta-Roo Band"
by Charlie Prose. (2008)
Book Description
A delightful new Children's Book, full color, beautifully illustrated hardcover 8X10 book. Little Charlie discovers a world of fun and makes new friends using his imagination and sharing his Tu-Ta-Roo collection. 100% of all profits from the sale of this book will be donated to The Helping Hands Society, 301 Rocky Road, Hazleton PA 18201. Their mission is to provide comprehensive therapies and services for disabled children.
• Chester's Presents
by Mitzy McNease and Kim Cox (illus). (2006 - Ages 4-8)
From KidsBookshelf
Chester is excited to open his Christmas presents, and he wants them right now! His mother tells him he must wait, but Chester begs and pleads and his list grows longer still. Chester wants everything he can think of, and so he's surprised when his friend Benny tells him that he only gets on(e) present from Santa, and it's always something that he needs. Chester can't imagine only getting one present, but when Christmas finally comes Chester has learned what Christmas is all about. A delightful story told in rhyme about the importance of giving. (Ages 4-8)
•••••
(This
web page updated 9/6/02; 6/19/08)
