Carol McCloud

Carol McCloud, award-winning children’s author. She is known for developing the widely used “bucket filling” concept in education and parenting. Her central idea is simple: everyone carries an invisible “bucket” that represents their emotional well-being. Kind actions “fill” the bucket, while unkind actions “empty” it. This metaphor is used to teach children empathy, kindness, and positive social behaviour in schools and homes.

She is an early childhood specialist, popular speaker, and a certified emotional intelligence trainer. She has authored ten books, which began with the ever-popular “Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids” in 2006.

Carol is also the president of Bucket Fillers, Inc., an educational organisation in Brighton, Michigan. She and her team of Bucket Filler educators have travelled across the United States giving school assemblies and staff development seminars. Carol together with her powerful presenter team strives to help people of all ages and occupations lead happier lives by growing in kindness, self-control, resilience, and forgiveness.

Her books have sold more than three million copies and have been translated into many different languages and in different formats. Her work has been particularly impactful in early childhood education, where teachers use the “bucket” metaphor to encourage positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and respectful interactions among students.