WTBA is a collection of and conversation about powerful books that strengthen, elevate, inspire and help to grow powerful, resilient kids. We're a book oriented guide for parents, grandparents, educators, aunts, uncles and anyone involved in nurturing children and caring for friends.
ages 2 to 8 years
Alison Lester has a gift for writing words that bounce – there’s a rhythm to her words that's easy for the reader to catch and hold onto. The Journey Home isn't a rhyming book, but it does read in a lyrical sort of way. There’s a repeated refrain of ‘come inside and stay’ making this a good early reader.
Blossum Possum is the first alarmist to believe the sky is falling and she decides to tell the Prime Minister. There's danger and suspense along the way but each character oozes personality and attitude.
ages baby to 8 years
Age guide: 2 to 6. The Alfie books by Shirley Hughes are a bit like an antidote to perfect-minimalist Mommy blogs. Not that I don’t love reading a good Mommy blog! But in the Alfie books there’s a very real family – they’re not especially rich. The house is not styled, it’s functional and beautiful as a result – there’s plenty of clutter (of both the physical and social kinds) and plenty of pushing aside clutter to make room for the next activity.
In this one, there’s a Harvest Fair coming to a local school and Alfie determines to enter one of the competitions.
Read Moreages 4 years to grownup
Children’s books about homelessness are hard to find and this one strikes just the right note. Zac and Mandy are homeless, but very far from helpless. Space Travellers is a beautiful book about homelessness, with themes of self-reliance, sharing, making do and so much more.
in / chapter books but good for adults and young adults too
There are obvious Holocaust themes - and the ordinariness of a friendship between two small boys - all made clearer by the lack of flowery descriptions or moralising tones. There are no upper age limits for reading and absorbing this wonderful story.
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A conversation about books + kids. A website resource and book reviews for educators, parents, grandparents. The main focus is emotional resilience.
