Picture books with positive character traits

Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski

This little lamb is his own person. He revels in choosing his own path, which worries his parents no end. Grandpa continues to say, 'Don't worry' but Maa and Paa worry right to the end. Before you know it, the other lambs are following Woolbur.

Woolbur is more than just a unique individual; he is joyously enthusiastic about the choices he is making. Woolbur can remind us to choose joy and not to be afraid of being different.

Ladybug Girl by Jacky Davis and David Soman

Little sister has to play by herself. At first, there seems to be nothing to do. Then she begins to find things to do. She helps ants by moving a rock that was in their way, wades through a puddle that might have a shark in it, and walks along a fallen tree that has roots that look like snakes. Ladybug Girl is brave and resilient, even if she is too little to play baseball with brother.

Dog and Bear: Two's Company by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Dog and Bear are two good friends. When Dog is feeling stingy, selfish and grumpy, Bear is kind and agrees with him and then invites him to stay for ice cream. In the next story, Dog makes Bear a birthday cake and then decides to just taste it ... and eats it all. Bear is happy to have the candle that was on the cake. Dog and Bear look out for each other, care for each other and find ways to express their friendship in kind deeds.

This author/illustrator has other fantastic books, like Lemons are Not Red.

Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman

What little girl does not want to dress up like a princess? In Grace's classroom, two girls are going to be chosen for a school parade. The girls begin talking about all the different kinds of princesses there are, and then they start reading princess stories from places like Nigeria, China, Ghana and other countries. Grace decides the real princesses are more interesting than fairy tale princesses. In the end, all the girls get to dress up as all the many princesses they learned about.

Albert the Fix-It Man by Janet Lord

Albert is always fixing things for people. One day he wakes up ill and unable to care for himself. When the people he has helped learn that he is sick, they all pitch in and help him out.

This gentle story of kindness is perfectly told, and should inspire the youngest of us to look for opportunities to help.

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker

Bear is cranky, and wants to be alone. Always. Mouse wants to be his friend, and does not give up on Bear, even when Bear locks him out of his house again and again. Finally, Bear relents and shares cheese and tea with Mouse. As they sit together, Bear discovers that sharing conversation, jokes and such with someone else is a wonderful experience.

Mouse was persistant with grumpy Bear. Sometimes we need to be persistent.