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First Virtues for Toddlers
First Virtues
Help your child build godly character!
A menagerie of adorable animals demostrates 12 important virtues. Each story gives simple, concrete examples for little ones to remember, such as:
Kindness
Truthfulness
Love
Patience
Forgiveness
Making Friends
Thankfulness
Obedience
Joy
Sharing
Good Manners
Doing Your Best
Includes Parent Notes!
A menagerie of adorable animals demostrates 12 important virtues. Each story gives simple, concrete examples for little ones to remember, such as:
Kindness
Truthfulness
Love
Patience
Forgiveness
Making Friends
Thankfulness
Obedience
Joy
Sharing
Good Manners
Doing Your Best
Includes Parent Notes!
- GenresFaith
248 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Mary Manz Simon
146 books15 followersMary Manz Simon is an award-winning author whose titles have sold more than three million copies in the Christian channel and are available in ten languages. A long-time columnist for Focus on the Family, Mary has authored numerous articles for a variety of periodicals. Her speaking venues include Book Expo of the American Booksellers Association (BEA), National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), and International Retailing Show of the Christian Booksellers Association (ICRS). She serves as an adviser to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and was quoted in McCall's magazine as one of "America's top parenting experts."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 2, 2019
Really appreciate this book. The poetry is simple and easily memorized without much effort from a toddler (or maybe we've just read them 100 times). I'm super careful to guard against moralism and teaching "good boy, bad boy" biblical understanding, while still seeing value in lifting up the true good and beautiful in the virtuous life. I think a parent can feel safe to teach virtuous living without teaching "good boy, bad boy" with this book.
April 7, 2021
Awesome faith based book for children. I read it to my 5 month old and he loved it.
March 10, 2025
Great introduction to citrus outside of the Bible
June 20, 2016
First Virtues for Toddlers. Mary Manz Simon. 2016. B&H. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]
From Letter to Parents: In the middle of their busy days, parents might find themselves asking a lot of questions. How can I teach my toddler to share? How can I help my two year old learn to forgive? These questions aren't surprising. Research shows that parents care deeply about building character in their children. In today's world, outside influences can impact even a young child. As a result, parents must be intentional about teaching core beliefs.
Premise/plot: First Virtues is a storybook collection with twelve virtue-teaching stories for toddlers and preschoolers. The twelve stories are: "Kitty Shows Kindness," "Piglet Tells The Truth," "Bunny Loves Others," "Duckling is Patient," "Tiger Forgives," "Puppy Makes Friends," "Squirrel Says Thank You," "Bear Obeys," "Lamb is Joyful," "Lion Can Share," "Panda is Polite," and "Koala Does His Best."
Each of the twelve stories, as I'm sure you've noticed, stars an animal. Each of the twelve stories begins with a similar refrain along the lines of "Kitty, Kitty, share today what the Bible has to say." Each of the stories defines and illustrates the chosen virtue in a simple, straightforward way. Each story is written in rhyme. Each of the stories concludes with a bible verse and a note to parents on how to further help teach or instruct their child.
Kindness
Patience
Forgiveness
My thoughts: My favorite of the twelve is probably Tiger Forgives. "If I friend does not play fair, I forgive to show I care. God forgives, so I can too. That is what I try to do. "I forgive," God says to you. Are those words that you say too?" (104-8).
My least favorite of the twelve is probably Lamb is Joyful. This concept be the most difficult to describe--not just for children but for adults as well. Is joy distinct from happiness? Is there a difference between the "joy" that comes from singing a praise song and eating a piece of candy? How does joy relate to one's circumstances? How closely connected is joy with thankfulness and contentment? I see a difference between joy and happiness. (Not all Christians do.) And to compare genuine joy in the Lord with "the joy" you get from blowing bubbles doesn't really do anyone any favors.
I can see some definite strengths. The author definitely connects each story to a particular bible verse. And many virtues are clearly taught in both Old and New Testaments. The focus of this book is on virtues and morals. On plainly teaching and instructing a set of virtues to young children. The book is not focused on the gospel, on teaching and instructing who Christ is and what Christ has done for us.
While this book clearly presents the Christian aspect of these virtues, there is nothing exclusively Christian about these virtues in general. These are twelve universal virtues that are routinely seen as being good for children to acquire. These type of lessons could just as easily be taught on shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.
From Letter to Parents: In the middle of their busy days, parents might find themselves asking a lot of questions. How can I teach my toddler to share? How can I help my two year old learn to forgive? These questions aren't surprising. Research shows that parents care deeply about building character in their children. In today's world, outside influences can impact even a young child. As a result, parents must be intentional about teaching core beliefs.
Premise/plot: First Virtues is a storybook collection with twelve virtue-teaching stories for toddlers and preschoolers. The twelve stories are: "Kitty Shows Kindness," "Piglet Tells The Truth," "Bunny Loves Others," "Duckling is Patient," "Tiger Forgives," "Puppy Makes Friends," "Squirrel Says Thank You," "Bear Obeys," "Lamb is Joyful," "Lion Can Share," "Panda is Polite," and "Koala Does His Best."
Each of the twelve stories, as I'm sure you've noticed, stars an animal. Each of the twelve stories begins with a similar refrain along the lines of "Kitty, Kitty, share today what the Bible has to say." Each of the stories defines and illustrates the chosen virtue in a simple, straightforward way. Each story is written in rhyme. Each of the stories concludes with a bible verse and a note to parents on how to further help teach or instruct their child.
Kindness
Kindness means I am aware when someone needs help and care. (14)
Patience
Patience means that I am fine standing in a long, long line. (74)
Forgiveness
To forgive means move on past. Don't let angry feelings last. (94)
My thoughts: My favorite of the twelve is probably Tiger Forgives. "If I friend does not play fair, I forgive to show I care. God forgives, so I can too. That is what I try to do. "I forgive," God says to you. Are those words that you say too?" (104-8).
My least favorite of the twelve is probably Lamb is Joyful. This concept be the most difficult to describe--not just for children but for adults as well. Is joy distinct from happiness? Is there a difference between the "joy" that comes from singing a praise song and eating a piece of candy? How does joy relate to one's circumstances? How closely connected is joy with thankfulness and contentment? I see a difference between joy and happiness. (Not all Christians do.) And to compare genuine joy in the Lord with "the joy" you get from blowing bubbles doesn't really do anyone any favors.
I can see some definite strengths. The author definitely connects each story to a particular bible verse. And many virtues are clearly taught in both Old and New Testaments. The focus of this book is on virtues and morals. On plainly teaching and instructing a set of virtues to young children. The book is not focused on the gospel, on teaching and instructing who Christ is and what Christ has done for us.
While this book clearly presents the Christian aspect of these virtues, there is nothing exclusively Christian about these virtues in general. These are twelve universal virtues that are routinely seen as being good for children to acquire. These type of lessons could just as easily be taught on shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.
April 12, 2008
This book is a great tool to reinforce the teaching of virtues to children in a concrete way - we my husband and I read through it together, we even found some of it convicting!
Features we liked are: The diversity of animal characters helps keep it fresh. Each story begins something like: "[Animal, Animal], listen today, to what the Bible has to say." The simple virtue definition and Bible verses are appropriate for a young child to memorize. Make sure you get a copy that has the parent tips in it - these books have a blue circle in the top right corner letting you know the parent guide is included.
As a parent, the rhyming can get old, but kids love the rhymes! This is not a book to be read cover to cover, but maybe one a day/ week to emphasize a virtue. We bought this book from CBD.com, and have given it as a gift (in fact, that is why I don't have it in front of me now, because we are out! so it's on the wishlist).
Features we liked are: The diversity of animal characters helps keep it fresh. Each story begins something like: "[Animal, Animal], listen today, to what the Bible has to say." The simple virtue definition and Bible verses are appropriate for a young child to memorize. Make sure you get a copy that has the parent tips in it - these books have a blue circle in the top right corner letting you know the parent guide is included.
As a parent, the rhyming can get old, but kids love the rhymes! This is not a book to be read cover to cover, but maybe one a day/ week to emphasize a virtue. We bought this book from CBD.com, and have given it as a gift (in fact, that is why I don't have it in front of me now, because we are out! so it's on the wishlist).
April 29, 2016
First Virtues: 12 Stories for Toddlers is a must-read for parents with small children! The simple rhymes and cute and colorful illustrations will appeal to children as they explore the ways God wants them to treat others. I love that each story begins with a character sharing what the Bible has to say. While young children will learn real-life ways to show kindness, love, honesty, etc., their parents get insight on how toddlers think and act and tips to positively reinforce the lessons learned. Each story is accompanied by a short Bible verse — perfect for memorization. After all, it’s never too early to hide God’s word in your heart.
If you have small children or grandchildren, go get this book. First Virtues is a fun way to learn to live God’s truth!
Highly Recommended!
Audience: toddler and their parents.
(Thanks to B&H for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
If you have small children or grandchildren, go get this book. First Virtues is a fun way to learn to live God’s truth!
Highly Recommended!
Audience: toddler and their parents.
(Thanks to B&H for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
February 20, 2015
I just had to buy my 3rd copy (and that isn't counting copies used for gifts). This is a great book that uses rhyme and practical examples in a cute format that is easy for children to remember. I LOVE it as a Mom, a teacher, a godparent, and a counselor!
January 13, 2008
cute short stories with a Biblical message
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews