Introduce Your Kids to Authors in Nashville

This Saturday is the 2nd Books, Authors and Publishers Fair at the Nashville Fairgrounds! Introduce your kids to authors, the love of reading and a fun filled day of activities! Check it out here.

Characters of Character NFP will be there with Miss Joni and her new book series, Come Learn with Me and at Booth #6 and we'd love for you to stop by! Our organizations mission is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values and the nine animal characters do just that, providing stories and activity books which engage, empower and impact our children and youth into conversations and lessons on what good character means.

Joni had the opportunity to Pilot the characters in the elementary school she worked at and they earned a National Promising Practice Award. This had her thinking that a nonprofit organization would reach more children to teach them these nine vital core values. While this was true, she held Mommy and Me Painting classes in the communities back in Illinois, soon Covid appeared and things shifted. Here, she discovered the need and importance for children and youth to have positive activities they could call their own should they need to be in the hospital. Shortly after that, a grant from the Nashville Predators allowed Characters of Character NFP to donate the Superhero boxes to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Seeing the impact there the boxes were soon donated to East Tennessee (Dolly Parton) Children's Hospital, the Rainbow Clinic, Power and Grace Prep. Academy and social workers in Clarksville. This led to donations to the YMCA in Robertson County, Rutherford County and East Nashville and was soon followed by donations to the Fort Campbell Army Base.

What began as hand drawn posters, journals and bulletin boards with all the characters, has now evolved into a book series and activity boxes. Learn more about the Superhero boxes here.

Meet the characters and introduce them to your children or students to help them be grounded in good character today.

* Behavior Bear

* Do'er Duck

* Friendship Frog

* Healthy Hippo

* Manners Monkey

* Respectful Rabbit

* Responsible Rabbit

* Self-esteem Elephant

* Warm-Hearted Walrus

Children need to learn vital core values because these values help guide how they think, act, and treat others throughout life. Strong character skills are just as important as academic skills because they shape friendships, decision making, confidence, and better coping skills.

Some of the most important reasons children need core values include:

Some of the most important reasons children need core values include:

• Builds good decision-making
  Values like honesty, responsibility, and respect help children make positive choices at school, at home, and in their community.
• Strengthens friendships and social skills
  Learning kindness, empathy, manners, and friendship teaches children how to cooperate, communicate, and build healthy relationships.
• Encourages confidence and self-esteem
  When children learn perseverance, responsibility, and self-respect, plus, they begin to believe in themselves and feel proud of their efforts.
• Creates safer and more caring communities
  Teaching respect, kindness, and civic values helps children understand the importance of helping others, following rules, and being good citizens.
• Helps children handle challenges
  Core values like perseverance, patience, and self control help children overcome setbacks, solve problems, and keep trying when things become difficult.
• Supports emotional and mental wellness
  Positive character traits encourage healthier emotions, stronger coping skills, and better relationships with peers and adults.
• Prepares children for the future
  Employers, teachers, coaches, and communities value people who are dependable, respectful, hardworking, and compassionate.
• Reduces bullying and negative behaviors
  Teaching children kindness, empathy, and respect can help create more understanding and inclusive environments.
• Builds lifelong habits
  The values children practice early often become lifelong habits that influence adulthood, parenting, leadership, and community involvement.

Let's make our communities stronger in good character, together!

Miss Joni and Team Characters