The Worst Day of My Life Ever!

My story about listening and following instructions (...or not!)

Written by Julia Cook. Illustrated by Kelsey De Weerd

Boystown Press 2011

Reviewed copy from my resource shelf at work.

Back of book

There's lots of info on the back cover, here's just a little of it:

RJ has had a rough day...he wakes up with gum stuck in his hair, misses recess because he's late to school, earns a zero on his math homework, kicks the ball into his own team's soccer goal and messes up Mom's kitchen with his overflowing pancake batter! With his mother's help, RJ learns that his problems happen because he doesn't listen or pay attention to directions from her, his school principal, teachers, or even his friends.

This book is the first in the BEST ME I Can Be! series to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators on how to reinforce the skills are included.

More from Missus B

Put simply, RJ's day is a series of unfortunate events. He awakens with gum in his hair and things pretty much snow ball from there-he's late for school, gets in trouble for wearing a hat (to hide the gum), messes up his maths sums and creates a pancake disaster in his kitchen. Following each mishap, there's an 'I told you....' comment from either a peer or an adult. After his run of bad luck, RJ decides to confide in his mother  and tell her about the worst day of his life ever. She gives him some sound advice about listening and following instructions and, thankfully, the next day is a whole lot better for RJ!

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids

This post includes affiliate links. See my disclosure here.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids (Bucketfilling Books)

Written by Carol McCloud  Illustrated by David Messing

Bucket Fillosophy, Bucket Fillers, Inc, 2015 (10th Anniversary Edition: revised & updated)

Reviewed copy: from my resource shelf at work

Back of book:
This heartwarming book encourages positive behaviour by using the concept of an invisible bucket to show children how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love by "filling buckets."
Updated and revised, this 10th anniversary edition will help readers better understand that "bucket dipping" is a negative behaviour not a permanent label.It also explains that it's possible to fill or dip into our own buckets.

See below for more about this book...

Trumpety Trump!

This post includes affiliate links.
See my disclosure here

Meet Elliot, the noisy elephant with the noisy behind!

Written by Steve Smallman
Illustrated by Adria Meserve
Scholastic Children's Books 2013
Reviewed copy: from resource shelf at work

Back of Book
Elliot Elephant used to be...RUDE!
He guzzled his drink and he gobbled his food.
And when he would trumpet, as elephants do,
He'd trumpety-trump from his bottom end too!

But Elliot soon learns 
that if you care for others
they'll care about you.

Missus B says..................

Being Responsible: Citizenship

From the Citizenship series.
Editorial: Cassie Mayer & Charlotte Guillain
Illustrations: Mark Beech
Curious Fox, Capstone Global Library 2008 

Other titles include
Following Rules
Being Fair

Back of Book:
Books in this series introduce children to the character values that embody citizenship. In Being Responsible, children view various situations that demonstrate responsible behaviour. Playful, engaging illustrations are used to reinforce understanding of the concepts.

More from Missus B:
In 'Being Responsible' readers learn that:
Being responsible means you do the right thing without being asked. Being responsible means taking charge of what you do.
There are 7 examples of responsible behaviour illustrated including being tidy, feeding a pet or brushing your teeth.

Text is simple and straight forward. Illustrations  are bright and colourful, with a diverse group of children demonstrating responsibility at home or in their community.

This is a short ,simple picture book and a useful tool for group discussions about social behaviour. 
In the final pages, the text asks the reader: 'How can you be responsible?' 
On an 'Activity' page, readers are asked to look at an image and think about how the character is acting responsibly.

A handy book to have as part of the PSHE/SPHE curriculum.

Happy Reading,
Missus B
Get the book at the below affiliate links.

You may be interested in other books I have listed on this page : 'Social Skills'
                                                         
                                               
at The Book Depository : click here 

Following Rules-Citizenship

Book Details

Author: Cassie Mayer

Editorial: Cassie Mayer& Charlotte Guillain.

Illustrations: Mark Beech

Published by: Curious Fox/Capstone Global Library 2008

ISBN 978 1 782 02298 5
Library Copy

Other books in the Citizenship series:

Being Honest

Being Responsible

Being Fair

Making Friends

Book Description

Back of Book-‘Why is following the rules important? Read this book and find out! Books in this series introduce children to the character values that embody citizenship. In Following Rules, children view various situations that demonstrate the importance of following rules. Playful, engaging illustrations are used to reinforce understanding of the concepts.’

As described in it’s blurb, this book shows children in various group settings demonstrating how to follow the rules.
There is an explanation of what it means to follow the rules:

Following rules means doing things the right way.
Following rules makes it fair for everyone.

Citizenship: Following Rules
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews

There are seven brightly illustrated examples of 'following rules’ and in the final pages the question 'How do you follow the rules?’ is asked. Following this is an 'Activity’ page which includes an illustration of a group of children with the question- 'How are these children following the rules?’

My thoughts on this book:

A useful book for opening up discussions about social behaviour, personal responsibility and  self reflection. The messages are simple and the book talks directly to the child reader, giving clear examples of how to follow the rules e.g. 'When you think about road safety....you are following the rules.' 

Illustrations show children participating in typical activities such raising a hand before talking in class, walking quietly in the corridor, asking a parent/adult for permission to do something. The pages show how rules are an important part of life in various settings- while playing with peers, in school, at home or out and about in the community. 

Text is large and clear and each page spread gives one example or makes one point- a suitable page layout for younger children allowing them to absorb one idea at a time.

Citizenship: Following Rules
Missus B's  Picture Book Reviews

The book delivers a short reading time experience and the examples of rules are pretty straight froward and obvious. However, this book could be used as an introduction to group discussion at circle time. It is a  handy resource in the classroom, offering opportunities to explore social thinking. and to encourage children to agree on rules and expectations within their particular setting.

'Activity'-having a discussion about rules
Citizenship: Following Rules
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews

This series of books support the Social, Personal and Health Education Curriculum.

Happy reading, 
Missus B

Get the book at the below affiliate links.

You may be interested in other books I have listed on this page : 'Social Skills'

                      

Being Fair: Citizenship

A book to help reinforce understanding of fair behaviour.

Book Details

Author: Cassie Mayer

Editorial: Cassie Mayer& Charlotte Guillain.

Illustrations: Mark Beech

Published by: Curious Fox/Capstone Global Library 2008

ISBN 978 1 1 782 02295 4

Book Description
Back of Book-‘How can you be fair? Read this book and find out! Books in this series introduce children to the character values that embody citizenship. In Being Fair, children view various situations that demonstrate the importance of being fair. Playful, engaging illustrations are used to reinforce understanding of the concepts.’  

As described in it’s blurb, this book shows children in various group settings acting in fair ways.

There are nine brightly illustrated examples of 'being fair’ and in the final pages the question 'How can you be fair?’ is asked. Following this is an 'Activity’ page which includes an illustration of a group of children and the question- 'How is this child being fair?’

Other books in the Citizenship series:

Being Honest

Being Responsible

Following Rules

Making Friends

My thoughts on this book:

A useful book for opening up discussions about social behaviour, personal responsibility and  self reflection. The messages are simple and the book talks directly to the child reader, pointing out how certain actions show  fair behaviour e.g. 'When you ask other children to join in…. you are being fair.’  Later, the book asks the child reader to think  about how they as readers can be fair, and to comment on a picture which demonstrates fairness.

Illustrations show children participating in typical activities such as waiting to take turns during hopscotch, giving others a go on the swings or sharing snacks. The pages show children in various community  settings, highlighting how fairness is an important characteristic in all parts of our lives.

Text is large and clear and each page spread gives one example or makes one point- a suitable page layout for younger children allowing them to absorb one idea at a time.

The book delivers a short reading time experience, however, it offers opportunities for further discussions about what it is to be fair. This is a lovely book to read at circle time and a handy classroom resource an a tool for exploring social thinking.

This series of books supports the Social Personal and Health Education Curriculum at the early years level.

Happy reading, Missus B

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The Cloud

A dark cloud hangs over the little girl's head.What does it mean?Why is it there? Does it represent her feelings? Is she frightened, angry, lonely?A simple story prompting discussions to support social and emotional awareness.

                                                     
The Cloud

Author/Illustrator: Hannah Cumming

Published by Child's Play 2010 (edition I am reviewing here)

Library Copy reviewed

Book Description

Back of Book: In Art Class, one girl never draws anything. Quiet and withdrawn, she seems to have a little cloud above her. But one of her classmates is determined to make her smile, and in so doing, they discover a way of making art that everyone else can enjoy, too.

This simple, short story tells the tale of a young child who attends art class, but seems to be isolated from the group. We don't know why, but the little girl looks unhappy, doesn't draw anything and is not spoken to. 
One class mate decides that she will try to reach out and befriend the girl. It's hard work at first- the dreary cloud hangs heavily around this little lady. But, with time and many attempts, soon she smiles and her cloud begins to diminish. 
The other children at art class see that, by working in pairs art class is more fun. So by the end, the children have paired up to make interesting paintings and in the final double page spread, we see the whole art class happily painting a giant collage together.

The illustrations are beautiful with some lovely background detail.

More from Missus B

I really enjoyed the illustrations and how the author has used colour to give us a visual sense of the atmosphere surrounding the girl with 'the cloud.' In the opening pages we see through a window that, it's raining and dark outside, hence a dull setting. As the story progresses, we see the clouds departing and eventually the sun is shining brightly creating a warm, yellow hue. Of course, this effect perfectly supports the transition in the story itself.

'The Cloud' painting in the book is an analogy for dark feelings which could be sadness, anger or loneliness. Throughout the short story, we see it hovering over and radiating from the little girl, showing how it isolates her from her peers. 
We also see how 'the cloud' can impact on others- the child who attempts friendship can't see her way through the darkness of the cloud, she cowers away from it and feels sad when she first tries talking to the girl.

The book is also filled with the cute and comical art work created by the children in class. Cumming has perfectly captured their child-like sketches and squiggles. The paired art-work is also a fun element to the story- we see children painting to create fun animals and objects -something your child readers may want to try.

The story here is simple, yet the book offers opportunities to consider social situations, discuss feelings, talk about friendships and think about the importance of reaching out to others. The simplicity of the story can appeal to younger children, while it's core message can enhance the emotional learning of young school go-ers and older children.                           
Happy reading, 

Missus B

                                             See my video review here

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Bella the Storyteller

A story about a storyteller  who...well...tells too many stories!
Written by Adam & Charlotte Guillain
Illustrated by Richard Watson
First published by Picture Window Books 2011, first UK paperback publication by Raintree 2014
ISBN 978-1-4062-6618-4
Library Copy reviewed





The story
Bella the owl is a little chatter box. We see her telling stories at mealtimes, in school, during TV time and even at the library. If there is no-one about to listen, she will happily talk to herself. Through all her chatter, Bella doesn't seem to notice that, not everyone wants to listen. One morning, Bella wakes to discover she has lost her voice. She learns to listen to others, manages to concentrate on her school work and realises that, talking less has it's benefits.

This little owl has A LOT to say!
Story Corner :Picture Book Reviews
'Bella the Storyteller'

More from Missus B...
Lets face it, the art of conversation is a pretty important life skill. While little Bella certainly seems confident and happy to tell her stories, she has much to learn about conversation etiquette. 
In this cute story, we see how incessant chatting can sometimes get on other people's nerves.

It's bedtime and Bella should be brushing her teeth, but there is yet
ANOTHER story to tell. Dad is not impressed!
Story Corner: Picture Book Reviews
'Bella the Storyteller'

The narrative is written from Bella's perspective and we read about her endless chattering at home and in school.
Lacking in social awareness, Bella completely misses the non-verbal cues of those around her. She doesn't see her teacher folding his arms in irritation, her brother's frowning at TV time goes unnoticed and she is unaware of the harsh stares she gets in the school library.

Guess who doesn't know her three times tables?
'Bella the Storyteller'
Story Corner : Picture Book Reviews

Big brother just wants some peace & quiet. Not likely!
Story Corner : Picture Book Reviews
'Bella the Storyteller'

I like that the text is not always explicit, and that the visual narrative speaks more about the impact of Bella's behaviour. While the narrator doesn't delve further into her social faux pas, we can see from the illustrations that, Bella's gabbiness is not always a welcome gift. 

'Library Time' and Bella breaks the Golden Rule.
Story Corner: Picture Book Reviews
'Bella the Storyteller'

 Be quiet Bella!
Story Corner: Picture Book Reviews
'Bella the Storyteller'

The story comes full circle in that, Bella learns that, sometimes it's better to speak less..... she gets gold stars at school, learns that her friend tells hilarious jokes, enjoys cartoons with her brother & gets extra stories at bedtime.  

The animal characters are cute and chunky and each page is filled with attractive patterns & soft colours. The text is large, clear and suitable for self readers. 

In short:
This story delivers messages about social etiquette, self regulation and conversation skills in a non-preachy, light-hearted way. The illustrations deliver more messages than the text, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusion about what's happening. 'Bella the Storyteller' may be a suitable resource in the PSHE/SPHE curriculum.

Happy reading,
Missus B.
Get the book at these affiliate links:
     

Additional resources:

Check out this excellent article 'Teaching Children How to Converse' written by Courtney Fox in responsiveclassroom.org

Support conversation skills at home with   '10 ways to help your child be a good conversationalist'  written by  Parenting Coach, Sarah Hamaker.