10 Lessons Teachers Can Learn from Children’s Book Characters

We all love children’s books.  Reading stories provides great lessons for your classroom, but our storybook friends have a few lessons for teachers as well!  What do your favorite characters have to teach us?  Take a look…

1. Ramona from the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary

Ramona often finds herself in trouble- but she doesn’t mean to be a mischief maker.  Like many children, Ramona is impulsive and inventive-a combination that can lead to trouble.  Remember  when your students get into trouble that they rarely mean to cause harm.

2. Tacky from Tacky The Penguin by Helen Lester

Tacky is an odd bird, but a nice bird to have around.  Tacky reminds us that our differences are what makes us special.  Remember that each of your students is special in their own way; help children to appreciate and value the uniqueness in each of us.

3. Alexander from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Alexander is having a bad day.  Chances are, you are going to have a bad day, all teachers do. You may want to run away to Australia, but know that tomorrow will be better.

4. Lily from Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Lily and her teacher Mr. Slinger  have a disagreement.  You are going to have a disagreement with a student.  In the end,  Lily and Mr. Slinger make up.  They don’t hold a grudge, which is good advice for all teachers.

5. Cricket from The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle

It turns out that The Very Quiet Cricket has something to say after all.  Perhaps the very quiet child has something to say as well.  Don’t forget to welcome in the quiet children.

6. Curious George from the series by H.A. and Margaret Rey

Curious George is curious!  That is what makes him endearing.  We love his inquisitiveness.  Teachers should remember to encourage and love children who are inquisitive as well.

7. Trisha from Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

Trisha has a reading disability.  Her teacher, Mr. Falker recognizes that Trisha needs extra help and he works with her to improve her reading.  He shows her that one teacher can make a difference in a child’s life.  You might be that teacher.

8. Grace from Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Grace has big dreams. She wants the starring role in Peter Pan even though she if an African American girl.   Grace teaches us not to squash children’s big dreams.  The next president, Oscar winning actor, astronaut and professional athlete are sitting in your classrooms today.

9. Anne from Anne of Green Gables by L. M.Montgomery

Anne is an eternal optimist.  She wears her heart on her “puffed sleeves. ”  Most children are optimistic.  Teachers can follow their lead, embracing each new day and each new adventure as Anne does.

10. Flat Stanley from Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown

When a bulletin board falls on him and he becomes flat, Stanley doesn’t despair.  He adjusts!  Teachers will always have days when things don’t go as planned.  Like Stanley,  we need to be flexible and pick ourselves up and move on.

What lessons have you learned from children’s book characters?  We would love to hear your ideas in the comments section!