Media Matters

 Book by The Arbinger Institute. Rather than a typical nonfiction self-help book, this book teaches its principles through a fictional story where the characters then apply those principles to various situations in their lives. It made the book quite a fast read, and I absolutely felt the truth of what was being taught. Its basic premise is that more important than behavior is the motive or desire or “way of being” behind it. (Two people could do the same outward actions, but for very different reasons.) In any given moment we are seeing others either as people or as objects. And that way of seeing others affects how we view and react to everything else. There are countless applications for the principles in this book: marriage, parenting, community, business, politics, leadership, etc. As divisive and contemptuous as our current society is, these principles are sorely needed. This would be a good companion book to Arthur Brooks’ Love Your Enemies.

 Picture book by Sarah Weeks. The rhyme and rhythm are perfect, and the silliness is charming.

 Picture book by Kevin Henkes. A darling story about a little girl who does something mean in anger, then apologizes, asks forgiveness, and tries to make things right.

 Picture book by Rick Walton. This book takes the nursery rhyme of the woman who lived in a shoe and greatly improves upon it, portraying a loving mother rabbit tucking in her 26 bunnies. Each bunny’s name begins with a different letter of the alphabet, and is counted in alphabetical order. Detailed illustrations add to the fun of this rhyming bedtime story.

 Picture book by Maya Ajmera. What a lovely book! It introduces people of faith around the world based on what they have in common: praying, chanting and singing, reading holy books, listening and learning, cleansing, holy places, holidays and festivals, marking important events, religious clothing, food and drink, caring for and helping others, etc. The book features actual photographs of children practicing their various faiths. This would be a great way to both learn about other religions, and also a great discussion starter about how your religion practices these things. To that end, it would be fun to take pictures of your family members practicing their faith and insert them between the corresponding pages of your family’s copy of the book.

 Picture book by Susan Heyboer O’Keefe. I like that this is first and foremost a fun story that also happens to have some counting. Great illustrations and rhymes about rude and messy monsters begging for a little boy to feed them. Nothing spooky or scary about these monsters, so great for any age.