Storytime: Self-Control
That enticing outlet, just the right size for small fingers. The ball that rolls across the street. The icy pole to lick.
There’s a lot of reasons self-control is essential to surviving and thriving, and lots of reasons it takes a while to learn how to do it. May these picture books make the path a little easier, and way more fun.
Can I Be Good? by Livingston Taylor, illustrated by Ted Rand
What is self-control? This is a great book for showing what it is not, as we see a beautiful, incorrible golden retriever wake up too early, play in the rain and then shake all over his owners, jump on the school bus, lick a kid’s ice cream cone, and chew a slipper. “It’s awfully hard to be good,” is a refrain that finally winds down to “It’s finally time to be good,” as the dog is “fed and full and feeling just fine,” curled on a rag rug with his family nearby. This dog that wants to be good, but just can’t seem to control himself. Sound like any kids (or adults) you know?
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
I wish this book had been around when my kids were little! It’s so brilliantly meta, starting with the bus driver who warns readers not to let the pigeon drive the bus. Turn the page, and see the pigeon peeking onto the page as the driver walks off, then asking, “Hey, can I drive the bus?” Kids learn self-control in real time as the blue pigeon asks, then begs, whines and eventually throws a fit. We are not letting that pigeon drive the bus in this book! Finally the driver returns and thanks the reader for keeping the pigeon away from the wheel. Pigeon is dejected until he gets a new idea . . . maybe he can drive a truck!
It’s funny and simple, things we’ve come to expect from Mo Willems. The book reminds me of The Monster at the End of this Book which features Grover from Sesame Street. Cool fact: Mo Willems won six Emmy’s for his work on Sesame Street!
The story starts before the title page as a dad tapes a sign that reads “off-limits” to his office door. We turn the page to see the dad walking off as a kid peeks onto the page from the other side (which reminds me of a similar spread on the title page of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”). Does the kid practice self-control? No!
What starts with a tiny piece of tape grows into a glorious mess as the child engages in rollicking imaginative play, paired with some great dialogue. Why, hello, Mr. Lamp! What a lovely scarf! the kid says as she wraps her dad’s lamp with tape. Do you know what would look good with your scarf, Mr. Lamp? Paper clips! Paper clips and binder clips! Colorful sticky notes add to the chaos. It’s an explosion of office products!
The beauty of this book? We see it isn’t just kids who have a hard time with self-control. The girl worries she’s in so much trouble when she finally leaves, but when she opens the door to her room we see Dad caught in the act.
One thing can lead to another, and another. Lacking self-control can lead to a big mess, no matter how big or small you are. With a light touch, spare text and a lot of humor, this one is an easy favorite.
Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dave Mottram
This book offers a great opportunity to have some fun with voices as it tells the story in both the text and speech bubbles. Wordy Birdy is full of words (hysterical, scattered words). She’s always talking, and never listens to her friends: Raccoon, Rabbit and Squirrel. So when Wordy Birdy goes for a walk, she misses the danger signs and never hears her friends telling her to turn back. It isn’t until she encounters a big, roaring bear that she’s rendered almost speechless, with a simple, “Oh.”
She finally listens to her friends, who lead her to safety. Wordy Birdy still likes to talk, but now she’s got a little more self-control and likes to listen, too. Sweet, fun illustrations, a cast of lovable characters and lots of humor make this a great read aloud.
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
My kids loved this book, and it’s still beloved by many two decades later. Meet Lilly, who loves lots of things including school, squeaky chalk, her red boots, fish sticks, and her teacher, Mr. Slinger. She loves him so much she wants to be a teacher someday. But one day, Lilly gets in trouble. She brings her new plastic purple purse to school, the one that plays “a jaunty tune” when opened. Mr. Slingers says she must wait to show her classmates, but Lilly can’t wait. She shows them anyway, so Mr. Slinger puts the purse in his desk for the rest of the day.
Lilly is furious. The progression of pictures showing Lilly’s fury build is amazing.
She draws a mean picture of her teacher, but on the way home she finds a nice note and some snacks from Mr. Slinger. She feels terrible, and the next day she apologizes. Lilly gets a do-over. When it’s time, she shows the kids her purse, but the rest of the day she keeps it hidden in her desk, just like she’s supposed to. It’s the perfect picture (book) of grace and second chances, and Lilly will charm your socks off.
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