Browse our Bookshelf:
Books Chosen by our Departments
Books Chosen by our Employee Advisory Groups
Books About Care, Learning and Teaching
Books Written by Bright Horizons Senior Leadership
Books Chosen by Our Departments
Chosen by our College Coach team :
When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi
We selected this book because it is beautifully written with a powerful story about loss, resilience and the beauty of education and inquiry.
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten - Robert Fulghum
Although read many years ago this book sticks with readers. It is the basics of humanity, how to treat one another – especially in light of current times. This book reminds us of how we should treat our customers and provide great service.
Chosen by our EdAssist Team:
Chosen by our Finance Team:
Llama Llama Red Pajama - Anna Dewdney
Because even when Mama LLAMA isn’t physically there, she is ALWAYS there!
I Picked Him - a Nick and Emerson Story - Thomas J. Torrington
This book tells a story about acceptance and differences. Everyone is different in their own way and understanding and valuing those differences can bring you great joy.
Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole - Lewis Carroll
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - Sheryl Sandberg
This book was selected because it initiated a much needed global debate about women and leadership in 2013. Lean In has become a catchphrase associated with empowering women.
The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
As The Little Prince, we look beneath the surface to understand better the world of Bright Horizons, its processes, technology and most importantly its people. Our aspiration is to be open minded, imaginative and aware of and sensitive to the diversity around us. We are committing to identifying risks for the organization and creating innovative solutions. We are here to support everyone and every team and solve problems in order to achieve positive outcomes for all.
Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
It’s a story of growth and transformation much like our department over the years!
Curious George Saves His Pennies - H.A. Rey
Our work includes keeping track of the company’s money and we are all kids at heart.
Chosen by our Human Resources Team:
All Are Welcome - Alexandra Penfold
This story is about a school where--no matter what-children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated, just like our Home Office.
We Can’t Talk About That At Work - Mary Francis
Growing Each Other Up - When Our Children Become The Teachers Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
Everyday Bias - Howard Ross
The Last Stop on Market Street - Matt de la Pena
The Foundation team submits “The Last Stop on Market Street” as our department book. This touching children’s story tells the story of CJ and his grandma riding the city bus to the local soup kitchen at the end of the bus line. Along the way, they encounter many friends. CJ has many questions, each answered with an encouraging response from grandma, who helps him see the beauty, and fun, in their routine and the world around them. Throughout the ride, people are celebrated for their own unique, and sometimes unexpected contributions to the community of the bus riders. The Foundation, which prides itself on providing opportunities to each Bright Horizons employee to contribute in their own unique ways to their communities, sees this story as a lovely expression of its own mission.
Rosie Revere Engineer - Andrea Beaty
The story teaches a lot about perseverance. It also plays with an attitude about success: that failures are only bumps in the road, a way to improve and learn. Amidst the funny illustrations, there’s a severe and heartfelt message; embrace the process of learning and invention, of mistakes and failures, but never give up, never give in.
The Little Engine That Could Watty Piper Although our team is small we are mighty and have a can-do attitude. We are always happy to step in and help any other team that needs us and can push any task up the hill and across the finish line.
Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White
The HRSC team chose Charlotte’s Web, a story about farm animals that deal with some serious and challenging situations but in a fun and silly way – the HRSC team supports one another and has fun while at the same time handles some very tough employee situations. They are not ordinary, they are terrific!
What Color is Your Parachute 2020 - Richard N. Bolles
This is the classic book on job searching/ career changes updated for modern times and of course near and dear to the hearts of the BH corporate TA team
Dare to Lead - Brené Brown
This leadership book encompasses BH’s leadership philosophy of leading with HEART by creating environments of trust, leaning into empathy, and understanding that being clear means being kind.
On the Pulse of Morning - Maya Angelou
Ms. Angelou’s work is about change, inclusion, and responsibility, and we feel this speaks to what we as HRBPs strive to embody and achieve each day.
Harold and the Purple Crayon - Crockett Johnson
Harold and the Purple Crayon shows us what we can accomplish when we accept the power that we have to create our world. It’s a story about the art of possibility and the incredible things that happen at the intersection of imagination and reality. Harold begins his journey with a clear vision and purpose, and he’s flexible, mindful, and persistent all along the way. For our team, the book is a reflection of some of our better characteristics as well as a reminder of how we do our best work. Plus it’s a classic of children’s literature.
Chosen by our IT Team:
COBIT2019 – Introduction & Methodology - ISACA
My team members work to ensure IT controls and best practices are designed and operating effectively across Bright Horizons.
The Very Hungary Caterpillar - Eric Carle
The story resonates with either our team's childhood or that of their children
How Computers Work; The Evolution of Technology - Ron White
I found this to be an essential read for children as introductory knowledge into the technology of computers. This is a great tool for parents trying to develop an interest in computers among younger and older kids.
Mighty, Mighty Construction Site Sherri - Duskey Rinker
This book is a terrific representation for my team because it focuses on teamwork and getting more done with the team than could be done individually. Plus the book is about construction which is similar to application development.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - Ken Kesey
There are many themes in the book but we chose it for its themes of Individualism vs Pressure to Conform. The book also underscores the importance of expressing your true nature and overcoming the false information portrayed by leaders. We felt that in these times it was important to echo these ideas.
Focus. The Hidden Driver of Excellence - Daniel Goleman
A big part of our work is focus. To deliver high quality software we need to make sure we focus on requirements, given software, data, communication, business, and end user. Being able to focus on these makes us big advocates of software that brings excellence to people’s personal life, work life, company success, and world of information technology overall.
The Unicorn Project - a novel about developers, digital disruption and thriving in the age of data. - Gene Kim
We chose this book because it felt whimsical and childlike, yet best represented how our team partners across the business to work collaboratively and in an innovative manner to support the children and communities we serve.
The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage - Cliff Stoll
A grad student followed up on a 75 cent accounting error and ended up uncovering a Soviet spy ring that was hacking into the US Military’s computers. Protecting Bright Horizons against cyberattacks means constant vigilance and excellence exemplified by Cliff Stoll did against the KGB’s hackers
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell
The way Gladwell has examined the factors, both cultural and circumstantial, that contribute to high levels of success in a specific trade has truly been remarkable for me.
Chosen by Our Legal Team:
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff Richard Carlson
The title itself it self-explanatory
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
“Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.”
Chosen by our Marketing Team:
Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
A main message of the book is about embracing vulnerability and having the courage to strive for something or try something new, knowing that you may fail or what you do may not be perfect. Innovation and creativity stem from vulnerability and as growth marketers we have to dare greatly as we sit on the leading edge of driving change that results in growth.
Stone Soup - Jon J. Muth
We’re All In This Together - Mike Robbin
Harold and the Purple Crayon - Crockett Johnson
Harold creates an amazing adventure through storytelling and imagination with only a single crayon. Our team often takes one spark of an idea and magically transforms our own little “dimensional worlds” into one with endless possibility.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink
We chose this book because it is about learning what motivates people, and harnessing that passion to transform what we do
Never Die Easy - Autobiography of Walter Payton
The enduring spirit and life lesson to never give up no matter how difficult or uncomfortable the journey may be. Just one of my favorite quotes: “It's okay to lose, to die, but don't die without trying, without giving it your absolute best”
Chosen by our Communications Team:
Dare to Lead - Brené Brown
In all the ways we communicate with our Bright Horizons family, we are guided by the beliefs that “clear is kind” and that “daring leaders are never silent about hard things
AP Stylebook - Associated Press and Norm Goldstein
As communication professionals, we love to tell the stories of our brand, our clients and our culture – all with proper grammar and style.
Chosen by our Operations Team:
I Love you More - Laura Duksta
A story for all ages on the potential in each of us and how we can each change the world in our own unique ways.
The Chosen - Chaim Potok
I love his writing and the book is filled with emotional and at times painful lessons
What Do You Do With a Problem? - Kobi Yamada
The Business Operations & Strategy team is made up of problem solvers. We help Bright Horizons see problems not as things to be afraid of or to ignore, but as opportunities to learn and grow.
Wherever you go - Pat Zielow Miller
This book was chosen because of all the places the Field Directors go, all the people they meet, all the things they see, and the difference they can all make (wherever they go).
Iggy Peck, Architect - Andrea Beaty
Many team members have young children and it was very popular. I also like that it empowers young girls.
Mind in the Making - Ellen Galinsky
We choose this book for two reasons. One, the title reminds us all that our minds, our brains are something to develop and grow throughout life. Humans have a lifelong capacity for learning and change, and we are committed to supporting that in all of our work. And, two, it brings together numerous research studies and explains the practical implications and applications in easy to understand language. And this is what the work of the Education Department truly is: putting research into practice in ways that are sensible, realistic, effective, and always putting the child or learner first.
Chosen by our team in the Netherlands
De magische wereld van het kind - Selma Fraiberg
Selma Fraiberg A wonderful book; a description of the first 6 years of a child's life.
Chosen by our team in the UK
Good to Great - Jim Collins
This is a book that I first read when leading a group of nurseries called kidsunlimited. The group was successfully acquired by Bright Horizons in 2013, and the lessons from each chapter have remained with me ever since. These principles for building upon Good to create a Great company are still very relevant today
Chosen by our team in India
My Mother's Sari - Sandhya Rao
Books Chosen by our Employee Advisory Groups:
The autobiography of Martin Luther King - Martin Luthur King Jr.
Where Do We go from Here Chaos or Community - Martin Luthur King Jr.
And Still I Rise - Maya Angelou
I Know Why The Cage Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
One - Kathryn Otoshi
I Am Enough - Grace Byers
Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians - Jane Hyun
I am Malala - Malala
Orange Peel’s Pocket - Rose A. Lewis and Grace Zong
Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child - Telaina Eriksen
Raising Nuestros Ninos: Bringing Up Latino Children in a Bicultural World - Gloria Rodriguez
All Around Us - Xelena González illustrated by Adriana M Garcia
Where Wonder Grows - Xelena González illustrated by Adriana M Garcia
Song for a Whale - Lynne Kelly
Go High: The Unstoppable Presence and Poise of Michelle Obama - M. Sweeney
Becoming - Michelle Obama
Men Who Teach Young Children: An International Perspective - David Brody
Call Me MISTER: The Re-Emergence of African American Male Teachers in South Carolina - Roy Jones and Aretta Jenkins
Mr. Wolf's Class - Aron Nels Steinke
We Can’t Talk About That At Work - Mary Francis
Growing Each Other Up- When Our Children Become The Teachers - Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
Everyday Bias - Howard Ross
Books on Caring, Teaching and Learning
Books on Elder Care:
Caring for Aging Parents: The Complete Family Guide - Hugh Delahanty, Elinor Ginzler, and Mary Pipher
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss - Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
How to Care for Aging Parents: A One-Stop Resource for all your Medical, Financial, Housing, and Emotional Issues - Virginia Morris and Jennie Chin Hansen
Books on Teaching:
From Teaching to Thinking - Ann Pelo and Margie Carter
Doing the Right Thing for Children, Eight Qualities of Leadership - Maurice Sykes
Powerful Interactions - Amy Laura Dombro,Judy Jabion, Charlotte Stetson
Einstein Never Used Flashcards - Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D., with Diane Eyer, Ph.D.
Really Seeing Children - Deb Curtis
Taking Back Childhood - Nancy Carlson Paige
Reflecting Children’s Lives - Deb Curtis and Margie Carter
The Gardener and the Carpenter - Alison Gopnik
Mindset - Carol Dweck
The Learning and Development Book - Tricia Emerson, Mary Stewart
Making Thinking Visible - Ron Ritchhart, March Church, Karin Morrison (Project Zero)
The Hundred Languages of Children - Carolyn Edwards, Lella Gandini, George Forman
Developmentally Appropriate Practice - Carol Copple and Sue Bredekamp
Books on Adult Learning:
The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species - Malcom Knowles
Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice - Sharan B. Merriam
Books by Senior Leadership:
The Working Mother’s Guide to Life: Strategies, Secrets, and Solutions - Linda Mason
The Essential Conversation: What Parents and Teachers can Learn From Each Other - Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
Balm in Gilead: Journey of a Healer - Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
The New Rules of College Admissions - Stephen Kramer and Michael London
Rice, Rivalry, and Politics - Roger Brown and Linda Mason
Caring Spaces, Learning Places - Jim Greenman
Prime Times - Jim Greenman
Beginners are Brave - Rachel Robertson
When You Just Have to Roar - Rachel Robertson
A Teacher’s Promise - Rachel Robertson
Moving On: How to Make the Transition from College to the Real World - Jessie Fein
The Laidoff Ninja - Craig Brown and Javed Ikbal
