The Principled attribute of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile emphasizes integrity, honesty, and fairness. Principled learners uphold strong moral values, advocate for justice, respect others’ rights, and take responsibility for their actions. In practice, they challenge injustice, promote inclusivity, and engage in ethical discussions. By embracing this attribute, students grow into responsible global citizens who make thoughtful, ethical decisions that positively impact their communities.
The books listed here each delivers themes that resonate with being principled by demonstrating integrity, fairness, respect for diversity, accountability, and cooperation. Through engaging narratives, they encourage learners to reflect on their values and actions in relation to others, fostering a sense of ethical responsibility that aligns with being principled.
The Way Chaps Play by Naomi Osaka
This book explores themes of sportsmanship and fair play. Naomi Osaka, the Japanese professional tennis player who has been ranked world No. 1 in singles, emphasizes the importance of integrity in competition, showcasing how players should respect their opponents and follow the rules. The narrative encourages young readers to value honesty and fairness in sports, reinforcing that winning is not everything if it comes at the expense of ethical behavior.
Written by Naomi Osaka, Illustrated by Kamala Nair
2022, HarperCollins
ISBN: 97800632836880
Red by Jan De Kinder
The book discusses how actions can have significant impacts on others, and aligns with the principle of taking responsibility for one’s actions and promoting fairness within social interactions. Red takes readers through topics on bullying, empathy, and moral courage. The story follows a girl who struggles with the choice between following the crowd or standing up for a classmate being teased. It highlights the importance of compassion, accountability, and taking a stand against injustice. Red can be used as a valuable conversation starter about ethical behavior, encouraging students to act with integrity and fairness in their everyday lives.
Written by Jan De Kinder
2015, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780802854469
Who Did This by K.T. Hao
In Who Did This?, K.T. Hao from Taiwan talks about honesty, accountability, and respect. The story follows Ben as he faces the consequences of a mistake and learns the importance of taking responsibility. Through his journey of owning up to his actions and respecting others, particularly his mother, Ben exemplifies key values such as integrity and fairness. The book encourages us to embrace accountability and practice honesty in our relationships, fostering ethical decision-making in our everyday situation.
Will Ben face the consquence bravely? (Image: Books.com.tw)
Written by K.T. Hao, Illustrated by Poly Bernatene
2008, Purple Bear Books
ISBN: 9781933327327
The Prince Who Hated Green Caterpillars by Huang Yi-Wen
Image source: bol
Go away, big green caterpillars!! (Image: Books.com.tw)
The story begins with the prince who struggles with prejudice toward green caterpillars. Through his interactions with the caterpillars, he discovers that diversity enriches the world around him. This respect for differences is a cornerstone of principled behavior, promoting acceptance and inclusivity. Furthermore, as he learns to see beyond his initial feelings, he embodies the principle of fairness by recognizing that all creatures deserve consideration and kindness. The transformation highlights the importance of challenging biases and embracing differences, promoting a message of inclusivity, fairness, and accountability. The story helps students to reflect on their own attitudes and cultivate ethical behavior by understanding diverse perspectives.
The Prince Who Hated Green Caterpillars (Chinese/ English Translation)
Written by Huang Yi-Wen, #NameTheTranslator Helen Wang
2022, CommonWealth Education
ISBN: 9786263053687
How We Share Cake by Kim Hyo-Eun
This book is about fairness, cooperation, and ethical sharing. The story follows five siblings as they work together to divide a cake equally, emphasizing fairness, empathy, and respect. The story cleverly integrates mathematical concepts to demonstrate how thoughtful decision-making can lead to fair outcomes. Through teamwork and understanding, the children learn the importance of sharing resources responsibly, fostering a sense of integrity and respect in their relationships. This book provides valuable lessons on ethics and cooperation with a flair of mathematics.
Written by Kim Hyo-Eun, #NameTheTranslator Deborah Smith
2024, Scribble US
ISBN: 9781957363851
Bibliography
‘我不是故意的（三版）’. 博客來, https://www.books.com.tw/products/0010914294. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
‘討厭綠色毛毛蟲的王子(小小思考家5)’. 博客來, https://www.books.com.tw/products/0010941862. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
Eleanor Duggan is a passionate children’s book reader, a storytelling enchantress, an aspiring globetrotter, a part-time book crafter, and an impassioned foodie who is a cooking disaster. She is more known as an international school teacher-librarian, Founding Chair of the Toucan Award, and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She is a Taiwanese with a Belgian soul and is currently enjoying her life as a citizen of the world with her daughter and their 2 one-of-a kind cats. You may find her via The Third Culture Librarian
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