Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Be a Bucket Filler

I found the most amazing book at Border's last week.  It is ranking in my top five books for teaching children about life.  Actually, at the moment, I cannot think of another book that lays out how to be happy and get along with other people in simpler terms than this book does.


It is called "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud.  Perhaps you've heard of it.


The book teaches kids that everyone has an invisible bucket that they carry around with them.  It holds your good thoughts and feelings about yourself. 

When it is full, you feel happy and good about yourself.  When it is empty, you feel sad.


When we fill someone else's bucket, they feel good, and so do we, because we are filling our own bucket with good feelings at the same time.

The book also mentions being a "bucket dipper".  Anytime that we are mean to or ignore others, we are being a bucket dipper, instead of a bucket filler.  People who are bucket dippers usually have empty buckets themselves and think that by dipping into other's buckets they will be able to feel good about themselves, but that never works.

I am so impressed with this simple analogy.  My kids latched on to it right away.  It's even a great mantra for adults to remember.

There is a whole organization built around this story of kindness to others.  You can see all that they have to offer at BucketFillers101.

Now you guys know that I love children's books...especially Christmas and Easter stories.  Well, I wanted to let you know that right now is an excellent time to order books for those holidays, because it's sort of the "off-season" right now.  Books that I have seen at exorbitant prices are now pretty cheap.  "A Small Miracle" is now ridiculously cheap and coming out in paper back in September.  (Previously, it had been out of print...sorry, Sue!)  And with Border's going out of business, they will have some great liquidation sales!  Just thought I'd let you know!

Now if you are looking for a great summer party idea, involving pirates, shipwrecks, and mayhem, then check out my guest post at Or So She Says today!

12 comments:

  1. We love books here at our house too. In fact my poor hubby thinks they randomly reproduce because there is always a new book (or seven) here at my house! :)

    Thanks for the heads up. I am going to check out Borders as well, cheap books...here I come! :)

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  2. My daughters' former elementary school used this book as the theme for the school. They always talked about being a bucket filler. They had buckets all over with children's names on them and what they were doing when someone "caught" them being a bucket filler. So cute and a great teaching message.

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  3. Well, you've gone and done it again. I'm going to buy this one for my grandkids. What a great book idea!

    =)

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  4. It seems to go along with the parable of the 10 virgins the way you described it.

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  5. That is adorable!! So true. you can't give happiness without getting some back! http://bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com

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  6. What a great book! I am adding it to my list. And what a fun party you shared! You are too awesome.

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  7. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll be looking for this book for sure!

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  8. sounds like a lovely book...thanks for sharing.

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  9. Geesh - way to make me spend $25! :) I just ordered three of the "Bucket Books". So excited! I love these things. I use them with my own kids and with the kids I see at work. (I am a therapist.) Thank you for a great resource!

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  10. I took a series of parenting classes a few years ago and this was one of the tools she taught us - I loved the analogy and my kids did, too. I didn't realize there was a book about it! Sweet!

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  11. Aw, so cute! What a great and TRUE concept!

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  12. Went out and grabed this one from the library right away! A GREAT BOOK!! Thanks for the recommendation J! You are the BEST!

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