Can anyone recommend books I can read (preferred) or movies/shows I can rent that feature kids exhibiting great social behavior? Thinking ahead to being off for Thanksgiving; want to dial up the social thinking that week. Thanks!
Can you define what you mean? Manners? Social justice? Something else?
Healthy ways to process and express feeling, relating to others, respectfulness, being a good listener, caring, making friends. No book or movie can replace experience but I’m looking for nutritious entertainment and parent-child conversation starters during Thanksgiving week.
“Millions” is one great film. Sure it’s an indie import. Great stuff.
I like “Indian in the Cupboard,” (film) though not for anyone younger than 7.
EDIT: Sorry, didn’t see the age of the kids originally. But, kept here for future reference:
For anyone over the age of 13 who is an avid and attentive reader, I would highly recommend “Mockingbird,” (book) by Erskine. Be aware that the subject matter is autism and school shootings, self-realization, loss, hope, community and so much more. I sat in my car and cried after this one, so I would actually suggest a parent read it first. Extremely topical, alluring for the way its impact lingers.
Oldies but goodies: books by Beverly Cleary, e.g., Beezus and Ramona.
Hmm… Snow Treasure (McSwigan) is about some really brave kids who smuggle gold out of their country during WWII. Teamwork, following instructions, and being brave in the face of real danger are all part of the story. Admittedly they are not always respectful of authority, but given that the authorities are Nazis, that seems excusable. In fact, it might be a great conversation starter about the nuances of deciding how to act when there is a conflict between your values and what those in charge want you to do.
Ordered Snow Treasure on Amazon Prime. Thanks, @intparent
Candleshoe, a very old movie still available on DVD. It’s mostly just a lot of fun, but there are morals in there too. What makes it truly amazing is the cast–a young Jodie Foster, Helen Hayes, David Niven, Leo McKern.
Charlotte’s Web.
My 9 year old ASD son loved the “Fudge” books by Judy Blume. FYI Snow Treasure stressed him out but he has anxiety issues. He also really like the Beverly Cleary books and the Big Nate series. It’s hard to find books for him, unlike most kids his age he’s not interested in fantasy at all. We’re reading him “My Side of the Mountain” right now and he is enjoying that. Good luck!
“There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom” by Louis Sachar. Sounds like a silly title but an excellent book about a little boy who has trouble at school and how he overcomes it. My youngest son, who had slight social issues, used to read it to himself at night often. I could hear him laughing at the funny parts and then would be quiet during the sad parts. Highly recommend it.
I love the old Incredible Journey movie (1963 version) by Disney. To me it defines impossible hope and I cry at the end everytime.
Schoolhouse Rock videos from the 70’s, on DVD
Three is a Magic Number
Conjunction Junction, What’s Your Function?
I’m Only a Bill
Great suggestions. Thanks. Schoolhouse Rock! Brings back memories.
Definitely not the original Bad News Bears!
I recommend Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey about pets that escape from a ranch and travel through the mountains to find their owners.
We’re a 2-generation Schoolhouse Rock family. My kids can sing from memory the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution.
“We the people
In order to form a more perfect union…”
I just want to second “Millions” - it’s a wonderful movie about two boys who find a bag of money and struggle with what to do with it. It addresses morality and altruism in a light-hearted way.
It’s one of the few movies I own on DVD that I actually watch and rewatch.
The 'Henry and Ribsy" series by Beverly Cleary. Also, for a more serious and evocative narrative…‘Farewell to Manzanar’ which has been placed on reading lists for some elementary schools.
We read ‘Snow Treasure’ in 3rd Grade. Great story.
The View from Saturday by EL Konigsburg comes to mind. It’s a Newberry Medal winner.