The Power of Positive Thinking
Debbie Glade shares a book that helps children look on the bright side of life.
The Energy Bus for Kids: A Story About Staying Positive and Overcoming Challenges ($16.95, Wiley, Ages 4 and up) by Jon Gordon is an adaptation of the fable known as The Energy Bus. The story is about a boy named George who tells his bus driver about the bad day he’s had at school. The bus driver becomes George’s mentor and teaches him to believe in himself and to practice positive thinking to become stronger and happier. She tells him to:
- Create a positive vision
- Fuel your ride with positive energy
- No bullies allowed
- Love your passengers
- Enjoy the ride
George applies the rules to the best of his ability, but do they solve his problems? You’ll soon find out.
What’s great about this book is that it encourages children from a young age to practice positive thinking. Thinking positively (aka ‘seeing the glass half full’) creates a productive energy that can help children solve their problems, be kinder to others and just be happier overall. The bottom line is that we all make a choice to have the attitude we possess, so why not make it a positive one?
In addition to the great message, readers will enjoy the bold, colorful cartoon-like illustrations by Korey Scott that complement the story nicely and make it easier for young children to follow along. I think all elementary schools should have books like this to teach kids something that in life is just as important as reading, writing and arithmetic – and that, of course, is the power of positive thinking.