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 newborn to 8 years, but adults and teens will get a kick out of it too
Theodore Roosevelt apparently said that 'comparison is the thief of joy' and that's almost always true. But in this great-fun story, comparison is the key to all sorts of funny and joyful moments. Great lessons wrapped up in a hilarious and fast moving story.
It’s an Australian childhood ritual to pore over the latest Graeme Base book. This one could well be my favourite. There’s a really strong but attainable environment message running through it, with a boy seeing ‘eye to eye’ with a whole range of animals in an array of habitats and circumstances.
ages birth to 8 + grownup
ages newborn to grownup
A brilliant fractured fairytale that introduces us to that famous cow's many attempts at a moon jump before that glorious moment when she actually made it. Funny and tender and full of hope for all of us who struggle.
Have you seen this remarkable—though gruelling—webpage? It’s called Where the children sleep and it shows a series of images of sleeping children who have been displaced by the war in Syria. There are 22 images, each with a few words about the child's circumstances.
[ ... ]
For a less gruelling but still thought-provoking look at the wildly disparate sleeping places of children around the world we’d recommend Where Children Sleep. (The book and the web page are unrelated even though they have similar names.) I’ve seen many a child and adult sit and pore over the pages of this breathtaking book.
One of the great things about picture books is their ability to help us feel the history as well as know the history, but they can do it in a way that leaves us with a sense of beauty and hope. Half Spoon of Rice does this brilliantly.
ages 10 years and up
Set in France. This is a wonderfully crafted story that is full of love, joy and humour, just a little tension, and a triumphant ending. A charming French mouse does all he can to care for his family and to help the hands that feed him - even when he is met with scorn.
ages 1 to 9 years
ages 4 to grownup
There’s a flower child, peace loving vibe about this book! A young girl calls a family meeting basically to try to convince her parents of the need for ‘better’ jobs so that they can ‘buy a lot of nice new things’ and the story is about how she becomes convinced of the value of the life they live.
A conversation about books + kids. A website resource and book reviews for educators, parents, grandparents. The main focus is emotional resilience.
