Through the story of a little boy named Felix, this charming book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them, too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people — his sister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some people are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix’ grandfather explains why the happy people make Felix feel good, while the others leave him feeling bad — and how Felix himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not. This beautifully illustrated adaptation takes the original book’s powerful message — that the way we relate to others has a profound effect on every aspect of our lives — and tailors it to a child’s unique needs and level of understanding.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2—Based on the author's adult work How Full Is Your Bucket? (Gallup, 2004), this book explains that we all have invisible buckets of water over our heads. The negative actions of others toward us can empty the buckets, and our own meanness toward them can deplete their vessels, too. Positive actions reverse the process. Felix refuses to allow his sister to play blocks with him. When she angrily kicks over his tower, his grandfather explains that Felix dipped from his sister's container. The next morning Felix actually sees a bucket floating over his own head, and during the course of the day, as he is alternately bullied and praised, he realizes what causes it to be empty or full. This story is so heavy-handed and didactic that children are likely to find it laughable. Neither Felix, his sister, nor even their dog is a likable character, and the floating buckets over everyone's head look just plain silly.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ END
From the Publisher
When Felix wakes up one morning, he finds an invisible bucket floating overhead. A rotten morning threatens his mood - and his bucket - drop by drop. Can Felix discover how to refill his bucket before it's completely empty?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I cannot even begin to describe the healing power of bucket filling in my own school. As an elementary school counselor, it's the #1 way I usually deal with kids when it comes to oh....EVERYTHING. I've taught this metaphor for years and it is built into our thinking and language. The kids use it for problem solving, bullying, friendship issues, home problems, helping others, expressing a need, describing their feelings, talking about a hurt and much more. Relationships are strengthened when students choose to live their lives by this philosophy.
I originally found out about bucket filling through author Carol McCloud's book Have You Filled a Bucket Today?. It's a neat picture book explaining just what is the business of "Bucket Filling." If you've been using this story (or even if you haven't) to explain this wonderful metaphor, then you ABSOLUTELY need How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids.
What makes this book so special is the focus is on a boy, Felix, and what happens to his bucket throughout his day. He wakes up in the morning with a pretty full bucket. But he spills the cereal and his mom scolds him. Ouch, hurt feelings. DRIP. I loved watching the students' reaction to that word. They hadn't heard bucket filling described that way. Felix gets to school and has a series of negative encounters with kids. DRIP. DRIP. All those positive feelings he started with start going away until his bucket is almost empty. '
'
But then something happens to stop the DRIPS. Felix's teacher gives him a compliment. DROP. The class is supportive of him and praises his effort. DROP! He starts receiving compliments and acts of kindness from others as the school day continues. DROP! His bucket starts to fill back up with positive feelings.
Here comes my favorite part. '' Once his bucket is filled back up he looks around the playground and notices everyone else has one too....and a lot of them need filling. He now has a real understanding of how it works. And so will your kids! So Felix gets right to it by being kind and helpful. DROP! DROP! This time there are two drops. When he fills another person's bucket, he fills his own too.
The students were SO excited when they saw the cover. I've been reading it the first couple weeks of school so kids can remember to start filling others' buckets immediately. I plan on reading it again throughout the school year. This is one of those stories they like to hear over and over again. It is very well written, the illustrations are perfect, and it speaks to kids. They completely relate to Felix and the ups and downs of his day. Using the "drips" and "drops" as a way to describe positive and negative interactions was easily understood by the students. We've started putting our new discovered language to use! ''Bucket filling is a way of life in my school. I hope you do the same in your school and home.
I originally found out about bucket filling through author Carol McCloud's book Have You Filled a Bucket Today?. It's a neat picture book explaining just what is the business of "Bucket Filling." If you've been using this story (or even if you haven't) to explain this wonderful metaphor, then you ABSOLUTELY need How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids.
What makes this book so special is the focus is on a boy, Felix, and what happens to his bucket throughout his day. He wakes up in the morning with a pretty full bucket. But he spills the cereal and his mom scolds him. Ouch, hurt feelings. DRIP. I loved watching the students' reaction to that word. They hadn't heard bucket filling described that way. Felix gets to school and has a series of negative encounters with kids. DRIP. DRIP. All those positive feelings he started with start going away until his bucket is almost empty. '
'
But then something happens to stop the DRIPS. Felix's teacher gives him a compliment. DROP. The class is supportive of him and praises his effort. DROP! He starts receiving compliments and acts of kindness from others as the school day continues. DROP! His bucket starts to fill back up with positive feelings.
Here comes my favorite part. '' Once his bucket is filled back up he looks around the playground and notices everyone else has one too....and a lot of them need filling. He now has a real understanding of how it works. And so will your kids! So Felix gets right to it by being kind and helpful. DROP! DROP! This time there are two drops. When he fills another person's bucket, he fills his own too.
The students were SO excited when they saw the cover. I've been reading it the first couple weeks of school so kids can remember to start filling others' buckets immediately. I plan on reading it again throughout the school year. This is one of those stories they like to hear over and over again. It is very well written, the illustrations are perfect, and it speaks to kids. They completely relate to Felix and the ups and downs of his day. Using the "drips" and "drops" as a way to describe positive and negative interactions was easily understood by the students. We've started putting our new discovered language to use! ''Bucket filling is a way of life in my school. I hope you do the same in your school and home.
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By Jamie Kelly
Format:Hardcover
Just bought this today on a trip over to Gallup University in Omaha. I read it to my kids tonight (daughter, 7 - son, 4). They both really liked it and we had a great little discussion about the meaning of buckets and how it feels to fill and spill your bucket and the buckets of others. They both understood it very well. I recommend it for kids of all ages. I bought one for my mom too - she's a very inspirational person, mother, teacher, grandmother. It makes a great gift. I'm thinking it will make a great teacher's gift for my daughter's teacher too!
74 of 87 people found the following review helpful
By Dave Fleming
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read the full version of this great book, I brought the "Kids" version in the hope that my 10 & 12 year old daughters would derive similar learnings.
However, I found [as did they] that this "Kids" version is aimed more at much younger readers. The general consensus is that the appropriate definition of "Kids" for this book is from 4-8 years, and not much more.
Perhaps a third version could be edited to target the early teens, when adolescent minds are developing to a stage of greater appreciation for key learnings such as this.
Overall, a good book but not for young readers over the ages of say 8 years.
However, I found [as did they] that this "Kids" version is aimed more at much younger readers. The general consensus is that the appropriate definition of "Kids" for this book is from 4-8 years, and not much more.
Perhaps a third version could be edited to target the early teens, when adolescent minds are developing to a stage of greater appreciation for key learnings such as this.
Overall, a good book but not for young readers over the ages of say 8 years.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teaching Grandchildren
What better way to help teach children the joy of helping and caring for
others than to use the idea of filling a bucket with good deeds and
Random Acts of Kindness. Read more
others than to use the idea of filling a bucket with good deeds and
Random Acts of Kindness. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Gram
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good thought, not so good in application.
I like it but then again, its not for me. My 5 yr old son thought it was "ok", not sure how much he got out of it. Both my wife and I read it to him. Read more
Published 18 days ago by A. Case
3.0 out of 5 stars
not that great for my 3 yr old
This book is a little long, and involved for my 3 yr old. Didn't capture attention like other books, I suspect that its better suited for older children, especially since it... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Shmmr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Book!
This is a great book to use at the beginning of the school year. Goes well with teaching Covey's 7 Habits if your school uses them.
Published 1 month ago by Jeanne Cramsey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book..
Great concept for kids of all ages!!! Shows kids in a visual way what happens when you feel "your bucket is empty" and what happens to others when you empty their... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Leary
5.0 out of 5 stars
Children enjoy this fun message
From a librarian who does regular story time for preschoolers and elementary students, this one is a hit. My first and second graders really enjoyed this story! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Susan Watters
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Thoughts
With peer pressures and bad things that happen with kids it was a good book for kids to have something to think about and to also look at the positive side of things rather than... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Skinana
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book to read to your kids
This book arrived just in time. My son was feeling really down and out, and I decided to read this book to him. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dana Makmal
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not my favorite.
Repetitive. I rather have the original. My girls love the one that is a guide to daily happiness for kids.
Published 2 months ago by BSJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful lesson for kids!
My son actually read this book at school first and came home asking whether each of his various actions "dipped" from my bucket or "filled" it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tiffany Munday
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