Book Reviews: Bossy Bear and Just Like Bossy Bear

Bossy Bear
Author/Illustrator: David Horvath
Interest Level: Ages 2-8

About This Book: Bossy Bear is very bossy. He wants everything his way and he wants it NOW! In his picture book debut, the founder of the hugely successful Uglydolls franchise has created an irresistible new children's book character. With bold graphic art and hilarious, simple text, this book will have young readers recognizing -- and laughing at -- their own bossy tendencies. 

Bossy Bear not being so nice

  

Bossy Bear loses friends when he demands that he's the Boss

Just Like Bossy Bear
Author/Illustrator: David Horvath
Interest Level: Ages 2-8

About This Book: Bossy Bear is still bossing everyone around--always wanting things his way. But when Turtle starts exhibiting the same behavior, Bossy Bear makes some hilarious attempts at setting a better example. David Horvath brings us another irresistible tale about a bossy little bear and his best friend.


Bossy Bear's friend Turtle also starts being bossy

Bossy Bear decides it's time to change

Why They Are On My Bookshelf: These awesome books on bossy behavior weren't even on my radar until a very sweet 1st grade boy brought them to my attention. Kids have picked up on the type of books I read apparently. Ha! Reading these to the kids has been a blast and they seem to have fallen in LOVE with Bossy Bear. I can tell they really like the illustrations also. And do kids boss each other around or get bossy in friendships? OH YES! So if you are looking for an intervention...try these.

When I was buying the second book on Amazon I noticed there was also a little Bossy Bear figurine for purchase!! UM, HAD TO HAVE IT OF COURSE!


Bossy Bear Figurine

The first day I brought him to class it was as if I told the kids they were going to Disney Land when they saw the figurine. Lots of "OHHHHs" and "AHHHHs." He has Rock Star status with the students. They all got to hold him which seemed like it might have been the highlight of their life. Seriously, they were loving him. The best part is when we did bossy role plays - Bossy Bear took part in the lesson. Love it! He's also made an appearance in some of my small counseling groups. So excited I have this new tool to use with kids!

PS. I believe you can also buy Bossy Bear's friend - Turtle. But I haven't found it yet.....

A Link to These Books and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Book Reviews: Sky Memories and Rudi's Pond

Sky Memories
Author: Pat Brisson
Paintings by Wendell Minor
Interest Level: Ages 9-12 (not a picture book)

From the Book Jacket: "The year before my mother died, we gathered sky memories." So begins this poignant tale of a daughter who is forced to say goodbye to her mother too soon. Emily is ten years old when her mother is diagnosed with cancer. By the time Emily has turned eleven, her mother will have died. But through the painful last months of their life together, Emily and mom find a way to celebrate and commemorate their relationship. Together they take mental pictures of the sky in all its variety and wonder - the sky that seems to reflect the phases of Mom's illness and the vitality of her soul. Sensitive and insightful, Sky Memories gracefully conveys the heartbreak of loss and, ultimately, the comfort of memory.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: It's extremely difficult to find WELL WRITTEN HEALING grief bibliotherapy for this age group. Thank goodness for authors like Pat Brisson. She's done something incredible with Sky Memories for kids who are coping with a great loss. All of the difficult emotions and hard questions are tackled in this story. Emily goes through anger, sadness, denial, and acceptance.

Emily asks some very honest questions to her mother like, 'Are you going to die? Are you afraid of dying? Why doesn't God answer my prayers.' Pat Brisson doesn't try to make the hard parts "pretty" for your reading pleasure. I thank her for that. And I'll admit, even as a counselor it's hard to read this story because I know kids go through this.

What really blessed me about this story is when Emily gets angry after her mother's death, "There were bottles of pills on the nightstand. I carefully lined them up in a perfectly straight row along the edge of the table. I flicked the first one off the edge. It fell to the floor with a familiar rattle and thud. I flicked the next one harder and it fell harder from the table. The next one I batted with my hand and it flew halfway across the room. The last three I gathered up and threw with all my might at the far wall. The plastic containers shattered and pills flew all over the room. I burst into tears." Wow. The message: Kids, you get to be angry about your loss! Everyone's anger is going to look different. Throwing the pills across the room didn't seem like an unhealthy way to cope. I sort of went...YES, throw those awful pills, Emily!

Don't try and look for or force closure when you read this book. Grief doesn't work that way. There is a beautiful acceptance and understanding that seems to rise from every page to the very last word. Highly recommend this one.

Rudi's Pond
Author: Eve Bunting
illustrated by Ronald Himler
Interest Level: Ages 5-9

From the Book Jacket: Rudi is my best friend. He and I made a feeder for hummingbirds out of a bottle and a straw. "They'll come for sure," Rudi says. "If I was a bird, I'd come." But Rudi is sick, and Mom says he is sinking. Sinking is hard to understand. It is terrible when Rudi dies. Everyone in school wants to create something wonderful so we can remember him. We decide to build a pond next to the big knobby oak in the schoolyard. The feeder Rudi and I made hangs from the oak, and one day a special hummingbird arrives...

Inspired by a true story. Eve Bunting has written a touching account of the hope a young girl finds after a devastating loss. Ronald Himler's soft watercolor palette beautifully captures the story's deep emotion.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: When we lost a student to an illness, I read this book to the class. Yep, we all cried. What we learned from Rudi's Pond was how we can continue to celebrate the memory of our beloved friend and student. Let me tell you, the loving and caring spirits of children are a magical thing. I've witnessed a lot of healing in children just from creating special memory boxes, cards, or even the planting of a tree in honor and gratitude.


Creating cards for Rudi when he is in the hospital.....

In this story, Rudi's classmates help to build a pond by a tree in his honor. Rudi's best friend also hangs a hummingbird feeder that reminds her of their friendship. She starts to see a hummingbird each day and it feels like a very special sign to her. Even though he is gone, the sign reminds her of his presence in her heart. Oh wow - now that is healing for kids to hear! 

This is a touching and beautiful story. Sometimes it's hard to talk about the, "Where do we go from here?" question. This has been more than helpful since the kids are looking to me for answers and hope. Peace. That's what we feel after reading Rudi's Pond.

A Link To These Books:

Book Review: A Few Good Ones On Sharing

Martha Doesn't Share!
Author: Samantha Berger
illustrated by Bruce Whatley
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Martha has a new favorite word. And that word is Mine! Martha's sharing skills need some work. She's not very good at taking turns either. But when Martha realizes that keeping her toys all to herself means having to play all by herself, too, she decides to give sharing a try - one (small) toy at a time. In this follow-up to Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!, our unforgettable otter learns that when it comes to sharing, practice makes (almost) perfect. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Martha Doesn't Say Sorry! has made many rounds to K-1 classes. So the students are very familiar with this little otter (who can be a total stinker). This is a classic story of the consequences of not sharing....no one wants to be around you, give you attention, or play with you. Martha experiences this and she gets to thinking....oh oh, time to change my ways! A page I enjoy reading is when Martha has her a ha moment, "Martha thinks about sharing. She thinks and thinks and thinks about it. Then she thinks about it some more." Ahh, perfect stopping point for discussion about that lovely little word "think."

The last illustration gets me giddy. It might look like a cutsie ending but good discussion awaits. The picture shows Martha sharing with her baby brother. 

Here's the deal though....she's only sharing a few blocks. Yo, it's not sharing when you give someone three items and you have fifty. A kindergarten teacher listening in interrupted our lesson and we had a talk about this last illustration. (great time to role play this with those problem toys) This is a sharing behavior that's been going on in her class. Some of the kids had that 'oh oh' look on their face but they were able to receive and understand it's perceived as unkind when you do this. LOVE IT. Now all I need is a Martha otter puppet and I'm set!

Eleanore Won't Share
Author: Julie Gassman
illustrated by Jessica Mikhail
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

About This Book: Eleanore does not like to share and soon learns a valuable life lesson about sharing and friendships.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Whoa. Eleanore and Martha must be related! Eleanore definitely does not like to share and she even has her own set of rules about sharing:

1. Always share things you don't like.
2. Always share things that belong to other people.
3. Always share when it make things more fun...for you!

So the story continues with Eleanore hoarding away while making others feel bad. But soon enough she feels those social consequences that come with unkind behavior. "The other kids were NOT happy about it. Soon, they stopped playing with the dress-up clothes - and with Eleanore."

When she tries to join in a game the kids assertively let her know she will not be included unless she changes her ways. Taking a little think time, Eleanore rights the wrong and says, "From now on I will try to share - even when I don't want to." In the end, she shares a hug with her teacher. Ahh...adorable. Make sure to create a new and improved list of sharing rules for Eleanore with the help of students. Hint: don't do a boring 1 2 3 list. I traced a picture of Eleanore on a huge piece of construction paper to make our list more engaging.

Author: Annabelle Dixon
illustrated by Tim Archbold
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

About This Book: Joe has a shiny red car. Charlie hides it, Ben finds it, but whom will Joe choose to share it with?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I own this whole series on making good choices. What I love about them is how they end - no perfect ending. A book requiring kids to fill in the holes and do some thinking. Yippee! But don't worry, a helpful parent/teacher guide will give you thoughtful questions to ask the kids if you need some help. 

The story is centered around Joe's car. Charlie decides to hide it because Joe won't let him have a turn with it. An all familiar story I've seen happen with kids. It's discovered by Ben who makes a decision to lie and say it's his own. Whoo! All kinds of poor choices going on in this one. This is a great story to not just talk about sharing but also friendship and honesty. Enjoy!

A Link to These Books:

Book Review: The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others

  

Authors: Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy

illustrated by Kimberly Shaw

Interest Level: Ages 6-9

From The Book Jacket: Have you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? Instead of being bystanders, the kids at Pete's new school get involved. When the juice box mess becomes more than just a dirty shirt, Pete's classmates teach him about "The Promise." Will Pete decide to shed his bullying habits and make "The Promise"?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Bystander. If you've ever used a bullying curriculum then you've seen that word. Over the years I've REALLY struggled (translation = awful lessons) finding a decent lesson plan or book to explain this term to kids and what it means in the world of bullying. Maybe you've had this problem too. Well, look no further! Juice Box Bully is an awesome new book to my shelf and has already made quite a presence in classrooms. Those days of awful bystanders lessons are over!

It's always rewarding to look at the students and see how much they're relating to a story. Lots for them to soak up in this one. The language is not overdone, it makes concrete sense. "And, I'm not a bystander," Ralph said. "I don't stand by and let mean things happen." Nothing greater then reading a book with EMPOWERED kids in it. "The Promise" is what empowers them to do the right thing when it comes to bullying. It's a pledge to stand up to bad behavior. The first line is, "I WILL speak up instead of acting as a bystander."  Love it. One student asked me, "Do we have "The Promise" at our school?" We definitely have a pledge but it's not specific to bullying. Inspired me as the school counselor to get on it!

I also pointed out how, Pete, the new kid was using bullying behavior his first few days of school but kids didn't turn him into an outcast or label him for life. They all took "The Promise" and were committed to helping him become a caring classmate. They didn't judge him, even in the midst of a conflict.

So the next time I use the word bystander in a real life situation with kids, they'll know what I mean and remember their own promise. Check out the book trailer at author Maria Dismondy's website. Maria has also written Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun (review to come) and she has a facebook page!  

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

Book Review: Zero

Author/Illustrator: Kathryn Otoshi
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Zero was a big round number. When she looked at herself, she just saw a hole...right in her center. Every day she watched the other numbers line up to count. "1 2 3 4 5 6 7..." She wanted to count too! But how could a number worth nothing become something? Zero felt empty inside. And so goes Zero's search to find herself and in others.    

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Could author Kathryn Otoshi be anymore creative? She already blew my students away with the amazing One and now she's back with Zero. It's a MUST book for the littles and I've been using it to teach positive self-talk, the importance of self-concept, and self-esteem (lots of selfs!).

It isn't a particularly difficult thing to help promote a child's self-esteem. If fact, we do it without even realizing that our words and actions have great impact on how children feel about themselves. Unfortunately, kids aren't always being modeled this in a healthy way. Some students are coming to school with a negative tape of words playing in their minds. Luckily, I have an army of books like Zero ready to erase that tape and record new empowering words.

It all starts with thoughts...

You will often find me doing A LOT of drawing while I read my books to students. Thought bubbles are a great visual when explaining self-talk. Below I used post-it notes and we helped Zero develop new positive language.

There's a lot of extension activities I do with simple post-it notes (good thing I have the Costco size for the year). After I modeled thought bubbles, I gave each student one of their own post-its to fill in new self-talk they'd like to start using. It's also wonderful when students come for one on one or group counseling because when I use the thought bubbles - they know exactly what it is and how it applies to their life. Gifts and strengths are something I am constantly talking about with kids. I'm so grateful for Zero. And get One also! They are both engaging and superb.

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: It's Hard To Be A Verb!

Author: Julia Cook
illustrated by Carrie Hartman
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Being a verb is hard...especially for Louis, who can't seem to control himself when he gets the urge to move at the wrong time and situation. Louis' mom comes to the rescue by teaching him techniques to help keep his inner itching, twitching and jumping to be a verb in check. A positive resource for anyone dealing with ADHD or challenged by someone who has ADHD.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Lots of things I like about this book. The use of the word verb is a perfect way to describe what's going on with Louis. It's sort of a nice and neutral way to explain ADHD behaviors without having to put a label on someone. The first part of the story explains how hard it is for Louis to be in control and someone is constantly on his case because of it. Kids who have these same challenges can absolutely relate to his struggle. But one day mom offers up some solutions. She shows him how to wiggle his wiggles, use a focus squishy, and makes a daily check list. Um, LOVE IT! This makes it easier to introduce my interventions. Also, dad makes a few comments about their strategies being strange. I like that author Julia Cook put this in the book. This is smart. Because it gives me a chance to rebuff that kind of thinking.

I'm so thankful to have a story like It's Hard To Be A Verb. I don't students feeling put-down by their wiggles. Being a verb is tough! But there are ways to redirect those wiggles. Favorite part is the last page when mom shows her acceptance and appreciation of who Louis is....a wonderful verb.  

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Three Names of Me

Author: Mary Cummings
illustrated by Lin Wang
Interest Level: Ages 8-11


From the Book Jacket: Ada has three names. Wang Bin is what the caregivers called her at her Chinese orphanage. Ada is the name given by her American parents. And there is a third name, whispered by her Chinese mother. That name, unknown but treasured, is someplace in Ada's heart.

Written for all girls who, like Ada, are both Chinese and American, Mary Cummings''s lyrical text speaks of love remembered and love present. Lin Wang's beautiful paintings evoke China and America.

Additional pages based on Ada's scrapbook will inspire readers to collect their own drawings, photos, and thoughts.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Even though I was adopted here in the United States. I wish there had been a book like this when I was younger because I probably would have read it a hundred times. As a child, I remember my mom telling me the story about how they adopted me and all the little details of how we became a family. I hung onto her every word! Those stories are an important part of healing our self-identity and a helpful way to embrace adoption. Three Names of Me is written to perfection. I always tried to relate to the children in the books when I was a little girl. Ada is someone I would have felt connected to because of her story and the wording used. It's doesn't matter that we were adopted from different countries - we share the same experience and feelings. I highly recommend this gem.

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Two New Howard B Wigglebottom Books

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It's OK to Back Away
Author: Howard Binkow
illustrated by Susan F. Cornelison
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: This fun and entertaining illustrated picture book shows children how to handle anger issues and back away from conflicts. The story teaches important skills through humor and real life situations with which young children can immediately identify. There are several suggestions for lessons and reflections at the end of the book. This is the fifth in the award winning, teacher endorsed Howard B. Wigglebottom series.  

Why It's On My Bookshelf: As the school year progresses and new friendships are formed between students something else starts to form....conflicts. And they don't always end nicely. Anger can really mess the whole thing up. So this is the time of year I start teaching A LOT of lessons on how to deal with your anger without hurting other kids. Howard B Wigglebottom Learns It's OK to Back Away is new to my shelf and fits in beautifully with my lessons on learning to get calm and walk away from situations. It's also a good way to demonstrate self-talk. Howard uses the phrase, "Stop, it's OK to back away." Really like that....calming statements work wonders!

Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey
on His Back: A Tale About Telling the Truth 
Author: Howard Binkow
illustrated by Susan F. Cornelison
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

About This Book: Even though Howard's conscience tells him lying is wrong - he chooses to lie anyway - why not? It's so easy and he can get away with it most of the time. Soon he realizes he feels sad and uncomfortable with himself. How can he make this bad feeling go away?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Oh happy day!! A new book about honesty and the MAJOR problem with lying!! I only have a handful of books addressing this issue. Newsflash: 99.9% of kids know lying is a big NO NO. But all of a sudden they find themselves in a chronic pattern of dishonesty. That's why I dig the metaphor of the monkey (so get your monkey props ready) on the back. Because lying can feel like a horrible burden being carried around. After many incidents of lying Howard starts to feel plain awful about himself. To the point where he can't sleep because of the stress of his bad choices. It's not until he makes a brave decision to tell the truth that the monkey (bad feelings, guilt) leaves. I really love the message at the end....lying makes a person feel completely unhappy. You may be fooling the people around you but deep down you know the truth - and have to live with that knowledge. Whoo! Good stuff.

Check out more Howard goodness at The We Do Listen Foundation

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Book Review: Grandma's Gloves

Author: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Julia Denos
Interest Level: Ages 5-8

A Note From the Publisher: Grandma is always on her knees in the dirt, with her gardening gloves on, talking to her roses. Her home brims with plants and blossoms, and on hot days, she even waters the little girl in this story, her "most special flower of all," with the hose.

But a day comes when Grandma isn't there to care for the little girl anymore. She feels sad and small and alone until she remembers all that her grandmother taught her- and all that she has to teach. Full of light and life and the solace of green, growing things, this moving and beautifully illustrated picture book explores a timeless bond with warmth and joy.

Hello, Gorgeous Illustrations!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I couldn't help but to tear up while reading this. It is such BEAUTIFUL bibliotherapy. When I was a child, I would have wanted to read this to help with grief. It's the type of life lesson that puts a smile on your face when you close the book. There is so much we can teach children about what they can do with the memories they have of a grandparent. Author Cecil Castellucci reminds us to take these gifts and wisdom and keep passing them on. In Grandma's Gloves the little girl appreciates her Grandma's adoration of gardening. Her memories are filled with Grandma working in her garden and always having her gloves nearby. A relationship and bond formed out of this hobby. It's the connection to her Grandma. Who knew a pair of garden gloves could mean so much to a little girl. They mean so much that she wants to keep the tradition alive...so lovely.

It got me thinking about a set of bowls I have in my kitchen. When my own Grandmother passed away they were given to me. I love them because of the meaning behind them. They remind me of the memories of the wonderful meals she would make us on Sundays.

My Grandma's Bowls

Although it's sad she's not around to make us her yummy German recipes, I take comfort in having the bowls in my home. And when I use them - it's very special to me....just like the gloves in the book.

This would be a wonderful read aloud to a classroom. Make sure to share your own memories and treasures from your grandparents.....

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Brontorina

Author: James Howe
illustrated by Randy Cecil
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher's Note: Brontorina had a dream. I want to dance! But Brontorina was rather large - too large to fit in Madame Lucille's dance studio. And Brontorina did not have the right shoes - and everyone knows you can't dance without the proper dance shoes. Still, Brontorina knew, deep in her heart, that she was meant to be a ballerina.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: If you were at Barnes and Noble a couple of Sundays ago and saw a grown woman reading a children's book with a big adorable dinosaur on the cover and hugging it afterwards...well, that would be ME. What's so great about those moments is when I realize how much the kids are going to enjoy my new find for them. And it is an AWESOME find. Brontorina covers acceptance, rejection, being yourself, differences, and following your dreams quite beautifully.

When Brontorina enters Madame Lucille's Dance Academy she is met with warmth and curiosity. But she's also met with a little bit of an attitude by two girls who just can't seem to find anything nice to say. It's like they want her to fail. They have a very minor role but I pointed out their put-downs. A kiddo said, "They are trying to stand in front of her dream!" Luckily, there are two other dancers, Clara and Jack, who want nothing more then to help her succeed. We need to lift each other up - not cut each other down. This was a well received message thanks to Brontorina. Major kudos to the author for picking a dinosaur to be a ballerina. This kept both boys and girls engaged. The last illustration got a heartwarming "AHHHHHH" from all the students. Oh, and from me too!

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