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Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul: 101 Stories of Courage, Hope and Laughter

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Today's kids face grave issues and harder decisions than ever before. Gang warfare, violence, drugs, alcohol, smoking, pregnancy, depression and suicide have found their way into middle and elementary schools. Divorce splits apart families every day. These issues make kids feel as if they must understand and accept all the troubles of the world. Now more than ever, kids want and need the inspiration and hope that Chicken Soup for the Soul provides. In this special volume, young readers will find empowerment and encouragement to love and accept themselves, believe in their dreams, find answers to their questions and discover hope for a promising future.

398 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

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About the author

Jack Canfield

1,286 books1,748 followers
Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
Profile Image for Rin.
233 reviews28 followers
June 12, 2017
Just recently retrieved this from my old stash, and suddenly all the amazing memories comes back 😆😆😆
This book is definitely one of my most read book as a kid, I loved this to death (and I mean it, I mean, look at how well loved aka bent my copy is).
Needless to say I will definitely dedicate a chunk of my time to re-read this!
Can't wait to see if I still love it as much as a grown-up
*snickers at myself for calling me a grown-up*

Re-read review:
I still love this very much!
I have to admit that I didn't appreciate it as much as when I read it as a kid, but I still love the way this book speaks to you and gently gives you some moral nudges.
There are some amazing stories within this book, happy ones, sad ones, annoying ones, funny ones, infuriating ones, ones that give us something to think about, especially about emotional aspects of children.

There are some things that I would like to point out though..
The publishers, both English and Indonesian publishers said that these stories were written by real children, not grown up that remembering their childhood.
The truth is, there are stories that's written by 9, 10, 12 years olds kids but also there are stories that were told by grown-ups; ones that reliving their childhood and ones that saw some events experienced by children they knew.
I just hope publishers would be honest about this kind of thing..
Profile Image for Amy.
47 reviews
January 16, 2009
Chicken Soup for the Kids Soul: 101 Stories of Courage, Hope and Laughter
By Jack Canfield, Patty Hansen, Irene Dunlap




I never believed in hope until I read Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul. There were kids, way younger than me, writing short stories of a problem, and believing that there is a way around everything. That’s right. Little 9-year olds, writing short-stories, not no 32-year old at home, thinking and writing, “when I was little, my mom……. And then…”
Oh My God! Can you believe it?! These stories were written by kids, sometimes they write better than how adults. “When it comes to perfection, it’s how someone treats you that is more important than how they look.” - Ellie Logan, age 9. I mean, I’m 14 years old already, and I can’t even write something like that!
These short stories gave me the one thing that I never believed in - Hope. I never thought my mother and I will ever be nice to each other again, after I stepped out of her arms and isn’t that little girl she sees anymore. Only until I read the section “On Family” short-stories I saw that it provided me with warm feelings - Hope and Faith.
The voice inside the short stories really get to everyone. They provide you all these different emotions that you have probably gone through as well as they have. The voice that you hear are the voices that everyone hopes to hear again in their life - “I remember I was about 8-years old and didn’t know what friendship was…”
Are you still hesitating? Do you not believe all these emotions that 9-year olds provide? Pick up the copy of Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul right now. I mean it! You can’t think you have read all the books in the world if you haven’t read this book that contains short stories that will run a lot of ideas into your mind - and thoroughly embrace you with emotions that you never knew you had.
Profile Image for Sara Darr.
27 reviews3 followers
January 7, 2012
Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul is a compilation of stories and poems written by a range of authors - mainly children but also some adults which include celebrities. The book explores themes such as friendship, dreams, bereavement, love and illness. It is recommended for children ages 8 onwards, however I disagree and think it most suited to Y5 and Y6 due to the content of some of the stories.

This book provides some short inspiring and enlightening stories which would be useful to discuss with children particulary in PSHE, or in Literacy to provide examples of specific types of writing. Personally I would not place it in my book corner due to the sensitive nature of a few of the stories.
I feel it would be one of those books you dip into, to read a passage or short story for use in Literacy/PSHE.
4 reviews
Read
October 4, 2018
This book is good for all sorts of things . This book has poems made by young kids about a lot of different aspects of life.
Profile Image for Jake Danishevsky.
Author 1 book30 followers
December 9, 2013
My daughter introduced me to these series. On one of our trips to a bookstore, she asked me if I could get her a pocket version of Chicken Soup for the Soul. As my wife and her read it together, they both absolutely loved it and told me of how wonderful these books are.

I have never read any Chicken Soup for the Soul books, but my 9 year old daughter, at that time, has been already exposed to them. On our recent trip to the bookstore, she was looking for something that she needed for school. I was in pocket books section looking for some of those Zen and Tao books. I have noticed that they carried a whole series of pocket Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I decided to grab one and surprise her with it.

After my daughter read it, I wanted to check it out myself and both of us wrote a few words about it.

My take on the book
A little spoonful of Chicken Soup for Kids Soul is a wonderful book of a numerous stories. It is people of various ages, race groups and backgrounds sharing their experiences and stories of when they were small children. Some of the stories are sad, touching and tragic. Some of the stories are cute and funny. There are also some quotes as well, that relay the message of the information presented in the book and makes the child think about what the meaning is.

There are even some celebrities who share their stories and experiences from where they were little kids. Shaq, the basketball player is one of a few of those people.

I like the idea that they make the child see different views on the everyday situations in our lives. The books make the child analyze those situations and put some thought on how that relates to his or her personal experiences. My daughter enjoyed it and even gave me some explanation to why she liked it, why she thought this book was important for another child to read and even on how it effected her emotionally.

My daughter’s take on the book
A little spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Kids Soul
I’ve read a lot of ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ books. I just finished reading Chicken Soup for the Kids soul and I really liked it. All the wonderful stories, each teaching you something knew. “I have learned to find self-esteem in things that make me special and not what others say or don’t say about me”. I also learned that “Everyone has something to give and that you should do the best and god will do the rest.” Another thing I learned “What is important in life is how we treat each other.”

Two of my favorite quotes from this book are “The man who knows right from wrong and has good judgement and common sense is happier than the man who is immensely rich! For such wisdom is far more valuable then jewels” and ”A friend likes you for who you are and not what you look like, because that is what really matters.”

Conclusion
Even though my daughter’s take on this book was mostly in quotes, she used the quotes and stories that have touched her in some way. She actually used them because they have taught her some kind of a valuable lesson and that is why she decided to mention them.

This book is fantastic. It is not to big and the child enjoys holding it with his or her little hands. The information in it is extremely valuable and easy for a kid to understand. I highly recommend it to anyone to read this book to their kids or better yet, have the child read it him or her self.
Profile Image for Yasmine Urrea.
3 reviews5 followers
February 8, 2013
When I was reading Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul by Jack Canfield, my first thought by the cover it's about 101 stories of courage, hope, and laughter maybe I could read a story and get inspired? To be honest, it did! One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "My teacher says I can grow up to be whatever I want to be. I want to be a kid". I'm a teen, but it's true, I will always have a mind of a kid and not grow up and be what I want to be. Have no bills to pay, waking up for work, drama-free, and not stress about any little thing once you get to high school. Each chapter has different stories about love, friendship, family, attitude & perspective, death & dying, achieving dreams, overcoming obstacles, on choices, tough stuff, and eclectic wisdom.

The main two reasons why I love this book, because not only it's a book of good stories but it's a book that you can reread over and over again to share with family and friends because their is some tremendous stories that kids face, that I face today. Another reason, this book felt like it encourage me to love and accept myself for who I am, and to believe in your dreams. There is answers for your questions and to give you hope in the future! There's no way to dislike this book, but everyone has their own opinion which is fine.

I felt heart-touched like if I was kid again playing in the sandbox. To feel loved, accepted, encouraged, and supported no matter what age you are. You will find your happy soul again in this book, just read it and if it helps your not the only one if you feel judged for whatsoever reason.
55 reviews
June 5, 2011
Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul is a book that consists of many other stories of kids and teenagers. Those stories are organized into sections that have different themes such as: on love, on friendship, on family, on attitude and perspective, on death and dying, achieving dreams, overcoming obstacles, on choices, tough stuff, and eclectic wisdom. All of these themes are relevant to the world, and they are really important in life.
I enjoy this book really much because I get to read other people's stories and how it changed their lives or perspective. Also, it made me cry for a bit because the stories were really touching and it was all true. It made me change my mind of other people in the world and what contributes to their sadness or their behaviors. I would love to recommend this book to anyone because they can learn what might affect others and how important people are to each other.
Profile Image for Farah.
174 reviews36 followers
July 28, 2009
Question: Ada berapa banyak sih, seri Chicken Soup itu??
Gue mau deh beli SEMUANYA *maruk* hihihihi

Gue inget deh dulu di TV 7, cerita Chicken Soup itu dijadiin tv series. Gue suka nonton hehehe...

Cerita yang paling touchy di buku ini adalah cerita tentang kakek yang baru belajar membaca. Gue nangiiiisss bacanya, karena kangen sama kakek gue yang udah meninggal huhuhuhuhu....
Gue selalu berpikir, orang-orang masih punya kakek sampe mereka tumbuh dewasa adalah orang-orang yang beruntung.
Anyway buku ini wajib dibaca. Sama seperti buku-buku seri Chicken Soup lainnya :D
Profile Image for Marvin.
26 reviews4 followers
September 7, 2011
This is the first book I've read in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and it absolutely delivers on its promise. The book is special because it shares many true life stories, submitted by real people about their experiences. Even though I'm in university, I still found inspiration in the triumphs of children. I think this is a soup that could do a soul at any age some good.
703 reviews
September 26, 2020
This book is filled with stories by kids and a few famous folks for children to read. Kids share both their joys and sorrows, and all kinds of experiences. One of the best things about the book is it is very assuring for kids to know that others have been there and survived. It is also comforting for parents to read to their own children. It covers topics such as love, friendship, family, death, dreams, obstacles, choices, and wisdom.

I enjoyed the book, and love to read it to my grandchildren. From 7,800 stories that were submitted, the authors chose just 205, so they are entertaining.
Profile Image for natalie☆.
67 reviews8 followers
February 22, 2021
reviewing this brings back so much nostalgia. these were my absolute favorite books when I was in 5th grade. The stories in here are inspirational, relatable, and moving. realizing that these stories were written by real people was so interesting, but also made me upset that some people had to live through the events they had written. this is the type of book I think anyone should read at least once in some point of their lives. I've read several additions of Chicken Soup: Preteens 1/2, Girls, Kids 1/2.

13 reviews
September 24, 2024
The introduction to Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul claims that kids in the modern day have to deal with such problems as kidnapping, child abuse, AIDS and being “exposed to gang warfare on a near-daily basis.”
That should tell you about how disconnected this book is from the actual issues affecting kids and who this book is actually marketed to (anxious suburban parents). For the kids who are experiencing abuse and near-daily gang warfare, I don’t think they’re reading Chicken Soup nor do I think doing so would provide them any insight or comfort.
Profile Image for Cheri.
641 reviews
May 29, 2019
"The Flood" p. 159

I used this for a 2nd Grade Reading Group. We were looking at the Five Mindset Stances: Empathy, Flexibility, Resilience, Persistence and Optimism. This week was Flexibility - Not getting "stuck" when your first way of trying something doesn't work. I'm going to have to move beyond my first idea. I'm going to see other possible actions I could take. When one thing doesn't work, I'm going to try a different way, and then another way after that.
Profile Image for Hiba Akhlaq.
54 reviews
July 4, 2021
Reading this book bought out the child in me. Children are the most strongest and the most preservering people in the world. They face harder hurdles and emerge victories because of their ability to believe and hope. This book reminds you that, of the fact, no matter how grown up you are, its good to think like a child. There's immense power in that.
Profile Image for Retno A.
4 reviews37 followers
August 23, 2017
i've read this book when i was like...14? and i love it so much. i can tell that this book is the main book that help me during my early teenage years. i barely can remember any of the stories but as far as i can tell, this book made a HUGE impact on me.
Profile Image for Courtney Chappell.
1,027 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2017
I have read this book before but it seemed to lose a bit of impact this time around. The stories are really aimed towards kids and most say how believing in God helped them through their situations. I loved reading the chicken soup books in the past but I'm not sure how I feel about them now.
Profile Image for Rebecca Cecil.
412 reviews75 followers
January 24, 2019
I REALLY ENJOY THESE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES. EVERYONE HAS A STORY AND EVERYONE's STORY IS DIFFERENT AND MOSTLY EVERYONE CAN IDENTIFY WITH EACH STORY AT ONE POINT IN THEIR LIVES. THESE STORIES CAN INSPIRE US AND LET US KNOW WE ARE ALL OK AND THAT GOD DOES WORK THINGS OUT.
Profile Image for Isabel.
65 reviews5 followers
April 30, 2021
This is a great book consisting of many stories written by children and teens. Many of the stories are inspirational while others are mind-blowing, sad, happy, or just great. It's a great book for children/teens who need to be cheered up!
Profile Image for RahmiDV.
35 reviews
January 22, 2023
Mungkin buku chicken soup sudah sgt old style bagi byk org, tp seperti sup ayam, im never got tired of it. Khusus buku ini sepertinya penulis dan target pembacanya adalah anak remaja, tp ternyata orang tua juga dapat pelajaran yang bermakna. Pesan lewat cerita memang selalu lebih mengena.
Profile Image for Makayla Reagan.
152 reviews2 followers
September 20, 2024
Loved this and the teenage one as a kid. I read both even tho I wasn’t much of a reader back then, the different stories just kept me so intrigued. I love the way they portray struggles that kids go through in both books.
Profile Image for Mark Dalle.
3 reviews
August 20, 2017
I loved the book.. It had great stories, memorable and some funny moments too... Over all it was Great.
6 reviews
January 7, 2020
This book is very good and really gives you a perspective on other peoples hardships and really makes you feel like you are very lucky.
Profile Image for Mike Mora.
13 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2020
El libro con el que hace muchos años me inicié en la lectura gracias a mi tía.
9 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2021
This book is a "go to" for me. I am a school counselor, and use it to promote conversation. The stories are always thoughtful and often funny. They are a great way to get the conversation going.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews

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