How Bill Peet Can Help You Teach Character Lessons

I’ve talked a lot about using picture books to help teach good character qualities here at Our Journey Westward. For that matter, I’ve talked a lot about using picture books to teach, well, everything. Bill Peet’s stories are some of my favorites for helping children recognize kindness, honesty, courage, and the consequences of poor choices.

His stories are often hilarious, his animal characters have very human problems, and his illustrations add so much to the telling. There’s plenty to enjoy together before you ever ask a discussion question.

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Bill Peet Character Lessons

Woven into many of Bill Peet’s picture books are examples of both good and bad character. Children can see how a character’s choices affect others and what happens as a result. This helps kids begin to grasp right from wrong.

Sometimes it’s easier to recognize selfishness in a crab or pride in a knight than to recognize those qualities in ourselves. A story lets us gently talk about those behaviors and their effects without making the conversation personal right away.

Of course, we want to help our children connect those lessons to their own choices, but that doesn’t mean every read-aloud needs a discussion. Enjoying good stories together gives us plenty of examples to refer back to with a gentle nudge when a similar situation comes up at home.

How To Use Bill Peet Books

When I use picture books to teach character, I usually take one of three approaches:

• Let the story speak for itself. Read together and enjoy it without adding a lesson afterward.
• Have a short conversation. Talk about a character’s choices and how those choices affected someone else.
• Give everyone something to watch for. Before reading, ask your children to notice examples of a particular quality, such as courage or generosity.

I prefer to let the story do as much of the teaching as possible. When we’re working through a particular issue, though, a few questions can help us talk about it: What did the character want? Who was affected by that choice? What could the character have done differently?

Books that include bad behavior can be useful, too. In Cowardly Clyde, for instance, the knight’s dishonesty gives us a reason to discuss how pride can lead someone to take credit they haven’t earned.

And don’t put picture books away just because your children are getting older! A good story can lead to a worthwhile conversation with big kids, too.

Bill Peet Books That Teach Character

You may find that some of these are out of print. They are worth perusing thrift stores to find if you have a chance.

 

Big Bad Bruce
Bruce’s bullying offers an opportunity to discuss how we treat others and the consequences of using strength to intimidate.

Buford the Little Bighorn
Buford helps children consider how something that makes us different can also have beauty and purpose.

Chester the Worldy Pig
Chester’s determination opens a conversation about setting goals, persisting through difficulties, and recognizing our abilities.

Cock-a-Doodle Dudley
Use this story to talk about honesty, jealousy, and how we respond to someone else’s talents.

Cowardly Clyde
Clyde’s fear and bravery give readers plenty to discuss. The knight’s pride and dishonesty provide a contrasting example, making this a useful book for examining both admirable and poor choices.

Eli
Kindness and unlikely friendships offer opportunities to discuss humility and the importance of caring for others.

 

Ella
Ella’s experiences encourage conversations about gratitude, humility, and how we respond when life doesn’t go our way.

Fly Homer Fly
Talk about friendship, appreciating what we have, and making the best of difficult circumstances.

Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure
Hubert’s troubles provide examples of helpful friendship and the problems vanity can cause.

Huge Harold
Consider how kindness can change someone’s life and help them recognize their abilities.

Jennifer and Josephine
Loyalty and good deeds make this a good choice for talking about what it means to be a faithful friend.

Kermit the Hermit
Kermit’s selfishness gives way to generosity, offering a memorable example of how kindness can change someone.

 

The Ant and the Elephant
Discuss helping others without expecting something in return and why we shouldn’t underestimate anyone.

The Caboose Who Got Loose
Katy’s dissatisfaction opens a conversation about contentment, perspective, and compassion for others.

The Pinkish, Purplest, Bluest Egg
Compassion, courage, and looking beyond appearances give your family several worthwhile topics to discuss.

The Wump World
Use this story to discuss responsibility, caring for our surroundings, and considering how our actions affect others.

Whingdingdilly
Talk about envy, appreciating who we are, and the unexpected consequences of getting what we think we want.

Enjoy Other Character Building Ideas

Bill Peet’s books are just a few of my favorites for teaching character through stories. The resources below offer more picture books, chapter books, and practical ideas to use with your family.