The Importance of Books that Teach Children Kindness and Empathy

The Wonder Series are immensely popular. Atleast that's what I thought until I asked the children who attended a children's book club organized in the community I live in. I expected to see at least a few hands go up when I asked, "Has anyone read these books?" To my surprise, not even one went up. Most of them were avid readers. I have met them on multiple occasions and discussed books. Yet, they had never heard of these books.

Not knowing anything about Wonder collection did not deter them in any way in actively participating in the discussions that followed.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

Ian Maclaren.

Varied responses were shared after reading this quote. A child who seemed somewhat reluctant to be there, said to his friend, "What is the nerdy quote!" He was loud enough for me to hear and when I said, "Some one said 'the quote is nerdy'?" his friend giggled and pointed at his friend. The things we do as children:). The child in question looked nervous and was taken aback when I said, "That's an interesting observation. As a matter of fact, I am on the lookout for such honest reactions."

Together, we analyzed the quote little by little. Children recognized the fact that all of us go through difficult times and in those times, we tend to act in particular way. The same goes for anyone else who seems unkind to us in some way.

"Giving them a benefit of doubt and choosing to be kind, is the right thing to do." Children added on that this is an attitude that we must take with anyone, friend or enemy.

"Grudge doesn't help anyone."

"Pick your fights. Don't fight someone unless absolutely necessary.

"The other person may be having a bad day. We being kind, might actually help make it better for them."

What Does the Cover of Wonder Tell You?

"We wonder because we see something with our eyes."

"Difficult to blend in. Is it about fitting in?"

"Looking closer, one ear looks bigger than the other. Could it be on purpose?"

Wonder is the story of Auggie Pullman who was born with a genetic defect that required multiple surgeries on his face. Hence he looks different from others. His facial features make him look somewhat scary even to some children. But otherwise he is perfectly capable of doing what any other child can do.

Facing a Bully in Wonder

Auggie had been homeschooled until it was time to go to middle school. His parents made the hard decision to send him to a regular school. Walking into a regular school attracting all sorts of attention wasn't easy. Being bullied for his looks was by far the worst. While it is easy for a reader to express some sort of a grudge or hatred towards the bully in the story, The Julien Chapter, a sequel to Wonder, enables a young reader to understand that the bully too is fighting a battle of his own.

Why do bullies bully?

This question led to some very perceptive responses from the children.

"Jealousy. Someone else gets more attention."

"Feeling of being left out. Bullying creates a sense of play and importance."

"Grudge."

How do you think they can be helped?

"Counselling."

"But that's again being singled out."

"There is a classmate of mine who goes to the school counsellor. He is considered, 'mental'."

This in particular was a startling revelation.

Seeking help is being branded as 'mental' with a derogatory tag attached. The child in question is probably already having a hard time which makes this child act in a particular way. Did seeking help, instead of being a ray of hope, end up making the situation worse?

"My school gives yellow cards as warning for bullying and finally it is red card, which means the student will be expelled from school. "

"This isn't football!"

"It makes it worse for the bully. The student is being singled out yet again."

"Counselling at some level also makes it sound like this person got singled out."

It seemed like a conundrum for which a good solution was not something easy to think of.

Seeking counselling help is a private matter. Keeping it private is perhaps the key. While we may not know how to help someone, giving them benefit of doubt and being kind, is something that we can strive to do.

The other two books in the Auggie & Me collection present stories of two other important characters in the Wonder Story.

Also important in the series is the book White Bird. The book is about Julien's grandmother. Julien is the child who bullies Auggie. The Julien Chapter gives us a peep in to his journey of reforming and realizing the kind of harm that he caused to others on account of his bullying tendencies. In Julien Chapter, Julien's grandmother plays a pivotal role. She is able to do so on account of her own experience as a Jew during the time of the Nazis and being helped by a boy whom she and friends shunned. The White Bird is her story of realizing the importance being brave enough to show another person in need, kindness.

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The Young Readers' Club is a book club for the 8-12 age group. We also do vocabulary building activities and mini writing lessons for a little variety!

Writing programs for the 9-12 age group- Young Writers' Club Jr.  

The Young Writers' Club program for the 13-16 age group offers a weekly platform to read and discuss curated articles from the news, observe writing approaches and practise one's writing skills.

NEW! Tween Tribune  is an online magazine for the Young Writers' Club (Jr.) program for tweens. Weekly updates of our discussions are published. Once in 6 months, the best of writing by the tween members is made available to read.

 NEW! Musings from the Young Writers' Club is an online magazine showcasing the work we do at the Young Writers' Club.