Using Books For Teaching Health Concepts

Using Books for TeachingHealth ConceptsVicki Nicolson

Wonder by R J PalacioAugust "Auggie" Pullman is a 10-year-old living in the fictional neighbourhoodof North River Heights in upper Manhattan. He has a rare medical facialdeformity, which he refers to as "mandibulofacial dysostosis more commonlyknown as Treacher Collins syndrome and a cleft palate. Due to numeroussurgeries, Auggie had been home-schooled by his mother, but his parentsdecide to enroll him in Beecher Prep, a private school, for the start of middleschool in the fall. This is his story. Theme: Empathy,

Goodnight Mr TomMichelle MagorianYoung Willie Beech isevacuated to the country asBritain stands on the brink ofthe Second World War. Asad, deprived child, heslowly begins to flourishunder the care of old TomOakely – but his new-foundhappiness is shattered by asummons from his motherback to London.Themes of empathy &resilience

The CayTheodore TaylorWhen the ship carryingPhillip and his mother issunk, Phillip finds himselfblind and adrift on a raft withan old, black seaman and acat.Phillip’s dependence on thewise old Timothy and theirstruggle to survive on adeserted Cay, with no foodand no water, make this atruly gripping survival story.Themes of racism.

Juggling with MandarinsV M JonesPip McLeod’s got problems. The biggest byfar is Dad – shouting on the sideline at everysoccer match and arguing every decision theref makes The trouble is, Pip’s not like hisbig brother Nick, the ace sportsman. Pip’sgood at other things, just not the things thatmatter to Dad.One day Pip’s English teacher produces a bagof coloured balls and issues the class achallenge: learning to juggle. Juggling, shetells them, is a cool party trick; an art form; alife skill. There’s just one problem: Pip doesn’thave any juggling balls. But who needsjuggling balls when there are mandarins in thefruit bowl?Themes: family relationships and growing up

Stella Star of the SeaMarie Louise GayStella and her little brother arespending the day at the sea.Stella has been to the seabefore and knows all its secrets,but Sam has many questions."Does a catfish purr? Does aseahorse gallop?" Stella has ananswer for them all. The onlything she isn't sure of, andneither is the reader, is whetherSam will ever come into thewater.Themes: Risk taking, familyrelationships

Oh, the Places You’ll GoDr SeussThis is the last book published by DrSeuss and concerns the journey of lifeand its challenges“Congratulations ! Today is your day.You’re off to Great Places! You’re offand away! You have brains in yourhead. You have feet in your shoes. Youcan steer yourself any direction youchoose. You’re on your own. And youknow what you know. And YOU are theguy who’ll decide where to go”Themes; Risk Taking, Life, Self Efficacy.

Hooray for Diffendoofer DayDr Seuss"Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!"is a joyous ode to individuality.The story stars an unsinkableteacher named Miss Bonkersand quirky little DiffendooferSchool, which must prove ithas taught its students how tothink.Themes: Learning and beingdifferent

Let the Celebrations BeginMargaret Wild & Julie VivasMiriam lives in hut 18, bed 22. She has little toeat and nothing to play with, but she canremember what it was like before, when shehad her own food, her own bed, and her veryown toys. As World War II nears an end,everyone says the soldiers are coming, soMiriam joins the women in planning acelebration. Every night, while the guardssleep, they busy themselves crafting toys outof scraps of their clothing to surprise theyounger children.Themes: Celebrations

The Day the Crayons QuitDrew DaywaltCrayons are on strike! Duncan goesfor a box of crayons, twelve inquantity, and finds a stack of letterswaiting for him. The letters are fromthe crayons themselves expressinghelplessness or sadness along witha bit of anger of their colouring anddrawing career. These crayonsreplicate similar emotions tohumans and it is Duncan’s job tomeet the needs and bringcontentment for all of the crayonsbefore they quit for good.Themes: Empathy

OneKathryn OtoshiBlue is a quiet colour. Red Is a hothead. Red likes to pick on blue.Yellow, green, purple and orangedon’t like what they see, but what canthey do? When no one takes a stand,things get our of hand. Until onecomes along and shows all thecolours how to stand up and count.Themes: bullying and bystanders

ZeroKathryn OtoshiZero was a big round number.When she looked at herself, shesaw a hole right in her centre.Everyday she watched the othernumbers line up and count.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 She wanted to count too! But howcould a number worth nothingbecome something? Zero feltempty inside. And so goes Zero’ssearch to find value in herself andothers.Themes: Self esteem, empathy

Have You Filled a Bucket TodayCarol McCloudThrough simple prose and vividillustrations, this heartwarmingbook encourages positivebehaviour as children see howrewarding it is to express dailykindness, appreciation, and love.Bucket filling and dipping areeffective metaphors forunderstanding the effects of ouractions and words on the well beingof others and ourselves.Themes: Actions and responsibility

When Jessie Came Across the SeaAmy HestWhen a young girl from a pooreastern European village learns thatshe must leave her belovedgrandmother for a new life - and anew love - in America, they bothfeel that their hearts will break. Thesure and inspired narrative byaward-winning author Amy Hest ispaired with paintings by P.J. Lynchthat glow with warmth and carefullyobserved detail, creating anunforgettable tribute to theimmigrant experience.Theme: Change, loss and grief

“Congratulations ! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll deci