Compassionate books combat cruelty

May 15, 2010 Last Updated: May 15, 2010 02:30 PM Community

In October, Michael Brewer, a student of Deerfield Beach Middle School in Florida, was doused with rubbing alcohol and set on fire by three classmates. Phoebe Prince, 15, of Massachusetts killed herself Jan. 14 after being relentlessly bullied. School shootings have occurred across the country — too many to cite here.

These stories have made national headlines. But many of the incidents of violence, victimization and bullying go unnoticed, unreported or are chalked-up to "that's how kids are."

No, that's not how kids are; there are forces at work (far too many to mention here) that mold kids into being cruel and violent. One solution to this growing problem is to teach children to be compassionate, empathetic people.

Among many ways to teach these important life skills is to read books that address this topic, such as the books reviewed today. When we teach our children to be compassionate, empathetic people, we greatly reduce the tendency to be mean to anyone.

Any and every effort we make to stop this tide of growing cruelty and violence is critically important. As adults, that is our responsibility.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.

"The Teddy Bear" written and illustrated by David McPhail, Henry Holt & Co., 32 pages; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.When a little boy accidentally lost his beloved teddy bear, he was filled with despair. The teddy bear was heartbroken, too. Somehow, he had wound up in a trash can. As the night wore on, the teddy bear worried the boy might never find him. A man did, though, and the teddy bear made the man very happy. In time, the teddy bear grew quite fond of the man and he felt loved.Months later, the man and the teddy bear were in the park. The man put the bear down on a bench while he looked for something. The little boy and his parents were in the same park, and suddenly the boy saw his teddy bear! But when he scooped him up and began to walk away, the man returned to the bench and cried out in anguish that his teddy bear was gone.Seeing the man's sorrow, the little boy understood the man's loss and decided he must do the right thing — return the teddy bear to the one who needed him most.A beautiful story about compassion and kindness, this book is perfect in every way.

Library: Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St.Library Director: Lori CampbellYouth Services Librarian: Cora FerraroChoices this week: "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn; "Girls Hold Up This World" by Jada Pinkett Smith; "Who Loves Me" by Patricia MacLachlanBooks to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores."Out of My Mind" by Sharon Draper, Atheneum, 2010, 295 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 10 and older; read yourself: age 11 to 12 and older.From the time she was very little, 11-year-old Melody knew she was very intelligent. She has a photographic memory — everything she has ever heard or saw she remembers, and all of her memories have words and meanings, but only in her head."I have never spoken one single word ... I can't talk. I can't walk. I can't feed myself or take myself to the bathroom."No one thinks Melody is capable of learning, except for her kind neighbor, Mrs. V. When Mrs. V discovers a machine that will allow Melody to communicate with others, Melody is ecstatic. As Melody begins to excel in school, a few classmates begin to see Melody in a different light, and she even makes a friend. But it will take more than Melody's talking machine to find her place among her peers.A moving and profound story that will tug at your heart, your mind and your conscience, "Out of My Mind" will cause readers to re-evaluate how they see and treat others."My Brother Charlie" by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, illustrated by Shane Evans, Scholastic, 2010, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Callie's twin brother is like her in many ways. But just because they are twins doesn't make them exactly the same. Charlie's brain works in a special way, because Charlie has autism.Sensitively written, this important story helps readers/listeners understand that while autistic children sometime have difficulty expressing themselves, they, too, are intelligent, need friends, and are just as capable of love as anyone else; we just have to look a little more closely to understand.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.