Yoon and the Jade BraceletAuthor: Helen RecorvitsIllustrated by Gabi SwiatkoskaInterest Level: Ages 4 and UpFrom the Book Jacket: It is Yoon's birthday and all she wants is a jump rope so she can jump and sing with the other girls in the school yard. Instead, Yoon's mother gives her a Korean storybook about a silly girl who is tricked by a tiger. Yoon also receives a jade bracelet that once belonged to her grandmother. The next day at school, an older girl invites Yoon to join in jump rope, but she wants to borrow Yoon's bracelte for the afternoon. When Yoon tries to get her bracelet back, the girl swears it belongs to her. Yoon must use the lessons learned in her storybook and Her "Shining Wisdom" to retrieve the precious keepsake. Why It's On My Bookshelf: This was thoroughly enjoyed by all of the classes I read to at the end of last year. It's got a lot of good stuff in it regarding friendship, telling the truth, being proud of who you are, and stealing. Even though it was easy to focus on the older girl and how she had wronged Yoon. It become apparent to the kids that Yoon actually played a part in getting herself in this circumstance. Some great discussion questions we pondered: Why are some kids willing to sacrifice who they are and their values for a friendship? When faced with a tough decision, how can we motivate ourselves to do the right thing? How can we stay true ourselves? I also loved the cultural angle - there is definitely a struggle for some kids to fit in for fear of being rejected. Can't wait to read it again this year.
Little Croc's PurseAuthor/Illustrator: Lizzie FinlayInterest Level: Ages 4 and UpFrom the Book Jacket: One hot day, Little Croc finds a lost purse. "Finders keepers!" shout his friends, imagining a treat of lemonade and a lovely cool swim. But Little Croc is determined to find the purse's owner...Will his honesty be rewarded? Or will he be tempted to spend the money inside? Why It's On My Bookshelf: This story reminded me of the word temptation. Kids (and adults) can be put in positions where they are tempted to make the wrong decision - because they might benefit. Long story short here.....Little Croc does the right thing but not without his friends pressuring him to keep the purse. In the end, he gets to keep the purse as his reward for being honest. The only thing I would change in this story is putting more focus on the internal rewards he received for doing the right thing. Sure, it's great he gets the purse - but that's not the TRUE reward. Make sure to go into this with your kids/students. Definitely glad this is on my bookshelf. 
A Link to These Books and Others You Might Find Helpful:
Author: Thierry RobberechtIllustrated by Philippe GoossensInterest Level: Ages 4-8
About This Book: This adorable character from SAM IS NEVER SCARED is back in another story preschoolers will identify with. Sam is so eager to make friends at his new school that he tells them a story that isn’t true. After all, he makes up bedtime stories for his little brother, who thinks Sam is the best storyteller ever! But when the truth catches up with him, Sam realizes the difference between telling a story and telling a lie—and he has to face his friends and tell them the truth.
Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book isn't just about one lie, it's about many lies (stories) being told. Sam makes up stories to impress kids at school, but it also 'bleeds' over into his home life. He tells his mom a lie so that he won't get into trouble. I encounter many kiddos who are purposely not honest so they can avoid a consequence. Sam Tells Stories is a cute book with a GREAT message. Park this one on your shelf. It will come in handy when you have a child that is making up stories or telling lies to avoid getting in trouble. Or better yet, use it as preventive medicine to help your kids avoid that big behavior mistake. 
A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
Author: Laura Rankin
Interest Level: Ages 4-9
About This Book: Ruthie, a fox girl, loves teeny-tiny things, so when she finds a miniature camera in the schoolyard, she claims it as her own. And lies about it when fellow student Martin tells their teacher, Mrs. Olsen, that the camera belongs to Ruthie. The rest of the afternoon is long for Ruthie, and at home that night, she ruminates over her crime until she finally comes clean with her parents. Having been counseled that honesty is the best policy, Ruthie, with much trepidation, tells her teacher and Martin what she has done. Mrs. Olsen praises her for telling the truth, and Martin forgives her, too. A real-life situation might not have such a happy ending, but this gets right to the heart of what children feel when they know they've done something wrong but don't know how to set things right. The sprightly artwork is cheery in all respects, except when it comes to Ruthie. With subtle brushstrokes, Rankin captures all the varied emotions Ruthie goes through: glee, defiance, worry, fear, and eventually relief.
Why It's On My Bookshelf: This age group (4-9) needs more books like this. I use this story as an opportunity to tell children that no matter what they have done - lying is always the Bigger problem. Kids can get into a habit of automatically wanting to improve their situation by lying. I love how the author shows how impacted Ruthie is both emotionally and even physically. Honesty is the best policy - that saying just never gets old. You are going to want this one on your shelf.A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
