A Child's First Book of Virtues [Hardcover]

Emily Hunter (Author)

Book Description

A collection of over 100 short stories and rhymes that illustrate the virtues of generosity, honesty, compassion, loyalty, and others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 124 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Pub (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565073290
• ISBN-13: 978-1565073296
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A favorite for us!, March 26, 2005

By 

HSmomof7 - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Child's First Book of Virtues (Hardcover)

We already own Bennet's Book of Virtues and read from it frequently, but this book is so sweet & fun for the very young! It is definitely on my list of books to buy next.

From the back cover: "Growing Up Wise Celebrate the virtues of generosity, courtesy, honesty, cheerfulness and a host of other positive character qualities with your children! Delightful rhymes and old-fashioned storytelling make this a perfect bedtime book or homeschool companion."
And: "Includes more than 100 short, easy-to-read stories and poems for the whole family."

The book is divided into sections according to virtue, which is first defined, such as:
The Virtue of Compassion, "To be COMPASSIONATE is to take pity on those in need, to offer sympathy to those in trouble, to be tenderhearted toward those who are hurting... and above all to look for ways to show kindness and to be helpful." Following this page are all stories, poems, prayers related to compassion.

The illustrations are all in black and white and very sweet. Here is a rhyme from "Generosity":

"Selfish Sue, selfish Sue!
With toys of every kind,
You never share! You never share!
You say, "They all are mine!"

Selfish Sue with face so blue,
The Bible says, "Be kind!"
Share your toys with girls and boys,
And then your face will shine!"

From The Golden Rule, is a very cute story about Benjamin, "The Bear Who didnt Care! (No, he really didnt!)" Its filled with little songs that the bear likes to sing: "Oh, ho, ho! Im a very happy bear! Ive got five dollars and Im going to the fair!" and "Oh, ho, ho! Im going to the fair! I'll have a happy time when I get there!" As he encounters people in need along the way, his reply is: "I won't help you, I dont care! Ive got five dollars and Im going to the fair!" Then, at the fair he's robbed and so he leaves to return home. On his way back, he seeks help from those whom he earlier refused and here are some of the replies he gets: "To quench my fire, you helped me not! To quench your thirst, not one drop!" and "You helped me not in my time of need. You'll get no apple, no indeed!" until he comes to one last man (who was reading the Bible) and he gets this reply: "Do come and share my porch with me! We'll have a sandwich and some tea!" Benjamin is so impressed by this man's act of kindness (in spite of how he had treated him earlier) that he is moved to sorrow and then decides to sing a new song:
"Oh, ho, ho! Im a happy helping bear! Why do I help you? Because I really care!"

Emily Hunter is also the author of the classic Christian Charm Course, Bible-Time Nursery Rhyme Book, The Keepsake Bible Story Coloring Book and with her husband, Wayne, of Man In Demand.

Terese Cooper (My children are 5.5, 4 and 2 and they all seem to love this book as much as I do!)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Really a "child's first" book of virtues?, June 25, 2000

By 

Jamie R Augustine - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Child's First Book of Virtues (Hardcover)

I have both this and Bennet's Book of Virtues and I always choose to read Bennet's over Hunter's book. I seem to be able to find stories that my younger children enjoy in Bennet's book. The pictures are a nice addition to this book and the stories correlate well with the lesson being taught. I felt the only thing about this book being a child's first book of virtues is that there is only 100 stories and poems so it is a small volume.

5.0 out of 5 stars My childhood, December 17, 2011

By 

TaioraDomino - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Child's First Book of Virtues (Hardcover)

I remember being read this book over and over again as a kid and it has helped me become a better person. Even if you're not Christian, like myself, you and your kids can take so much away from this. In it's purest form, the book teaches how to be a good person; how to share, to be kind to others and other such lessons. "The Bear Who Didn't Care" is probably the story that has stuck with me the most. It taught me as a kid to teat others with the kind of kindness and respect that I want and I think this is an important for any child to learn. So, whether you're a Christian or not, I definitely taking a look at this one. I guarantee it won't disappoint.