Stories help us make sense of the world, give us hope when we feel down, give us wonder and excitement when our lives seem ordinary, and help us find fairness in a world that sometimes seems unfair. The ten stories in this book are timeless—and each one is followed by a “Parent and Teacher EQ Guide” to help children explore their inner thoughts and feelings. The guide includes questions and comments to provide insights about the meaning of the story and raises relevant psychological issues, help children think about how the story applies to their lives and sharpen their emotional intelligence, and d escribes activities children can do so the themes of the story are not only heard but also experienced. Praise for Talking Treasure . . . “This collection is indeed a treasure for parents with young children and for educators teaching young children. Each story illuminates a valuable positive message that will help children grow in a healthy and hope-filled way. Telling and reading these stories is a beautiful way to create bonds and transmit life lessons that will remain with the children for life.”
—Peninnah Schram, storyteller and author of The Hungry Clothes and Other Jewish Folktales. "Vered Hankin is a storytelling marvel and a true wizard when it comes to understanding the emotional lives of children. Talking Treasure is true to its word: a treasure trove of wisdom for parents in helping to unlock the feelings and voices of their children. The spoken voice is the ultimate truth teller, and Talking Treasure speaks to some the essential truths of parenting and growing up."
—Thane Rosenbaum, author of The Golems of Gotham and The Stranger Within Sarah Stein "Let these endearing stories settle into your heart. There are spunky puppies and caring eagles and galloping horses and talking pots and more—all brought to life to spark a child's imagination and invite parents and children to grow together in openness, in empathy, and in love."
—Tim Shriver, Chair and CEO of Special Olympics and Chair of the Collaborators for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) “Through simple stories and parenting tips, Talking Treasure provides narratives and values to help build children’s resilience and confidence: perhaps the skills most needed in our complex 21st century.”
—Dr. Lewis J. Bernstein, Executive Vice President, Education, Research, and Outreach, Sesame Workshop “Storytelling is a powerful vehicle through which to communicate important messages to children. Stories hold the interest of children, but in addition they afford wonderful opportunities to discuss different themes that relate directly to a child’s life—themes such as self-esteem, self-acceptance, caring, empathy, responsibility, and perseverance. The authors of Talking Treasure have not only assembled wonderful stories about these themes, but after each story have provided a guide for parents and teachers (and I might add therapists) that articulates the meaning of the story as well as questions and exercises that may be used with the child. This book will serve as an invaluable resource for parents and teachers of young children. I recommend it highly.”
—Robert Brooks, PhD, faculty, Harvard Medical School, and coauthor of Raising Resilient Children and Raising a Self-Disciplined Child |
