Leadership & Literacy, Book Spotlight, Ukraine, Public Locations / April 2022
Kids talk boldly about their dreams, and most of the time their aims involve becoming a leader of some kind. We all strive to model ourselves after the leaders in our lives like parents, teachers, and coaches, and leaders we hear about, e.g., prominent people in sports, the arts, business, and government.

Leadership captivates our imaginations. Can you learn to lead, or is leadership innate? Should you do something new, or do what's always been done but do it very well? Who do you follow if you're the first?

Books help us explore these ideas in fun, illustrative ways. For example, who will take the emperor's place when it's time? The most resourceful? The most truthful? Does it have to be one or the other? Which animal will be the next king of the jungle? The strongest? The smartest? The kindest? Stories on these subjects encourage the next generation of leaders to believe in themselves and embrace their aspirations!


- Kathy Balch, BookTree Founder
Book Spotlight: Leadership
Swimmy, by Leo Lionni. In this award-winning tale with a beautiful collage art style, a fish that doesn't quite fit in takes an unexpected, lonely journey and eventually teaches new friends creative solutions to overcome their fears; for ages 2 and up.

The Day the Kids Took Over, by Sam Apple and illustrator Julie Robine. Humorous illustrations guide us through an imaginative world scenario in which children are in charge and explore the limits of decisions and consequences; for ages 3 and up.

The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps, by Jeanette Winter. Inspiring biography that connects Jane's childhood pursuits and passions to her extraordinary future as an adult observer of nature and activist; for ages 4 and up.

Two Ways to Count to Ten, by Ruby Dee and illustrator Susan Meddaugh. When the king of the jungle holds a competition, it appears that the strongest animal will win, but in this brightly illustrated version of a Liberian folktale, the antelope shows us that victory is not always achieved through strength alone; for ages 5 and up.

The Empty Pot, by Demi. In this classic story with lush garden settings and an exquisite East Asian art style, a Chinese boy is honored by the Emperor for retaining honesty and integrity in the face of a clever challenge that causes others to stray; for ages 5 and up.
Talking With Children About the Ukraine War
Even very young children may become aware of this from peers or adult conversations. Healthychildren.org, supported by the American Academy of Pediatricians, posted this article with some helpful suggestions. This post by the American Psychological Association also provides good strategies and references.
Consider a BookTree Public Location for Summer or Beyond!
If you are graduating from your school and would like to continue book tote exchanges this summer, consider transferring to one of our convenient public location partners! And please do check out these fabulous local businesses; they need our support now more than ever!
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