First published 1996
William Bennett opens this anthology with a simple premise: stories shape character. He draws from fables, myths, historical accounts, and literature to create a collection aimed at moral instruction. Parents and teachers will find tales organized around ten core virtues including courage, responsibility, honesty, and compassion. Each section contains dozens of selections ranging from Aesop's fables to excerpts from great works of literature. Bennett provides brief introductions that explain how each story demonstrates its featured virtue. The collection spans cultures and centuries, offering everything from ancient parables to more recent moral tales. Teachers can use these stories in classrooms while parents read them aloud at home. The book serves as both a practical resource for character education and a treasury of memorable stories that children will carry into adulthood.
Genres: classics, philosophy, anthologies, education, non-fiction
Vibes: educational, inspirational, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, moral-lessons
Unbound · Simon & Schuster