Me First!: A Modern Day Fable about Service, Scouting, and Self-Esteem

Me First! tells the story of Baden, a selfish eagle who annoys friends, family, and neighbors as he always demands to be first. Baden’s behavior makes others reject him, so that he ends up feeling sad and lonely. He is helped by a group of glowing, golden eagles who serve others in the School of the Woods. These scouts help Baden to discover the rewards of putting others first through cheerful service. Baden goes on a personal journey that leads him to help others and feel good about himself. Me First! was written by two brothers, one who recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and the other who currently is working on his Eagle Scout project. As the boys were born and raised in West Virginia, images of Appalachia are evident throughout the story, along with symbols representing the principles of scouting. Me First! is an excellent gift for young girls and boys (ages 5 to 9) who are starting their own scouting journeys. Parents, teachers, church volunteers, and scout leaders will enjoy the included “Search and Find” activity where children look for scouting images hidden in the beautiful illustrations. Within this colorful and humorous fable is a touching message about values, particularly the importance of serving others.