Additional April Book Recommendations for Grades 3-6
Forgiveness, Graciousness and Courtesy, Gentleness and Humility
Forgiveness
Bible. “The Prodigal Son” in The Kingfisher Children’s Bible.
See General Collections. (Forgiveness, K-6)
Profligate son asks for his inheritance from his father before father’s death. The father grants his wish, the son leaves home, squanders wealth in luxury and high life, then filled with remorse, returns to his father to ask permission to work as a servant on the family farm. Father forgives and welcomes him home.
Bible. “The Unforgiving Servant.” in The Kingfisher Children’s Bible.
See General Collections. (Forgiveness, K-6)
Story of the servant who asks his master’s forgiveness for a debt and then is not equally forgiving with one who owes him.
Bible. “Crucifixion.” in The Kingfisher Children’s Bible.
See General Collections. (Forgiveness, K-6)
Jesus forgives his crucifiers from the cross.
Bunting, Eve Clancy's Coat.
Illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley. Warne, 1984. (Forgiveness, 2-4) OP
Two Irish neighbors, Tippitt and Clancy, have been mad at each other since Tippitt’s cow tiptoed all over Clancy’s garden. When Clancy’s coat needs to be mended he is still mad at Tippitt the tailor, but grudgingly takes it to him for repair. The coat repair is also the opportunity to repair their friendship.
Dupre, Rick. Agassu: Legend of the Leopard King. Carolrhoda, 1993. (Forgiveness, 2-4) OP
Agassu is a slave in West Africa (Ghana) who yearns to be free. On a stormy night, rowing at sea, he is freed and returns to lead his people to depose the evil rulers. His forgiveness of his enemies is a lesson in humanity and dignity. 4th grade unit on medieval African empires.
Pienkowski, Jan. Easter.
Alfred A. Knopf, 1989. (Forgiveness, K-6) OP
The story of the passion of Jesus—his forgiveness of his crucifiers and of the good thief—is dramatically retold with silhouetting, vibrant color, and gold illumination.
Wooding, Sharon. The Painter’s Cat. Putnam Publishing Group, 1994. (Forgiveness, 3-5) OP
Set in the Renaissance, this Italian painter’s cat forgives her master for his neglect and is painted into one of the loveliest Annunciation paintings of the period. Based on a real painting.
Humility
Bruchac, Joseph. “The Girl Who Was Not Satisfied with Simple Things” in Iroquois Stories: Heroes and Heroines, Monsters and Magic.
Illustrated by Daniel Burgevin. Crossing, 1985. (Humility, 3-5)
The title says it all. Works well with 3rd grade Native American unit.
Freedman, Russell. Confucius. The Golden Rule.
Illustrated by Frederic Clement. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2002 (Humility,4-6)
Against the background of warring states and self-aggrandizing princes, we meet Confucius’ who joyously and unrelentingly seeks better ways of living and superior forms of government. With his penchant for memorable detail, Freedman highlights Confucius’ insatiable appetite for learn- ing, and eagerness to seek wisdom. Freedman chronicles the sage’s career from a not-much- sought-after-counselor-to-governors to an itinerant teacher who drew a crowd and taught the need for diligent study, respect, humility, good government, and the quest for knowledge. (The book fails only in the jacket’s tendentious and untrue assertion that “ideals of our own democratic government owe much to the innovations Confucius proposed.” Freedman does not make that case nor does anyone who knows the history of the West or the writing of Confucius.)
Frew, Andy William. The Invisible Seam.
Illustrated by Jun Matsuoka. Moon Mountain Publishing, 2003 (Humility, 4-6)
Set in early 20th century Japan, this is the true story of Michi, a hard-working young seamstress who joins an established household as an apprentice. Her gifts in stitching soon outshine those of her fellow apprentices. Michi is asked to stitch the more important kimonos and obis, and while reputation of this household grows, so does the jealousy of Michi’s companions. Fellow apprentices take their revenge and nearly ruin the good name of their household. Michi, ever mindful of the gifts of her housemates, rises to the challenge of forgiveness. An excellent story, well illustrated.
Ishii, Momoko. The Tongue-Cut Sparrow.
Illustrated by Suekichi Akaba. Dutton, 1987. (Humility, 4) OP
A Japanese folktale in which a sparrow teaches a mean-spirited old woman to appreciate the many gifts in her life. The poor, selfish, greedy old woman cannot be content. In a fit of anger she cuts out the tongue of her husband’s only treasure—a sweetly singing sparrow. The sparrow teaches her a lesson in living contentedly and humbly with what she has.
Jones, Jennifer Berry. Heetunka’s Harvest: A Tale of the Plains Indians.
Illustrated by Shannon Keegan. Roberts Rinehart, 1994. (Humility, 3-5)
Plains Indian tale of a generous prairie mouse (Heetunka) that shares her carefully harvested beans and seeds with the Dakota people in exchange for gifts. An ungrateful woman takes all of Heetunka’s beans, and learns the hard way that greed and ingratitude only bring her grief. Heetunka “will happily share with those who come to trade with humble, thankful hearts.” Themes of justice, fair play, and humility. Use with 3rd grade Native American unit.
Oldfield, Pamela. “Andromeda and Perseus” in Tales from Ancient Greece.
Illustrated by Nick Harris. Doubleday, 1988. (Humility, 2, 6) OP
The beautiful Andromeda is rescued by Perseus after her boastful mother earns the wrath and
curse of Poseidon. Highlights Perseus’s courage and the fatal flaw of hubris in the mother.
Paterson, Katherine. The King’s Equal.
Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. Harper Collins, 1992. (Humility, 3-6)
Set in medieval times. Proud and vain king searches for a wife who is his equal in intelligence, beauty, and wealth. He finds her, but to win her love, he must learn wisdom and humility.
Sabuda, Robert. Arthur and the Sword.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1995. (Humility, 2-5)
Striking stained glass illustrations in this tale of the humble son of Sir Ector, who finds himself
destined to be the King of England. The last shall be first!
Schwartz, Howard. “The Bird of Happiness,” in Next Year in Jerusalem.
See General Collections. (Humility, 4-6)
Jewish folk tale of a young boy (Aaron) and his family, who escape enslavement and wander through the desert guided by a stone sent from the Bird of Happiness. The family finds their way to Jerusalem and the Bird of Happiness chooses Aaron as their leader. As a ruler Aaron remem- bers to “put on my old rags to remember where I came from. For only then can I know where I must go.” A tale of hope and humility.
Schwartz, Howard. “The Language of the Birds,” in Next Year in Jerusalem.
See General Collections. (Humility, 4-6)
When King Solomon was a boy, he wished to learn all he could from humble surroundings and creatures. He traded clothes with a beggar, learned the language of the birds, and the language of the winds. The story reminds us that one often learns the most from the least.
Thayer, Ernest Lawrence. Casey at the Bat.
Putnam Publishing Group, 1992. (Humility, 4-6)
The classic poem teaches virtue by its opposite.
Bible. “The Prodigal Son” in The Kingfisher Children’s Bible.
See General Collections. (Forgiveness, K-6)
Profligate son asks for his inheritance from his father before father’s death. The father grants his wish, the son leaves home, squanders wealth in luxury and high life, then filled with remorse, returns to his father to ask permission to work as a servant on the family farm. Father forgives and welcomes him home.
Bible. “The Unforgiving Servant.” in The Kingfisher Children’s Bible.
See General Collections. (Forgiveness, K-6)
Story of the servant who asks his master’s forgiveness for a debt and then is not equally forgiving with one who owes him.
Bible. “Crucifixion.” in The Kingfisher Children’s Bible.
See General Collections. (Forgiveness, K-6)
Jesus forgives his crucifiers from the cross.
Bunting, Eve Clancy's Coat.
Illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley. Warne, 1984. (Forgiveness, 2-4) OP
Two Irish neighbors, Tippitt and Clancy, have been mad at each other since Tippitt’s cow tiptoed all over Clancy’s garden. When Clancy’s coat needs to be mended he is still mad at Tippitt the tailor, but grudgingly takes it to him for repair. The coat repair is also the opportunity to repair their friendship.
Dupre, Rick. Agassu: Legend of the Leopard King. Carolrhoda, 1993. (Forgiveness, 2-4) OP
Agassu is a slave in West Africa (Ghana) who yearns to be free. On a stormy night, rowing at sea, he is freed and returns to lead his people to depose the evil rulers. His forgiveness of his enemies is a lesson in humanity and dignity. 4th grade unit on medieval African empires.
Pienkowski, Jan. Easter.
Alfred A. Knopf, 1989. (Forgiveness, K-6) OP
The story of the passion of Jesus—his forgiveness of his crucifiers and of the good thief—is dramatically retold with silhouetting, vibrant color, and gold illumination.
Wooding, Sharon. The Painter’s Cat. Putnam Publishing Group, 1994. (Forgiveness, 3-5) OP
Set in the Renaissance, this Italian painter’s cat forgives her master for his neglect and is painted into one of the loveliest Annunciation paintings of the period. Based on a real painting.
Humility
Bruchac, Joseph. “The Girl Who Was Not Satisfied with Simple Things” in Iroquois Stories: Heroes and Heroines, Monsters and Magic.
Illustrated by Daniel Burgevin. Crossing, 1985. (Humility, 3-5)
The title says it all. Works well with 3rd grade Native American unit.
Freedman, Russell. Confucius. The Golden Rule.
Illustrated by Frederic Clement. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2002 (Humility,4-6)
Against the background of warring states and self-aggrandizing princes, we meet Confucius’ who joyously and unrelentingly seeks better ways of living and superior forms of government. With his penchant for memorable detail, Freedman highlights Confucius’ insatiable appetite for learn- ing, and eagerness to seek wisdom. Freedman chronicles the sage’s career from a not-much- sought-after-counselor-to-governors to an itinerant teacher who drew a crowd and taught the need for diligent study, respect, humility, good government, and the quest for knowledge. (The book fails only in the jacket’s tendentious and untrue assertion that “ideals of our own democratic government owe much to the innovations Confucius proposed.” Freedman does not make that case nor does anyone who knows the history of the West or the writing of Confucius.)
Frew, Andy William. The Invisible Seam.
Illustrated by Jun Matsuoka. Moon Mountain Publishing, 2003 (Humility, 4-6)
Set in early 20th century Japan, this is the true story of Michi, a hard-working young seamstress who joins an established household as an apprentice. Her gifts in stitching soon outshine those of her fellow apprentices. Michi is asked to stitch the more important kimonos and obis, and while reputation of this household grows, so does the jealousy of Michi’s companions. Fellow apprentices take their revenge and nearly ruin the good name of their household. Michi, ever mindful of the gifts of her housemates, rises to the challenge of forgiveness. An excellent story, well illustrated.
Ishii, Momoko. The Tongue-Cut Sparrow.
Illustrated by Suekichi Akaba. Dutton, 1987. (Humility, 4) OP
A Japanese folktale in which a sparrow teaches a mean-spirited old woman to appreciate the many gifts in her life. The poor, selfish, greedy old woman cannot be content. In a fit of anger she cuts out the tongue of her husband’s only treasure—a sweetly singing sparrow. The sparrow teaches her a lesson in living contentedly and humbly with what she has.
Jones, Jennifer Berry. Heetunka’s Harvest: A Tale of the Plains Indians.
Illustrated by Shannon Keegan. Roberts Rinehart, 1994. (Humility, 3-5)
Plains Indian tale of a generous prairie mouse (Heetunka) that shares her carefully harvested beans and seeds with the Dakota people in exchange for gifts. An ungrateful woman takes all of Heetunka’s beans, and learns the hard way that greed and ingratitude only bring her grief. Heetunka “will happily share with those who come to trade with humble, thankful hearts.” Themes of justice, fair play, and humility. Use with 3rd grade Native American unit.
Oldfield, Pamela. “Andromeda and Perseus” in Tales from Ancient Greece.
Illustrated by Nick Harris. Doubleday, 1988. (Humility, 2, 6) OP
The beautiful Andromeda is rescued by Perseus after her boastful mother earns the wrath and
curse of Poseidon. Highlights Perseus’s courage and the fatal flaw of hubris in the mother.
Paterson, Katherine. The King’s Equal.
Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. Harper Collins, 1992. (Humility, 3-6)
Set in medieval times. Proud and vain king searches for a wife who is his equal in intelligence, beauty, and wealth. He finds her, but to win her love, he must learn wisdom and humility.
Sabuda, Robert. Arthur and the Sword.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1995. (Humility, 2-5)
Striking stained glass illustrations in this tale of the humble son of Sir Ector, who finds himself
destined to be the King of England. The last shall be first!
Schwartz, Howard. “The Bird of Happiness,” in Next Year in Jerusalem.
See General Collections. (Humility, 4-6)
Jewish folk tale of a young boy (Aaron) and his family, who escape enslavement and wander through the desert guided by a stone sent from the Bird of Happiness. The family finds their way to Jerusalem and the Bird of Happiness chooses Aaron as their leader. As a ruler Aaron remem- bers to “put on my old rags to remember where I came from. For only then can I know where I must go.” A tale of hope and humility.
Schwartz, Howard. “The Language of the Birds,” in Next Year in Jerusalem.
See General Collections. (Humility, 4-6)
When King Solomon was a boy, he wished to learn all he could from humble surroundings and creatures. He traded clothes with a beggar, learned the language of the birds, and the language of the winds. The story reminds us that one often learns the most from the least.
Thayer, Ernest Lawrence. Casey at the Bat.
Putnam Publishing Group, 1992. (Humility, 4-6)
The classic poem teaches virtue by its opposite.