First Book: It Takes Two to Solve a Problem!
When there are people, there are problems … but that doesn’t mean that those problems can’t be solved. Children can learn about different problems — and solutions — from the characters in books! Reading, and talking about what the characters do and say to resolve their differences, can help children solve their own real life problems.
Thank you to our friends at First Book for sharing this list of books about solving problems.
Jingle Dancer
The cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe's dress sing tink, tink, tink, tink…Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared by generations of women in her family and intertribal community. She hopes to dance at the next powwow. But with the day quickly approaching, she has a problem—how will her dress sing if it has no jingles? The warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu complement author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text, in this beloved picture book that was first published in 2000.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Culture, friendship
Discussion Questions
- Describe the problem Jenna faces.
- How does Jenna feel?
- Have you ever felt like Jenna feels when the powwow is approaching?
- What happens, and what lessons can you learn from the story?
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Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
My Friend!
Two best friends do almost everything together. They have each other's backs. But when one friend sees the other treating someone unkindly, he steps in to show that everyone wants to be treated as they would treat others. From the popular picture book team — longtime friends themselves — comes a real and rhythmic look at friendship that any child will relate to.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Helping, Problem Solving, Upstanding
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever seen someone treating someone else in a bad way?
- What did you do or say?
- What did the kids in the story do? What happened?
- What are some ways that WE can be upstanders and help others who need help? Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
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Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
A House in the Woods
It's nice to have your friends move in, but… A sweet, wry tale of cooperation and camaraderie, told with pastoral artwork by Inga Moore. One little pig has made a little den for herself in the woods, and another little pig has a small hut next door. One morning they return from a walk to find that their big friend Bear has moved into the den and an even larger Moose into the hut. CRASH! With both homes collapsed, they're all in a pickle--but what if they find a way to build a house in the woods that all four of them can share? With lush, whimsically detailed illustrations and a cast of endearing, industrious (and most accommodating!) characters, Inga Moore constructs an inviting story of friendship that kids will be happy to visit awhile.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: friendship, Problem Solving
Discussion Questions
- Describe the problem the two little pigs face.
- What did you THINK they'd say to their friends Bear and Moose? What did they actually say and do?
- What lessons did you learn from the animals in the story?
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Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
Beach Toys vs. School Supplies
A laugh-out-loud picture book about finding a balance between work and play — perfect for both summer and back to school. Shovel thinks Ruler is a know-it-all who can't loosen up. Ruler thinks Shovel is all play and no work. One sunny seaside afternoon, their two gangs challenge one another to a sandcastle-building contest, and the competition gets heated. Who will build the best castle? Who will have more fun? And when a big wave threatens to ruin their constructions, can they step up to help each other — and maybe cement a newfound appreciation for one another? This dynamic story from author-illustrator Mike Ciccotello is a fresh take on the end-of-summer blues.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: friendship, Problem Solving
Discussion Questions
- Describe the conflict between Shovel and Ruler.
- Have you ever had a conflict with a friend?
- What did you learn from how Shovel and Ruler resolve their disagreement?
- What are some other strategies they could try next time they disagree?
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Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
Danbi Leads the School Parade
Danbi is thrilled to start her new school in America. But a bit nervous too, for when she walks into the classroom, everything goes quiet. Everyone stares. Danbi wants to join in the dances and the games, but she doesn't know the rules and just can't get anything right. Luckily, she isn't one to give up. With a spark of imagination, she makes up a new game and leads her classmates on a parade to remember! Danbi Leads the School Parade introduces readers to an irresistible new character. In this story, she learns to navigate her two cultures and realizes that when you open your world to others, their world opens up to you.
Age Groups: Big Kids, Little Kids
Skills: Problem Solving
Discussion Questions
- What challenge does Danbi face in the story?
- Have you ever felt like Danbi does when she's the new kid at school?
- What does Danbi do to bring people together? Why do you think her strategy works?
- What lesson do you learn from Danbi?
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Eligible Teachers: Find it on the First Book Marketplace.
Parents/Caregivers: Find it at First Book's Bookshop.org shop.
Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 200 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income communities in all 50 states and provinces in Canada. First Book currently reaches an average of 5 million children every year and supports more than a third of the estimated 1.3 million classrooms and programs serving children in need. First Book members work in classrooms, after school, and summer or early childhood programs, shelters and health clinics, libraries, community programs, military support programs, and other settings serving a majority of children in need.