My Character Check

02/17/2026

Yesterday on Presidents’ Day, I shared an essay titled “George Washington by George W. Bush: For a Leader, Humility is the Ultimate Strength.”

In it, George W. Bush shares this about George Washington:

“As a boy, he schooled himself in the ‘gentlemanly arts’ by copying the 110 maxims from Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, which shaped his character for the rest of his life.”

Isn’t that powerful?

Before Washington became a president, he became a person of character.

You can read and vote for your favorite maxim here through George Washington's Mount Vernon:
The Rules of Civility | George Washington's Mount Vernon
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/rules-of-civility?page=0

I truly believe we have never needed more conversations between parents and kids about good character than we do today.

That’s why I wrote My Character Check — to help families spark meaningful conversations that build responsibility, empathy, and self-reflection.

If you’d like to support this mission, you can find the book at:
https://www.mycharactercheck.com or on Amazon.

Let’s keep raising good humans.

George Washington's Rules of Civility

02/16/2026

Jean Detrick Smarto, Author Jean Smarto

Jean Detrick Smarto and Author Jean Smarto - Sharing today's post celebrating President's Day and America's 250th Anniversary.

For a Leader, Humility Is the Ultimate Strength

02/16/2026

Today on President's Day, George W. Bush released an essay to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

George Washington by George W. Bush: For a Leader, Humility is the Ultimate Strength.
https://inpursuit.substack.com/p/george-washington-by-george-w-bush

President Bush said, "Character is key".

Isn't it time to have a conversation about character with your child or grandchild?

Buy My Character Check @ https://www.mycharactercheck.com or on Amazon.

For a Leader, Humility Is the Ultimate Strength

02/08/2026

Thank you Character.org for your support of my book! The work you do to provide character education programs to educators and schools is vitally important. I hope by sharing this post that a school that has been looking for a character education program is delighted to be connected with your organization.

Please feel free to reach out to me about book readings and PTA presentations. You can contact me through Jean Detrick Smarto, Author Jean Smarto or [email protected]

Website: www.mycharactercheck.com

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12/09/2025

Christmas is fast approaching, and I know there are lots of book lovers on Santa’s list! 🎄📚

If you’re planning to buy a book for someone special, consider purchasing through Bookshop.org — every purchase helps support independent bookstores. Bookshop.org puts its mission and the public good above financial interests, giving over 80% of its profit margin to independent bookstores. In total, they support 1,900+ stores nationwide. ❤️

If My Character Check happens to be on your list, you can purchase softcover copies through Bookshop.org as well. Or, if you'd like a hardcover with a personalized dedication and author signature for the special child in your life, you can order directly from my website: www.mycharactercheck.com

Merry Christmas,
Jean

👉 https://bookshop.org

A better way to buy books online. Every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores.

11/24/2025

Sharing a page from My Character Check.

What kind of choices did you make today?

(I would greatly appreciate you sharing my post to broaden my audience. Thanks!)

11/17/2025

✨ Feeling Grateful! ✨

I’m honored to share a wonderful review of My Character Check from the amazing Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world’s top executive coaches and a leader I deeply admire.

His words mean so much to me, and I’m truly grateful for his support and encouragement.

"My Character Check is a delightful guide for young readers, offering them a meaningful way to understand and grow their character. Through simple, relatable rhymes and engaging prompts, this book encourages children to reflect on essential virtues like honesty, responsibility, and kindness. Jean's gentle wisdom empowers kids to make positive choices each day, helping them build strong, lasting virtues in a way that's both fun and memorable. A wonderful tool for nurturing young minds on their journey to becoming the best versions of themselves."

-Dr. Marshall Goldsmith

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There.

https://mycharactercheck.com/

Thank you, Dr. Goldsmith! 🙏💛

My Character Check

11/13/2025

📣 New Insight on Building Character – and It Ties Right Back to “My Character Check”!

Just came across a compelling article by CNBC: “I’ve studied over 200 kids — the parents who raised the most successful ones did these things early on.” (link below)

➡️ CNBC Study: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/02/ive-studied-over-200-kids-the-parents-who-raised-the-most-successful-ones-did-these-things-early-on.html?msockid=28920e1c70f869ed25671c99710568d7

What’s so exciting? The study’s findings reinforce exactly the key principles I’ve outlined in My Character Check—especially valuing questions over answers, focusing on their relationship with their child and teaching kids to embrace their emotions.

If you’ve read the book, you’ll recognize the overlap: teaching children not just what to do, but why it matters, creating routines around character, and nurturing internal strength rather than relying solely on external rewards.

✍️Signed and dedicated hardcover copies of My Character Check are available upon request when you purchase through www.mycharactercheck.com and Shopify.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher or mentor — let’s give our children the tools they need to flourish.

Here’s to raising character & confidence! 🙌

Child psychologist Reem Raouda, who has studied more than 200 kids, says that parents who raise the most successful ones do nine things differently — especially when their kids are young.

10/27/2025

✨ Heartwarming Feedback from Educators ✨

I recently received some wonderful feedback from educators about My Character Check, and I’m so grateful to share a few of their reflections:

💡 “We liked how each finger represented a letter that corresponded to a component of ‘character.’ Children respond positively to this strategy for remembering complex concepts. The likelihood of them recalling each component is significantly higher — brilliant approach!”

✍️ “The poems were written in student-friendly language and in a way that resonates with adults too. That balance isn’t easy to achieve — congratulations on doing exactly what you intended to do with words!”

🌱 “The reflective exercises are meaningful, relatable, and practical for all ages. They beautifully fuse emotional and academic growth — an ideal combination for true learning.”

🍎 “As an elementary teacher, I find this book a wonderful addition to my classroom. It’s thoughtful, relatable, and easy for even the youngest readers to connect with. I loved it so much I lent it to our guidance counselor to use in her lessons on character! I highly recommend it to anyone working with or raising children.”

I’m deeply touched by these kind words and encouraged to see My Character Check making a difference in classrooms and homes. 💖

📘 My Character Check is available on Amazon and on my author site: www.mycharactercheck.com (Note: Please type the website address directly into your browser, some third-party sites do not play well with others.)

My Character Check

10/22/2025

Another reminder that character is a key leadership skill.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BAm6gy56N/

09/08/2025

📣 Exciting News!

I’m thrilled to share that My Character Check is now available internationally through Amazon 🌍 and can also be ordered through local bookstores, libraries, gift shops, and even Big Box retailers like Walmart.

This little book was created to spark meaningful conversations between parents (or grandparents) and children about character, reflection, resiliency and continuous learning. Through simple poems, colorful illustrations, and open-ended questions, it encourages families to pause and talk about what really matters.

If you’ve been waiting for an easy way to get a copy, now it’s more accessible than ever, whether online or in your favorite local shop.

✨ Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far. Your encouragement means the world to me, and I’m excited to see My Character Check reaching and making a difference with more families everywhere.

08/25/2025

📢 Exciting Announcement!

I’m thrilled to share that My Character Check is now available to order through your local library or bookstore.

This children’s book is designed to spark meaningful conversations between parents (or grandparents) and their little ones about character. Through engaging pictures, playful poems, and thought-provoking questions, My Character Check encourages reflection, dialogue, and a daily practice of continuous learning.

I hope this book helps families create special moments together while inspiring lifelong lessons in character and growth.

✨ If you’d like to support, consider requesting it at your local library or bookstore—and please share with others who might enjoy it!