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“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” –Helen Keller
For me, faith in oneself is tied together with confidence in oneself…the belief that no matter what the challenge or task, we are up for it.
This is such an important lesson to teach our children and the picture book I’m recommending today from the 100 that appear in SHOW ME HOW, epitomizes this. Reading this story with your children can open up a discussion about many topics…death, overcoming obstacles and working together are only a few of them.
SWIMMY
Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni
One day, a big hungry tuna fish swallows an entire school of little red fish. Swimmy, the only little black fish in that school, escapes because he is the fastest swimmer. Although he is very sad to have lost his family, he enjoys discovering the many wonders of the underwater world as he swims along. When he discovers another school of little red fish hiding in the shadows of some corals, Swimmy invites them to join him on his journey, but they are afraid to venture out of their safe haven because they will become prey to the large fish. Swimmy decides to fool the other sea creatures by teaching the little red fish to swim together, creating the illusion of a large fish with himself as the eye. This enables them all to leave their hiding place and enjoy the wonders of the ocean.
Swimmy’s speed enabled him to escape the hungry tuna, his color helped him to be the eye of the fish formation, and his ingenuity created the idea that would save his newly found school of little red fish. Our children have special qualities also and we must encourage them to value their own strengths.
Just 15 minutes a day is enough time to read a picture book to your child and that may be the most important 15 minutes you spend each day. Reading picture books to your child build’s self-esteem, develops pre-literacy skills, creates a life-long parent-child bond…and it’s FUN!
Need some direction regarding which books to choose to read to your child? SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING provides summaries of the 100 picture books every young child needs to hear. Don’t let another day go by without getting a copy of this valuable resource for your home…on sale now for only $22.50 with FREE SHIPPING (continental U.S. only). Visit my website for details.
I invite you to return tomorrow for HEALTHY HABIT THURSDAY.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 