Which are the best books to teach character traits? For that to answer, we have to know more about character traits. Character traits are the building blocks of a character. Positive character traits build good character in your children. And help them succeed and lead meaningful lives. And, bad character traits will do the opposite. But the good news is that we can unlearn bad character traits. And change them with positive ones. And young age is the right age to do it. As your kids’ minds are flexible and you can shape them in any way you want. 

Why Use Books to Teach Character Traits?

After this brief intro on character traits, let’s discuss why use books for character traits? Here are some of the reasons to use books to teach your kids character traits.

1. Kids love pics, stories, and colourful books. So, books keep them engaged and focused and they learn better. 

2. Along with character traits, their reading and listening skills improve too.

3. Children’s books are simple and short and finished in quick time. This gives you ample time to teach character traits to your kids. 

4. Children’s books have characters with amplified traits. With these books, your kids can join the dots. They understand what a specific character trait is all about.

How to Use Books to Teach Character Traits? 

After the why’s, let’s move on to how’s. Here are some tips on how to use books to teach character traits to children. 

1. Choose a book that amplifies a specific character trait you want to teach. Or even a negative character trait you want to caution against. Set a goal for reading and involve your kids in this. 

2. After finishing the book, discuss with your children’s different traits of the characters. 

3. Ask questions about what gave your children clues about a character trait. Ask them to list some of the positive and negative traits of the characters.

4. Next, define the specific character traits so your children can understand them in total.

5. Finally, discuss both the positive and negative traits of the characters. Then teach your kids about the benefits of positive traits. And harms of negative character traits. 

Best Books for Character Traits

There are so many good books to teach character traits at hand. Have a look at some of the best books on character traits for kids below. 

1. Jabari Jumps and Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari, a young kid, is the main character in both these books. He is brave and an optimist. He never gives up and solves problems with creative thinking. He also gets the support of his little sister in achieving his goals. The character traits shown here are hard work, self-belief, helping others, and courage. 

2. After the Fall by Dan Santat

This is the story of Humpty Dumpty from the popular children’s rhyme. After he fell from the wall, he did not want to climb again. He was afraid at first. And missed out on the fun and doing his favourite things. But with courage, he overcame his fear and started to climb again. The character traits here are courage, bravery and building a growth mindset. 

3. The Bad Seed by Jory John

This lovely book is about the “Bad Seed” who has negative character traits. But when he hears others talking bad about him, he decides to change. With time, he changes his ways and becomes good. The character traits here are to be self-aware and manage self for the better. It also showcases that with a growth mindset we can achieve our goals. 

4. A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts and Noah Z. Jones

Rueben is a kid who finds some money that a lady had dropped. He wants to buy a bike for himself with this money. As his family cannot afford to buy a bike for him. But he is an honest kid who thinks about others too. He thinks about the woman who is the rightful owner of the money. decides to give back the money and make his family proud. The character traits shown here are honesty and empathy. 

5. How to Be a Lion Written by Ed Vere

Leonard the Lion is not like other lions he knows. First of all, he does not want to eat his best friend. Who, by the way, happens to be a duck!! At first, he thinks that he may not be a real lion. Finally, he understands that to be a real lion he does not need to change. To be a real lion, he need not follow the herd. He only has to stay true to himself. The character traits shown here are to become self-aware and self-belief. 

Other Good Books for Character Traits

Above mentioned is only a small sample of books to teach character traits to children. Here is a list of some other books with a brief account of character traits. 

A. Character Traits – Empathy, and speaking up for oneself and others. And helping and supporting each other.

1. Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
2. I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoet
3. Red by Jan De Kinder 
4. Don’t Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller

B. Character Traits – Honesty, modesty, and never giving up on your dreams. 

1. More Than Anything Else by Maria Bradby

C. Character Traits-To be curious about all things.

1. I Wonder by Kenard Pak & K.A. Holt 
2. The Girl with the Big, Big Questions by Jacob Souva & Britney Lea

D. Character Traits- Empathy, kindness, and how to be generous.

1. Be Kind by Pat Z Miller & Jen Hill
2. Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier

E. Character Traits– Empathy, bravery, courage, risk-taking, kindness, and becoming self-aware. 

1. Brave as A Mouse by Nicolo Carozzi
2. The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright

F. Character Traits– Self-esteem, self-respect, self-confidence and gender parity.

1. A Bad Case of Stripes written by David Shannon
2. The Paper Bag Princess authored by Robert Munsch
3. Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Final Thoughts

So, these are some of the books to teach character traits to your children. Once you have finished these, then look out for other good books. Make it an ongoing process, so your kids learn positive traits and develop a good character. 

Which are the best books to teach character traits? For that to answer, we have to know more about character traits. Character traits are the building blocks of a character. Positive character traits build good character in your children. And help them succeed and lead meaningful lives. And, bad character traits will do the opposite. But the good news is that we can unlearn bad character traits. And change them with positive ones. And young age is the right age to do it. As your kids’ minds are flexible and you can shape them in any way you want. 

Why Use Books to Teach Character Traits?

After this brief intro on character traits, let’s discuss why use books for character traits? Here are some of the reasons to use books to teach your kids character traits.

1. Kids love pics, stories, and colourful books. So, books keep them engaged and focused and they learn better. 

2. Along with character traits, their reading and listening skills improve too.

3. Children’s books are simple and short and finished in quick time. This gives you ample time to teach character traits to your kids. 

4. Children’s books have characters with amplified traits. With these books, your kids can join the dots. They understand what a specific character trait is all about.

How to Use Books to Teach Character Traits? 

After the why’s, let’s move on to how’s. Here are some tips on how to use books to teach character traits to children. 

1. Choose a book that amplifies a specific character trait you want to teach. Or even a negative character trait you want to caution against. Set a goal for reading and involve your kids in this. 

2. After finishing the book, discuss with your children’s different traits of the characters. 

3. Ask questions about what gave your children clues about a character trait. Ask them to list some of the positive and negative traits of the characters.

4. Next, define the specific character traits so your children can understand them in total.

5. Finally, discuss both the positive and negative traits of the characters. Then teach your kids about the benefits of positive traits. And harms of negative character traits. 

Best Books for Character Traits

There are so many good books to teach character traits at hand. Have a look at some of the best books on character traits for kids below. 

1. Jabari Jumps and Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari, a young kid, is the main character in both these books. He is brave and an optimist. He never gives up and solves problems with creative thinking. He also gets the support of his little sister in achieving his goals. The character traits shown here are hard work, self-belief, helping others, and courage. 

2. After the Fall by Dan Santat

This is the story of Humpty Dumpty from the popular children’s rhyme. After he fell from the wall, he did not want to climb again. He was afraid at first. And missed out on the fun and doing his favourite things. But with courage, he overcame his fear and started to climb again. The character traits here are courage, bravery and building a growth mindset. 

3. The Bad Seed by Jory John

This lovely book is about the “Bad Seed” who has negative character traits. But when he hears others talking bad about him, he decides to change. With time, he changes his ways and becomes good. The character traits here are to be self-aware and manage self for the better. It also showcases that with a growth mindset we can achieve our goals. 

4. A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts and Noah Z. Jones

Rueben is a kid who finds some money that a lady had dropped. He wants to buy a bike for himself with this money. As his family cannot afford to buy a bike for him. But he is an honest kid who thinks about others too. He thinks about the woman who is the rightful owner of the money. decides to give back the money and make his family proud. The character traits shown here are honesty and empathy. 

5. How to Be a Lion Written by Ed Vere

Leonard the Lion is not like other lions he knows. First of all, he does not want to eat his best friend. Who, by the way, happens to be a duck!! At first, he thinks that he may not be a real lion. Finally, he understands that to be a real lion he does not need to change. To be a real lion, he need not follow the herd. He only has to stay true to himself. The character traits shown here are to become self-aware and self-belief. 

Other Good Books for Character Traits

Above mentioned is only a small sample of books to teach character traits to children. Here is a list of some other books with a brief account of character traits. 

A. Character Traits – Empathy, and speaking up for oneself and others. And helping and supporting each other.

1. Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
2. I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoet
3. Red by Jan De Kinder 
4. Don’t Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller

B. Character Traits – Honesty, modesty, and never giving up on your dreams. 

1. More Than Anything Else by Maria Bradby

C. Character Traits-To be curious about all things.

1. I Wonder by Kenard Pak & K.A. Holt 
2. The Girl with the Big, Big Questions by Jacob Souva & Britney Lea

D. Character Traits- Empathy, kindness, and how to be generous.

1. Be Kind by Pat Z Miller & Jen Hill
2. Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier

E. Character Traits– Empathy, bravery, courage, risk-taking, kindness, and becoming self-aware. 

1. Brave as A Mouse by Nicolo Carozzi
2. The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright

F. Character Traits– Self-esteem, self-respect, self-confidence and gender parity.

1. A Bad Case of Stripes written by David Shannon
2. The Paper Bag Princess authored by Robert Munsch
3. Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Final Thoughts

So, these are some of the books to teach character traits to your children. Once you have finished these, then look out for other good books. Make it an ongoing process, so your kids learn positive traits and develop a good character.