What I Read On Valentine's Day to the Littles

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
Author: Jane Yolen 
Interest Level: PreK-1st Grade


A Note From the Publisher: Parents and children can never have enough ways to say "I love you" - and now, America's favorite dinosaurs are giving families a funny book, perfect for bedtime, story time, anytime. Even when little dinosaurs are naughty, it's important to remind them that no matter what they do, they are always loved. In this book, readers will laugh aloud as parents cope with the typical antics of childhood, but in the end, hugs and kisses show your little one how much you care. 



What made my lesson so great was this guy! Here he is chilling out on the couch in my office just waiting to be held.

He made the rounds to all the K-1 classes with me. We gathered in a circle and as each child got to hold him they answered the question: What makes you feel loved?  My heart was melting as their little hearts poured out such sweet comments. "I am loved when my mom hugs me after school." "I am loved when I'm with my dog."

One of the reasons I wanted to introduce this little sweetheart of a dinosaur to students was because I plan on using him as a counseling tool in my office. Often times I have kids coming to me with their 'love tanks' running on empty. This could be from a home issue or maybe a recent social withdrawal from school. Stuffed animals and puppets can help kids open up and find language to describe what's going on. They are very healing. When a student visits me and they are feeling down, I'd like them to sit and just hold the dinosaur because of what it represents - love. Having quiet calming time while holding a play therapy toy/stuffed animal is a great technique. It's good to identify a stuffed animal that represents safety and love.This can be used in the counselor's office, in the classroom, or at home.  Oh, and he's also fun to play with!

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

I Have A Really Happy Bookshelf These Days

Isn't it exciting when you discover your favorite picture book has a puppet/plush toy that goes with it!!? Okay, well for me - it's always a very happy moment. As a school counselor, it changes my lessons and how I interact with the students. Actually, let me be real here - it puts the za za zoom in them! Role plays are an ESSENTIAL part of how I help kids. Using a visual is what really makes the difference and gives the message more power. I'm always on the hunt for good bibliotherapy but I spend just as much time trying to locate puppets/dolls/plush toys. If you are like me or need better visuals....check out this AWESOME company - MerryMakers.

So here's the deal, I'll be writing blog posts on some of these adorable book characters but I've been dying to show them to you! I own the books that go with all four characters so it's going to be a lot of FUN using these in my lessons. Stay tuned for the reviews! Here's a sneak peak of my new buddies!



How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
How Do Dinosaurs Go To School?

I LOVE Jane Yolen's dinosaur series. I had no idea these adorable dinosaur dolls existed. The irony is I've been trying to put together a unit on the feeling of love. So the "I love you dinosaur" is going to be a hit and can't wait to reveal him to the students. The "dinosaurs go to school" will fit perfectly with helping kids be academically prepared for school - and in a fun NON-BORING way! Emphasis on the non-boring.



Scaredy Squirrel

Oh wow, Scaredy Squirrel has been sitting on my shelf just waiting to be read. But now I know how to make the book work with this puppet. Love his name badge!

Only One You Fish Puppet

Check out the back of the fins. Motivating words!

Only One You is a book I've used the past couple of years with my students along with the puppet. But now I have TWO! I sometimes like to have two of the same or different puppets when I'm working with students. It's a fun way for them to talk to me or each other.

Also, MerryMakers has LOTS of different dolls, puppets, etc so head on over there to discover more good stuff. I've got my eye on a few more.....

Book Review: Katie Loves the Kittens

Author: John Himmelman
Interest Level: Ages 4-9

From the Book Jacket: Katie is just so excited when Sara Ann brings home three little kittens that she can't stop herself from howling "AROOOOOO!" She loves them so much! But Katie's enthusiasm frightens the kittens, and she's sad when they run away from her. Don't they know that she just wants to play?



Why It's On My Bookshelf: Katie Loves the Kittens is delightful, adorable, and even teaches an important social skill - self-control!! I can't even remember how I found this lovely little piece of kid-lit but the first time I read it I couldn't stop giggling! Katie the dog is having the hardest time controlling herself and can't stop howling at the kittens with absolute joy and excitement. The kittens want nothing to do with her and are a bit freaked out by her behavior. I've read this to all of our K-2 grades and the concept of self-control has been so EASY for me to teach thanks to Katie and her impulsive ways. I bring up the word self-control in the middle of the book and I have the kids repeat it. They are total pros now on the concept of controlling oneself and why it's so important. I love the ending to this story. Katie wakes up with the kittens fast asleep and they are snuggled up to her. The picture of her trying to keep it together and not start howling is so cute. I also love how the illustrations show her getting revved up with the wagging of her tail. I ask the kids, "Why isn't Katie howling?" And they say, "Self-control!"

I wanted to add a little more to this post and introduce two puppets I use to help kids master self-control. Meet Impulsive Puppy and Slow Down Snail! (And yes, that is the ghetto fabulous chair in my office) They come to all the K-1 grades with me the first month of school. Impulsive Puppy is my model for not using self-control. I have him bark at me and interrupt my lessons, roll around on the carpet, and bug kids. And then I talk to Impulsive Puppy in front of the kids asking him to please use self-control like Katie. I tell the kids he is learning to be a student and we need to help him by being good models. I don't know why but this mind judo works every time! I see major behavior improvement in kids immediately just by bringing this type of visual to their attention.

Impulsive Puppy

Slow Down Snail is Puppy's buddy and he reinforces the learning behaviors I'm trying to teach. I have to tell you....they are hits. (it also doesn't hurt that I am part dramatic actress) I've got K-1 kids running up to me at recess asking me how Impulsive Puppy's behavior is and if he's getting better. HA HA! I love it. If you want to get these two guys in your puppet collection, just google them.....

Impulsive Puppy and Slow Down Snail

Just got this workbook over the summer......it rocks.

Drawing Together to Develop Self-Control
Author: Marge Eaton Heegaard
For Ages 5-12

This is a new workbook I'm using this year. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Good stuff for individual, group, or classroom use.




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

Book Review: Don't Squeal Unless It's A Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales

Author: Jeanie Franz Ransom

Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic

Interest Level: Ages 5-8

About This Book: It all started when Jessica trit-trotted up to Mrs. McNeal's desk... "Peter pulled my pigtail!" And soon..."Rachel took my marker!" "Frankie called sookie a fat sow!" "Justin ripped my paper!" !" "Can anyone tell me what squealing is?" Mrs. McNeal shouted, waving her cowbell.

Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal helps kids figure out the difference between Big Deals that need telling and kid-sized problems that kids can work out themselves, With a note to teachers and parents about why children squeal and how to help them deal on their own. -from the book jacket

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Tattling. Let me define it for you.....behavior by children that will send teachers and parents over the edge to the land of unhappiness and complete insanity. Tattling has been around forever. How am I an expert on this? Because I used to tattle on my sisters when I was a kid. Why did I tattle? Oh, I SO loved getting the attention (look Mom, I know the rules!), liked being bossy at times, and it was also a nice revenge move on my sisters.  I know. Shameful. And now the revenge has been turned on me. I work with about four hundred K-5 students and yep.....they sure can tattle! So being the proactive lady I am....I have scoured the EARTH for SOLID books on tattling. I say solid because I am not a fan of books that make kids feel bad for tattling. Not cool. Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal is definitely a favorite. I work really hard on helping students see the difference between small problems ("Laura looked at me!") and big problems ("Laura punched me!"). Hint: make sure to incorporate lessons on how to problem solve with tattling lessons. If they truly don't know how to solve a problem - then of course they'll tattle! I seriously notice a decrease in tattling when the kids feel educated and AWARE of their behavior. And of course I have a blast with this lesson when I use my trusty pig puppets. The kids love coming up and using the puppets to figure out how not to sweat the small stuff.

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

Book Review: The Grouchy Ladybug

Author: Eric Carle
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

 From the Book Jacket: Boldly designed pictures and a humorous text tell the story of a tiny anti-hero like no other. The Grouchy Ladybug didn't say "please" or "thank you"; it wouldn't share; it thought it was bigger and more important than anyone else; and it was always ready to pick a fight. This fast moving story with clever die-cut pages invites children to explore the concepts of time, size, shape, and manners. They will laugh and learn from this bad-tempered braggart who met its match and became a nice and better behaved bug.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: A punch, a kick, a pull, a shove, a pinch.....oh yep, those things happen between kiddos at my school from time to time. There's lots of developmental (and environmental) reasons this goes down. I won't bore you with them. My job is to help kids with social growth and surprise surprise....they can get mad and angry during the school day! I've been reading this story for quite a few years. It's very loved among kids because of it's cool setup with varying page sizes and illustrations. But The Grouchy Ladybug has also been a powerful tool for teaching anger management to my K-2 students. Cuz just about every page she is trying to scrap with someone - "Hey you! Wanna fight!!?" Perfect for teaching replacement behaviors. I love hearing the students try and figure out what's under her anger. They try and relate to her! Another thing that gets this story rockin' is my ladybug puppets (I'm borderline obsessed with puppets...it could be another blog in itself). I have two ladybug puppets the kids use to practice how to handle your anger and solve problems. You can do a lot with this story in the area of social skills.


PS. I didn't mention this in my review, but it's also a great CONCRETE book to teach expected behavior and school rules about fighting. We don't fight. Period. There's always another way.

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