Perseverance Picture Books
Character Education is such a valuable tool in the classroom. It’s so important to focus on your character education lessons and take advantage of the time to dive deep into building a positive classroom community. This post will focus on the perseverance picture books. If you haven’t seen how I kick-off Character Education each year, check out this post here.
Teach valuable lessons about perseverance with age-appropriate books.
Today, I’ll share with you my favorite perseverance picture books and read-alouds for teaching character education lessons. You can read a new title over the course of several weeks as you discuss perseverance, or you can make it part of your library. Check out these perseverance picture books and be sure to let me know your favorites in the comments below.
The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino
Everyone knows crocodiles love water, but this little crocodile is different. He tries his best to change, but when he attempts a swim, it causes a shiver and a sneeze. What if he isn’t a little crocodile at all?
I Choose to Try Again by Elizabeth Estrada
Kiara learns how to keep going even when things get too hard. She reflects on her mistakes and realize mistakes help her grow. Rather than avoid them, she can use them to improve.
A Little SPOT of Perseverance by Diane Alber
Join a little SPOT of perseverance as he shows two young kids all the times they were able to succeed when they just kept trying.
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
Henry Brown doesn’t know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves’ birthdays. He dreams of freedom, but that seems farther away when he is taken from his family and sent to work in a warehouse. He grows up, gets married, but is again devastated when his family is sold at a market. One day, he lifts a crate at a warehouse and realizes what he must do. He will mail himself North.
One Word from Sophia by Jim Averbeck
Sophia has one true desire for her birthday. But, she has four big problems in her way: Mom, Dad, Uncle Conrad, and Grand-mama. Will her presentations, proposals, and pie charts convince them?
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
A young girl has a great idea. All she has to do is make it. She tries and fails repeatedly. In fact, she’s ready to quit. But her dog convinces her to take a walk, and she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm.
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson
Born in Ghana, West Africa, with a deformed leg, Emmanuel was dismissed by most people. But not his mother. She teaches him to reach for his dreams. He starts school, learns to play soccer, left home as a young teen to begin providing for his family, and eventually becomes a cyclist.
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy
Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing. This biographical picture book tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents.
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Rosie Revere dreams of becoming a great engineer. When others see rubbish, Rosie sees inspiration. She constructs great inventions from odds and ends. They are amazing, if she would let anyone see them. This story focuses on the fear of failure and how to overcome the real definition of failure – quitting.
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires
Lou and her friends go on brave adventures, but one day they want to climb a tree. Lou has never climbed a tree before! She comes up with many reasons not to play, and tries to convince her friends to do something else. She convinces herself she just doesn’t want to, but maybe the brave explorer is actually just too afraid to try.
Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson
This is the slightly true narrative of how a pioneer father brought apples, pears, plums, grapes, cherries (and children) across the plains. It’s a treacherous journey, but luckily little Delicious won’t let anything keep her Papa from getting his saplings to Oregon.
Brave Irene by William Steig
Irene Bobbin is the dressmaker’s daughter. Mrs. Bobbin isn’t feeling well and can’t possibly deliver the ball gown just complete to the duchess. Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace, facing a snowstorm in the process.
Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan
Michael Jordan’s mother and sister teamed up to write this heartwarming story. As a child, Michael almost gave up on his basketball dreams, all because he feared he wouldn’t grow tall enough to play the game.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Thirteen year old Brian Robeson is traveling in a single-engine plane to visit his father. The plane crashes, leaving Brian the sole survivor. Alone in the wilderness, he has to learn enough survival skills in order to live to be rescued.
What have you enjoyed incorporating into your month of perseverance? Share your favorite perseverance pictures books and lessons in the comments below! I love adding to my library each year.
You can also find more great resources for teaching perseverance with this bundle of activities. It equips you with tons of activities so you can help students engrain what they learn into habits they can use beyond your classroom. The comprehensive resources promotes perseverance and includes a variety of digital and print options. In addition to this list of books, you have access to bulletin boards, pacing guides, anchor charts, and more.