Building Self-Esteem and Literacy…One Picture Book at a Time

Hi Readers!

As promised here is post two of my friend Vivian Kirkfield’s picture book article. If you missed post one go here.  Now as you read on I don’t want you to think you have to do each of the three activities to raise self-esteem. If you just do one it will help. As a young mother you have your hands full and this book is meant to help not overwhelm. When I was looking at it I wished I had a copy when my boys were little. Then I realized many of the books hadn’t been written yet. I think this book is special. I think it will make a super present for any young parent these days. Go ahead. Read on, read about it.

Building Self-Esteem and Literacy…One Picture Book at a Time

Vivian fishing with Grandson, Jeremy.

Throughout my life, as a kindergarten teacher, daycare provider and mom of three, my overriding mission has always been the same: uplift young children and empower them with true self-esteem.  From the very beginning, I realized that picture books were magical and their messages were powerful tools.  My simple “program” utilizes the messages in picture books and combines the story reading with various activities…and adds a “secret” ingredient…positive parental participation.  This program forms the basis of my book, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking, which was published in September of 2010.

Show Me How! Pinpoints 100 of the best read-aloud books that every young child should hear.  It also gives a story summary, gentle parenting tip, eco-friendly craft project and child-friendly healthful cooking activity for each recommended title.

There are a couple of cool things about the book.  Walking into a library or bookstore can be

Vivian reading with Jake

overwhelming for many parents.   Which book should they pick from the thousands available?  “My child is afraid of the dark…is there a book I can read that will help him overcome that fear?”  “We just bought a new house and our four-year old is angry about moving and leaving his friends…I need a book that addresses that problem!”  Show Me How! answers these questions in six chapters, each with fifteen or more books focusing on a different component of building true self-esteem.

• Chapter One: I Can Do It Myself…books like Little Toot and The Carrot Seed help children understand the importance of mastering tasks and skills.
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  Front cover (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

  Chapter Two: I’m Special…books like Bravo Maurice and The Little Red Caboose help children value their own strengths and qualities.

• Chapter Three: I Love You and You Love Me…books like The Ugly Duckling and Oliver Button is a Sissy help children feel loved, appreciated and accepted.
• Chapter Four: I Am Really Mad Right Now…books like Where the Wild Things Are and Goodbye Mousie help children learn to express their feelings.
• Chapter Five: I’m Afraid…books like Blueberries for Sal and Don’t Worry, I’ll Find You help children acknowledge and overcome fears.
• Chapter Six…I Like Myself…books like A Lion for Lewis and I’m Terrific help children feel good about themselves and their bodies.

Studies show that the foundations of our self-esteem are laid down in the first five years of life!  These are the years when a parent has the greatest influence…before media and peer pressure begin to hold sway.  The book makes it easy for parents to spend a little quality time with their children…just 15 minutes a day is all it takes to read the picture book story or do the quick and easy craft project or participate together making the simple healthful recipe.   A preschool teacher I know told me that ever since she received the

Cover of Oliver Button Is a Sissy

book, she rarely has to make lesson plans because it’s all there…theme, book choice and activities.

Another amazing resource for parents and teachers is Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday where they can find hundreds of book titles divided into dozens of categories.  Sibling rivalry, getting along with others, bedtime, diversity, bullying and adoption are only a few of the dozens of topics.  Each title links up with a review of the book and some activities and resources that might help extend and enrich the learning experience.  I’m so happy to be a part of this wonderful community of picture book writers and illustrators and others who love picture books and understand their importance for young children.

Another invitation is here about Library Nominations and they are now open. Yes, library nominations are now open!

Win a free copy of Show Me How for your local library!

Vivian Kirkfield is donating twenty-five copies of Show Me How to libraries across the country…just leave a comment on Vivian’s posthttp://bit.ly/H6Il0j and tell her why you want your library to receive a free copy of SMH!

At the end of April, Random.org will pick 25 winners.

Vivian Kirkfield is a mother of three and an educator and author who lives in the Colorado Rockies. She’s passionate about picture books, enjoys hiking and fly-fishing with her husband, loves reading, crafting and cooking with kids during school and library programs and shares tips and tactics for building self-esteem and literacy in her parenting workshops. To learn more about her mission to help   every child become a reader and a lover of books, please visit her Positive Parental Participation blog or contact her at vivian@positiveparentalparticipation.com.

So tell me. What do you think about Vivian’s book? Will you read it? Will you give it for a gift for a new parent? Or if you are a young parent will you buy it? What do you think of PPBF? Do you think it’s a good reference?