Top Tips for Choosing Books That Inspire and Empower Kids
Written by: The Story of Sprout
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Time to read 7 min
Introduction
Finding the right stories for children isn’t just about picking something entertaining; it’s about guiding them with stories that build values, foster growth, and spark a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Choosing these meaningful stories can be powerful, helping shape the way children view others, handle emotions, and face challenges. Books can be sources of comfort and joy, but the best ones are stories that build values and contribute to a child’s personal and emotional development. Here’s how to choose stories that build values and empower your child, making reading a meaningful journey filled with discovery, connection, and self-understanding.
Look for Stories That Build Values in Positive Ways
Books are one of the most memorable ways children can absorb and learn from values. By focusing on stories that build values like honesty, empathy, resilience, and kindness, you can help children internalize these lessons in ways that are easy to remember and apply in daily life. Unlike direct lectures, stories that build values allow children to witness characters facing real challenges and making decisions. When children read about characters navigating challenges, they naturally start to understand the rewards of making positive choices and how important it is to care for others.
When children read stories that build values of bravery, compassion, or honesty, it plants these virtues within them, showing them how impactful these qualities can be. Books like Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud, which emphasizes kindness, or The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, which teaches perseverance, are great examples of stories that build values. These types of stories help children understand that positive values aren’t just ideals—they’re actionable choices with a real impact on the world.
Choose Stories That Feature Diverse Characters and Perspectives
Diverse books introduce children to a wider world, offering a range of experiences and cultures that help them develop empathy and appreciation for others. These are stories that build values by opening children’s minds and showing them that the world is a diverse place filled with unique individuals. When kids encounter diversity in stories that build values, they learn to appreciate different ways of life, each with its own beauty and lessons.
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña introduces children to characters from various socioeconomic backgrounds, a wonderful example of stories that build values and broaden horizons. We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio helps children understand and accept differences, a key value that diverse books often emphasize. When children experience stories that build values of inclusion and empathy, they grow up with a spirit of acceptance and openness that can transform how they interact with the world.
Representation in stories that build values also validates a child’s own identity. When they see characters who look, feel, or live like them, it can help them feel seen, valued, and understood. Through stories that build values, children learn that everyone has a unique story worth sharing, which nurtures a spirit of inclusion and understanding.
Find Stories That Foster Emotional Intelligence
Building emotional intelligence is a critical part of a child’s development, and books play a big role in this process. Stories that build values often introduce kids to a range of emotions, helping them understand and express their feelings in healthy ways. These are the types of stories that build values by teaching children to name, manage, and respect their emotions, as well as empathize with others.
Books like When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang are excellent stories that build values around emotional self-awareness. They show kids that it’s okay to feel big emotions and offer ways to handle these feelings constructively. Similarly, In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek helps kids identify and express their feelings, which are essential skills for emotional literacy. These stories that build values allow children to accept and process their emotions, and they learn that everyone has challenging days. Reading about emotional experiences fosters empathy, making kids better friends, siblings, and classmates.
Prioritize Stories That Promote Curiosity and Discovery
Curiosity fuels learning, exploration, and growth, and books can help spark this natural desire to discover the world. Choosing stories that build values around curiosity teaches children that the world is full of wonders waiting to be explored. When children read about adventurous characters or fascinating facts, it builds a sense of wonder and can lead to a lifelong love of learning.
Books like Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty are stories that build values around scientific curiosity and exploration. Adventure stories, like Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, transport children to magical worlds, inviting them to imagine and explore beyond what they know. Such stories that build values around discovery encourage creative thinking, problem-solving, and resilience.
When you choose stories that build values around exploration, you’re showing your child that learning can be fun, not just a chore. These types of stories help kids see challenges as opportunities to learn, making them more adaptable and open-minded.
Find Stories With Strong, Positive Role Models
Books with positive role models offer children examples of kindness, bravery, and resilience. Stories that build values around role models allow kids to see themselves in those roles, picturing their own ways to make a difference. These role models don’t always need to be traditional heroes; sometimes, they’re ordinary people showing the value of perseverance and compassion.
I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer is in a class of stories that build values by introducing children to historical figures who impacted the world. Even everyday heroes, like the character in Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, show that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. These stories that build values offer kids gentle guidance, demonstrating that they can make meaningful contributions in their own lives.
When kids read stories that build values with positive role models, they grow in confidence and learn to set positive goals. These role models show young readers that with kindness, courage, and a bit of creativity, they too can achieve great things.
Choose Stories That Match Your Child’s Interests and Passions
When you choose stories that build values around your child’s unique interests, reading becomes a personal and enjoyable experience. Whether your child loves animals, sports, art, or science, finding stories that build values while tapping into these interests can validate and nurture their individuality.
A child who loves animals might enjoy the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne, which often features animal encounters in its adventure stories. If your child is interested in art, they might love The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, which promotes creativity and self-expression. Choosing stories that build values around a child’s interests reinforces the joy of reading and provides a safe space for them to explore and learn.
When children read stories that build values and connect with their passions, they feel their interests are valued, which encourages them to pursue what excites them. This helps them explore new interests, expanding their curiosity and broadening their horizons.
Encourage Interactive and Imaginative Stories
Books that encourage interaction and imagination can make reading an active, engaging experience. Interactive stories that build values help kids participate in storytelling, deepening their connection to the book and their love for reading. These experiences allow children to become part of the story, not just passive listeners, which reinforces values in a memorable way.
Interactive books like Press Here by Hervé Tullet keep kids physically engaged with the book while reinforcing curiosity and imagination. Similarly, stories like Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems encourage kids to participate by responding to the character’s actions, making the reading experience even more enjoyable. These stories that build values inspire creative thinking, helping children become more thoughtful and engaged readers.
Interactive stories that build values not only entertain but also involve children in ways that make values memorable. By participating, children feel invested in the story, which fosters a love of books and encourages creativity.
Find Stories That Spark Conversations
Some books go beyond storytelling by inviting meaningful conversations, helping children explore important values and concepts. These stories that build values go deeper than entertainment, offering a way to discuss complex ideas in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
Books like The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein are stories that build values around generosity, boundaries, and sacrifice, sparking conversations about giving and receiving. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi is another excellent story that builds values, offering a way to discuss cultural identity and acceptance. Through these stories that build values, parents can connect with their children on topics that matter, helping children reflect on their own beliefs and feelings.
By reading stories that build values and spark discussions, you help your child explore the deeper meanings behind their experiences. These conversations nurture a strong sense of self, allowing kids to understand the values that are important to your family.
Conclusion
The books your child reads today can shape who they become tomorrow. Thoughtfully selected stories that build values can inspire, teach, and uplift, providing children with a meaningful journey filled with adventure, empathy, and wisdom. By surrounding them with stories that build values, encourage resilience, and spark curiosity, you’re planting seeds of empowerment that will continue to grow.
With each of these stories that build values, you’re equipping your child with the tools to navigate the world with confidence, compassion, and a sense of wonder.