26 lessons from children's books that still apply to me in adulthood.

1.     Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes.

Trying new things is the best way to dispel fears.

2. Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood.

You are what you eat.

3.     Fanny’s Dream by Caralyn Buehner

Sometimes Prince Charming wears overalls and ends up being your best friend.

4.     The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I didn’t realize as a child that my parents were the tree. It’s time for gratitude before I take everything the tree has to offer.

5.  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I’m still Edmund, and I still need the Atonement of Jesus Christ… every single day.

6. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. 

Life requires balance. If you pile on too many priorities, eventually you'll get alphabet soup.

7. The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone

Sometimes there’s actually nothing to be scared of.

8.     Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

The title alone.

9.     You Are Special by Max Lucado

The Woodcarver's opinion is the only one that matters. 

10. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

It’s still rude to interrupt class with your toys.

11. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

There are always two sides to every story.

12. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and The Boxcar Children by Gertrude C. Warner

Family is the set of friends that you get to grow up and grow old with. They will take care of you and be there for you no matter what.

13. The Polar Express

It’s like my mom says: “If you don’t believe, you don’t receive”

14. Mandy by Julie (Andrews) Edwards 

Even the most obscure things have the potential to be beautiful.

15. The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen

Sometimes the problems that you toss and turn over at night seem to resolve themselves in the morning.

16. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

The world would be a dreary place without books.

17. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Love is thinking of the other person. 

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I would never have to live a day without you.”

18. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Never underestimate your unique influence.

19. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Your Cinderella story has just as much to do with your character as your circumstances do.

20. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Sometimes feelings are difficult to describe.

21. Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch

No matter how grown up you feel, your parents will always love you like you're a kid.

22. The BFG by Roald Dahl

  Dreams should be kept in jars. That being said, write things down or you’ll forget them!

23. The Kissing Hand

The first day is always a little scary.

24. Holes

Going back to your roots can shape and save your future… 
oh yeah, and digging holes builds character.

25. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

You always have a choice.

26. Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan and The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Sometimes the quiet courage to perservere is the most heroic thing.