Book Reviews: You Are The Best Medicine and Brushing Mom's Hair

You Are the Best Medicine
http://www.youarethebestmedicine.com/
Author: Julie Aigner Clark
Illustrated by Jana Christy
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Watching a parent go through cancer treatment is scary. In this courageous and sensitive book, cancer survivor Julie Clark creates sweet and poignant memories that remind us how children can nurture their mommies at a time when optimism and love are most needed. Watch the book trailer below...

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Since I review children's books from a bibliotherapy perspective, I'm solely focused on the emotional aspect it offers to a child. Author Julie Aigner Clark has survived breast cancer twice - and after reading You Are The Best Medicine it is clear she knows exactly what healing words children need to hear from a parent during cancer treatment....love, emotional safety, honesty, and happiness. Cancer and happiness?? Yes, I said it - happiness. Because throughout the story, the mom keeps touching upon how the thought of her daughter brings her such happiness and keeps her going. The best medicine is her loving relationship with her precious child. I believe it's also the best medicine for the child. This is perfect bibliotherapy. What a beautiful reminder to stay focused on the positive. 

Brushing Mom's Hair

Author: Andrea Cheng
Illustrated by Nicole Wong
Interest Level: Ages 9 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Ann is just short of fifteen when Mom is diagnosed with breast cancer. How can she tell the girls in her ballet class that her mother had her breasts cut off? Her matter-of-fact sister, Jane, takes charge at home; her brother, Nick, calls from California; Dad helps when he can, as do friends, teachers, and relatives. Still, Ann is consumed with worry. Who's going to make sure that Mom drinks enough water, like the doctor said? Unless she is dancing or making pottery, Ann feels completely alone. She has a book that says "Don't sweat the small stuff. And it's all small stuff." Even cancer?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: It is possible for a book to reach out and touch a child's soul. Brushing Mom's Hair is phenomenal and it reaches out and just embraces the child. The author's own treatment of breast cancer and it's impact on her daughter are what make it so real. I'm always in awe of how poetry, when written from the heart, can be so healing. I'm also grateful this was written for teenagers because I get so many emails asking for more recommendations for this age level. This is an easy one to recommend. Andrea Cheng does not sugar coat her words or talk down to the reader. I thank her for that. I can see this inspiring a child/young adult to write their own poetry, journal, open up conversation, or just make them feel okay. I feel lucky to have this one on my shelf.

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are

Author: Maria Dismondy
illustrated by Kimberly Shaw-Peterson
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This one's been on my wish list forever! The title sure grabs you and so will the story. As a school counselor it's got everything I need to talk to students about differences and bullying. But here's what I really drove home with the kids - it can be difficult to show respect to someone who is mistreating you. I see this in my school ALL the time. Kids (and adults by the way) see this as a way to protect and defend themselves.

Enter Lucy. More like, enter KIND CHILD, who does what is right and shows kids you don't have to bully back to win. We need to make kindness more popular than bullying! I'm so passionate about this...okay anyways.....she is taunted and teased by Ralph, but doesn't give in to the temptation to bully back. She rises above because of her grandfather's words in the first few pages, "Remember, when you treat others with love and kindness, you are doing the right thing."

Okay, call me crazy but I still believe in the magic of smothering 'mean' people with kindness. Essentially this lets them know they can't push your buttons. This doesn't mean we want our kids to turn into a bunch of door mats. But we want them to use the BEST PART of who they are and not join in on the 'back and forth' bully game. Lately, I'm teaching more about empathy, compassion, and being your best self. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun has reminded me of one of the ultimate strategies to combat bullying - respect, kindness, and be your best self. Recently, I had a student report to me at recess that she had just received a put down. When I asked how she responded, her response was, "I said - I'm sorry you are having a bad day. And then I just walked away." And I just stood there with my mouth hanging open. (i love my job!) This was one of the role plays the kids and I worked on. Don't doubt the power of assertive kindness ever!

Watch the book trailer on author Maria Dismondy's website. She's also the author of Juice Box Bully, a very relevant and important story about the power of bystanders. Maria's books are making a DAILY difference in my school. Kids are learning how to WIN when it comes to bullying - and sometimes it comes in the form of kindness.

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

Guest Blog Post Book Review: Sometimes We Were Brave

Today's review is written by Barbara Gruener who is an amazing elementary school counselor and past guest blogger on my site.

Author: Pat Brisson
illustrated by France Brassard
Interest Level: Ages 4-9

From the Book Jacket: Jerome's mom is a sailor. When her ship is in home port, she and Jerome bake cookies, read books together, ad take their dog, Duffy, for walks. When his mom's ship goes to sea, she gives Jerome a hug and says, "Be brave, Jerome. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Even though his dad takes good care of him, Jerome misses his mom and worries about her. Jerome doesn't feel brave at all. But he does what he needs to do every day - goes to school, helps his dad with chores, and takes care of Duffy. Then one day he learns that bravery means something very different then he thought it did.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: The first reason it's on my shelf is because Roxanne recommended it!  The second reason is author Pat Brisson penned The Summer My Father Was Ten, one of my all-time favorites.  The third and most important reason is because it is TOPS among illustrated picture books dealing with emotionally-charged and extremely-difficult issues of military service and sacrifice. 

This jewel's author, Pat Brisson, a former elementary school teacher and librarian first became interested in this subject when she traveled to Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Panama and Guantanamo Bay as a visiting author.  She tells me that she was struck "by the sacrifices expected of these children, who didn't volunteer, but are still giving service to their country by doing without the presence of a parent at very important times in their lives,"  which accounts for her uncanny ability to tackle the deployment of a parent head-on, with grace and sensitivity.  Telling the tale first-person-narrative style lends authenticity and credibility to the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a boy (and his dog) trying to show courage, but struggling with missing their mom.  It's just SO real:  sometimes they have bad days, sometimes they get surprises, sometimes they have accidents, sometimes they get treats, sometimes they are afraid.

Complemented by amazingly gentle and strikingly soft illustrations, Sometimes We Were Brave will comfort and validate students whose parents are on active duty and serving in scary, far-away places and will undoubtedly stir up compassion and caring in the hearts of their friends and classmates.  We can't do enough for these families while their parent or loved one is away.  At our school, we offer preschool free of charge to kids like Jerome.  Last year, we partnered with Starbucks to send a shipment of coffee to Luke's dad, who was serving in Iraq.  Trained by the Military Child Education Coalition, I offer counseling support for these students.  We also pair them with a high-school Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) student for weekly visits. 

Each year in November, we study the branches of the military in preparation for Veterans Day, and we all write letters and draw pictures to send to soldiers overseas to salute, honor, and thank them for keeping us safe and free.  This year along with our letters, we sent 129 care-package APO boxes to Iraq and Afghanistan to spread holiday cheer to our heroes.  A few years back, we actually wrote letters to local families of fallen soldiers so that they, too, could be comforted and know we will always remember.  Check out this amazing book, it's a perfect companion for any or all of these ideas! 

Inspiration!
A video of Barbara and her students putting together Christmas packages for the front lines.

Very Helpful Resources:
Students at the Center
Military Child Education Coalition
Operation Military Kids

More About This Elementary School Counselor Extraordinaire:
Barbara Gruener is an elementary school counselor at Westwood Elementary. Barbara is a published author whose work has appeared in magazines such as Teaching Tolerance, Teaching K-8, and Daughters. She also has an IMPRESSIVE web page called The Counselor's Corner and writes for the website Character Counts.

A Link to This Book: