The Little Book of Character Strengths

The Little Book of Character Strengths is a colorfully illustrated poem describing the meaning of character strengths to a child and young adult audience. The book is based upon the VIA classification of character strengths. Its bright colors and creative illustrations along with the poetry format are meant to captivate young readers. The book can be read along with adults to foster discussion of ways of developing character strengths. Adults also will benefit from the message of the book.

Character strengths come in many forms and the book is based on the research into universal character strengths by the VIA Institute on Character. Children are encouraged to discover their signature or top five strengths. The goal is not only to develop strengths but to learn when these strengths are not meant to be called upon in different situations. Character strengths are looked upon as guiding stars in our lives and to be turned to for direction in life decisions.  The Little Book of Character Strengths describes twenty-four universal character strengths based upon the VIA Classification.  It is written in a poem format and describes the essential nature of each of the strengths in a way that is understandable to children.  A stanza is devoted to each of the character strengths along with colorful illustrations for each stanza.  Ideally, the book can be read by parents to children with the idea of fostering a discussion of the meaning of each of the character strengths, and how to develop and apply them in everyday life.