

recommended children's books
One of the suggested Mitzvahs is 'Values at Bedtime'
Read your children bedtime stories that teach positive moral lessons, encourage good behaviour, build character and inspire integrity.
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Dedicated in honour of Tania Tretiak, a grandmother who loved her family.

This list supports emotional intelligence, kindness, resilience, empathy, faith, and positive character development.
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​👶 Babies, Toddlers & Preschool
• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes – Mem Fox
Celebrates the joy, wonder, and universality of new life.
• It’s a Mitzvah! – Suzy Ultman
Introduces everyday acts of kindness, peace, and good deeds.
• Little Blue Truck – Alice Schertle
Shows the power of friendship, teamwork, and cooperation.
• Wrapping Things – Linda Burgess
Explores welcoming a new baby and family bonding.
• Before You Close Your Eyes – Scott Stuart
Encourages reflection, gratitude, and calm before bedtime.
• How Big Is Love? – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler
Reassures children of the boundless depth of love.
• Shmoof – Heidi McKinnon
Teaches responsibility, care, and compassion toward pets.
• World of Colour – Jess Racklyeft
Encourages wonder, curiosity, and appreciation of nature.
• Peanut Butter and Cupcake – Terry Border
Celebrates friendship, differences, and acceptance.
• I’m Not Just a Scribble – Diane Alber
Builds self-confidence, creativity, and self-expression.
• Stick and Stone – Beth Ferry & Tom Lichtenheld
Highlights loyalty, bravery, and standing up for friends.
• My Many Coloured Days – Dr Seuss
Helps children understand and express a wide range of emotions.
• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings – Jo Witek
Encourages emotional awareness and acceptance of all feelings.
• Why Is Baby Joe Crying, Papa? – Anna Mills
Normalises emotions and builds empathy and understanding.
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury
Teaches bravery, resilience, and perseverance through challenges.
• When I’m Feeling… Collection – Trace Moroney
Helps children identify, manage, and understand emotions.
• Magic Beach – Alison Lester
Celebrates imagination, play, and joy in nature.
• Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giles Andreae
Encourages self-belief, confidence, and embracing uniqueness.
• Alexander’s Outing – Pamela Allen
Highlights family protection, caution, and care.
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🎒 Early Primary
• Another Year Around the Sun – Katrina Germein
Appreciates family, nature, and the passing of time through the seasons.
• A Thread of Kindness – Leah-Perl Shollar
Shows how small acts of kindness connect us all.
• The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
Explains emotional connection and love even when apart.
• The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
Explores generosity, giving, and unconditional love.
• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? – Carol McCloud
Teaches kindness, empathy, and emotional wellbeing.
• Not That Question Again – Belinda Blecher
Encourages meaningful parent-child communication.
• Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge – Mem Fox
Explores memory, ageing, and empathy.
• Be Kind – Pat Zietlow Miller
Shows how small acts of kindness make a big difference.
• Kindness Makes Us Strong – Sophie Beer
Encourages everyday kindness and empathy.
• The Carrot Seed – Ruth Krauss
Teaches patience, hope, and belief.
• Prayer for a River – Andrew Kelly
Encourages gratitude for water and environmental awareness.
• Here Come the Cousins – Maggie Hutchins
Celebrates extended family, togetherness, and belonging.
• The Friendship Book – Zanni Louise
Explores how friendships grow through kindness and care.
• The Little Engine That Could – Watty Piper
Inspires perseverance, optimism, and determination.
• The Good Deeds Dogs – Emma Chichester Clark
Encourages kindness and helping others.
• Sundays Under the Lemon Tree – Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Celebrates family tradition and togetherness.
• Ten Small Things I Can Do to Help My Planet – Melanie Walsh
Builds environmental responsibility and awareness.
• A Hatful of Dreams – Bob Graham
Celebrates grandparent-grandchild relationships and imagination.
• Giant Parsnip Soup – Daniela Sosa
Shows cooperation, teamwork, and friendship.
• Between – Anna Walker
Explores empathy, emotional connection, and belonging.
• Grandpa’s Guide to Happiness – Andrew Daddo
Shares wisdom, perspective, and life lessons.
• Where Would You Go? – Alison Lester & Jane Goodwin
Encourages imagination, curiosity, and family connection.
• One Race – Gregg Dreiser
Promotes unity, inclusion, and shared humanity.
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📚 Primary
• How to Heal a Broken Wing – Bob Graham
Teaches compassion and care for the vulnerable.
• The Humble Pie – Jory John
Encourages humility, growth, and self-reflection.
• Noah and His Special Friend – Susan Sara Feiga Zimmerman
Introduces moral responsibility and universal values.
• What Should Danny Do? – Adir Levy
Shows how choices shape outcomes and character.
• I Wish You More – Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Encourages reflection, gratitude, and life aspirations.
• All Kinds of Strong – Kris Wiltse
Celebrates emotional, mental, and physical strength.
• Listen With Your Heart – Raizy Metzger & Esty Raskin
Builds sensitivity, inclusion, and compassion for children with challenges.
• I Wish You Happiness – Michael Wong
Shares heartfelt wishes for a meaningful, joyful, and kind life.

