We've Got Character!

Everywhere we go in life, there are rules on how to behave that we need to observe. For young children this can be difficult to pick up, especially on the playground where you're supposed to let loose and have fun. This book helps readers navigate some common rule-following scenarios by depicting young people in relatable, real-life situations. They meet kids like Marco, who is in the middle of an intense video game when he realizes his computer time is up for the day. What does he do? Each spread includes a brief, high-interest story along with a colorful photograph, ensuring that readers will see themselves in the pages as they learn the fundamentals of following the rules.

Children often assume that being fair means that everyone gets the same number of cookies, but at the heart of fairness is consideration, respect, and caring for others. Your readers will encounter real-life situations in which young people figure out how to act fairly. They'll meet Ben and Jane who are playing on the swings at recess while other children wait to use the swings. What is the fair thing to do? Each spread consists of one of these relatable scenarios along with a full-color photograph. Fun, accessible text encourages readers to consider how they treat others as they discover what it means to be fair.

Each player has his or her own job in soccer and baseball. They each do their part to contribute to the team. Teamwork is also important outside of sports. We use teamwork in our classroom, in our community, and at home with our family. Readers are presented with different scenarios in which young people use teamwork to achieve a certain goal, like when Nicole's neighbor becomes ill, everyone in the neighborhood takes on a job with the goal of helping the sick neighbor. Each spread contains a color photograph that imparts the importance and rewards of working as a team.

Being a good sport goes way beyond sports. The lessons we learn on the playing field extend to the classroom, the playground, and our home. How can we be a good sport? Readers are introduced to a variety of places and situations that call for good sportsmanship, such as working with classmates on a science project, winning the big soccer game, or helping Dad clean out the garage. With a unique, real-life scenario in every spread, readers learn what it takes to be a good sport wherever they go.

Knowing when to say we're sorry means knowing when we've hurt someone, whether it was intentional or not. This is not always easy to do, especially for children. This book presents readers with a variety of relatable scenarios in which young people recognize the need for an apology. Readers follow Louis as he shares an embarrassing secret about Aaron with his other classmates, who make fun of Aaron. Louis feels bad for sharing Aaron's secret. What can he do? Each colorful spread presents a different real-life situation that will instill in readers the importance of knowing when to say, "I'm sorry."

Having patience is challenging when there's something you really want to do, but you have to wait for it. You want to do it now! Thinking of others and waiting for your turn is an essential element of good character. Readers are encouraged to think about why and when we take turns. Each colorful spread presents a different real-life situation, like when Juan is hot and thirsty after playing soccer. He needs and wants a drink of water immediately, but his friends are thirsty too. Everyone takes turns at the fountain. Through relatable scenarios like this one, readers learn how to show consideration for others by taking turns.