From someone who grew up trying to be in every club, sports team, and extracurricular activity I could possibly get involved with as a kid, I naturally fell into leadership roles as they presented themselves in my life. Now, as a professional and mom, those skills are still very present in my day-to-day life. Those experiences have opened up doors to new adventures, journeys, and experiences—something I want for my kids as well. I want them to be brave and strong and go after what they want in life. I want them to positively impact the world and feel confident in doing so.
That said, I know leadership skills do not come easily to everyone in life. I don’t know about you, but we have had many conversations in our household about not being a follower and standing up for what is the right thing to do. This got me thinking about the different avenues I can use to teach my kids leadership skills. I am not trying to force my kids to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, but I want them to reach their goals and dreams in life, and having leadership skills will help them get there.
As a teacher by trade, I am always turning to children’s literature. Whether it is teaching social-emotional learning or about a certain non-fiction topic, books are a great way to learn!
If you do a quick Google search, you aren’t going to find too many leadership picture books meant for kids under the age of 10. They are going to be textbooks, guides, or higher-level novels that are going to put your eight-year-old to sleep.
Leadership looks different to everyone. Some people may think of it as being brave, while others may look for leadership skills in someone who is compassionate or inclusive. Each one of these books is dedicated to a characteristic you may see in a leader.
Book #1: When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left by Peter H. Reynolds
This is one of my favorite books to read to my students yearly in my second-grade classroom. It is written by one of my favorite authors, Peter H. Reynolds. It is about a boy who needs to find all of this strength and courage to find his place in life. This book will leave you with great conversations with your child. I mean, the title alone is something I quote numerous times throughout the school year.
Book #2: Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
This book will go down as one of my favorite books. It is about a boy with a pet elephant who gets left out of a pet club he wants to join because his pet is not your average type of pet. Through friendship and perseverance, the boy finds a solution and shows how being inclusive is great for everyone.
Book #3: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
This book is probably at the top of many teachers’ back-to-school literature lists, but if you have ever had a kid who was scared to start school, this one might be at the top of your list. The Kissing Hand is about a mama’s love to get her little raccoon to try something new and scary. This book encourages kids to try something new, knowing you or someone will always be there for them in those difficult situations. I love this book as a leadership book, knowing kids are going to start young to build up their courage to try new things.
Book #4: Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
This book is such a fun read about being yourself. Not only is that a characteristic of a leader, but that is something I want my own kids to feel confident in. I want them to know that being themselves is exactly what the world needs. This book is about a girl who brings an unusual dish to lunch everyday and her peers aren’t the most understanding, but with the support of family and staying true to yourself…great things come!
Book #5: Jabari Jumps & Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall
The author, Gaia Cornwall, has two classic books about small moments in the characters’ lives. In Jabari Jumps, he finds the courage to finally jump off the high dive after avoiding it all summer long. In Jabari Tries, he is working on a project and learns about perseverance and teamwork along the way. Bonus points for this one, as Cornwall does a fantastic job as the author-illustrator.
Honorable Mention: Ninja Life Hacks, Leadership by Mary Nhin
This series includes books dedicated to many different characteristics of a leader. So, this one could be the best bang for your buck, as it comes with 8 books and covers topics that could fit in a variety of your child’s life moments. This series is kid-friendly and makes it easy for your child to relate.
There are plenty of other books you may read to your child each night that you can find characteristics that you find value in and want to highlight. Find those moments and make a big deal out of those social situations you want your child to learn from. You’ll be surprised when the day comes around when they make a life connection to a text you two read together.
