“The Giving Book”
Written by Ellen Sabin and ________________
Written by Ellen Sabin and ________________
Reading
level: Ages
K-2
Publisher: Watering Can Press
Summary
As you can see by the “fill-in-your-name-here” design on the
cover, this book offers the recipient an opportunity to take ownership for defining
the world they live in. Beginning with the line for “co-authorship”, this book
is designed to engage children in introspective thought about values and
virtues and help them see that you can make a difference by caring and giving
of oneself. Children can take an active role by including their photo,
contributing illustrations, and completing their journal with personal accounts
about caring and making a difference, forming intimate connections to
philanthropy in action. Responses
include naming those persons who have shown them benevolence, instances in
which they have been giving to others, listing what they appreciate in their
lives and what they wish for others. Children are also asked about what their
own special gifts and talents may be, and how they can use those talents to
make the world better or help another person in some way, providing them with a
sense of self-worth and empowerment. The format is colorful, “user-friendly,” and inviting for a child to
complete. The book also offers suggestions and resources for the adults that
are significant in the life of the child to whom this book is given so that
they can guide them and seek ways to help the child take action in the cause of
their choice.
Activity
Because this book opens the door to identifying the issues
that are meaningful to an individual child, follow-up activities should be
based on the specific interests that are shared in the journal entries. A child
and caregiver might work together to implement a plan of action that they take
to the broader community of neighborhood, school or community.
While the design and approach of this book is centered on a
more individual journey into a life of altruism, it could be adapted for use
with a classroom of students. Students
can recall and list specific people in their lives that have shown them the
meaning of caring and they can also share their wishes for the world in a
classroom setting. Should this be how
the book is used, a teacher can work with the class to choose a particular
social injustice that is meaningful to the group. Teacher and students can then
develop a “take-action” plan focused on the chosen topic of interest.
Elements of Social
Injustice
Element 6: Taking Social Action
“The Giving Book” is a great method for children,
particularly young elementary school-aged children, to develop an understanding
of what social action is all about, to acknowledge empathy in oneself and
others, and to think critically about injustices at a rudimentary and
age-appropriate level. By introducing young children to the concept that what you
do and how you act effects the world around you, the perspectives of the next
generation are being shaped in a positive way and the seeds of social activism
are being sown. “The Giving Book” is intended to inspire moral thinking and
motivate social action in children, and, hopefully, impart the enduring
understanding that you can make a difference, be it big or small.
Buy It
• Barnes and
Noble - Print
• Scholastic – Print
Additional
Information
Also worth noting is that this book is one in a series by
this author intended to grow children with character. Other topics addressed are
special needs, autism, money matters, environmental awareness, and maintenance
of a healthy body.
If ordering in larger quantities, (10 or more), Watering Can
Press offers a minimum of a 20% discount that increases with the size of the
order.
Their website
also provides more information about:
• Engaging
Activities
• Parties with
a Purpose
• Free
downloadable guides to implementing social action in youth
• All books in the series available for purchase
http://www.wateringcanpress.com
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