The final term brings with it excitement, busy schedules, and preparations for holidays and end-of-year events. With so much going on, it's easy for students to get swept up in the hustle and lose focus. But, as educators, we have the opportunity to help calm the chaos by guiding students to reflect on the values that matter most—love, compassion, family, and friendship.
Books are a powerful tool to slow down the pace of the classroom, provide moments of reflection, and remind students that the best gifts in life don’t come wrapped in sparkly paper. Here’s a selection of heartwarming stories that will help you create a calm, focused environment, while encouraging students to appreciate the simple joys of life.
This beautifully illustrated book, Go Go and the Silver Shoes, is a story about friendship, being true to yourself, and learning that material things aren’t what define us. When Go Go loses one of her prized silver shoes at the creek, she is disappointed, but ultimately learns that friendships and shared experiences are far more valuable than possessions. This gentle story is perfect for encouraging students to appreciate their relationships and value the people in their lives over flashy objects.
“For Love” by Cristina Neri, shortlisted for the CBCA 2022 New Illustrator Award, is a tale set on the island of Salina, just off the north coast of Sicily. The story follows a young girl, Carina, and her father, Matteo, as they tend to their small plot of land. Carina’s innocent questions about the purpose of bees, worms, and plants, always get the same gentle answer from her Father: "For Love." This simple yet profound message encourages readers to see love in all aspects of nature and life. Perfect for readers of all ages, the beautiful illustrations in this book take us out of the busy rush of daily life, allowing us to focus on the simple joys and the opportunity we all have to share love with those around us.
In “The Garden at Red Gum Road”, we see a community come together to tend a garden, illustrating the power of teamwork, friendship, and nature. The story highlights the beauty of connection and working towards a common goal, reminding students that giving time and energy to shared projects brings greater joy than receiving material things. This book can help ground students by offering a peaceful narrative about community and kindness.
The tender story of "Blue Flower" explores the journey of a young child discovering that being different is something to be celebrated, not feared. Through art and her observations of nature, the protagonist learns that self-acceptance and creativity are gifts that no flashy object can replace. “The Blue Flower” is an ideal story for helping students reflect on their own unique qualities and understand that true happiness comes from within—not from material possessions.
This heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between a bear and a duck captures how love and companionship are far more meaningful than physical objects. "Bear and Duck are Friends" encourages students to value the relationships they form and to understand that kindness and shared moments matter most, especially as they prepare to celebrate the holidays.
In “Circles of Life”, Gregg Dreise draws on his Kamilaroi heritage to offer readers a First Nations Australian perspective on gratitude and giving thanks. The book follows two girls as their Uncles teach them how to create "Thank You" circles, using ochre from Mother Earth. Each concentric circle in the dot painting represents something for which the painter is grateful. Through this cultural lens, children can explore the beauty of showing gratitude for life’s gifts. Paired with our Learn From Play activities this story encourages readers to reflect on what they are thankful for, and to appreciate the connection between nature and gratitude.
Refocusing on What Matters
As the excitement of the holidays approaches, students may become distracted by the idea of receiving presents or the whirlwind of activities around them. This is a perfect opportunity to remind them that the most important gifts are the ones that can’t be bought. Books like the ones above gently remind children that love, compassion, and creativity are what truly make life meaningful.
Incorporating these stories into your lessons can help students calm down, focus, and reflect on the things that matter most. These books will not only create moments of calm but will also encourage students to carry the values of kindness, gratitude, and simplicity with them into the holiday season, and beyond.
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