Book Review: You're Mean, Lily Jean!

Author: Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Publisher: Albert Whitman
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: When Lily Jean moves in next door, sisters Carly and Sandy are happy to have a new friend join their game. But Lily Jean changes everything. She decides they'll play house and orders Carly to be the baby. When they play king and queen, King Lily Jean tells Carly to be the royal dog! Tired of being bossed around, Carly comes up with a way to teach Lily Jean a lesson. With Sandy's help, can she turn a bully into a friend?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Well, my 2011 favorites list just grew again! I am very passionate about the name of my blog because of books just like this one. I spend hours hunting for the ones with teachable moments that help children learn important social skills. Every K-3 class I read this to benefited in their friendships, sibling relationships, and helped curb bullying behavior.

There is a whole lot of bossing around going on in the story. Lily Jean is on a power trip and her behavior got a ton of disapproval from students. Carly is picked on because she is the little sister and Lily Jean wants to have Sandy all to herself. But what blessed my heart was how sweet and caring big sister Sandy is to Carly. She sticks up for her. It was a great stopping point to talk about how we need to look out for our siblings and make sure they are being treated with kindness. Carly sticks up for herself too and lets Lily Jean know she can hang with her and Sandy if she is nice. That's their friendship rule for Lily Jean. Stop being bossy and start being nice or go play alone. Lots of kids need to hear this truth. It's okay to say NO to bad behavior. Looking forward to reading this one to my own kiddo.  

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Book Review: Willow's Whispers

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Publisher: Kids Can Press
Activities: Storytime Suggestions 

Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Willows words came out in whispers. They were just too tiny to hear. Willow's voice, soft and shy as a secret, goes unheard by everyone at school and causes her no ends of troubles. Having to drink orange juice at snack time when she had asked so nicely for apple is just one disappointment.

After a night of wishing, thinking and planning for a way to make louder words, Willow wakes the next morning with the perfect idea: a magic microphone! But although she fashions it from the sturdiest recyclables, her beglittered invention doesn't last the school day. Will Willow find another way to make herself heard?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I get a lot of requests from parents, teachers, blog followers etc asking for book suggestions to help kids overcome shyness. There's not a lot of good ones out there on the topic. But there is a really GREAT one out there.....Willow's Whispers. This was a discovery a couple of months ago. As I started to read the first pages, it almost seemed too good to be true - because I love the way it's written from beginning to end.

This was a powerful read for the shy kids and even the ones who are not. First of all, the shy kids got to hear DIRECTLY from me in the most validating way through Willow's story. I introduced the words...fears, confidence, inner strength, brave.....oh the list goes on. Also, it's okay to be shy. But when can our shyness get in the way of our own happiness and become a problem? This is what happens to Willow....she is misheard, gets bullied, has trouble making friends, and misses out on classroom opportunities. We quickly figured out her shyness was getting in the way. Good Stuff! And a wonderful way to introduce strategies for kids to practice.

For those kids who are not shy it was a good lesson in sensitivity and to be supportive to those children who do feel shy at times. Reach out to them, have understanding, and try to help them feel comfortable. I cannot wait to read this one again next year. This is always a sign of how much I adore a new book. My recommendation list just got a lot stronger in the shy department.

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Book Review: You Can Be a Friend

Authors: Tony and Lauren Dungy
Illustrator: Ron Mazellan
Interest Level: Ages 4-9

From the Book Jacket: When the new neighbor Hannah moves in, Jade can't believe her luck that there's finally a girl her age to play with in the neighborhood. When Jade meets the new family, though, she is taken aback by the fact that Hannah is in a wheelchair. With the gentle encouragement of her parents, Jade slowly gets to know Hannah, and the two become great friends. But when Jade's planned birthday party at the water park is on the horizon, Jade realizes while Hannah can do a lot of things, there are some things she can't.

Will Jade go on with her party plans, or will she revise them to accommodate her new friend? Jade's struggle and ultimately her solution prove that being a good friend takes a bit of thought, but is well worth it in the end.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Forever. That's how long I've been trying to find a book like this. Of course, it's gotten an incredible response from the kids. It has a wonderful message about being a good friend and doing the right thing (even when you might not want to). The character Jade is a giving, caring, and selfless kid. She really sets the bar when it comes to thinking about a friend's feelings. I also like that she's not perfect. She has fears about being friends with Hannah who is in a wheelchair. Jade quickly comes to realize it's not the wheelchair that matters but who Hannah is as person that counts. The friendship quickly blossoms as she discovers what a neat friend she has found. But she faces a dilemma when she has to decide whether or not to invite Hannah to her birthday party...which is at a water park. Hannah will not be allowed to participate in the activities. This is when the students sort of gasped....like 'OH NO! What will she decide?' You will love the ending. This is definitely making my 2011 favorites list.  

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