Book Review: A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue and Supplementary Activity and Idea Book

Author: Julia Cook
Illustrated by Anita DuFalla
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: No one likes "Josh the Tattler" because he tattles way too much. He tattles on his classmates, his brother, and even his dog! But one night Josh wakes up to find that his tongue is very long, yellow, covered in bright purple spots, and Itchy, Itchy, Scratchy, Scratchy...Will a bad case of Tattle Tongue teach him a lesson?

A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue gives teachers and counselors a humorous, cleverly creative way to address the time-consuming tattling-related issues that often sap classroom energy and thwart teaching opportunities. Parents who "battle the tattle" at home, on the playground, in the grocery store, or anywhere else can use this book to both entertain and enlighten their children about "The Tattle Rules." Every adult who desires to help children understand the differences between tattling and the need to warn others about important matters needs this book.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: A little tattling from kids is not the end of the world. But when they are tattling 24/7 it will pretty much drive a person bonkers. Me included. It's 2:30pm...the recess bell has rung and I've got 10 tattlers on my heels and that's usually when it dawns on me. "Whoa! I need to read A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue pronto!!" I'm not trying to shut the tattlers down. I just want them to give the problem a second look. Tattle Tongue takes a smart approach to tattling. Author Julia Cook focuses on teaching kids the difference between a small problem and a big one. This concrete information can transform the way kids make decisions about how to handle the conflicts around them. Josh also goes through a little social exclusion as he exhausts everyone with his tattling behavior. Yes, this sometimes happens. However, we don't give up on these kids and label them tattlers. We guide them with appropriate counseling and resources to turn them into leaders. And now I'm probably down to 2 tattlers instead of 10.

PS. If you want to take it a step further, check out A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue Activity and Idea Book. I got it last spring and have been incorporating it into my lessons and small group settings. I've had two teachers use the "Tattle Box" idea. And I of course have the The Four Tattle Rules poster. You can never have enough GOOD resources on your shelf!

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