Tommy is good at almost everything: He’s awesome at riding his bike without training wheels, teaching his dog new tricks, and spelling seven-letter words like kumquat. But when it comes to trying new things, he would rather not. With encouragement from his grandfather, Tommy tries something he has always wanted to do–play the tuba–and learns that some things take practice and the value of sticking with it through challenges. A special section for teachers, parents, and caregivers provides tips on how to talk to young children about trying new things and help build their emotional resilience. Lexile Rating: AD620L: Adult Directed. Grades 2-3.

One of the best ways to nurture happiness in young children is to prepare them for the adversity they will encounter in life. Purposefully developing a child’s resiliency will give them essential life skills to cope with challenges, adopt a positive perspective, and develop self-confidence–all essential ingredients for long term happiness.