Caring: A Book About Caring

Library Media Connection - Cynthia D. Schulz, Ph. D., Middle & High School Library Media Specialist, Granit

"This series examines qualities that would supplement a unit on character education such as respectfulness, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Each book identifies a specific characteristic and then depicts familiar scenarios where children demonstrate positive behaviorat home, school, and in the community. The last page has a small bibliography of books and Web sites, as well as an index. A concluding summary statement would be beneficial by suggesting additional situation where children could display character. The richly colored illustrations focus more on the concept rather than the detail. Occasionally, a picture contradicts a prior scenario; for example, in Being Reponsible, a child locks a gate confining her dog to the family yard, yet a subsequent drawing shows that same child standing at a bus stop with her brother and an unleashed dog. Altogether, these books provide valuable reinenforcement for character education units, and a classroom discussion could address any inconsistencies and extend concepts covered in each book. Recommended." - Library Media Connection

March 3, 2006