Fill a Bucket: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Young Children

My sons school began introducing them to the "bucket" concept at the start of his Kindergarten year. In hearing him calling my younger son a "bucketdipper" I was curious as any mother would be as to what was being taught in the school. Well, in ordering two other books of the series I learned that everyone has a "bucket" this bucket we walk around with isn't visavle but the effects of our bucket are extremely visible. When you do exhibit kindness you are filling up someone's bucket as well as your own now the same concept works in emptying out a bucket. In acting unkind or hurtful you not only empty someone else's bucket you also empty your bucket. It is shown that those will full buckets are more likely to fill buckets and those whose buckets are empty or nearby empty rend to empty out others. This is an important lessson for children and adults to learn and a book that transfers amongst all ages. I highly recommend this book and other bucket books for children and adults alike.

Our Church took part in a Missouri Statewide event called "Serve 2011" where all Methodist's were asked to go into their communities and serve them. The group I was in went to our local public library to read a story to a group of children and do a craft with them afterwards. This book was perfect! It spoke of kindness to others, manners, self-esteem yet there was nothing "religious" in nature. Being a church group it's difficult to have an impact but not mention "God". The age group we had was 3-8. The book was written well and we were able to draw all the different aged children into the story by asking them questions relating to the book during the reading.Afterwards we had them create "buckets" out of the soft foam you can purchase in craft stores. We had stickers for them to decorate their buckets and we used pipe cleaners for the handles. The children had such fun with this...several of them made their own buckets and then asked if they could use the materials to make another one for someone they loved.I highly recommend this for any group of children. It would also be a cute idea for a birthday party activity, a Sunday school class, a Day Care center activity etc.

I purchased this book for my granddaughters, 3 years and 5 years old. The 3 year old has always been a Mommy's girl much to Daddy's chagrin. But, after reading Fill a Bucket, she decided to fill Daddy's bucket. She sat next to him at dinner, crawled on his lap after dinner, and requested that he be the one to tuck her in bed that night. Needless to say, Daddy was THRILLED!! He is now much more affectionate toward her. He has begun to fill her bucket, and she is continuing to fill his bucket every day. What a delightful way to explain kindness to a young child. She has learned that as a result of her kindness, she is receiving kindness in return.My daughter helped the girls make paper buckets for each member of the family to put on the bulletin board. Every time they are kind to someone, they add a star or heart to the buckets. They enjoy seeing their "kindnesses" add up and over flow the buckets.

I love this book and all things associated with the FILL A BUCKET program. It can be used in school, church, camp, etc. settings. It teaches such a good lesson. This is the book for the younger set but there are also other books I believe. I used this book in Bible School last summer and the kids were mesmerized. Before the night was over, I heard one of the kids using the lesson we had learned from it. As I read the book to them, I got teary eyed because the message is such a sweet and important one. I wish that all parents and teachers would purchase and use this book. All of us...both adults and children...should try each day to fill each others' buckets, rather than dip from them. I highly recommend this book. You can also sign up online for the FILL A BUCKET newsletter that has some great ideas.

After a conversation with friends about gentle discipline I bought a copy of "Fill A Bucket". It is the prequel to "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" The book starts with the following:"The day you were born was a very happy day. It was your birthday, a day you celebrate every year. You were a new person and a special gift. You received a gift too--your very own name, a name as special as you. What is your name?"Unfortunately the day of my son's birth was also a day of grief--he was born with a cleft palate in a poor part of the world and was given up for adoption at three days old, about the time his family would have realized that he would never be able to nurse and would likely die without help they couldn't afford. If he was given a name by his birth family we don't know what it was. It may be a non-issue for him but it may be a big deal, and I won't know for many years which way he will go. I have decided it is not in our best interest to use this book.

This book is fantastic and I enjoy reading it to my son. He has always been a bit on the grumpier side (since birth!) and I hoped this would encourage him to understand that being nicer to others is important and that it will also help him to feel good and happy. I am so grateful because this book really has made a difference. He is so happy after I read it to him and later when he's being grumpy with us I'll remind him about filling buckets and he really turns his mood around. Who knows if it will keep up, but I'm happy for any help!

This book is a great life application for 4 yrs and up! After reading to my four yr old, and discussing "connections" we have with the story...she came up with examples of how she could fill other people's buckets. It really stuck with her, as she has made a noticeable effort to do extra little things like getting a glass of water for dad who is sick with a cold, all on her own accord! I recommend this for anyone with a niece, nephew, grandchild, son/daughter, friend with a child, to give as a gift because it will keep on giving. I plan to add this to my list of "must gives". I am a school librarian, and would also add this to our collection and recommend to teachers.

Used in my year 3 class as a behaviour management strategy. Children responded really well to it, and also some lovely resources online to go with it. They all made their own buckets as well which they loved!

My nephews are very pleased with this book. It made for interesting discussion at story time and I think it will make a lasting impression. The book arrived quickly and in good condition.

This book is great for teaching kindness and can be found in most children’s centres and nurseries these days

An intangible concept cleverly explained, but it is a bit 'wordy' which creates confusion with little ones. Should have more positive examples of bucket filling instead of focusing on the negative.

Excellent book! I love the message of respect for the others,of the importance of showing your feelings to the others.It's a must have for children and grown ups.