Can you recommend some children's "morality tales"?

[Tabby]

I’m interested in finding secular children’s books that teach important lessons on morality. I have found Catholic books on saints and other such religious books for children that are helpful, but thought it would be great to draw upon what’s good in secular children’s literature also.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Two of my favorite children’s books when I was growing up are Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien. Discussions about E. B. White’s novel can focus on the virtue of protecting the weak (Fern’s plea for the life of a runt pig) and the value of those perceived to be small and insignificant (Charlotte, who saves her friend Wilbur by wisdom and cleverness, and not by strength or power; Wilbur’s own determination to save Charlotte’s preborn children). As for Robert C. O’Brien’s novel, which I recently re-read, I was amazed at how relevant it is to today’s bioethical dilemmas, particularly that of creating a new species through scientific tinkering. It is also striking in its assessment of what will save a civilization: Retreating from immorality and banding together to create a new world through hard work and righteous living. Particularly helpful is the explicit analogy the author gives to the rebuilding of civilization by the monks of the Dark Ages.

Other books I can think of off the top of my head include Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling (for older children, ages twelve and up). You may also find helpful the book linked below, which analyzes children’s literature from a Catholic perspective and includes reading lists. It is out of print now, but you may be able to find it used or through interlibrary loan.

Recommended reading:

Imagining Faith with Kids by Mary Margaret Keaton