Book Review: Stuck With the Blooz

Stuck With the Blooz

by Caron Levis
illustrated by Jon Davis
Book Website: Click here

A Note From the Publisher: What do you do when you're feeling blue--especially when your mood takes the form of a drippy, oozy monster called the Blooz? Do you ignore it? Do you ask it lots of questions? Do you give it an ice-pop and hope it goes away? Through trial and error, the child in this story discovers that while it may not be easy, it's not impossible to shake the Blooz. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: There are students in my school who will really benefit from reading this book. They are dealing with life situations that are contributing to increased feelings of sadness. One way to help them cope is by giving them awareness of their emotions and finding ways through discussion on how to deal with it when it pops up in their life. Perfect book for this! You could also do some creative art therapy by drawing the Blooz monster from the book.

I don't know what the statistics are regarding depression and children but I personally feel this generation is at risk. With the recent shootings in Newtown we are all feeling really down. My niece who is a 5th grader said to me, "I just feel so sad." It is such a traumatic event and has filled so many kids with a deep sadness that they don't know what to do with it. I know the healing will take a long time but turning to books can sometimes bring comfort and provide help for those who are hurting.

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On My Reading List

Can't wait to read this book. This is the time of year when I need motivation and inspiration. A teacher that uses literature to help change lives....I'm in!

The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America
by Deborah Hicks

From the Publisher: Can one teacher truly make a difference in her students’ lives when everything is working against them? Can a love for literature and learning save the most vulnerable of youth from a life of poverty? The Road Out is a gripping account of one teacher’s journey of hope and discovery with her students—girls growing up poor in a neighborhood that was once home to white Appalachian workers, and is now a ghetto. Deborah Hicks, set out to give one group of girls something she never had: a first-rate education, and a chance to live their dreams. A contemporary tragedy is brought to life as she leads us deep into the worlds of Adriana, Blair, Mariah, Elizabeth, Shannon, Jessica, and Alicia seven girls coming of age in poverty.

This is a moving story about girls who have lost their childhoods, but who face the street’s torments with courage and resiliency. “I want out,” says 10-year-old Blair, a tiny but tough girl who is extremely poor and yet deeply imaginative and precocious. Hicks tries to convey to her students a sense of the power of fiction and of sisterhood to get them through the toughest years of adolescence. But by the time they’re sixteen, eight years after the start of the class, the girls are experiencing the collision of their youthful dreams with the pitfalls of growing up in chaotic single-parent families amid the deteriorating cityscape. Yet even as they face disappointments and sometimes despair, these girls cling to their desire for a better future. The author’s own life story—from a poorly educated girl in a small mountain town to a Harvard-educated writer, teacher, and social advocate—infuses this chronicle with a message of hope.

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Book Review: Red Cat Blue Cat

Author/Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Red Cat: nimble cat. Blue Cat: clever cat. When they meet: jealous cats! Does Blue wish he could be like Red and Red want to be like Blue? They do! Find out what happens when...Blue tries to become red, and Red tries to become blue. Or, could it be that what both cats need to discover is: what is the color of a happy cat?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: These two cats act like they don't like each other. They fight and mean mug each other but deep down they are envious of the other's strengths. It's a humorous story of learning to get along when you are so completely different. We are all born with unique and special gifts so don't get in the losing game of trying to compare - great message. I think this would also work great for dealing with sibling rivalry. Red Cat and Blue Cat reminded me of my relationship with my older sister. Although we fought like cats - we secretly admired the other person.

PS. You'll appreciate the cute ending when Yellow Cat shows up!

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Book Review: The Thankful Book

Author: Todd Parr
Interest Level: Kindergarten and Up

A Note From the Publisher: 
I am thankful for music because it makes me want to dance.
I am thankful for my feet because they help me run and play.
I am thankful for kisses because they make me feel loved.
 
The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for. From everyday activities like reading and bath time to big family meals together and special alone time between parent and child, Todd inspires readers to remember all of life's special moments. The perfect book to treasure and share, around the holidays and throughout the year. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Best book to read to kids during Thanksgiving week ever!! First page of the book starts out: Every day I try to think about the things I am thankful for. Totally love that. It's a classic Todd Parr book with just the right amount of humor and goodness. If kids need help brainstorming what they are thankful for - grab this off your shelf and start reading! 

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for my lovely little blog.

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Book Review: Leave Me Alone

Author: Kes Gray
Illustrator: Lee Wildish
Interest Level: K -3

A Note From the Publisher: A little boy is feeling sad because every day he has to face a bully. But this story’s little boy also has friends. A frog, a cat, a rabbit, a cow, and other animal friends insist on helping him, even after he tells them: “There’s nothing you can do for me/ There’s nothing you can say.” Fortunately, he is mistaken, because the next time the bully approaches, they all join with him and shout, “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” And it works! The bully turns around and goes away. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Originally I saw this book posted on Pinterest and thought how did I miss this book? This might seem like a really quick read but there is a lot of power behind the story. It empowers the victim and the bystanders when a mean situation is going down. I think a lot of kids will relate to the feeling of being powerless. Hate having to write that but it's true. There are some kids in my school who just "put up with it." But I have a whole lot of kids who are witnessing it and can PROTECT that child. In the story, there are animals who represent the bystanders. I'm thinking I'll have fun with this book and bring in LOTS of stuffed animals for kids to use in role plays.

Side Note: I loaned this book to another school counselor in my district and she mentioned to me how much she loves the book. Love that feedback.

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Books About Alzheimer's

I have discovered two absolutely fabulous books explaining Alzheimer's in a very empathetic way to children. The books are not only educational but they are so full of heart. If Alzheimer's is impacting your family and your kids are confused as to what is happening to a family member - especially a grandparent, these are two books I highly recommend. As I finished reading both of these - I could immediately FEEL how comforting they will be for children trying to understand a very complicated and frustrating disease.

Grandpa's Music - A Story About Alzheimer's
Author: Alison Acheson
Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
Interest Level: Grades 1 and Up

Summary: Grandpa takes care of the garden, kneads bread, and makes music on the piano.  Everyone in Callie's family helps out around the house, now that Grandpa, who has Alzheimer's, lives with them.  The family becomes Grandpa's "home team," and Callie loves spending time with them. 

As months go by, Grandpa forgets more, and he can't do as much as he could before.  But he can still make music - his fingers remember the notes on the piano.  And when he can't recall the words to a favorite old song, Callie helps him come up with new things that they can sing about together. 

Alison Acheson's thoughtful storytelling and Bill Farnsworth's touching paintings portray a family that learns to adapt to the challenges of Alzheimer's disease while making the very best of their time together.

The Memory Box
Author: Mary Bahr
Illustrator: David Cunningham
Interest Level: Grades 1 and Up

Book Summary: Zach is excited - three weeks of fishing Gramp's lake and eating Gram's cooking. Their first day together is so good, Gramps call it a "Memory Box" day. But Zach isn't prepared, for the story about the memory box. It's a box to save the memories forever; and it's especially for Gramps because he has Alzheimer's disease. The three of them spend their days together filling the box, with new memories and old. And all three support each other, building strength to handle whatever comes. 


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Book Review: Each Kindness

Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Interest Level: Grades 1-5

From the Book Jacket: Chloe doesn't really know why she turns away from the new girl, Maya, when Maya tries to befriend her. And every time Maya asks if she can play with Chloe and the other girls, the answer is always no. So Maya ends up playing alone. And then one day she's gone. 

When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the opportunity that's been lost. How much better could it have been if she'd just shown Maya a little kindness and opened her heart to friendship?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is going to be one of the most important books I read to students this year. It will definitely be one of my favorites. It came in the mail this morning and I just had to blog about it today because it is a MUST for your bookshelf.

This is a powerful story PACKED FULL of life lessons. A new student Maya is treated horribly by her classmates. She tries making friends with the other students but is rejected and becomes a target because of her economic status. Students will feel sadness as you read this story - because they will be filled with an overwhelming empathy for Maya. In the end, we never know the full damage that may have been caused to Maya because she moves. We can surely guess though. However, it's Chloe who teaches us the lesson. She had shunned Maya but is filled with guilt, remorse, and emotional pain as she becomes aware of her own hurtful behavior. She is never able to make amends. I cannot wait for the discussion this will create. If we can teach our children to live their lives in complete kindness - hopefully they will not have to learn this lesson the hard way.

What an AMAZING teaching tool!

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Book Review: Little Sweet Potato

Author: Amy Beth Bloom
Illustrated by Noah Z Jones
Interest Level: K and Up

From the Book Jacket: When Little Sweet Potato gets knocked out of his garden patch, he is forced to search for a new home. He stumbles upon some very mean and silly plants on his journey, and wonders if maybe he is too lumpy and bumpy to fit in anywhere. Will Little Sweet Potato ever find the perfect home?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I absolutely adore Little Sweet Potato! Author Amy Beth Bloom has written a GEM. The story encourages children to not judge or reject one another based on what's on the outside but to accept everyone because of their special uniqueness. Everyone has a place in their school. I still see some kids who feel like outsiders. Lets remind kids to treat each other with respect and appreciation. If you are looking for a story about acceptance, tolerance, diversity, differences, bullying, kindness....it's all here!

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Book Review: Freda Stops a Bully

Author/Illustrator: Stuart J Murphy
Book Website: I See I Learn
Interest Level: K-2

From the Book Jacket: Freda loves her new pink shoes. But when she wears them, a boy at school teases her. What can Freda do to make the bully stop?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: We are really trying to steer kids away from running straight to an adult when they are dealing with a put down. Instead we want them to first try and handle it themselves if it falls under the category of small stuff. We do a lot of teaching about the difference between a small and big problem. Freda Stops a Bully offers some great strategies for kids to shutdown the beginnings of a bully problem on their own. This book is DEFINITELY going to be a great tool to empower our kindergarten through second grade students. Check out the problem solving steps below. 

 

  

 

Check out the rest of the I See I Learn series HERE

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Book Review: Following Grandfather

Author: Rosemary Wells
Illustrated by Christopher Denise
Interest Level: Ages 8 and Up
Chapter Book with illustrations

From the Book Jacket: When Jenny was little, Grandfather taught her how to button her buttons and how to write J  for her name. When she was a little older, Grandfather took her to try on the expensive dresses at the stylish Mouse Boutique, hidden deep in the ductwork of the Jordan Marsh department store. And during long summer afternoons at Revere Beach, Grandfather taught Jenny the names of seashells. 

But one day Grandfather was gone. Every mouse in Boston, including Jenny, went to his funeral high in the belfry of the cathedral. So how can it be that Jenny begins to spot Grandfather about town - turning a corner, sitting on a park bench? Could it really be that Grandfather is still out there somewhere, roaming the city he loved? Jenny can't help but run after the familiar silver whiskers, hoping...

Why It's On My Bookshelf: What a special find. So many children who have lost a grandparent will benefit from reading this book. Sometimes in my own life I will see something or even smell something that reminds me of my grandma. It makes me smile and is a reminder of how much I miss her. I have to admit this book even got me a little teary. Remembering a grandparent can make a child sad but also brings up all the wonderful happy times. Be prepared for lots of share outs and discussion. What an honor to read such a touching and healing story to children. I have a feeling this will be a heavily checked out book from my shelf.

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Book Review: Because Amelia Smiled

Author/Illustrator: David Ezra Stein
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Because Amelia Smiles as she skips down the street, her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too, and decides to send some cookies to her grandson, Lionel...in Mexico. The cookies give Lionel an idea, and his idea inspires a student, who in turn inspires a ballet troupe...in England! And so the good feelings travel across the world, inspiring ever more smiles, kindness, and love along the way.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I start my year out with the students reading all of my bucket filling books. It's always a positive way to get us headed in the right direction. But I'm always looking for more stories to inspire children to go even farther with kindness. Want to remind kids their kind deeds can start a chain reaction? Well I've found a wonderful book with that inspiring idea. Amelia's smile changes not just those around her but people across the WORLD to do caring things. I'm definitely going to have a map out as I read this so we can trace the chain reaction. I'm going to use this book as an example of how we can make this happen within our own school. Can't wait to have this discussion with kiddos!!

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

 

Book Review: Olive and the Big Secret

Author/Illustrator: Tor Freeman
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

From the Publisher: When Molly shares a secret with Olive, the urge to tell is just too great! Olive tells Joe who tells Matt who tells Lola. But Lola is best friends with Molly. Uh-oh, the secret is out, and Olive is in for it! Olive learns the hard way that keeping secrets is tough, and telling them can make for a whole lot of trouble! 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: The main reason I like this book is because the secret is about having a crush on someone. My office is right next to the playground and I can hear a lot of conversations going on. Often I'll hear kids out there talking about boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. Sometimes there is teasing going on. I've had individual conversations and even classwide talks about the inappropriateness of the teasing and how it causes embarassment and hurt feelings. Olive and the Big Secret is very light hearted so I'll be sure to start a serious conversation as we finish the story. So glad to have a helpful book like this to talk about this subject with kids!

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Book Review: Millie Fierce

Author/Illustrator: Jane Manning
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Millie is quiet. Millie is sweet. Millie is mild. But the kids at school don't listen to her. And she never gets a piece of birthday cake with a flower on it. And some girls from her class walk right on top of her chalk drawing and smudge it. And they don't even say they're sorry!

So that's when Millie decides she wants to be fierce! She frizzes out her hair, sharpens her nails and runs around like a wild thing. But she soon realizes that being fierce isn't the best way to get noticed either, especially when it makes you turn mean. So Millie decides to be nice--but to keep a little of that fierce backbone hidden inside her. In case she ever needs it again.

With bright art and an adorable character, it's easy to empathize with Millie. Because everyone has a bad day, once in a while.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Mollie Fierce is a great example of positive and negative ways to get attention from others. I see children having negative (purposeful) interactions with others on a daily basis in my school. I just love books like this that open up the dialogue and help us get to the root of what's really going on...maybe they are having a bad day, could something be going on at home, are they feeling excluded. Insight! Insight! Millie has a change of heart when one of her actions causes a boy to cry. She reflects and sets on her way to start doing things differently - with kindness. Can't wait to focus on this character trait this year!

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Book Review: Flabbersmashed About You

Author: Rachel Vail
Illustrated by Yumi Heo
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Publisher: Readers first met Katie Honors in Rachel and Yumi's Sometimes I'm Bombaloo and Jibberwillies at Night. Now Katie is back as she deals with feeling "flabbersmashed" by her best friend, who suddenly wants to be friends with another kid. We've all been flabbersmashed by a friend--left out of an activity or secret, left to feel sorry for ourselves, or move on. Will Katie ever stop feeling left out?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This will be a helpful read for K-2 students as the year gets rolling and friendship problems start surfacing. There is nothing worse than a tear stained face kiddo coming up to me and telling me how they've been "dumped" by their good buddy. In the book, Katie describes this as feeling "flabbersmashed." This word is an introduction to all sorts of emotions kids feel when they are left standing alone. Friendship security is a big deal out on the playground. I want to teach the kids to be secure in a different way. The dependence on one friend for their ultimate happiness can lead to constantly feeling "flabbersmashed." Not a good way to go through your school day. So glad to have this in my library. I will bet you anything that a student is going to come up to me on the playground and tell me they are feeling flabbersmashed!

There is something minor about the book I'd like to point out that had me a little concerned. When two of the characters are playing they talk about "killing the bad guys." I'm really careful with what I teach the kids. We have a zero tolerance for violent language at my school - even if it's just play fighting. So there are a couple of ways I might go with this. 1) I might just change the words 2) I might use this as a teaching opportunity about using these words. I'm not sure yet which way I'm going to go. I just know I don't want to send the kids mixed signals about the expectations of safe language out on the playground. Just wanted to point this out to other educators. It's still a great story and is going to help solve some major problems.

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Patricia Polacco's New Book - Bully

Bully
by Patricia Polacco
Interest Level: Ages 7 and Up

From the Publisher: Patricia Polacco takes on cliques and online bullying.

Lyla finds a great friend in Jamie on her first day of school, but when Lyla makes the cheerleading squad and a clique of popular girls invites her to join them, Jamie is left behind. Lyla knows bullying when she sees it, though, and when she sees the girls viciously teasing classmates on Facebook, including Jamie, she is smart enough to get out. But no one dumps these girls, and now they're out for revenge.

Patricia Polacco has taken up the cause against bullies ever since Thank You, Mr. Falker, and her passion shines through in this powerful story of a girl who stands up for a friend.

This book is being released on September 13, 2012 and I have PREORDERED mine. I CANNOT WAIT. We had some awful facebook problems last year with 5th graders. Yep, facebook is on my elementary doorstep! Patricia Polacco delivers such solid stories - I think we all know this is going to be a winner. Looking forward to seeing it's impact in our students' lives. Look for my review of it in September.

Preorder Here:

Book Review: The Call of the Cowboy

Author: David Bruins
Illustrator: Hilary Leung
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

A Note From the Publisher: When the bear wants to spend the afternoon photographing birds, the exuberant cowboy inadvertently makes a nuisance of himself as he loudly chews bubble gum, hops on a pogo stick and slurps a pop. When the ninja just wants to read quietly, the cowboy is wildly distracting as he drums on rocks, bats a paddleball and gabs on his cell phone. The cowboy's boisterous mood prompts the ninja and the bear to drop their respective activities, leaving their pal alone to wonder why no one wants to be with him. Can he find the peace and quiet he needs to figure it out?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Ever been focused on an activity and there is a constant interruption? Kinda annoying. Walk into a classroom and you will see all kinds of concentration going on. Take a closer look and you might see some kids off task interrupting that focus. This book is for those little darlings - the invaders of learning. I also love how the story starts out describing cowboy as a good friend, kind, caring, and fun. It's important for the interrupters to know we think they are awesome. But they can be more awesome if they show respect to the other learners around them. This is a short sweet story and it will be making the rounds with me this fall as kids get back into their school groove.

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Book Review: The Lonely Book

Author: Kate Bernheimer
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Publisher: When a wonderful new book arrives at the library, at first it is loved by all, checked out constantly, and rarely spends a night on the library shelf. But over time it grows old and worn, and the children lose interest in its story. The book is sent to the library's basement where the other faded books live. How it eventually finds an honored place on a little girl's bookshelf—and in her heart—makes for an unforgettable story sure to enchant anyone who has ever cherished a book.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I saw this on a book list in the spring and showed it to our librarian. Our thinking was it would be a great encourager to get kids to not just focus on the shiny new ones but to take a look at ALL the books no matter how tattered they may seem. But of course since I always have my counselor hat on I saw a bigger message in the story. This is such a cool and empathetic way to introduce the feeling of loneliness. A little girl Alice is the perfect model of inclusiveness and friendship. Can't wait to read this in the fall to the kids. I want them to remember to take an interest in everyone. Lets not overlook one another. What a sweet kind story!

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You Are My Wonders

Have you ever read the books You Are My I Love You or You Are My Miracle? If yes, then get out your tissues again because New York Times Bestselling Author Maryann Cusimano Love (yes, her last name is Love!!!) has written a book called You Are My Wonders honoring teachers and students. I'm going to sneak this book into a few teacher mail boxes next year and then listen to them read it to their class and of course boo hoo my eyes out!

From the Publisher: The creators of You Are My I Love You pen an ode to students and their teachers, just in time for back to school

No one captures the essence of our most cherished relationships quite like Maryann Cusimano Love and Satomi Ichikawa. Whether parent and child or grandparent and grandchild, Maryann's tender, playful text and Satomi's childlike, colorful illustrations are nothing less than odes to these universal bonds.

Now the two shine their spotlight on students and teachers, enriching each other through storytelling, art, music, and of course, guidance. Perfect and reassuring for the youngest of students, You Are My Wonders is sure to be a hit at story time at home or in the classroom.

From the Author's website:

Origin of the Story - In the Author's Words -

I come from a family of teachers. My Irish grandmother, Mary Ann Hart, whom I was named after, was a special education teacher at a time when people thought that special needs children could not be educated. As a teacher myself for over twenty years, I know first hand how much I learn from my students, and how important the special bond is between students and teachers, each rooting for each other and helping each other to grow. While we teachers have the honor of introducing young people to new ideas, our students give us amazing gifts, seeing the wonders of the world, fresh through their young eyes.

When we sent our first child off to preschool two mornings a week, we realized again how important that special teacher/ child relationship is. I was smiling and crying at the same time, seeing my little one grown up enough to wear a bright back pack almost as big as she was, toddling off to school. Yet I was reassured that she was in the good hands of someone who also cared about her, and was working to help her grow.

Helping every child grow into the best person they can be is a vocation parents and teachers share. I was reflecting on this on my way home from church one rainy Sunday morning, thinking about how my child’s preschool teacher was helping her learn how to button her raincoat, when the beginnings of You Are My Wonders came tumbling out of my imagination. I’d heard from plenty of teachers who loved You Are My I Love You, You Are My Miracle, You Are My Wish, and Sleep, Baby, Sleep, but wanted to know when I would write a book for them. Teachers today face many challenges that my Grandmother never faced, so I wanted to write a book celebrating the simple joys of class time together, growing seeds, reading stories, and sharing the wonders of the world.

Click on the cover of the book to head on over to Amazon!



Book Review: The Weird Series

Weird! Dare! Tough!
by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paula Heaphy
Book Website: www.theweirdseries.com
Publisher: Free Spirit
Interest Level: K and Up

True-to-life stories of bullying told from all perspectives: the role of the target, the bystander, and the person doing the bullying.

These three books tell the story of an ongoing case of bullying from three third graders’ perspectives. Luisa describes being targeted by bullying in Weird! Jayla shares her experience as a bystander to bullying in Dare! And in Tough!, Sam speaks from the point of view of someone initiating bullying. Kids will easily relate to Luisa, Jayla, and Sam, as each girl has her own unique experience, eventually learning how to face her challenges with the help of friends, peers, and caring adults. The books may be read separately or as a set; readers will enjoy tracking details that carry over from one book to another. Each book concludes with "activity club" pages for kids, as well as information to help parents, teachers, counselors, and other adults reinforce the books' messages and foster dialogue with children.

Weird! (Book 1)

Luisa is repeatedly teased and called "weird" by her classmate Sam, even though she is simply being herself—laughing with her friends, answering questions in class, greeting her father in Spanish, and wearing her favorite polka-dot boots. Luisa initially reacts to the bullying by withdrawing and hiding her colorful nature. But with the support of her teachers, parents, classmates, and one special friend named Jayla, she is able to reclaim her color and resist Sam’s put-downs.

Dare! (Book 2)
Jayla feels threatened by her classmate Sam, who has bullied her in the past for her "nerdy" love of astronomy and stars. Sam is now bullying Jayla’s friend Luisa, and she enlists Jayla to participate. Jalya reluctantly joins in but soon realizes it is wrong. With the help of caring adults and friends, Jayla comes to sympathize with Luisa and finds the courage to dare to stand up to Sam and put an end to the bullying.

 Tough! (Book 3)

Sam is concerned about keeping things orderly and "cool" at school. She thinks people need to have a tough skin in order to fit in and withstand others’ meanness and lack of cooperation. Sam teases her free-spirited classmate Luisa and enlists a friend, Jayla, to help. But when Sam is confronted by a concerned teacher about her bullying, and Jayla turns on Sam and befriends Luisa, Sam begins to show some heart and rethink her treatment of others.

Why They Are On My Bookshelf: These books are already so dear to my heart. Author Erin Frankel and illustrator Paula Heaphy have created a masterpiece through the viewpoints of the victim, bystander, and bully. I had the opportunity to read this unique series to students before the school year wrapped up. They were all captivated by the stories of three girls involved in bullying. It was obvious through our discussion their hearts and minds were very moved. Everyone has had a role or involvement in bullying and kids could see themselves in the books.

As a school counselor, I want to reach students at a deeper level when it comes to the serious issue of school bullying. This perfectly crafted story is the vehicle to do just that. I can't tell you how impressed I am with this series. The first day I read them, I knew I had something special in my hands. Students are given valuable insight into how to get out of a bullying situation and make positive changes through confidence, courage, and kindness. I cannot wait to reread these in the fall. They are truly awesome and so impactful!

A Link to The Series:

Book Review: Sneaky Weasel

Author/Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Weasel is sneaky, measly and very rich. When he throws a big party to show off to everyone, he can't understand why none of his guests turn up...Could it be that Weasel is bad at being a friend?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: There are kids in every class who no one wants as a partner during work time or is socially isolated. Sometimes the reason behind the exclusion often has to do with the child's negative behavior towards others. When I finished reading Sneaky Weasel, I immediately thought of those students. I work with these kiddos very closely trying to help them become self-aware of their actions. This story is perfect to address this problem. 

When no one shows up at Weasel's party he visits everyone to demand an explanation. He discovers everyone is quite upset with him because of his mistreatment of others. Weasel is pretty clueless about his hurtful ways. He realizes he must find a way to be a good friend and make up for what he has done. He sets out to earn their trust and respect through kindness, taking responsibility, and an apology. Good stuff!!

Love this new discovery. You will too. Kids are going to see themselves in this story and hopefully it will provide insight to change that stinky sneaky behavior!

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