Book Review: I Can See Just Fine

Author/Illustrator: Eric Barclay

Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

About This Book: With more than half a million children in the US wearing glasses today, parents, doctors, and children will delight in this much-needed, refreshingly upbeat take on getting glasses for the first time.

Paige is just like every other kid. She goes to school. She practices her violin. She plays outside. The only problem is, she cannot quite see the chalkboard, her sheet music, or anything else! Despite Paige’s repeated refrain of “I can see just fine,” the comical illustrations portray a different story. Paige’s parents decide it’s time for her to visit the eye doctor, despite her protests. But Paige’s stubbornness quickly dissolves as she braves an enthralling eye checkup, enjoys a playful frame selection, and, most importantly, ends up with perfect eyesight!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: If you have a child who is having problems with their vision but has a fear of seeing an eye doctor then you are going to be so happy to read this wonderful book to them. It's PERFECT. Kids will easily identify with Paige and the story will help them get over feeling nervous or being afraid of the unknown. Readers follow Paige all the way through the process. Again - PERFECT! It's concrete and easy for kids to understand. Can't wait to refer this to a parent.

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Book Review: My Dream Playground

Author: Kate M. Becker

Illustrator: Jed Henry

Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

My Dream Playground Website: www.kaboom.org

From the Book Jacket: Now there is just an empty lot down the street, but this little girl dreams that one day there will be a playground - a real playground, a fun playground - right in her own neighborhood. When she sees a man measuring the empty lot, she is sure that he is there to help make her playground dream come true. And he is!

Inspired by the real story of the first ever playground built by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that has helped build more than two thousand playspaces across the country, here is the story of how a determined young girl, with the help of her family, friends, and community, makes her dream of a playground in her own neighborhood a reality. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: "I know that someday my dream is going to come true." I loved reading those words. This story is a great example of having a goal, being passionate about it, and most important - believing it's going to happen. My Dream Playground has really hit the mark in these areas. At first I thought this was going to be a simple story about building a playground - it's got much more to it though. If you want to make awesome things happen in your life - then get out there and do it. A message like this often inspires students to think about their own goals and dreams. Can't wait to hear them!

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Book Review: Crankenstein

Author: Samantha Berger

Illustrator: Dan Santat

Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

   
 Book Description:

BEWARE OF CRANKENSTEIN!

Who is Crankenstein? HE IS A MONSTER OF GRUMPINESS THAT NO ONE CAN DESTROY! MEHHRRRR!!! HE'S ALIVE!

He may look like any ordinary boy, but when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or an early bedtime, one little boy transforms into a mumbling, grumbling Crankenstein! When Crankenstein meets his match in a fellow Crankenstein, the results could be catastrophic-or they could be just what he needs to brighten his day!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I was so happy to see this come on to the book market. And even happier when it arrived in my mailbox and proved to be such an awesome delight. I love using humor in counseling. Kids GET humor. Kids NEED humor. Sometimes the best medicine to a problem is laughter. Children (and adults) will be wowed by the illustrations. What a fun way to open up some dialogue on how to handle life's cranky moments. Crankenstein is going to be a blast to read. Can't wait for all the giggles. But I mostly want kids to look in the mirror and reflect on their own moods and how to handle them without becoming such a crankster. Enjoy this one!

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Book Review: Some Days Are Lonely

Author: Young-Ah Kim

Illustrator: Ji-Soo Shin

Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

Book Description: Loneliness is a common emotion in both children and adults. As the bear progresses through the story, he experiences loneliness like stormy weather. By the end of the story, the storm has cleared and a rainbow comes out, signifying the transience of uncomfortable or unwelcome emotions. Creative activities for kids and a "Note to Parents" are included.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'd like to use this book in a couple of ways: 1)to teach kids about the feeling of loneliness and how to overcome it and 2)to help children recognize when others are feeling down and how to help them out of a cloudy feeling. Helping kids be in touch with their empathetic heart is very important to me.

A few pages show the bear curled up looking sad: 

I have a few stuffed bears I plan on putting in this same body position. I think it's really powerful for them to see this visual and even hold the bear when he is curled up.

But then I had another therapy idea. This guy:

I think using this Care Bear (Cheer Bear) to talk about coping skills and how to turn the gloom around will be super helpful/visual to kids. The rainbow visual is what really sold me. The book reminds kids that when clouds pass - a rainbow might appear. If I remember right there is also a Care Bear with a sun on it - you could use that one too. Some Days Are Lonely really helped me dig into my creative counselor side. Just reading the story is not enough. You gotta really go for it. Another very healing book. Yes! 

PS. The activities on the back pages are EXCELLENT:

-If your heart were like the weather, what kind of weather would it be today?

-The window is open. If a friend would come by, happy to see you, which friend would you like to see? Draw that friend's face in the window.

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Book Review: Olive's Perfect World - A Friendship Story

Author/Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Interest Level: K-2

Book Description: Little kittens Olive and Emily have always been friends, ever since they were little.  But now Emily has a new friend, and it makes Olive feel left out—especially when she realizes all of the things that Emily and her new friend Eva have in common--like ballet, and eating the same lunch, and wearing the same bows in their hair.  Olive imagines her perfect world, where she and Emily can be friends without Eva there at all.  But in the end, Olive realizes that being friends is about more than having things in common: it's about having fun together and cheering each other up when you're sad.  It turns out that Olive's perfect world is the world that she's living in, where she, Emily and Eva can all be friends.

This book is perfect for kids whose friendships are changing and maturing as they enter kindergarten and elementary school.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is not a story of bullying or mean girls. Maybe that's why I liked it so much. Sometimes friendships evolve and a child may find themselves on the outskirts. Trying desperately to fit back in can be emotionally excruciating. The 'three is a crowd' curse can be devastating to a kid. It really can take a hit at their self-esteem. I've been there. You watch on the sidelines as the other two BFF's bond and connect and you keep trying to figure out where your place is. Olive goes through these feelings. But what I absolutely love about this story is Emily and Eva recognize one day that Olive is feeling hurt and left out. They weren't doing these things intentionally. They are true friends and bring her back into the friendship.

My message to children through this lovely book is to always be mindful when you are in a group friendship. Is everyone feeling respected? Included? Taken care of? And if you are not being respected - how can you assertively speak up? This is a great example of friendship and inclusion. 
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Book Review: Clark the Shark

Author: Bruce Hale
Illustrator: Guy Francis
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Clark is a shark with zing, bang, and BOOM. Clark zooms into school, crashes through the classroom, and is rowdy at recess. Clark loves life - but when his enthusiasm is too much for his friends. Clark's teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, helps him figure out a way to tone it down. Clark the Shark celebrates boisterous enthusiasm - and knowing when it's time for indoor voices!

Watch the Book Trailer Here:


Why It's On My Bookshelf: Usually after the first week of school, the behavior honeymoon is over. That's when you need to reach into your book basket and grab Clark the Shark. He is a sweet shark with good intentions but all over the place when it comes to being focused on learning. We need creative approaches when it comes to challenging kids. The students who are struggling with paying attention and being disruptive need empathetic strategies. I plan on rolling out a cute little lesson plan using a shark puppet - I have a feeling I will be referring to Clark MANY TIMES throughout the year. This is a winner folks.  

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Llama Llama Takes On Bullying

My fall book order list is growing. I saw this one today and am adding it to my kindergarten bully prevention curriculum. Now I just need some llama puppets and I'm set.

Author/Illustrator: Anna Dewdney
Interest Level: Ages 3 and Up

About This Book:
Llama Llama likes to sing.

Gilroy laughs at everything.

Llama sings out just the same.

Gilroy says a not-nice name.

 

Teacher has some things to say:

calling names is not OK.

 

Llama Llama is learning lots of new things at school and making many friends. But when Gilroy Goat starts teasing him and some of their classmates, Llama Llama isn't sure what to do. And then he remembers what his teacher told him—walk away and tell someone. It works! But then Llama Llama feels badly. Can he and Gilroy try to be friends again?

 

Taking on a difficult but important part of children's lives, Anna Dewdney gives readers a way to experience and discuss bullying in a safe and comforting way.

 

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Ozzie and the Art Contest

Author/Illustrator: Dana Sullivan
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Ozzie loves to draw. Ozzie loves drawing and being an artist more than anything—even more than skateboarding! So when his teacher, Miss Cattywhompus, announces an art contest, Ozzie can’t wait to get started. He works really hard on his picture of a goat. He knows it will win first place. There is only one problem. Miss Cattywhompus didn’t ask the class to draw pictures of goats—the contest instructions say "Draw a Boat." Ozzie’s picture doesn’t win first place. And even though it does win honorable mention, he is devastated. How could he not win? He worked so hard. With a little help from Miss Cattywhompus, Ozzie comes to see that he, with his love of art, has won something far more important than a contest.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is a terrific book for teaching the skill of following directions. And it goes further by showing that a consequence can happen when you don't follow a direction. In Ozzie's case, he is so focused on winning the contest he " glanced at the instructions." Even after the teacher said, "remember to read the instructions very carefully." Ozzie beats himself up emotionally over it though. Finally, he is able to amend his mistake by making the boat. Good lessons in this one.

Really excited about having this new book in my line up for teaching academic skills. It's going to be a hit this fall. 

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Book Review: Healing Days - A Guide for Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma

Author: Susan Farber Straus
Illustrator: Maria Bogade
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Healing Days is a sensitive and reassuring story intended for children who have experienced trauma and covers the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that many kids have after a bad and scary thing happens.

A useful book to read with a parent or therapist, Healing Days emphasizes that children are not to blame for what happened, and that they can get help and look forward to a happy future. Kids will begin to understand their response to the trauma and learn some strategies for feeling safer, more relaxed, and more confident.

An extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers, including a list of helpful resources, is available for download at the publishers website at www.apa.org/pubs/magination

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is probably my favorite find of the summer. First of all, the name of the book is beautiful and after I read it what came to my mind was "this is so healing for kids!" Second - just look at the below and you will see exactly why you need this on your counseling shelf:

 

teaches kids about "fight, flight, or freeze"

(my jaw about hit the floor - yes to this!)

 

My Safety Plan (I write these with kids ALL the time.

So I love how this is reinforced).

 

My Feel-Good Plan - Another great tool to use with kids.

 

Healing Days does not reference a concrete traumatic experience. It leaves it open to the reader to relate their own experience to the feelings going on. Breathing and practicing yoga are also discussed as tools to help kids. I appreciate how the author took the time to really explain to kids what these coping mechanisms are and how to use them. It's WELL written. I just absolutely love it and will be recommending it to ALL my counselor friends.

 

It's definitely geared towards kids who are going to be working directly with a therapist. But even if a child is not seeing a therapist - it can STILL be used to help you guide kids towards healing. You can be creative with the words.

What an OUTSTANDING resource.

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

 

Book Review: Amazing Faces

From the Book Jacket: Whatever we feel - whether happy or sad, excited or wishful, proud or lonely - our faces mirror our emotions. In this contemporary yet timeless collection, sixteen evocative poems are brought to life in diverse and detailed faces that reveal the universal feelings we all share. Girls and boys, women and men invite us to experience their world, understand their lives, and find the connections that bring us together.

Poet Lee Bennett Hopkins gathers these insightful works from an impressive array of authors. Glowing illustrations by Chris Soentpiet infuse the verses with atmosphere and exquisite settings. Readers of all ages will want to feast their eyes on these captivating poems and pictures again and again.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Originally I saw this beautiful book on my friend Barbara's blog The Corner on Character. I was immediately drawn to a poem in the book called I'm The One.....

I'm the one
You turn your
Back on,
Never asking me
To play.

I'm the one
You heard Crying,
Walking home
From School
Today.

You're the one
Who could erase
Sadness
Traced Upon my face.

If only one day
You could see,
What fun
You'd have

Being
Friends
With
Me.

Jude Mandell

A Link to This Book: