WTBA is a collection of and conversation about powerful books that strengthen, elevate, inspire and help to grow powerful, resilient kids. We're a book oriented guide for parents, grandparents, educators, aunts, uncles and anyone involved in nurturing children and caring for friends.
ages 4 to 10 years
Set in Africa. Essentially an alphabet book, Jambo Means Hello assigns a Swahili word to each letter of the English alphabet. And along with the words goes a short paragraph explaining something about culture, traditions and everyday life in Africa.
Alfie Kohn’s clarion call is for a ‘working with’ rather than a ‘doing to’ approach to parenting, educating and otherwise interacting with children. Unconditional Parenting is his coalface parenting book. So that we’re ready to try something new as a parent, Kohn sets out the take-home message—via some alarming research about what traditional ‘doing to’ style parenting is, well, ‘doing to’ our children.
Read MoreWhen my children were small, one of the very best educators I know, Marcus Bussey, was asked that quintessential parenting question: “How can I make my kids love reading?” His answer has stuck with me for over twenty years now. This is what he answered - plus an article from Alfie Kohn.
Read MoreActually I think it’s really ‘kids and parents may be right after all’, because I’ve never met a parent who loves homework. Alfie to the rescue! With evidence that homework fails to accomplish its stated purposes—to raise achievement, teach independence and establish good habits.
Read MoreWhen we praise kids—either with the ubiquitous ‘good job’ or using pretty much any other form of praise—we are treading on dangerous ground.
Read Moreages 4 years to grownup
This hilarious book comes from a husband and wife team from New Zealand and in NZ they know a thing or two about sheep. The cover has a warning label ‘Contains Mischief’. It sure does! Books about poo are a mainstay of children’s stories—with good reason.
Excerpted from Dreaming Too Loud, the story of the head teacher who would send new teachers this letter: "Dear Teacher, I’m a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no man should witness..... So I’m suspicious of education..."
Read MoreA conversation about books + kids. A website resource and book reviews for educators, parents, grandparents. The main focus is emotional resilience.
