Sticks and stones will break my bones.

But words will …

Every kid - and adult - knows this childhood ditty ends with "never hurt me."

Truth is, words can and do hurt.

They also can strengthen, says Mary Reckmeyer, director of the Donald O. Clifton Child Development Center and co-author of the newly released picture book "How Full Is Your Bucket for Kids" (Gallup Press, $16.95).

The book is a children's version of the 2004 New York Times best-seller for adults "How Full Is Your Bucket: Positive Strategies for Work and Life" written by the late Donald O. Clifton, chairman of Gallup, and his grandson Tom Rath.

Rath co-wrote the children's version with Reckmeyer.

Five years ago, business leaders, therapists and organizations were using the original book to improve morale and the bottom line in the workplace.

The book's premise, based on 50 years of research, is quite simple: Even the briefest interactions affect your relationships, productivity, health and longevity.

Whereas negative encounters can raise your blood pressure, harm your mental state and eliminate your desire, positive ones - no matter how small - can leave you feeling happy, confident and energized.

The theory holds true regardless of age, Reckmeyer said.

The children's book features Felix, a young boy often frustrated by his little sister. When Felix calls his sister a "baby," Grandpa tells him the story of the invisible bucket and how everyone has one: When the bucket is full, you feel great. When your bucket grows empty, you feel bad.

"Children grasp on to the idea very fast," Reckmeyer said in a telephone interview. "It's intuitive for them.

"Kids' lives revolve around each other and their interactions. They feel the impact of interactions and words spoken to them every day, but don't realize or intellectualize the impact of those words," Reckmeyer said.

"How Full Is Your Bucket for Kids" not only illustrates the message from the child's point of view, but shows kids "that they contribute every single day to how others feel and what they do," Reckmeyer said.

And the impact is lasting.

Reckmeyer recounts a story from a parent: After a long day at work her 5-year-old greeted her at the door and asked, "Mommy is your bucket full or empty?"

"What the mom realized is that a lot of days she comes home and the bucket is empty," Reckmeyer said. "She realized there was a difference in how she was acting when she walked in the door."

And her daughter, seeing that difference would look at her mom and say: "Mommy, I think you need a hug."

Which in turn filled both the buckets of both mom and child.

Reckmeyer said she hopes the new book will inspire a new generation - as well as serve as a reminder to adults that "whether you are 3, 10 or 30 years old you can change the environment."

"I think in many ways that is empowering to a child: 'Oh, I do make a difference with how the other guy feels and how he acts,'" she said.

And, it brings home the indisputable fact, Reckmeyer said:

"Full buckets are important to our well-being."

Reach Erin Andersen at 473-7217 or eandersen@journalstar.com.