Book Review: Ninja Cowboy Bear

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The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear
Author: David Bruins
Illustrator: Hilary Leung
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

A Note from the Publisher:

The Way of the Ninja
Author: David Bruins
Illustrator: Hilary Leung
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

A Note From the Publisher:



Why They Are On My Bookshelf: These both were a hit. Especially with the boys when they heard their favorite word in the world....NINJA! I also got lots of giggles when I read the title. Ahhh...perfect opportunity to talk about how all three characters are SO different yet are total buddies. The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear is all about navigating through the hard parts of friendship. Ninja, Cowboy, and Bear get themselves into an argument over bragging rights about who is the best. I think we all know how that will turn out. Lots of arguing and hurt feelings! All three go their separate ways to do some thinking and calming down. Really appreciated the teaching moment those pages provided to students. When we are upset, it's okay to walk away for awhile until you can come back with the intention to heal the problem. And that they do!

Author David Bruins other book, The Way of the Ninja, has another great teachable moment in it. What the kids and I got out of it is if you are going to have the "it's my way or the highway" attitude with your friends...don't be surprised to find yourself alone. Which can be boring and lonely! I did a lot of role playing centered around this. Discussion: What can we do when other kids don't want to play the game we have chosen? What can you do if kids are playing a game you don't want to play? Friendship takes compromise. Also, I actually have a ninja puppet I used for our role playing! Yes, cool points for the school counselor.

Check out the Ninja, Cowboy, Bear website to download the Ninja Cowboy Bear paper dolls to create your own role plays with kids. LOVE IT! Plus, they have all other kinds of cool stuff to check out. Love me a book website!

These are seriously rad.
By the way, these both have a lot of great vocabulary words for kids to learn like merrymaking, buffoonery, hilarity, agility, precision......very cool.

A Link to These Books and Others You Might Find Helpful: 
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Book Reviews: Two Favorites on Feelings

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How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods
Authors: Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers
Interest Level: Ages 4-9

A Note From The Publisher: Who hasn't looked at a piece of food and seen a funny face? The inspired Elffers and Freymann take it to another level in these fanciful flights featuring fruits and vegetables! Embarrassed apples, loving lemons, moody melons, red pepper roadsters, and actual banana boats—these vivid and inspired creations will delight children of every age!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I have taken a pledge to never read boring feelings books to children. How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods is just so much fun! It's really important (in my little opinion) to have a lot of resources to draw from when teaching to the social/emotional aspect of a child. Last thing you need is for students to be thinking - Oh gosh, here she comes with that snorefest feelings book again. So lets go back to the word fun. Fruits and vegetables can teach your kids about feelings. So cool! "How did they do that??" This is what the kids kept saying as we turned the pages. I sometimes waited to read the page because there were so many "wows" coming from my audience. 

Why not take it a step further? Bring in your own basket of apples, bananas, etc and let the kids pick one at the end of the lesson to describe how they are feeling. I did and it was such a blast. I heard from students for days about how much they loved the book. Good stuff! I hope you will take the pledge also. No boring feelings books!


Seriously, could this be any cuter?


Why Do You Cry? Not a Sob Story
Book Website: www.kateandsarahklise.com
Author: Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

A Note From The Publisher: Little Rabbit is about to turn five, and he decides he’s all through with crying. He doesn’t want crybabies at his birthday party, so he tells his friends they can come only if they’re big, like him, and don’t cry anymore. When all of his friends admit to crying sometimes, Little Rabbit is shocked. Does everybody cry? Why?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've never really talked to the students about crying before. It's just another one of those things I assume we (including the kids) all know about and do. Why Do You Cry? made me realize if I'm going to teach kids about feelings then we need to talk about that beautiful thing people do....cry. The kids absolutely ADORED this story and fell in love with Little Rabbit. We all giggled at his idea that you should stop crying as you grow older. Little Rabbit's mother explains to him we cry because we all have feelings. Don't ya just love that? When I asked the kids a little later, "Well, so why do adults cry?" A sweet little girl said, "Because they have feelings!" Mother Rabbit also says she sometimes cries when she's happy. So be prepared to talk about tears of joy......heart it.

A Link to These Books:
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Book Review: The Way I Act

Author: Steve Metzger
Illustrations by Janan Cain
Publisher/Book Website: Parenting Press
Companion Book: The Way I Feel
Interest Level: Ages 5-9

From the Book Jacket:

Dancing! Prancing!
Running! Jumping!
Spinning like a top.
When I'm active, I feel GREAT!
And never want to stop.

So exclaims a child alive with joy in her physical self. Some children, like this one, rush headlong into their world; others, equally joyous but perhaps a little more cautious, hang back and watch for a bit. All of them, regardless of their temperament, have to choose how they will respond to the events and people in their lives.

Young school children are eager to figure out how their world works and what its "rules" are. The Way I Act is an enjoyable exploration of what it may be like to behave in certain ways. The door is opened for discussion about the consequences of behavior. In the companion book, The Way I Feel, children learned that feelings come and go and simply are. A little older now, they are ready to think about the ability they have to control how things turn out.

The Way I Act explores thirteen ways of behaving. The friendly verses and bold illustrations convey to the reader many positive ideas of how to act in a variety of situations.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've taken a bigger interest in teaching character education the past couple of years.  I'm noticing kids want to learn about the big behavior words like compassionate, persistent, and capable (and lets not forget it's a great way to increase their vocabulary). Thanks to this wonderful new book, The Way I Act, they also want to apply these words to their daily lives. Just yesterday, a 2nd grade boy came up to me and said, "Mrs. D, I was trustworthy when my brother asked me to stay out of his room." It's also nice to use the language back to kids like, "Thanks for following all the directions. You are very capable." The bond books create between adult and child is pretty powerful if you ask me.

TRUSTWORTHY
RESPECTFUL
Helping kids improve behavior and grow into wonderful people is something I love to be a part of and watch. I feel so lucky when I have such a fantastic book to help make that happen. The kids will delight in illustrator Janan Cain's vivid depiction of each character trait. Don't pass this one up.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful: 
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Book Review: Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life

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Author: Carol McCloud
Illustrated by Penny Weber
Book Website: www.bucketfillers101.com 
Interest Level: Grades 3 and Up
Chapter Book

From the Book Jacket: Do you know you have an invisible bucket which is filled with all of your good thoughts and feelings? If you're new to the concepts of bucket filling and bucket dipping, then this book is for you. With  easy-to-read chapters, colorful illustrations, and daily questions to help readers become better bucket fillers, Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life gives readers the tools to live a life filled with happiness.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: When I got this awesome new addition to my bucket books I had a little fun with it. So I hid it behind my back when I showed it to my 3-5th graders. They've heard Have You Filled a Bucket and How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids countless times over the years so I knew they'd be a little shocked and excited about this new one - because it is totally geared to their age. And of course when I showed what I was hiding, they were eagerly wanting me to read it and wanted to know when it would also be available in our school library.

It's a chapter book and well.....it's PERFECT. The kids are learning all kinds of new things about bucket filling:
  • BFF = Bucket Fillers Forever (and here you thought it meant best friends forever)
  • Group Bucket Filling
  • How To Avoid Dipping
  • Accidental Dipping
  • Thoughtless Dipping
  • Selective Dipping
  • Group Dipping
  • Dipping on Television
  • Long-Handled Dipping
  • Use Your Lid (I've been waiting for someone to use that idea when it comes to bucket filling.  Protect your bucket from getting dipped in the first place. Love it.)
  • Use Your Lid for Others
  • Advanced Bucket Fillers
  • When A Lid Doesn't Work
If you are a bucket believer then I know you just got a little giddy about the above list. I haven't created any lessons to go with the book yet so I've been playing it by ear and basically doing discussion as we read it. I am sensing from the kids that they would really like to have their own copy to read from. It also has cool pictures throughout. We have ordered a few copies for our school library and they will definitely be in HOT demand. I encourage teachers (grades 3 and up) to have a copy in their kid reading library. Your students will thank you. It could also be a great read aloud to increase your classroom climate. Now who is not for that!?  

Group Dipping


Use Your Lid
Hoping more bucket books are going to be published. They are an INVALUABLE resource for children.

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

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Author/Illustrator: Elizabeth Schoonmaker
Author/Book Website: www.eulathesquarecat.com
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Eula is a square cat living in a round world. Try as she might, Eula just doesn't fit in. Circle skirts, hoop earrings, doughnuts galore, nothing can change who she really is - a square cat. But what if her uniqueness is what makes her truly special? Author and illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker's debut picture book shows that it really is hip to be square.   

 
Why It's On My Bookshelf: Square Cat I'm so happy I've discovered you!! How did you know my bookshelf needed you? Actually, it's my students who really needed you. Students need books that say - you're beautiful and okay just the way you are! I talked to  kids about something a lot of us go through as we are growing up...sometimes we question who we are...just like Eula. She is trying to figure out how to fit her square self in what appears to be a round world. It's easy to forget our own beauty when we get focused on everyone else. But it's her friends who get her to see she already has her own gifts - not flaws. Being square is a gift and she actually fits in just fine! As one student said, "She shouldn't try to be like everyone else. I want her to be herself. I like her."  Strong message in this very lovely book and perfectly illustrated. Another student said, "Ohhhh, Eula is so cute!" I'm hoping for a series.

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

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Author: Nan Forler
Illustrator: Francois Thisdale
Author/Book Website: www.nanforler.com
Interest Level: Ages 6-9

From the Book Jacket: The boy lifted a mitten-load of snow and smushed it into Lainey's face, wiping away what was left of the smile she'd had on her first day of school. Eliza said nothing. She stood like a statue with her boots sinking deeper and deeper into the snow, her voice as dry as a mouthful of wool, and watched it happen.

Eliza desperately wants to help the new girl, Lainey, when a group of children pick on her in the schoolyard. But like so many people who witness bullying, Eliza feels afraid and powerless to help. As the sun disappears from Lainey's beautiful paintings and the little girl becomes more and more alone, Eliza does find a way to pass along the gifts her own mother has given her - "wings to fly" and the ability to see the wonderful possibilities that lie before her. Then in an act of courage, Eliza spreads those wings and stands up to the bullies. One by one, the other children add their voices, and soon the bullies have skulked away. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Just when I had given up my search for GOOD (there's only a few out there, friends) books tackling the issue of bystanders - a beautiful story landed in my lap. I'm predicting you will be hearing more and more about Bird Child as it's popularity will certainly rise among school counselors, teachers, and parents. I have immediately built it into my curriculum. There are kids just like Eliza at my school who needed the boost from Nan Forler's book giving them permission to say no to unkind behavior.

Eliza's mom wisely says, "Look down and see what is. Now look up and see what can be." I took the time to make sure the kids understood those words - You have the power to change a situation, a life, a bully problem! This is the first year I've spent more time focusing on the bystanders at my school. It's been time well spent. I'm seeing more empathy, invites to play, faster action to bully behavior, and less exclusion. Don't pass this one up. We are all facing the same issues at our schools, I can see this book appreciated by students everywhere.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
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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:
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Book Review: Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are

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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:
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Guest Blog Post Book Review: Sometimes We Were Brave

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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:
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Book Review: Melissa Parkington's Beautiful, Beautiful Hair

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Author: Pat Brisson
Illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Interest Level: Ages 4-10

From the Book Jacket: "Spectacular! Gorgeous! Fabulous!" Those are some of the words people use to describe Melissa Parkington's hair, which is long, thick, and so shiny that it seems to sparkle. But Melissa Parkington would like to be known for more than her hair. After all, her hair isn't really an accomplishment. It just grows out of her head. Melissa wants to do something special, something spectacular. but everything she tries doesn't seem to work out the way she plans. Then one day she discovers that she can do something special - with her hair. Pat Brisson's engaging and heartfelt story of a young girl who longs to do something positive in the world features lively illustrations by Suzanne Bloom.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Often times I think about writing a blog post of my top 10 favorite books...which would be extremely difficult because I cherish SO many. However, Melissa Parkington's Beautiful, Beautiful Hair would make the list in a heartbeat. First time I read the story it left me with an incredible warmth. But what really warmed my heart was how the students felt about this story. They were changed because of it.

Melissa Parkington is adored because of her hair. Everywhere she goes this outer beauty is pointed out to her. Even her father says at bedtime, "Good night, my Melissa of the Beautiful, Beautiful Hair." But the constant praise starts to bother her, Melissa would rather be recognized and celebrated for her inner beauty. LOVE IT. It was so powerful to introduce the concept of inner vs outer beauty to the kids. Reminded me of the saying, 'It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it matters what's on the inside.' This generation of kiddos doesn't hear that enough.

Melissa's dad complimenting her hair
So Melissa begins a journey to discover her inner beauty. When she receives a compliment for the kindness shown to two younger children she begins to understand her amazing caring nature for others. One day Melissa sees a sign at a beauty salon lookng for people wanting to donate their hair to kids who need wigs. Helping another boy or girl in need is what her heart desires. And guess what....she still feels just as beautiful without her locks. I asked the students, "Do you think she'll regret her good deed?' SHOUTING ERUPTED: "NO!" They got a bit passionate and protective of Melissa's amazing heart.  

 A woman (who looks like she has a lot of outer beauty
going on) can't believe Melissa would want to cut her beautiful hair

The kids love her act of kindness but it was really the last few pages that seemed to steal the show. This time Melissa's dad compliments her differently, "Good night, my Melissa of the Beautiful, Beautiful Heart." Does that not just say it all!!? 

The last lines of the story are SO touching. Sigh.
After we finished the story, we talked about the importance of giving compliments aimed at each other's inner beauty. Then we took the time to do just that. It's pretty amazing hearing kids give such heartfelt authentic compliments to each other. Kids need to hear the message given to us so wonderfully by author Pat Brisson. Take the time to discuss compliments, kindness, and the importance of focusing on inner and not outer beauty. A book written and illustrated so perfectly like this is a rarity.

A Link to This Book:
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