Independence

Read Aloud Books Related to Independence that Parents and Teachers Can Read to their Children.

There are legions of children’s books that teach children about independence.   Kids quickly recognize the kind of character- an out of the box thinker, dresser, and general ADHD personality typified by Pippi Longstocking.  Pippi deals with her life on her own terms and invariably puts up with the ignorant few who challenge her level of independence.

While Pippi Longstocking is a helpful characterization of an independent thinker, Independence connected to Success Traits is more about encouraging children to grow beyond the confines of dependent childhood and to gain the confidence that comes from solving problems on their own.  The largest impediment tends to be parents and sometimes teachers who too quickly come to the rescue of children who struggle.

This rescue is done out of good intent- to help a child to achieve success, but the end result is a success that can feel dependent on adult intervention.  Not surprisingly, independence can be a challenging concept for parents and children.  Books like those listed below tend to speak with characters who are more well-rounded and less idiosyncratic.  The books are opportunities for children to experience the transition between dependence and independence.

Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Chopsticks have been best friends forever- practically attached together at the hip.  When one of the chopsticks breaks, the other must go out and seek an independence that at first appears to be impossible.  Slowly the chopstick finds joy without his partner.  His return to his chopstick friend empowers him to explore new and exciting aspects of his relationship.  Together again, both chopsticks find greater purpose in exploring their relationship

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams.

This book is usually read for the touching relationship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider.  But the book offers an equally moving tale of Ferne and her love for a runty pig being prepped for slaughter.  Ferne eventually breaks down her father’s resolve to slaughter the pig and Fern is rewarded with the weighty responsibility of a pet. The reader sees just how independent and responsible a child can be when charged with the care of a helpless animal.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgrin

The Pippi Longstocking series is the ultimate adventure of a independent and imaginative child.  Pippi’s mother has died, her father is a world traveling sea captain, and nine year old, pigtailed Pippi is often left on her own to imagine tales of great adventure and daring.  The message here is not to leave your child on his own but rather to embrace the importance of unstructured imagination in the lives of our children.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This is a great book for read aloud in which young teenager, Laura Ingalls, is asked to supervise her sisters for an entire week while her parents are out of town.  The responsibilities given to Laura remind parents that most children are more capable of  handling ndependence than we sometimes give them credit for.

Snow Comes to the Farm by Nathaniel Tripp, illustrated by Kate Kiesler

This is a story about the outdoors- always a great place to learn about independence and responsibility.  Two siblings await the first snowfall of the season in the woods on their farm.  They are at ease in the woods, they know how to build a fire for warmth and they stay in the woods until sunset.  There is an ease and beauty in the woods that invites independence and reflection.

The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall

The four Prenderwick sisters work together to resolve a variety of problems with little help from their father.  When the problems get too big, Dad steps in for support.

The Ladybug Girl Series by Jacky Davis, illustrated by David Soman

Lulu and her family go to the park and Lulu lives there with imagination and free play.  Her parents are always nearby when needed, but manage to allow Lulu a great deal of imaginative freedom.  The book seeks for a balance between supervision and over supervision, a task all parents share.

Have more books you can recommend related to this Success Trait?

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