Book Review: Skin Again

Author: Bell Hooks

Illustrated by Chris Raschka

Interest Level: Ages 5-10

About This Book: Celebrating all that makes us unique and different, Skin Again offers new ways to talk about race and identity. Race matters, but only so much - what's most important is who we are on the inside. Looking beyond skin, going straight to the heart, we find in each other the treasures stored down deep. Learning to cherish those treasures, to be all we imagine ourselves to be, makes us free. Skin Again celebrates this freedom.

The skin I'm in is just a covering.

If you want to know who I am

you have got to come inside

and open your heart way wide.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Ever wanted to open a discussion up with a child or a classroom about skin color? Diversity? Then this is your book! It is so beautifully written. I was so overcome with such an exciting feeling when I thought about sharing it with children. Skin Again helps children understand we are more than just our skin color. What counts most is what is within. Kids soak up this message because that is how they are built. They are born to love and accept others. Skin Again is a lovely reminder of that. Find room on your shelf for it.

A Link To This Book And Others You Might Find Helpful:

Book Review: Nobody Knew What To Do - A Story About Bullying

Author: Becky Ray McCain
Illustrated by Todd Leonardo
Interest Level: Ages 6-10


Publisher's Note: Straightforward and simple, this story tells how one child found the courage to tell a teacher about Ray, who was being picked on and bullied by other kids in school. Faced with the fact that "nobody knows what to do" while Ray is bullied, the children sympathetic to him feel fear and confusion and can only hope that Ray will "fit in some day." Finally, after Ray misses a day of school and the bullies plot mean acts for his return, our narrator goes to a teacher. The children then invite Ray to play with them, and, with adult help, together they stand up to the bullies.


Why It's On My Bookshelf: I cannot imagine what my bookshelf would be like without this book. I read it in the beginning of the school year and once again after winter break. Nobody Knew What To Do encourages kids to report bullying when they see it happening. I also love the title. I will ask kids: 'Do you know what to do?' And they passionately respond 'yes'. There is a powerful message to kids within the pages. One of those messages is the adults will back you up! I get so sad when kids keep bullying a secret and don't report it. Put this on your shelf to help break the silence.



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

Book Review: Howard B Wigglebottom Learns to Listen

Author: Howard Binkow

Illustrated by Susan Cornelison
Interest Level: Preschool - Age 7


About This Book: Meet Howard B. Wigglebottom, a curious rabbit who just doesn't listen! This new illustrated book, has been created to help children, ages 4-7, improve their listening skills and pay attention. Educators, parents, and children alike will laugh and learn as Howard B. Wigglebottom learns to listen.
 
Why It's On My Bookshelf: It is very difficult to find engaging and fun books that teach school skills. At least that has been my experience. Howard B Wigglebottom Learns to Listen is perfect for preschool - 1st grade. It is an excellent tool to teach listening skills. You can have a lot of fun with this book by using ideas from the author's website We Do Listen. I wish there were more books on the market like this to help teach listening to young children. If you are looking for more ways to teach school skills, get this on your bookshelf.
 
PS. To have even more fun with this book - wear bunny ears. The kids love it. 
 

A Link To This Book:

Book Review: I Believe in Me - A Book of Affirmations

written and illustrated by Connie Bowen

Interest Level: All Ages

About This Book: Whimsical animals, characters, and angels illustrate, in full color, twenty-seven affirmations that will inspire you, the child you love, and the child within all of us.

I am wonderfully creative.

I make friends easily.

I am forgiving.

I believe in me.

I am filled with greatness.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Oh goodness, I really love this book of affirmations. You'll understand why....keep reading. Imagine helping a child bring out their authenticity. We all come into this world with a core set of unique skills, abilities, curiosities and talents. Kids who feel authentic have an optimistic attitude, a feeling that their life is precious. In the mornings, I watch kids coming down the hallways to their classrooms. Some have that tired look, others are gabbing and smiling with friends, and then I see a few sad looking faces walking down the hallway. I imagine the thoughts they might be having or what happened the evening before or even that morning. Their thoughts most likely are negative and self-defeating. Those are the very students that need help discovering their authenticity and hidden strengths. Affirmations are very healing.

I always try and keep an extra copy of I Believe in Me on my shelf. With parent permission, I like to give this book to kids who need to be built up. Our children are looking towards us as their models. Bring out their inner beauty through I Believe in Me. You will be happy it is in the company of your other self-esteem books on your shelf.

PS. The author provided a blank affirmation page for children in the back of the book. Have them write down their own affirmation. It's powerful. I also like to introduce the concept of emotional strength when I read I Believe in Me. Have them draw their emotional strength. So awesome when they connect to this idea.


A Link To This Book And Others You Might Find Helpful:

Book Review: The Secret That Olivia Told Me

Author: N. Joy
Illustrations by Nancy Devard
Interest Level: Ages 7-12


About This Book: Can you keep a secret? Olivia has a secret - a BIG secret. It's a secret that she tells only to her very best friend. And her friend promises she won't say a word. But the secret is really BIG and really Juicy. What happens when a trusted friend slips and the secret gets out?


Why It's On My Bookshelf: I have loved using this book for the past few years. AND I still LOVE it. In 4th grade, I notice the start of a huge surge of gossip and rumors. Sometimes it turns really mean. I start reading The Secret That Olivia Told Me in 2nd grade. Teaching kids about this behavior is a great preventative measure. Kids love the illustrations and the metaphor of the balloon. This is a useful tool so do not hesitate even for a second about whether you should put this book on your shelf.  

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Only One You

Author: Linda Kranz
Interest Level: All Ages

If you make a wrong turn, circle back.

If something gets in your way, move around it.

About This Book: There’s only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place.
Adri’s mama and papa share some of the wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world. This exquisitely illustrated book explodes with color and honest insights. Kranz’s uniquely painted "rockfish," set against vibrant blue seas, make an unforgettable and truly special impression. Only One You will inspire parents and children of all ages as they swim through life.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Because kids need to be built up, encouraged, and uplifted. This is a little book with a big heart. I even feel uplifted after I read it. I read this with a very soft and gentle voice and the kids become like little sponges. Only One You goes straight to the soul. Imagine if this was read daily to a child. Wow. Positive affirmations are so important. Only One You is also good to use with a child who has been doing a lot of negative self-talk. When I hear a child put themselves down, I imagine they must being putting themselves down a 100 times more on the inside. Raise self-esteem by getting this book on your shelf.

Book Review: Where's Mom's Hair?

Author: Debbie Watters, 

with Haydn and Emmett Watters

photographs by Sophie Hogan

Interest Level: All Ages


About This Book: When the author underwent chemotherapy following cancer surgery, she faced the loss of her hair with courage and humor. Family and friends gathered for a "hair-cutting party," where her husband and two young sons (through whose voices the book is narrated) joined her in getting buzz cuts, resulting in "one big prickly-headed family!" Striking black-and-white photos record the party events as well as the chemotherapy appointments, Mom and the boys mugging in hats and wigs, and the woman's hair re-growth. With successful treatment concluded, the family hosted another party where everyone except the guest of honor wore a hat or wig. The warm support of a compassionate community of friends and loving family is apparent on every page as Watters and her sons encounter the changes and questions brought on by cancer. The gentle kindness conveyed in the often-humorous writing will reassure young children facing similar circumstances that it is indeed possible to cope well with a parent's cancer.

"you just don't know how you are going to feel when someone you love

is losing their hair because of cancer." 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Where's Mom's Hair is a REAL tool for children going through the experience of cancer. My favorite thing about the book is the pictures are not illustrations but actual family photos. It's comforting for children to see they are not the only family dealing with the change cancer brings to a family. There are so many discussions that can happen with reading of this book. Not only do parents need cheering up, but so do kids. Feelings....there are so many feelings when dealing with an illness. Where's Mom's Hair is a solid resource for your bookshelf.


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

Book Review: Sam Tells Stories

Author: Thierry Robberecht

Illustrated by Philippe Goossens

Interest Level: Ages 4-8


About This Book: This adorable character from SAM IS NEVER SCARED is back in another story preschoolers will identify with. Sam is so eager to make friends at his new school that he tells them a story that isn’t true. After all, he makes up bedtime stories for his little brother, who thinks Sam is the best storyteller ever! But when the truth catches up with him, Sam realizes the difference between telling a story and telling a lie—and he has to face his friends and tell them the truth.

Why It's On My Bookshelf:  This book isn't just about one lie, it's about many lies (stories) being told. Sam makes up stories to impress kids at school, but it also 'bleeds' over into his home life. He tells his mom a lie so that he won't get into trouble. I encounter many kiddos who are purposely not honest so they can avoid a consequence. Sam Tells Stories is a cute book with a GREAT message. Park this one on your shelf. It will come in handy when you have a child that is making up stories or telling lies to avoid getting in trouble. Or better yet, use it as preventive medicine to help your kids avoid that big behavior mistake.

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

Book Review: Just Kidding

Author: Trudy Ludwig
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Interest Level: Ages 7-10


About This Book: A joke that has a sharp edge to it can cut you to pieces. That’s what D.J. finds out from his encounters with Vince, a smart-aleck classmate whose biting humor is more hurtful than funny. With the help of his dad and teacher, D.J. learns how to stand up to put downs and make healthier friendship choices.

A beautifully illustrated story, Just Kidding captures the truth of harmful teasing when children hide behind the words “just kidding” after treating others in embarrassing, hurtful or mean-spirited ways.

A great resource for children and all who work with them, Just Kidding includes useful tips, discussion questions and additional information to help young readers understand that one-sided fun really isn't much fun after all.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: What a fantastic book. I don't know how many times I have heard after a put down has been delivered, 'I was just kidding!' or 'I was just playin'!' I have used Just Kidding in multiple fashions. It's a great book to help students not be targets. We've got too many students out there who are not aware they are purposely being targeted. It's also a great way to 'call out' those kids who are using the words 'just kidding' to get out of trouble and not have to apologize. In one class discussion, the kids decided that saying 'Just Kidding' to someone is a double put down. They are so right on, kids are smart! I also like how the father role plays strategies that are similar to the book Simon's Hook. This is another Trudy Ludwig HIT with kids, to your shelf pronto!

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

Book Review: My Grandma Died

Author: Lory Britain, Ph.D.
Illustrated by Carol Deach
Interest Level: Ages 4-8


About This Book:
This gentle story is written for the very young. It uses simple, honest language to clarify that death is permanent, that the child will never again be able to bake cookies or rock with grandma. The child acknowledges that losing grandma is a greater loss than that of a toy or pet.
My Grandma Died assures the young child that it’s normal to feel angry, frightened and sad when grieving. It also helps a child distinguish between the emotional pain of grief and the physical pain of a scrape or sunburn. Carefully researched and reviewed by therapists who work with preschool and primary-age children, My Grandma Died offers practical, age-appropriate suggestions for coping with loss.

 

Mama says I can draw a picture of how

I'm feeling when I'm all mixed up inside 

 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Okay, do not be scared of how simple and tiny the book looks. It's concrete and to the point, exactly the kind of book you need to read to 4-8 year olds. My Grandma Died gives a child coping strategies on how to meet their emotional needs during the grieving process. When a grandparent dies, it's a big deal. Add this one to the grief section of your shelf, especially if you are a counselor.

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