E Is for Ethics: How to Talk to Kids About Morals, Values, and What Matters Most

by Ian James Corlett, R. A. Holt (Illustrator)

Overview

Now in paperback, E Is for Ethics—an indispensable parenting tool to help instill a sense of morality and fair play in young children.

At one time, schools in America offered instructions on character development and ethics. Today that’s no longer the case, and many parents often feel at a loss over the seemingly daunting task of teaching their children to be good, moral citizens.

Astonishingly, there has never been a book meant for parents to read with their children with the goal of teaching basic morals—until E Is for Ethics. Corlett’s twenty-six simple, clear, fun and original stories have been carefully crafted for parents to read to their child, aged four to ten. Each insightful story features one of two children, Elliott or his sister Lucy, centering on a different positive ethic, such as tact, empathy, and understanding. At the end of each story there are several questions that will help children and parents discuss the implications of each tale. R. A. Holt’s charming illustrations add to the fun.

Boasting years of children’s television experience, a seasoned knowledge of how children and parents interact, and a knack for lively storytelling, Corlett offers an inventive, whimsical book to help parents navigate important issues of ethics and morality that all kids are sure to enjoy as they learn.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416596691
Publisher:	Atria Books
Publication date:	12/08/2009
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

  Ian James Corlett is the author of E IS FOR ETHICS and  E IS FOR ENVIRONMENT. He is well known in the world of children's television and has created, written for, and/or developed many popular children's series, such as The Adventures of Paddington Bear, Rolie Polie Olie, Will & Dewitt, and his namesake series, Being Ian. Ian is also a renowned voice actor. He is the voice for literally hundreds of animated characters as diverse as Baby Taz of the Baby Looney Tunes and Dad in Johnny Test. The father of two and husband of one for more than twenty-five years, he currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Palm Springs, California.

R.A. "Riley" Holt is a Canadian illustrator, designer, and artist who lives in Vancouver. Riley is proficient in a wide range of styles and uses many different mediums in his broad spectrum of artwork.

Read an Excerpt

1

Honesty

It was a rainy winter day. Elliott was walking to the video store with his mother to pick up a movie for the evening. Mom was looking for a light comedy to watch with Dad as the fireplace crackled, but Elliott had nothing but spaceships on his mind. That is, until he noticed a crisp, new five-dollar bill lying on the ground at the entrance to the shop. His mother didn’t see it as she entered the video store, but Elliott locked on it like a tractor beam. Since no one was around, he picked it up and shoved it deep into his pocket.

As he drifted toward the “Outer Space” section, Elliott could not believe his good luck. He could hardly concentrate on selecting a movie because he was daydreaming about all the wild and wonderful ways he could spend his newfound fortune. He wandered around in such a daze that he didn’t even realize that not only had he not chosen a movie, but he was now standing in the checkout line beside his mother, who was waiting to pay.

Suddenly, his daydream was shattered when the lady in front of them, who was frantically searching through her purse, gasped. “I am positive I had five dollars,” she said. “I know because I just got a nice, crisp one in change from the last store ? Oh, heavens! It must’ve dropped out of my bag!”

Elliott’s heart sank.Would he be honest and give the lady the five-dollar bill?

QUESTION

What would be the honest thing for Elliott to do?

As with so many ethical qualities, being honest makes you feel great inside. Sometimes it’s difficult to be honest with others or even yourself, but when you are, there is no better way of life. Elliott felt great when he was guided by honesty about the money.

MORE QUESTIONS

What else could Elliott have done as soon as he found the five-dollar bill?

How would Elliott have felt later if he had decided to keep the five dollars?

Can you tell us about a situation you can remember when you or a friend displayed honesty?

“Honesty is the best policy.”

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

“Honesty: The best of all the lost arts.”

MARK TWAIN

© 2009 Ian James Corlett

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

1 Honesty 1

2 Understanding 5

3 Forgiveness 9

4 Courage 13

5 Tact 17

6 Perseverance 21

7 Politeness 25

8 Loyalty 29

9 Gratitude 33

10 Truthfulness 37

11 Fairness 41

12 Acceptance 45

13 Patience 49

14 Sincerity 53

15 Citizenship 57

16 Integrity 61

17 Kindness 65

18 Responsibility 69

19 Effort 73

20 Empathy 77

21 Charity 81

22 Helpfulness 85

23 Generosity 89

24 Willingness 93

25 Trust 97

26 Respect 101

A New Year 105

Acknowledgments 107