Robert D. Smith sent me a box of Andy Andrews books the other day. When I saw The Boy Who Changed the World I knew I wanted to read it aloud to my children as soon as possible.
It’s the beautiful story of boys who committed to make a difference — and then went on to do just that when they were older. What I loved about it was that all of these boys were just ordinary, average boys with drive and vision.
This book provided a wonderful springboard for us to talk with our children about how we want them to be world-changers. We don’t want them to be content with mediocrity. We want them to aim high, work hard, and live their lives to make a lasting impact.
You don’t have to be amazingly gifted, incredibly talented, or extremely well off. You just have to have drive, passion, and a commitment to make a difference. This commitment can start very young — as it did in the examples profiled in this book.
In the little things, we want our children to see how their lives matter. They were put here on this earth to do something more than just exist.
Want to raise world-changers at your house or inspire your students to make a difference? I highly recommend reading The Boy Who Changed the World.
What books would you recommend to inspire children to make a difference?
Marsha says
We have this book and hope to read it this summer!
Christine says
Loved that book too. Also, “10 Men who changed the world” and “10 woman who changed the world”.
diane says
I will be reading this list and taking notes for my 13 month old 🙂
Melinda C. says
I just thought of another excellent book that can really strong character traits in your children. The book is called Growing Together in Gratitude by Barbara Rainy ( most of the stories are for older children and the book was written for families to read together). If anyone has any suggestions for a book like this, but for younger children please reply. Thank you!
Sarah says
This is not exactly a story book, but a must-read for any parent who wants to teach what used to be called “catechism” to their children. If any child is to change the world, especially as a Christian, they must understand the theology of their faith.
http://www.christianbook.com/truths-young-hearts-teaching-learning-greatness/bruce-ware/9781433506017/pd/506017?en=google-pla&kw=family-0-20&p=1167941&gclid=CMa23IGf6LUCFQWFnQodl0QA4A
Melinda C. says
We are big book lovers at our house and believe that through books our children can make a difference in the world by serving the Lord: This book helped us to find many of these wonderful books: Read for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson
1) Five Minute Devotionals for children by Pamela Kennedy
2) To Face a Panther by Ruth K. Hobbs
3) All of the Mooki books by Kari Smalley Gibson and her dad Gary
4) The Children’s Book of Virtues by William Bennett
5) The Treasure Tree (one of my kids favorites!)
6) A Child’s First Steps to Virtues by Emily Hunter (this is a wonderful book to begin reading to your children by age 2, this was my daughters favorite book for long time, it has so many good little stories and poems that remind little ones how and when to be polite and also has many reminders to obey their parents, it also has many other good lessons in it that children can easily remember)
7) Henners Lydia by Maruerite De Angeli ( My 5 year old daughters new favorite)
I hope this list blesses you all! I have more book suggestions and will post again soon.
Debi says
Devotional Stories for Little Folks is a wonderful collection of stories about developing good character traits. A must read!!
Anne Marie @ The Oklahoma Texan says
My kiddo is only 17-months, so our books are pretty simplistic. But in addition to fostering a love for Jesus, I want him to love the animals God made and understand that we have a responsibility to take care of them. We’ve been reading Broadway Barks by Bernadette Peters. It’s about a dog who was abandoned, but he got a new home through Broadway Barks. My son LOVES our cats and the neighbors’ dogs, so he’s been really engaged in this book.
Kim says
I just finished reading ‘Leaving Microsoft to Change the World.’ More of an adult book, but there are stories of kids who held fund raisers, sold items, etc. to raise money. I found it very inspiring that this guy wouldn’t let any excuse get in the way of him achieving his goal (because there is always a reason to not do the hard work 🙂 ).
Amy says
“Miss Rumphius” by Barbara Cooney! Her illustrations are gorgeous, and it’s such a fantastic story about making the world a better place.
Crystal says
Love that book!
Jaimee says
This is my first blog comment ever but just had to post when I recognized the author, Andy Andrews. I recently read his book The Heart Mender and could not put it down. It’s a must read! I’ll be purchasing this book for my nephew based on the author alone (and your recommendation of course). 🙂
Crystal says
I’m so excited to read some of his other books soon, too!
kay says
I was privileged to hear Andy Andrews speak a few years ago and loved his way of weaving true life stories into his message. I bought this book for my children, because I loved the message. I also read it at my children’s school for two of the classes this year during open reading time! It is my favorite children’s book!
Katie L says
I love Janet & Geoff Benge’s biographies. I like reading stories to my children of real people who were faithful, wherever they were, wherever God called them.
Victoria says
My children are older than yours but they loved Beth Gukenburger’s book “Tales of The Not Forgotten’ about the power of orphan children. Also “Live to Give” by Austin Gutwein was hugely inspiring for my two boys, it was all about one boy their age who is changing lives of the poor in Africa .