What Would CFC Read? | By: Committee for Children We here at Committee for Children spend a lot of time thinking and talking about social-emotional skills—even when we're reading! So in honor of Get Caught Reading Month, we asked our staff members to recommend books with social-emotional themes that they read to their children or have enjoyed reading themselves. We hope this list inspires you to crack open a book or two and get caught reading! Adam is reading… Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg This book suggests a great framework for how to communicate through even some of the most difficult conversations in a way that should help both sides reach greater understanding. The Art of Power by Thich Nhat Hanh A mainly Buddhist approach to transforming one's perceptions of what true power is, along with practical suggestions for how to achieve happiness through this transformation. The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth (based on the story by Leo Tolstoy) Allison is reading… The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Snail craves adventure, so he hitches a ride on the back of a humpback whale to see the world. But when Whale is beached, Snail embarks on his biggest adventure yet: getting the people of a nearby town to save Whale's life. Raggedy Ann and Andy by Johnny Gruelle There is no violence, no betrayal, no malice in Raggedy Ann and Andy's world—but it is by no means boring. Marcella's dollies have wonderful adventures and always, always stand up for, help, and protect one another. Amber is reading… Fredrick by Leo Lionni Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters and a Prologue by Maurice Sendak Andrew is reading… Diary of a Wombat by Bruce Whatley and Jackie French Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems Angela is reading… The Robot and the Bluebird by David Lucas This gorgeous fable tells of friendship and compassion. A robot, rejected by his own kind for having a “broken heart,” befriends a bluebird and, at great personal sacrifice, saves her life by carrying her south. All he asks in return is that she makes her home in his heart, so that he has a living heart once again. Bridgid is reading… Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arthur Lobel Frog and Toad have a wonderful—and funny!—friendship. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White E. B. White's classic book tells of extraordinary friendship, compassion, and empathy. Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne There is friendship, compassion, and lots of humor in the Hundred Acre Wood. Caitlin is reading… Town Mouse and County Mouse by Aesop This is a fantastic tale of two mouse relatives who spend time in each other's homes and trying different foods only to realize they much prefer the life they are accustomed to! The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper A tale of an engine who volunteers to pull a load of toys over a mountain when none of the other larger engines would, it's filled with examples of positive self-talk—“I think I can! I think I can!”—to reach one's goal! The Call of the Wild by Jack London When Buck, a domesticated dog, is kidnapped from California and taken to Alaska to be a sled dog, he must learn to adapt to his new environment by relying on his instincts. This is a great story about courage, perseverance, and the bond of friendship between animal and man. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Arnold Spirit, Jr., is a Spokane Indian Native struggling to establish his identity as he moves from a reservation high school to a predominantly white, upper-middle-class high school. Filled with poignant adolescent humor and cartoon illustrations, Junior's story is nothing short of heroism in the face of racism and adversity. Emma by Jane Austen In rural England in the early 1800s, Emma Woodhouse is born into privilege and decides to try her hand at matchmaking among her family and friends. Though well-intentioned, Emma quickly paints herself into a corner as she discovers how taxing it can be to meddle in others' love lives. Carrie is reading… The Way I Feel by Janan Cain The Whoosh of Gadoosh by Pat Skene Gossie and Gertie by Olivier Dunrea Cynthia is reading… Boris and Bella by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Gris Grimley Boris Kleanitoff is meticulously neat, and his neighbor Bella LaGrossi is messy, but they both love to dance. They have such a great time dancing at a party that they decide to put aside their differences. Boris becomes a little messier, Bella becomes a little neater, and the story ends with them holding hands in the moonlight. Greg is reading… The Misfits by James Howe Totally Joe by James Howe Addie on the Inside by James Howe Laura is reading… “Could Be Worse!” by James Stevenson I vividly remember this book from my childhood. It's short and very fun to read. The illustrations are free-flowing and expressive. We learn that our daily woes are not that bad really and it surely could be worse. The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein Silverstein gets across big ideas about love, relationships, being single, and being yourself with simple drawings and friendly words. I feel like this allows people to think more about the concepts of the story as they are reading along. I love that you could read this book to a 5-year-old and a 50-year-old and both could get so much from it. Mai is reading… Columbine by Dave Cullen Meaghan is reading… Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu. Illustrated by Peter Greste. The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends by Jan and Stan Berenstain A Weekend With Wendell by Kevin Henkes The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill Mia is reading… Confessions of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig Preben is reading… My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Susan is reading… Leo the Lop by Stephen Cosgrove Morgan and Me by Stephen Cosgrove Tonje is reading… Tumford the Terrible by Nancy Tillman Tumford is a stubborn cat who would rather hide than apologize for his many mishaps and messes. But following a particularly destructive debacle at the local fair, Tumford realizes that by apologizing, both he and his owners will feel happy and proud.