Responsible Decision Making Read Alouds & Resources
You're Angry: Throw a Fit or Talk it Out
by Connie Colwell Miller
During conflict will you use your hands or words? If you’re angry, will you throw a fit or talk it out? Learning how to make good choices is an important and essential part of growing up. With multiple endings, each book allows the reader to make choices and read what happens next, learning how good or bad choices lead to different consequences.
You're in Trouble: Fib or Tell the Truth
by Connie Colwell Miller
In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending book, George breaks his mother’s lamp and is afraid to tell her the truth. Readers make choices for George and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences. Includes three different endings and discussion questions.
You Can Stay in Control: Wild or Calm?
by Connie Colwell Miller
In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending book, Toby can hardly contain his excitement to meet his new baby brother. Will he act wild or stay calm? Readers make choices for Toby and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences. Includes three different endings and discussion questions.
You Can Control your Voice: Loud or Quiet
by Connie Colwell Miller
In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending book, Haneen is so excited at the library that she has trouble controlling her voice. Readers make choices for Haneen and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences. Includes three different endings and discussion questions”-
Should I Share My Ice Cream?
by Mo Willems
Gerald has a big decision to make. But will he make it in time?
This Or That? The Wacky Book of Choices
by Crispin Boyer
Every answer brings you one step closer to discovering your hidden self in this book. Want to find out your ideal career? The country that best suits your idea of the good life? The species of your inner animal?
What If Everybody Did That?
by Ellen Javernick
If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal…right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules…and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place?
Would You Rather Shake Like a Dog or Climb Like a Cat?
by Camilla De La Bedoyere
Four non-fiction topics – bugs, sharks, dinosaurs and the human body – are explored with “Would you rather?” questions. From the revolting eating habits of bugs to the amazing senses of sharks, readers will decide what they’d rather eat, where they’d rather live and what super senses they’d rather have.
What Will It Be, Penelope?
by Tori Corn
Penelope is indecisive. Not making decisions has consequences since choices get taken from her as other people begin to choose for her. Soon Penelope isn’t making any decisions at all. In the end, she realizes that it’s much better to make her own decisions than to have somebody else make them for her.
Zero
by Kathryn Otoshi
Every day round Zero watches the other numbers line up to count “Those numbers have value,” she thinks. How could a number who’s worth nothing become something? Children are introduced to accepting different body types, developing social skills and character, and learning what it means to find value in yourself and in others.
One
by Kathryn Otoshi
Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand — until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count.
Two
by Kathryn Otoshi
Two is best friends with One. Until Three jumps in between them . . . Suddenly One only wants to play with Three. Two feels left out. But what can she do? Two is a powerful story of friendship, loss, letting go, and self-discovery.
My Secret Bully
by Trudy Ludwig
Monica never expected to be bullied by her best friend-but that’s exactly what happens when Katie starts name-calling, excluding, and talking about Monica behind her back. With help from a supportive adult, Monica learns to cope and thrive, by facing her fears and reclaiming her power.
Confessions of a Former Bully
by Trudy Ludwig
After Katie gets caught teasing Monica, she’s told to meet with the school counselor, so she can make right her wrong. Told from the unusual point of view of the bullier rather than the bullied, Confessions of a Former Bully provides kids with real life tools they can use to identify and stop relational aggression.
Better Than You
by Trudy Ludwig
Jake’s bragging is really starting to get to Tyler. With the help of his uncle, Tyler begins to understand that Jake’s bragging has nothing to do with Tyler’s own abilities and that puffing yourself up leaves little room for friends.
Just Kidding
by Trudy Ludwig
A rare look at emotional bullying among boys. D.J.’s friend Vince has a habit of teasing D.J. and then saying, Just kidding!” as if it will make everything okay. It doesn’t, but D.J. is afraid that if he protests, his friends will think he can’t take a joke. With help, D.J. progresses from feeling helpless to taking positive action, undermining the power of two seemingly harmless words.
Trouble Talk
by Trudy Ludwig
Maya’s friend Bailey loves to talk about everything and everyone. At first, Maya thinks Bailey is funny. But when Bailey’s talk leads to harmful rumors and hurt feelings, Maya begins to think twice about their friendship
Sorry
by Trudy Ludwig
Jack’s friend Charlie seems to know how to get away with just about anything. Adults always back down when you say you’re sorry. But does an apology count if you don’t really mean it? Jack learns that the path to forgiveness isn’t always the easiest. Includes afterword by apology-expert Dr. Aaron Lazare, M.D., note from author, and discussion questions.
Say Something
by Peggy Moss
At this school, there are children who push and tease and bully. Sometimes they hurt other kids by just ignoring them.
The girl in this story sees it happening, but she would never do these mean things herself. Then one day something happens that shows her that being a silent bystander isn’t enough. Will she take some steps on her own to help another kid?
Don't Laugh at Me
by Steve Seskin
For anyone who’s ever been bullied-or been a bully themselves-it’s time to change your tune. This is not a book for whiners, but a new language that will give you the words you need to take charge and stop the cycle of teasing.
Parent Resources:
The Parent Toolkit
by Agnes Green
A cute story that explains that angry feelings come and go and that doing bad things doesn’t make you bad. A story is a good way to help children first recognize feelings.