Sunny: the death of a pet

Author: Judith E. Greenberg and Helen H. Carey

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Death

Year of Publication: 1986

Publisher & Location: Franklin Watts New York

ISBN#:0-531-10102-9

Target Age Level: Elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Old Black and white pictures

Brief Summary:

Bill is scared when his dog Sunny gets sick, but after her death a new puppy helps him stop grieving.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

The book is not adequate for a school curriculum on death. It does not enlighten children about the joys of pets, nor does it help to deal with death. It just notes death as a sad event. The book is simplistic, cool, and poorly written, reading like a "Dick and Jane" reader. It just basicly tells kids to move on and get a new dog.

Activity:

Have kids draw picture of their favorite things they liked to do with their pets.

On Divorce: An Open Family Book for Parents and Children Together

Author: Sara Bonnett Stein
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Divorce
Year of Publication: 1979
Publisher & Location: Walker and Company New york
ISBN#:0-8027-7226-9
Target Age Level: Elementary
# of Pages: 47
Quality of Illustrations: Old Photographs
Brief Summary: This book has two stories in one. a more adult one for parent to read about what they should tell their children and a younger geared story that explains how the children feel.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
This is very old and out of print, alot of the information is still relevent however and can be of some use even today.

Activity:
This book is designed to be read with the parent not a teacher so I might have the child read this book with the parents at home and then we could do a reaction session at the school to see how they felt.

Twister

Author:Darleen Bailey Beard

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Natural Disaster

Year of Publication:1999

Publisher & Location: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd. : CAN

ISBN#:0-374-37977-7

Target Age Level: elementary

# of Pages:32 pages

Quality of Illustrations: blury

Brief Summary:

A rural family and its neighbor face potential disaster as a tornado heads for their homes in this suspenseful though ultimately reassuring picture book. Natt and Lucille enjoy a sultry summer day eating Popsicles and pretending to be royalty. As they dart through the yard, a serious storm kicks up and brings them indoors. When Mama spots an ominous funnel cloud in the distance, she sends Natt and Lucille racing out toward the storm cellar built into the yard while she heads next door to help Mr. Lyle take shelter. During the next several minutes, Natt and Lucille hunker alone in the dark, waiting for the storm to pass and afraid for Mama and Mr. Lyle's safety. Happily, the twister moves on, having caused minimal damage, and Natt and Lucille are quickly reunited with Mama.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

Beard gets all the details right: the sky turning the color of Mama's guacamole, an ominous silence followed by the "monstrous howling" of wind. The kids are really apealing and the book is a realistic look at what a tornado is like.

Activity:

I might read this book after a tornado drill to give the children a real sense of what they are prepairing for.

No-no the little seal

Author: Sherri Patterson

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Sexual Abuse

Year of Publication: 1986

Publisher & Location: Random House: New York

ISBN#: 978-0394880549

Target Age Level: preschool- elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: very realistic looking seals, in new editions the seals are more cartoon looking

Brief Summary: A young seal is upset when his uncle starts touching his body in private places, until he finds the courage to tell Wise Whale.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

It's a little wierd to hear about seals molesting eachother but the book has some good advice, asuming the child has a wise whale in their life.

Activity:

Stop the book after the sad song and ask the child what they would do and then read on to see how that compares to what No-No did.

Twelve is too old

Author: Peggy Mann

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed:Problems with parents and family

Year of Publication: 1980

Publisher & Location: Doubleday & company, inc: NY

ISBN#: 978-0385050999

Target Age Level: middle school

# of Pages:140 pages

Quality of Illustrations: NA

Brief Summary: Eleven-year-old Jody, living with her divorced mother and pot-smoking older sister, dreads her twelfth birthday and the adolescent problems it may bring. It tells about how she deals with her problems from a first person bases

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

Deals with some adult issues but in a good way.

Activity:

Have a child keep a journal and compair their experiances with Jody's.

The Leprechaun in the Basement

Author:Kathy Tucker

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Financial Heard times

Year of Publication: 1999

Publisher & Location: Albert Whitman and Co, Ill.

ISBN#:0-8075-4450-7

Target Age Level: lower elementary

# of Pages:32 pages

Quality of Illustrations: pretty good

Brief Summary: It's St. Patrick's Day, but Michael McKeever has run out of luck. His dad has lost his job, the hot water heater is broken, and now his baseball shoes are falling apart. He and his dad never go out and "throw a few" like they used to, and his mom says they have to learn to Make Do. So when he accidentally discovers a leprechaun in the basement, Michael is sure his luck has changed. Unfortunately, he didn't count on this leprechaun being quite so cantankerous. Any child who has felt the pinch of hard times will relate to Michael's anxiety.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

This book shows that there are not always magic answers to our problems. but sometimes it help to know the right people. The leprechaun doesn't just give the family money he helps by making new shoes, so it's not the magical solution you might think.

Activity: have the child think of friends or other ways they know, like the leprichaun, that can help them through hard times without giving them money or magic

Looking For Normal

Author:Betty Monthei

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Suicide, Death of Parents, Family Relationship Problems, Grief
Year of Publication: 2005

Publisher & Location: Harper Collins

ISBN#:0060725052
978-0060725051

Target Age Level: Mature Teen

# of Pages: 192

Quality of Illustrations: none

Brief Summary:

After being called out of class by the principal, 12-year-old Annie is told that her father shot and killed her mother and then turned the gun on himself. Annie and younger brother Ted experience all the stages of grief (shock, denial, sadness, acceptance) as they transition to living with grandparents who hated their father. Rather than pulling together, the family's healing is slowed by Grandma's drinking and misplaced anger, Grandpa's increasing absences from the home, and the children's disenfranchisement from their friends. Only after Grandma spirals out of control does the family finally begin to deal with its problems.

This book deals with some serious issues.

Sometimes I'm Bombaloo

Author: RAchel Vail

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Anger Controll

Year of Publication: 2002

Publisher & Location: Scholastic Inc., Singapore

ISBN#: 0439669413
978-0439669412

Target Age Level: Beginning

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Good

Brief Summary:
katie talks about how she's generally a good person: "...I'm a really good kid. I smile a lot because usually I'm happy, and I give excellent hugs."
"But," she explains, "sometimes I'm Bombaloo." She shows her teeth, makes fierce noises and scrunches up her face." I use my feet and my fists instead of my words." After a time-out, she'll calm down and apologize to her brother. The book doesn't minimize the strength of the feelings: "While she is Bombaloo, she is not sorry, she is angry and hates everything and everyone. After Katie calms down she is sorry and a little frightened. She says that it is scary being Bombaloo. Her mother hugs her and helps her to clean up the mess.

The book neither excuses nor judges Bombaloo-style anger. Instead, it shows the feelings that occur before, during, and after it, and offers parents and kids the hope of resolution.

Activity: The child could list what makes them angry and then identify ways they could calm down.

I Had A Friend Named Peter

Author:Janice Cohn, D.S.W.

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Death of a Friend

Year of Publication: 1987

Publisher & Location: William Morrow and Company, USA

ISBN#: 0688066852

Target Age Level: Beginning

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Very Good

Brief Summary: Betsy learns of her friend Peter sudden death from her parents. Her parents help her to cope with the news in a loving, gentle way. Betsy is confused at first because she does not understand what it means to die. Her parents explain to her the finality of death. She has a lot of questions surrounding death, the funeral, and the casket that her parents answer. Betsy decides to a picture to put in her room as a reminder of Peter.

At the beginning of this book, the author discusses guidelines from experts that parents and teacher may have about talking to children about death. It is a great story to help children cope with a difficult time.

Activity: This book answers a lot of questions a child may have about death. It would be a great tool to discuss with a child any fears they may have and explore ways they could remember someone who has passed away.

A Book of Friends

Author:Dave Ross

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Making Friends

Year of Publication:1999

Publisher & Location:Harper Collins,

ISBN#: 0060283629

Target Age Level: Beginning

# of Pages: 40

Quality of Illustrations: Great

Brief Summary: This picture book discusses the many different kinds of friends someone can have pen pals, best friends, imaginary friends, family, new friends and old friends, etc. The author gives suggestions on how to be a good friend that could be very useful to children who are learning the basics of interaction in groups.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The illustrations are bright and fun. Young children will enjoy reading this book.

Activity: Children could discuss ways they have been a friend to someone. They also could set a goal of one way they could make a new friend.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: family financial difficulties

Year of Publication: 1973

Publisher & Location: Knopf, New York

ISBN#: 0394810112

Target Age Level: lower and upper elementary school

# of Pages: 161

Quality of Illustrations: There are fun black and white sketches drawn throughout the book.

Brief Summary:
For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public – well, five members of the public to be exact. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka chocolate bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr. Wonka himself. For young Charlie Bucket, this a dream come true because of his families desperate financial situation. And, when he finds a dollar bill in the street, he can't help but buy two Wonka's Whipple–Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delights – even though his impoverished family could certainly use the extra dollar for food. But as Charlie unwraps the second chocolate bar, he sees the glimmer of gold just under the wrapper! The very next day, Charlie, along with his unworthy fellow winners Mike Teavee, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Augustus Gloop, steps through the factory gates to discover whether or not the rumors surrounding the Chocolate Factory and its mysterious owner are true. What they find is that the gossip can't compare to the extraordinary truth, and for Charlie, life will never be the same again.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This is a favorite because of all of the fun fantasy elements. You can't help but love Charlie because of (and not in spite of) his humble circumstances and the genuine goodness of his family.

Activity: Identify good qualities of the main character that have nothing to do with his financial situation. Then talk about developing this qualities in ourselves and finding similar qualities in those around us (regardless of their socioeconomic status).

Tornadoes

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Author: Seymour Simon

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: natural disasters

Year of Publication: 2001

Publisher & Location: HarperTrophy, New York

ISBN#: 9780064437912

Target Age Level: lower and upper elementary school

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Clear, concise text and dramatic, full-color photographs this book shows tornadoes.

Brief Summary:
Simon investigates one of nature's most powerful and dramatic phenomena, from its origins to what you can do to detect and stay safe during a tornado.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I've found children always have a lot of questions about natural disasters. Simon does an excellent job in defining and showing what a tornado looks like. Knowledge is power and the more students know about a tornado the less they will be afraid of them.

Activity: Make a KWL Chart about tornado before reading and follow through after reading the book (K-what they knew before reading the book W-what they want to learn about tornadoes L-what they learned). Point out that if students want to learn about natural disasters(or they're worried about a natural disaster) they can read about it and know more about it.

Elaine's Circle

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Elaine's Circle

Author: Bob A. Katz

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: serious/chronic/acute illness, death, and loss.

Year of Publication: 2005

Publisher & Location: Marlowe & Co., New York

ISBN#: 1569243840 9781569243848

Target Age Level: High School and above

# of Pages: 219

Quality of Illustrations: The cover page is the only illustration and it is warm and inviting.

Brief Summary:
Elaine Moore, a veteran teacher in Eagle River, Alaska, is a firm believer that the classroom is, first and foremost, a community—and that learning is best when shared in a circle of peers. When one of her students, ten-year-old Seamus Farrell, is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Elaine, her students, and her innovative methods of teaching are put to their most severe test. Elaine’s Circle is the true account of this small-town teacher who led her fourth-grade students through the biggest challenge of their young lives. This book provides a heart-wrenching, intimate look at the utterly remarkable achievements of this dedicated teacher, a supportive community, and a group of children who rallied to make Seamus Farrell’s impending death an unforgettable lesson about life.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This is a personal favorite and should be read with a box of tissues. I would recommend this to students and teachers alike. It's inspiring what a teacher and students can do when one of their own is suffering from a terminal illness-love it!

Activity: In the book students make a quilt for Seamus. The class could make a quilt representing all of their unique contributions to the classroom.

Hooway for Wodney Wat

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Hooway for Wodney Wat

Author: Helen Lester

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: anger and conflict resolution

Year of Publication: 1999

Publisher & Location: Walter Lorraine Books, Boston

ISBN#:0395923921

Target Age Level: Lower and Upper Elementary School

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Lynn M. Munsinger has done colorful and funny illustrations of this little 'wat'.

Brief Summary:

Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his R's and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybara joins Rodney's class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. It seems she really is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the rest of them. Until our unwitting hero, Wodney Wat, catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says.

He surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully. Children will delight as shy Rodney Rat triumphs over all and his tiny voice decides the day, R's or no R's.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I like that Wodney confidently does the right thing in this story. It shows that you can be brave no matter the size and stick up for what is right in a conflict situation.

Activity: Verbalize a complaint and write it out in a sentence. Be a part of the solution and not the problem when verbalizing the problem and giving a solution.

Bullyville

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bullyville

Author: Francine Prose

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: bullying

Year of Publication: 2008

Publisher & Location: Thorndike Press, New Jersey

ISBN#:9781410406361

Target Age Level: High School

# of Pages: 227

Quality of Illustrations: The cover has an illustration that describes the books content.

Brief Summary:

After eighth grader Bart Rangely is granted a "mercy" scholarship to an elite private school after his father is killed in the North Tower on 9/11, doors should have opened. Instead, he is terrorized and bullied by his own mentor. So begins the worst year of his life.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book highlights many traumas in this young boys life they include parent's separation/divorce, 9/11 death of his father, private school, bullies.

Activity: How to handle a bully. Make a list as a class of better alternatives than fighting and then role play these alternatives.

All Families are Different

Thursday, June 18, 2009

All Families are Different

Author: Gordon, Sol

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: disrespect and insensitivity for individual and group differences

Year of Publication: 2000

Publisher & Location: Prometheus Books, New York

ISBN#:9781573927659

Target Age Level: Lower and Upper Elementary School

# of Pages: 50

Quality of Illustrations: The illustrations show an assortment of famlies of different cultures and races.

Brief Summary:

Is there such a thing as a "normal" family? Of course the answer to this question is no, but children are often led to believe otherwise. Young people need to understand and appreciate that when it comes to families, they are all different! Dr. Sol Gordon has written an uplifting book for young people age four and older who are curious about just what it means to be part of a family. While the many illustrations show a variety of family situations to stimulate awareness and acceptance of difference, the text places importance on children knowing they are loved by their family members — whoever they may be.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Sol Gordon PhD. is a clinical psychologist with a special interest in children's education. She has written several other books on similar issues they include: Did the Sun Shine Before You Were Born?; Girls Are Girls, and Boys Are Boys; A Better Safe Than Sorry Book.

Activity: Read the book as a class and then have each student draw a picture of their family. A group discussion could then be led about similarities and differences of the families within the classroom.

Running for My Life

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Running for My Life

Author: Ann Gonzalez

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: mental illness of a parent/guardian

Year of Publication: 2009

Publisher & Location: WestSide books

ISBN#:978-1-934813-00-3

Target Age Level: High School

# of Pages: 210

Quality of Illustrations: The cover illustration is done by Michael Morgenstern and it is a catching title page.

Brief Summary:

Running for My Life is the powerful story of Andrea McKane, a fourteen-year-old who struggles to cope with her mother's schizophrenia. She must face the heartbreaking fact that her mother, with whom she once laughed and played, has vanished into her disease, possibly forever. The book accurately portrays the difficulties a teen faces when dealing with the illness, the abuse and absence of a psychotic parent. Running for My Life shows the effects of mental illness on a family, and a teenager's attempts to manage the changes that have shaken her life. With courage, strength, and the loving support of her friends, her father, and her therapist, Andrea finds salvation through running. Running for My Life represents a breakthrough effort in portraying the challenges children deal with when they have to protect themselves from a guardian.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book addresses an older audience. I would want to read it with a student and not just give it to them and wish them good luck.

Activity: Highlight this students support system. Focus a lot on the characters by doing a character diagram or a character book report. How is the main character stronger for having gone through this experience.

I Never Knew Your Name

Thursday, June 18, 2009

I Never Knew Your Name

Author: Sherry Garland

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: suicide

Year of Publication: 1991

Publisher & Location: Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, New York

ISBN#:0395696860

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: The illustrations are a soft wash color and leave the boy who has committed suicide faceless.

Brief Summary:
An observer laments the lonely life of a teenage suicide whose neighbors didn't even know his name. The author has the boy follow the nameless teenager through many different activities and expresses regret for not having invited him to play or joining any of the activities that he saw the boy play.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I feel the book does a good job addressing the feelings that many students may have when a student in their school commits suicide and they do not really know the student but still have feelings about the event.

Activity: Students may write a letter to a student who has committed a suicide of things they may have wanted to say to that student.

Riding the Bus with My Sister

Author: Rachel Simon

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Mental Illness, Metal Retardation, Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities, Sisters, Family Relationships,

Year of Publication: 2003

Publisher & Location: Penguin Group, Inc., New York, NY

ISBN#:

• ISBN13: 9780452284555
• ISBN: 0452284554
• BINC: 7215469

Target Age Level: Young Adult and Adult

# of Pages: 296

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary: This book follows the author's journey to better understand her sister in adult hood. Her sister, Beth, is in her thirties and has mental retardation. She spends her days riding buses. She challenged Rachel to ride the buses with her for one year. Rachel accepted the challenge, and spent every few weekends for the next year, riding the buses with Beth. Along the way, Rachel explores the things she loves and dislikes about her sister and experiences many flashbacks about what life was like growing up with a sister with a disability.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I felt that this book did a really good job portraying all of the mixed emotions and thoughts of a sibling of an individual with a disability, who is an oft-forgotten group in literature.

1. Activity: While reading this book with/to a group of teenagers or adults with disabilities, you could have them plan out a bus trip and list all of the things they will need in order to find the right buses to take them to the right spots.
2. While reading this book with/to a group of teenage or adult siblings of individuals with disabilities, you could challenge them to increase the amount of time they spend with their sibling with a disability and document the time in a journal or diary.
   

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Please Tell!: A Child's Story About Sexual Abuse

Author: Jessie Ottenweller

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: sexual abuse

Year of Publication: 1991

Publisher & Location: Hazelden Publishing, Minnesota

ISBN#: 0894867768

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 30

Quality of Illustrations: Illustrations are beautiful and illustrated by this young author.

Brief Summary:
Written and illustrated by a young girl who was sexually molested by a family member, this book reaches out to other children in a way that no adult can. Jessie's words carry the message, "It's o.k. to tell; help can come when you tell."

Jessie's story adds a sense of hope for what should be, and the knowledge that the child protection system can work for children. Simple, direct, and from the heart, Jessie gives children the permission and the courage to deal with sexual abuse.

"Please Tell! is a beautifully simple book with a profoundly important message for children who have been sexually abused: the abuse wasn't their fault. Written and illustrated by Jessie, herself a pre-teen survivor of sexual abuse, it tells kids just what to do to get the help they need."

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book can be used in individual counseling with a student who has been sexually abused because it is in the words of a victim and survivor. There is a lot of hope and advice in the book.

Activity: A sexual abuse survivor may write their own book. They may write advice they would give to someone who is going through what they've gone through.

Under Whose Influence

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Under Whose Influence

Author: Judy Laik

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: parent/children relationship problems

Year of Publication: 1993

Publisher & Location: Parenting Press

ISBN#: 0943990971

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 64

Quality of Illustrations: Illustrations are age appropriate.

Brief Summary:

"The Decision is Yours" series of books addresses common issues faced by elementary and middle school children. These books are interactive, and the reader is given a chance to make a decision that will affect the outcome of the story. After making their choice, readers follow the story to its conclusion, based on their decision. In Under Whose Influence? a young girl’s friends get into their parents’ liquor cabinet and begin drinking, placing the girl in the awkward position of having to make difficult choices.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I like that this book focuses on choices and decisions in relating with parents. Parents often talk about consequences and so this book would lend to a great discussion about choices and consequences.

Activity: Make your own book about yourself with a choose your own ending option. This would look different for younger grades (one specific event and decision) and older grades (a time line activity showing long term consequences).

Do You Want To Be My Friend?

Author: Eric Carle

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Making Friends

Year of Publication: 1988

Publisher & Location: Scholastic (in cooperation with Harper Collins Publishers), New York, NY

ISBN#:

• ISBN13: 9780399215988
• ISBN: 0399215980
• BINC: 338420

Target Age Level: Pre-K & Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 28

Quality of Illustrations: Classic Eric Carle

Brief Summary: A little mouse goes from animal to animal, trying to find a friend, until he at last finds one. Aside from "Do you want to be my friend?" at the beginning and "yes" at the end, this story contains no words. Rather, it is left up to the reader to interpret the story based on the pictures.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The wordless format makes this book ideal for bibliotherapy. As the therapist and child progress through the pages, the child will be able to reveal his/her thoughts/feelings by commenting on the actions, thoughts, and feelings of the mouse and the animals he/she encounters.

Activity: "Reading" this book can be an activity in and of itself, as the content of the story can change every time you read it. As you go through the book, consider the child you are working with and ask questions accordingly, such as "what does _______ tell the mouse?" or "how does that make the mouse feel?" or "what does the mouse think of that?" or "what does the mouse say to _______?" Also, if you have more than one child that you are working with, you can act out the story with costumes and/or puppets.

Tobin Learns To Make Friends

Author: Diane Murrell

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Making Friends, keeping friends, Friendship, Manners, Rules

Year of Publication: 2001

Publisher & Location: Future Horizons, Inc., Arlington, TX

ISBN#s:

• ISBN13: 9781885477798
• ISBN: 1885477791
• BINC: 7104044

Target Age Level: Pre-K and Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 31

Quality of Illustrations: rough, child-like drawings and coloring (basic)

Brief Summary: Tobin is a lonely red engine who cannot seem to make friends. But with the help of his buddies, he discovers that there are little things he can do to be nicer to those around him. Tobin soon finds that he is surrounded by friends who truly enjoy working and playing with him. Parents and teachers can use this book to teach friendship skills to children who find social interactions challenging. Important social lessons include: sharing, being polite, taking turns, talking quietly, the importance of personal space, and more! NOTE: This book was written by a mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome to teach him how to make and keep friends, building upon his interest in trains.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book is fairly straight-forward and has titles, like "Friendship" and "Borrowing," etc. every few pages so that the user can turn to the section that is most helpful for the child at the time. It can be read as an entire story, or used in sections to teach social skills. This book "says it like it is" when it comes to friendship rules, adopting a structure often used with the Power Cards strategy developed for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Because of this, some of the friendship rules are listed in a positive light (like "take turns") while others are stated negatively (like "don't interrupt"), which might turn some people away from this book. The structure is very much a direct teaching format, presumably to help the author's son, the inspiration for the book, learn the skills well.

Activity: Write down each of the things Tobin does (good choices and bad choices alike) on pieces of paper, have the kids each choose one (one at a time), and state if that is something that will help them make friends or if it is something that will cause them to lose friends.

Coping with Anger

Author: Pam Scheunemann
Year of Publication: 2004
ISBN # 1-59197-559X
Age Level: K-2 Pre-School
# of pages: 23 p.
Quality of illustrations: Full color photographs.

Brief Summary: Quote:

"These book offer brief explanations of what each topic means and then provide ideas about how to cope with various situations. They end with the same question: "What can you do to keep the peace?" Ideas for anger management include talking to someone, taking a time out, exercise, and writing or drawing your thoughts. Some suggestions for dealing with bullies include talking with an adult, staying away from aggressors, and finding new friends. The third volume explains that different families celebrate different holidays or speak different languages. It encourages readers to learn about other ways of life through their friends. Large, full-color photographs of children of various ethnic backgrounds clearly show their feelings through facial expressions. Functional books for use in classroom discussion or with counselors.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX"

Activities: Charades.

KNOW ABOUT ABUSE

Author: Margaret O. Hyde
Year of Publication: 1992
ISBN # 0-8027-8177-2
Age Level: 9-12 Upper Elementary
# of pages: 93 pg.
Quality of illustrations: Blank & White pictures
Brief Summary: Using examples from recent news accounts, Hyde discusses the causes and effects of various abuses -- prenatal drug abuse; sexual, physical, and emotional abuses -- practiced against children, including how the growth of family homelessness has led to increased abuse. She also provides helpful advice to children on how to deal with abuse and how to help friends. Bib., glos., ind. The case studies are telling, and the illustrations (including some reproductions of drawings by abused youngsters), though few, carry impact. In addition to a simple glossary of terms and suggestions for further reading, there is a list of hotlines and community services. (Reviewed Nov. 1, 1992) by Gary Young.
Activity: Group discussion with drawings.
Type of emotional/crisis issued addressed: Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, their effects and how to prevent maltreatment

Gretchen Groundhog, it's your day!

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Anxiety in children

Authors: Abby Levine

Year of Publication: 1998

ISBN # 0807530581

Age Level: 3-5 years old

Quality of illustrations: The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations--full-page, half-page, and cameos--have lots of child appeal.

Brief Summary
An interesting introduction to Groundhog Day prefaces the story. Then it's all about Gretchen Groundhog, who comes from a long line of groundhog prognosticators but is too shy to go out in front of the crowd and peer at her shadow. The one joke goes on a little too long, but things take a twist when Hester, the daughter of the town historian, comes with clippings that prove many of Gretchen's illustrious ancestors have been shy on their day of duty as well. Few things are available for Groundhog Day, so libraries may find this useful for the holiday story hour; they may also want it on hand when requests come in for books about shyness.

Activity: After reading out loud, children could draw pictures of his favorite pet in front of a crow. Is it shy?

Dinosaurs Divorce

Dinosaur Divorce

Author: Marc Tolon Brown

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: divorce

Year of Publication: 1988

Publisher & Location: Little Brown and Company, Boston

ISBN#: 9780316109963

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: The illustrations in this book are of dinosaurs and are colorful and imaginative.

Brief Summary: Text and illustrations of dinosaur characters introduce aspects of divorce such as its causes and effects, living with a single parent, spending holidays in two separate households, and adjusting to a stepparent.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The different major sections of the book address these new situations one at a time. The author covers topics such as why parents divorce, ways that a child might feel about divorce and how the child can deal with those feelings, what happens after divorce, living with one parent, visiting a parent, having two houses, celebrating special occasions, telling friends about the divorce, meeting parents’ “new friends,” living with stepparents, and having stepbrothers or stepsisters.

Activity: Make a before and after chart of before the divorce and after the divorce. Students will then see the change that happens with a family that is going through a divorce.

Hurricane

Author/authors: David Wiesner

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: hurricane, natural disasters

Year of publication: 2008

ISBN#: 978-0547064338

Publisher: Sandpiper

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Excellent

Brief summary: David, George, and their parents eat dinner by the fireplace as a hurricane rages outside.  The boys wake up to find a big elm tree blown down and they use it in their imaginative play for many days.  Workers eventually come to remove the tree, but the boys are excited when their dad tells them another storm is coming.

Activity: Talk about the family’s preparations for the hurricane and how it made them feel safe.  Make a list together of what should go in a class first-aid kit and check to make sure the kit is full.  Ask for parent donations of needed supplies.

Someone I Love Died by Suicide

Author/authors: Doreen Cammarata

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: suicide

Year of publication: 2001

ISBN#: 978-0970933294

Publisher: Grief Guidance, Inc.

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 34

Quality of illustrations: Excellent

Brief summary: This book is meant for adults to read to children who have known someone who died by suicide. The book discusses normal grieving symptoms and healthy ways of coping.

Activity: Have the student make a memory book of the person who died with pictures and stories.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Author/authors: Judith Viorst (Ray Cruz)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: anger, conflict resolution

Year of publication: 1987

Publisher: Aladdin

ISBN#: 978-0689711732

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Good; excellent character expressions

Brief summary: Alexander has a horrible beginning to his day, getting gum in his hair, tripping over his skateboard, and dropping his sweater in the sink.  His day keeps getting worse and Alexander vows to move to Australia.

Activity: Write a class book about the worst day ever.  Have each student write one page and illustrate it about the worst thing that has happened to them.

The Rat and the Tiger

Author/authors: Keiko Kasza

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Bullying

Year of publication: 2007

Publisher: Puffin

ISBN#: 978-0142409008

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Beautiful watercolor illustrations

Brief summary: Rat tells how he used to have problems with his best friend, Tiger. Tiger used to bully Rat, making him be the bad guy in their games and leaving him the small pieces of treats. When Tiger kicks over Rat’s castle made of blocks, Rat says that Tiger isn’t his friend.

Activity: Have a class discussion about how Rat and Tiger worked out their problems. Go over what to do when someone is bullying you or another student and do role plays.

Keeping Up With Roo

Author/authors: Sharlee Glenn (Dan Andreason)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Intellectual disability, respect for differences

Year of publication: 2004

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

ISBN#: 9780399234804

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Excellent

Brief summary: Gracie and her Aunt Roo, who has an intellectual disability, used to always play together. Then Gracie grows up, goes to school, and brings a new friend home to visit.  Gracie is embarrassed by her aunt, but eventually introduces her aunt to her friend.

Activity: Make a class friendship chain.  Each student can write a way to be a good friend to someone else.  Staple the chains together and hang in the classroom.  Read one each day.

Me, myself, and them

Author: Kurt Snyder, Raquel E. Gur and Linda Wasmer Andrews

Issues addressed: Mental health, Schizophrenia

Year published:2007

Publisher: Oxford

ISBN#:0195311221

Age level: High school, to adult

# of pages:192

Illustrations: NA

Brief Summary:
During his second semester at college, Kurt Snyder became convinced that he was about to discover a fabulously important mathematical principle, spending hours lost in daydreams about numbers and symbols. In time, his thoughts took a darker turn, and he became preoccupied with the idea that cars were following him, or that strangers wanted to harm him. Kurt's mind had been hijacked by schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that typically strikes during the late teen or young adult years.

Opinion: a very adult book, maybe more appropriate for collage age but that's when schizophrenia manifests. It helps to see inside the mind of a schizophrenic.

Activity:

Compare the students symptoms with the authors through writing journals.

The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You!"

Author/authors: Robie Harris (Molly Bang)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Parent/child relationship, conflict resolution

Year of publication: 2008

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers

ISBN#: 9780316065801

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 40

Quality of illustrations: Colorful, expressive

Brief summary: After Leo’s mother keeps telling him no to everything he wants to do and Leo is sent to his room, he yells to his mother that he hates her. The rest of book shows how Leo and his mom deal with his feelings and how Leo makes it better.

Activity: Make a class list of words and phrases that are hurtful and mean.  Then cross these out and write phrases that make people feel happy.