Over the past month, at every Ilori Educational Program “playshop” with the children of La Carpio, we have been using Wise Heart Books’ Smart Values Series. Each book contains an important message for children, such as building a strong and healthy body or cultivating positive thoughts and habits, or developing love for oneself and the world around them. Therefore, we have created group and individual activities centered around the values presented in the books.
In addition to inspiring and educating readers, as well as promoting literacy among the children, every sale of a Wise Heart Book generates funding for our Ilori Children’s Educational Program in La Carpio. 
We have been using Wise Heart Books’ Smart Values Series, which is a collection of five delightful stories that help children understand the positive and transformative nature of good values. Each story describes how certain values – such as generosity, cleanliness, and honesty – can change us for the better.
About Annie the Ant:
Annie the Ant is having a hard time watching over her friends, Lazy and Hasty. Lazy never wants to work hard like the other ants in the colony, and Hasty is always getting into trouble because she always leaps before she thinks. When Annie and her friends are endangered by a cat, the two wayward ants have a chance to change themselves and save the day.
The kids read Annie the Ant together, followed by a facilitated group discussion about the values of hard work, patience, and cooperation. In order to make sure the kids understood the message, they were asked to re-create the story as a drama and did some accompanying art work.
About Manny the Mouse:
After losing his tail to the baker’s cat, Manny the mouse quickly learns the consequences of stealing flour from the bakery. In this delightful and twisted tale of a tail, the mouse learns the importance of respecting what belongs to others.
The kids read Manny the Mouse together, followed by a facilitated group discussion about why stealing is wrong. They played “pin the tail” on Manny the Mouse and even made character masks, which they used to act out scenes from the story.
They just started reading Captain Grimy, who happens to be the dirtiest, most miserable, one-legged sea captain in the world, who likes nothing better than to pollute the seas. There is a lot to learn from Captain Grimy’s story, lessons about the importance of personal hygiene as well as respect for our environment.
Other books in the Smart Values Series include:
The Magic Bucket
The Wise Woman of the Mountain
Please make sure to check out our FaceBook page for videos and photos of these playshops with the children!
You too, can use Wise Heart Books to teach values to your children and know that each sale is a tangible way to support our Ilori Children’s Educational Programs in La Carpio!
By the way, Happy Semana Santa to all!
WWD-F/Bien de Mujer 