I normally only do one book review per month; a summary of the books that I’ve read. But this book I recently discovered is so inspiring I felt it required a post all of its own.
My seven year old daughter has been talking a lot about filling up her bucket and those of others around her and how it makes her happy. I was intrigued to know more, so I asked her teacher about what they had been doing. She told me they had been reading this book and discussing the concept behind it. It seems that they have been aiming to put it into practice in their everyday lives.
It is such a simple but very effective idea. The book explains that everybody carries around an invisible bucket, which can be filled or emptied by themselves and others. Ways of filling the bucket include being kind and helpful. When you are kind to someone else you fill, not only their bucket, but yours as well. Bullying, being mean or unkind will empty a bucket.
It is based on the concept that if you make someone happy, then you will feel happy yourself, with the opposite also being true. But the way it is explained makes it so easy for a child to grasp and learning about it in a school environment has meant that my daughter has taken wholeheartedly to this ideal, using bucket filling as part of her every day language.
We have a number of books that look at simple ways of teaching children to think positive, reach for their goals and be kind to others. They were bought after my husband and I got sick of the ‘I can’t do it’ attitude and the incessant arguing that seemed to be constantly erupting between our children. Now we have our own copy of ‘Have You Filled a Bucket Today?’ to add to the collection. I have to say that this book is probably the simplest, yet most effective message of them all.
What a lovely concept and book. I shall be purchasing a copy. *scuttles off to click on Amazon*
It really is. Can’t praise it enough.
I love that idea – a great way to talk to kids about how to be a decent human being but something well worth remembering for adults too! Glad to have come across your blog through #sharewithme – I’ll be back!
I know and I am reminded by my daughter on a regular basis!
That sounds like a really good book and a great way of explaining to children how to be more kind and positive, I really like the sound of it 🙂 #sharewithme
I was really impressed they had used it as part if their learning at school.
This sounds like a lovely book Nicola. Should definitely be in every classroom and home. Why don’t all teachers get hold of this….actually we could probably all do with living a bit more like this, couldn’t we?
Yes that’s true. When my daughter first started talking about it I thought it was some strategy that they were being taught. I was so surprised to find it was a simple picture book.
This sounds amazing Nicola, I would love to get some books like this. I think it’s so important to teach postive thinking and being grateful and happier in life to children as soon as they can understand it. Too many kids these days just concentrate on the negative what they don’t have, and the whining and attitude and the amount of times I hear kids telling their parents what to do freaks me out. I will have to google some, or if you can recommend a few. Great post. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. I love reading your post and getting to know more of your blog and you. #sharewithme
Some of the other books we have are about being positive. If you look on Amazon, you will find them:
I think, I am
The energy bus for kids
Incredible you
The knife and the fork go dancing
And for older kids:
Bee attitude
The kids guide to becoming the best you can be
They all have similar messages, but address issues like bullying, anxiety and positivity.