Each month we will add a set of books to the Virtue Library relevant for each Radiant Hearts lesson. Click on the books to read reviews and/or to purchase.
Please add your own recommended titles (along with author and a website to see the book online, if possible) in the comment section at the end of the page.
Cleanliness
Man’s Work by Annie Kubler
No text book showing scenes of a father and son having fun cleaning the house together.
Doing the Washing by Sarah Garland
Courage
Try and Stick with It by Cheri J. Meiners
Trying new things and sticking by them even when they are hard takes courage.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury
A story about going on an adventure while knowing that being brave does not mean you should put yourself in danger.
Courtesy
Excuse Me!: A Little Book of Manners by Karen Katz
First book for babies/young toddlers about manners.
Be Polite and Kind by Cheri J. Meiners
Forgiveness
Talk and Work It Out by Cheri J. Meiners
Working out problems comes along with forgiving.
I’m Sorry by Sam McBratney
Friendliness
Sharing Time by Elizabeth Verdick
A simple board book about ways to share.
Join In and Play by Cheri J Meiners
Learning about meeting new people and joining in to play with others.
Generosity
Reach Out and Give by Cheri J. Meiners
Lots of ways to reach out to others and help them.
Share and Take Turns by Cheri J. Meiners
Learning how to share and think about others.
Gentleness
How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
A boy finds an injured bird and the family works together (treating it gently) to help it recover.
Words Are Not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick
Learning how to use our words in a kind and gentle way. Related books in the series discuss hitting, biting, kicking, etc.
Helpfulness
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, George Hauman, Doris Hauman
The little engine helps, even though she is smaller than all the others, when no one else will.
Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough
Friends work together to help Duck get his truck unstuck.
Joyfulness
When I’m Feeling Happy by Trace Moroney
Discusses what it feels like to feel happy and what brings us happiness.
Something From Nothing by Phoebe Gilman
Story of a grandfather helping a grandson reuse his baby blanket to make new items, but in the end what made him joyful was the story of their journey through life together.
Kindness
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
A concept book about how people carry around buckets every day and offering acts of kindness fills up buckets.
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
A lovely story showing how one kind deed can flow on to touch the lives of many people.
Love
If Kisses Were Colors by Janet Lawler
Sweet book showing parents’ unlimited love for children.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Obedience
Know and Follow the Rules by Cheri J. Meiners
Understanding how each place has its own rules and why we must follow them.
A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer
A story illustrating the consequences of not being obedient.
Patience
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
This book covers a lot of virtues but shows an example especially easy to understand for patience: waiting for cookies to bake.
My Mouth is a Volcano! by Julia Cook
Shows the importance of not interrupting and gives children a concrete way of remembering how to wait to speak until their turn.
Peacefulness
Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick
Shows simple steps for becoming peaceful when one is upset.
Peace Begins With You by Katherine Scholes
A deeper look into what peacefulness is and how to promote peace. Best for 4 and above.
Responsibility
We Can Get Along: A Child’s Book of Choices by Lauren Murphy Payne
Helping a child realize responsible behavior is a choice.
Fix-It Duck by Jez Alborough
Funny story showing what happens from irresponsible behavior.
Service
The Littlest Lighthouse Keeper by Caroline Pitcher
A story about how a small mouse and his friends save a ship from wrecking by taking care of the lighthouse.
The Octonauts and the Frown Fish by Meomi
Fun sea creatures try to help a fish they believe is frowning by taking him to do their favorite things.
Thankfulness
Thank You God by Holly Bea
A sweet book that goes through a girls’ day from waking to going to sleep, sharing what she is thankful for.
The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood
Beautiful picture book about how the secret of being thankful makes us happy, mostly using examples from nature.
I’m Thankful Each Day by P.K. Hallinan
Reminder to be thankful for each thing in our lives.
Truthfulness
Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young
Showing how you cannot know the full truth without thorough investigation, and sometimes what you think may not be necessarily true when you get the whole picture.
Be Honest and Tell the Truth by Cheri J. Meiners
Overview about telling telling the truth for three year olds and above.
Unity
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
Showing how all people are the same inside no matter where they are from.
Accept and Value Each Person by Cheri J. Meiners
Making friends and appreciating people different than you.
Ayyam-i-Ha
Maggie Celebrates Ayyam-i-Ha by Patti Rae Tomarelli
This is a lovely book showing different ways to celebrate Ayyam-i-Ha, complete with instructions on how to re-create Maggie’s activities.
My Dinosaur Celebrates Ayyam-i-Ha by Leila Breton
This book goes through the various ways people (or dinosaurs!) are celebrating Ayyam-i-Ha, such as planting a garden, teaching a children’s class, or baking cookies for the neighbors.
More Resources:
Click here to download a document with many books that can be used to accompany virtue lessons, compiled specifically for Ruhi Book 3. (Please note this list doesn’t include the new lessons in Ruhi Book 3a.) Compliments of Joan Jensen
