The Value of Compassion: The Story of Florence Nightingale

In this installment of the ValueTales series, Ann Donegan Johnson teaches us compassion through the life of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). The book introduces us to young Florence, a British girl who loved to take care of sick animals. As she grew older, Florence began visiting and helping sick people who lived near her home. When Florence was older, she became a nurse and was horrified by the poor conditions in hospitals. She devoted the rest of her life to developing better nursing practices and improving hospital conditions. Like other books in the ValueTales series, this book uses a real-life person to exemplify an important value. It is suitable for reading by children in the later elementary school grades. A "Historical Facts" section at the book's end summarizes Nightingale's life in a single-page bio form suitable for adults. Closing quote: "Through her caring and compassion, Florence Nightingale changed a great many lives. Ordinary soldiers were treated decently and live longer, healthier lives; hospitals were no longer places one went to die, but to get better; nursing became the honored profession that it is today--all thanks to the beautiful `lady with the lamp.'" (p. 62)