Dr. Lilla McManis Top 5 Favorite Kiddies Stories
As a psychologist, educator, and child development specialist, and as part of the Kiddies expert team, I’ve had the privilege of exploring the rich and beautifully crafted story collection at Kiddies. Each story offers young children a meaningful opportunity to grow emotionally, socially, and cognitively - through a simple yet powerful tool: storytelling. With a cast of strong role model characters, the stories help children connect, reflect, and learn through characters they can truly relate to.
Out of the many stories I admire, I’ve selected five that stood out to me on a personal level. These stories reflect core values that I hold dear and deliver them in a way that is gentle, accessible, and deeply touching. I’m excited to share my top picks - and the reasons why each one earned a special place on my favorites list:
When Changes Found Faith
Part of being human is that those we love do not stay with us forever. Being able to cope can be supported by realizing that opening our hearts to new love does not mean we forget those we have loved. In the story, “When Change Found Faith,” this topic of Coping with Change is addressed sensitively and positively for kids ages 5 to 7, as Faith loses her beloved goldfish but learns to open her heart to a new pet. This story takes them through how Faith feels sad and empty, but when her parents suggest getting another pet, Faith is resistant. Her parents help her come to understand that the capacity for love is limitless. It is helpful for children to see how Faith feels her heart shift, ultimately making room for a shelter puppy, and how she can love just as much, but differently. Using the loss of a pet as the context, this message can help children with many kinds of loss.
Together We Can
A second story about Cooperation and Friendship finds Faith and her brother being asked by their mom to clean up after playtime. As the siblings look around after a happy, fun day of play, they begin to see just how daunting this is. This is a situation that many young children face, particularly siblings, and often the task devolves into squabbling, blaming, or kids getting overwhelmed and emotional. To add to the stress, parents get frustrated and annoyed. In the story “Together We Can,” Faith, however, comes up with a plan, and this is that they can work together. This story gives preschoolers concrete examples as Faith and Brother go through several rounds, with blocks, puzzles, toys, and games being put in their proper place. It shows how teamwork can generate feelings of pride and make a relationship more rewarding, not just between the two siblings, but with their mother who is understandably delighted.
Sam Solves the Day
Children face a number of situations each day where they are challenged and have to solve a problem for things to work out. In the story on Thinking and Problem-Solving, “Sam Solves the Day”, children go along a day in the life with Sam as he faces common problems that are relatable to 5 to 7-year-olds. From being unable to find toys, to broken crayons, outside plans ruined by rain, and more, Sam must find a solution. Many times, Sam feels stuck, but his parents give him tips, advice, guidance, and encouragement. Young children will see that being patient and calm can help one solve these problems. Further, that when one has accomplished this, the feelings of being strong, brave, and proud are as much a reward as untangling those pesky knotted shoelaces!
The Magic of Trying Again
Mistakes are a way for young children to learn, but making mistakes can feel more like one is not competent. These hard feelings are tackled for preschoolers in “The Magic of Trying Again” around Thinking and Problem Solving. Young Gaia is excited to paint at school, but when she chooses a large, wide brush, the paint colors begin to run together, and she feels it is a mess. On top of that, so is the floor! Her teacher helps her understand that different brushes give different results. Being resilient means trying again. Gaia does just this, learning to solve her problem with a much better outcome by using a smaller brush. The story ends with the message that Gaia feels good about herself and understands the role of mistakes. This story helps children understand and begin to internalize this crucially important message.
Red and Blue Make Something New
In the story of Cooperation and Friendship “Red and Blue Make Something New,” Gaia and Lia are building a block tower and begin to argue over which color block should crown the top. This story for 3 to 4-year-olds addresses the common situation of two friends who cannot agree during playtime, making it very relatable to children. As they tussle to have their color block go on top, the tower tumbles, and the girls begin to cry. Their teacher encourages them to find a way to cooperate. The girls decide to use both colors in a pattern, and the final result is even better. More importantly, so is their friendship! Kids this age can become entrenched in having things their way. This can make the situation tense. It also undermines friendship, which has the hallmark of being equitable. As young children may not be able to see an alternative, this story gives them an opportunity to learn how to cooperate, and by doing so, to strengthen their peer relationships.
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These five stories stayed with me because they speak to real challenges children face and offer gentle, effective ways to navigate them.
They don’t just tell a story; they build skills, spark reflection, and support growth.
I hope they inspire meaningful moments between you and the children in your life.
Sometimes, a simple story can open the door to lasting change.
