BOOKS ABOUT GRIT FOR KIDS

It isn't every day that a young, sea-bound stingray decides to fly like a bird. Knowing Little Ray to be brave and young, Mama Ray allowed her son to learn by trying. He beat all odds with his lofty goals. Teamwork and encouragement from parents and friends are important to success in The Amazing Flight of Little Ray. Children test their wings and soar to new heights with inspiration from this young stingray.

This first book in the adventurous series of print books and online books about grit for kids makes “little ray of sunshine” seem overused and underwhelming. Little ray looks beyond humdrum bounds. He presents courage and strength of character that children will want to follow or surpass. His fun lessons in goal setting, practice and perseverance add new dimension to living and learning important life skills from an early age.

When stingrays and sharks get along, they pull everyone along. Before Little Ray & Shark Patch Things Up ends, the boat has a hole in the hull, the engine has died and the circling shark hasn't eaten. A whole lot of grit is needed for kids, adults and animals to fix this mess. Despite natural conflict between stingrays and sharks, the second Little Ray book ends with unusual friendships on land and in the sea.

This story shows help can come from unexpected sources and first impressions can be very wrong. Little Ray and boating friends learn that an appearance of great danger ends up helping the disabled craft get to shore. Action and animals in this story provide proof of the pitfalls that come with stereotyping. Reel in the fun and the teamwork that overcome adversity. The story ends well, because everyone contributes.

Few people have an opportunity to meet members of this endangered species. They are nocturnal. Armadillos are not from another galaxy. In The Foxy Armadillos, fast thinking and team effort save the family home. This third book in this series from V. R. Duin gets everyone up to speed. The action and the unusual animals turn child play into opportunity so everyone can practice important lessons in heroism.

Disrupt the top 1% with awareness that amazing inventions come when and where least expected. The armadillo family shows great courage to achieve a noble end. The wily fox may need to try his luck elsewhere. The farm setting and active interactions with nature offer interesting lessons that are sensitive to the emerging social consciousness around the world. A habitat is saved and the balance of nature is preserved.