How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids

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.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 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

Tom Rath is a man of business and has seen companies come and go as the Director of Membership and Marketing for the Evanston, Illinois Chamber of Commerce. He has been assisting new and established businesses through the Chamber of Commerce and has a keen insight in what is needed to build a part-time business that is going to make money. In addition to the Chamber, Rath has worked with a number of community organizations, in improving operations and marketing.

Maurie J. Manning wrote and illustrated the IRA 2004 Notable Book. The Aunts Go Marching In. She lives in Berkeley, California.