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 

Underpants Wonderpants

Written by Peter Bently & Illustrated by Deborah Melmon

Parragon Books 2013
Reviewed copy-my own!
Back of book
IS IT AN EAGLE?
IS IT A PLANE?
NO-IT'S UNDERPANTS WONDERPANTS
TO THE RESCUE AGAIN!

The book
'Underpants Wonderpants' is the rhyming story of a Superhero dog who can solve any problem with his creative thinking and surplus stock of underpants.

More from Missus B
Who would have thought that a pair of Y-Fronts could have so many uses?! 

Stitched together with some boxer shorts, they can make a colourful hammock.

Sewn to a rod, they make a handy fishing net. 

And, if they're large enough, they make a perfect parachute.

But, of course, it takes a superhero genius to come up with these clever ideas. 

So.......ladies and gentlemen...allow me to  introduce a  'Super-Pants Star', the one and only.... 

UNDERPANTS WONDERPANTS! 
(capital letters well and truly deserved!)

Whenever you need him,
in Sun, Snow or Shower,
he'll sort out your problems
with UNDERPANTS POWER!

"Elephant sat on our nest!"
grumbles Mouse.
"No problem!"
says WONDERPANTS.
ZAP!
An underpants house!

Well, at least the home wrecking elephant has the manners to blush in embarrassment!

'Underpants Wonderpants'  is a Superhero Dog who owns  whole lot of underpants. He uses them to rescue a damsel in distress, to  protect a bear cub from a storm and as a sling-shot to send some pesky aliens back into outer space. Dressed in his red cape and of course, super-hero underpants, he is always available when a catastrophe occurs. Along with his side kick- a mallard duck, his heroism doesn't go unnoticed and in the final pages we see a lovely statue has been erected in his honour.

Perfect for circle time,the rhyming text, makes for a great read-aloud.The illustrations are lively, detailed and offer much to admire- from the patterned jocks to the animated faces of the characters our super hero rescues. Every page is full of vibrant colour and lots of action.

Kangaroo has been itching all night....but  'Zap' thanks to Underpants Wonderpants, he can sleep
in an airy hammock made of boxer shorts.

My little listeners had a right old giggle with this book and it appealed to their toilet humour- who can pass up an opportunity to joke about your smalls? (or your Bigs if your me.) Some of the girls were a bit disappointed though, at the lack of frilly panties (most of the underwear does seem to be jocks and boxer shorts)- but the floral and fruity patterns were a consolation. 


In short
This is a funny, rhyming read, with lively illustrations and uncomplicated text. A great book for read-aloud with a group. 
And, thank you Bently & Melmon for providing my husband with a great reference book when he wants to slag me off about my over sized knickers! 

Happy Reading,
Missus B

Check out Meet the Parents from the same author.

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Are you a boy or are you a girl?

Written by Sarah Savage and Illustrated by Fox Fisher

Publisher: TQUAL Books
ISBN-10: 0993192505
ISBN-13: 978-0993192500

Review of digital version kindly sent to me by author, Sarah Savage (July 2015) in exchange for an honest review. 

The Book:

Are You a Boy or are You a Girl?is a story narrated by Tiny, a young child whose Dad has changed jobs, so the family have moved to a new area. Tiny is excited about having a beautiful new house with a bed built like a castle and looks forward to making new friends at school. In the story we read of Tiny's play activities- a trip to the park, dressing up as a pirate or a fairy and playing football at school. Sometimes Tiny is asked "Are you a boy or are you a girl?" 
In the new school, Tiny is bullied by a peer but thankfully the teacher and a new friend are there as a support. In the final pages, a new friend Mia says,  "Tiny are you a boy or are you a girl?" and the smiling Tiny replies ......

"I am me!"
(pdf, provided courtesy of author)

More from Missus B
Oh I do love a book that generates discussion and reflective thinking! Are You a Boy or are You a Girl?does just that- it's an excellent tool for circle time discussion.

The book is deceptively simple- written from the perspective of a child,it describes typical play activities, family interactions and social scenes that many children will relate to and understand. The narrative is uncomplicated and Tiny talks in a straight forward, factual way about play and social experiences.

Tiny loves pasta, football and dressing up.Tiny is also excited about living in a new home.But, apart from that, we don't hear about the thoughts and feelings Tiny has .
The text doesn't explain what it's like to be asked  "Are you a boy or are you a girl?" And we never know how Tiny feels or responds to that question. 

Also, Tiny doesn't share the feelings experienced when Buster bullies and says....

"Tiny is not a he. Tiny is not a she. Tiny is an it!'
(pdf provided courtesy of author)

And this is what I love about this book- its an excellent talking tool.The readers have to come to their own conclusions and consider what's happening.The story doesn't reveal whether Tiny is a boy or a girl, it's up to you to decide. The simple narrative and illustrations invite listeners to engage in meaningful discussion about gender roles, stereotypes, feelings and social behaviour.

We learn lots about the personality, interests and life roles which are the essence of who Tiny is. And we see other characters with different roles and personalities e.g. Tiny's Dad is a bus driver and likes to cook pasta dinners.... Fire Fighters visit the school and their truck is driven by a female.....When Buster shouts that girls can't play football, the thoughtful Charlie says:

"I don't think it matters who plays, as long as we're all having fun."

There's lots to consider and reflect on, and the  book includes a page of questions to stimulate discussion between you and the listeners. 

Are You a Boy or are You a Girl?can open up a new type of dialogue amongst you and the children you read it with. By sharing this book, there are opportunities to  explore and consider feelings,  while discussing gender stereo types & roles. Importantly, this book can also offer support to children who may identify with the challenges faced by Tiny.

An excellent resource for teachers, parents and carers, this book fits well into the PSHE/SPHE curriculum.                                                                   

Happy Reading, 
Missus B


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The Huge Bag of Worries

Written by Virginia Ironside
Illustration by Frank Rodgers
Hodder Childrens Books 2004
(reviewed copy is shop bought/personal collection)

Back of book: Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her-in a big blue bag! They are then when she goes swimming, when she is watching TV, and even when she is in the lavatory. Jenny decides they will have to go. But who can she get to help her? This funny and reassuring story from Virginia Ironside will appeal to all children who have occasional worries of their own.


The Story
Jenny has felt like a happy girl til recently. Lately, she has begun to worry about all sorts of things...... 
What if her dog catches fleas?
What if her friend moves away?!
What if there's a BOMB?!!  

There's more worries.... oh yes... there's more....these worries are like buses- there's always another one on the way.

It seems there's no escaping her fears, until one day Jenny's elderly neighbour encourages her to open her worry bag and tackle what's inside. Jenny then realises that fears aren't so bad once they're shared and out in the open. Some of them disappear, some belong to other people and some are a whole lot smaller when separated from the rest.

Poor Loftus! How does he sleep at night?! At any moment he could be attacked by a swarm of fleas
or a missile for goodness sake!!

More from Missus B
The Huge Bag of Worriesis an excellent support tool and one I have used for several years in both educational and social care settings. If you have a little (or big!) worrier in your life, this is an ideal read. Many children will relate to Jenny's everyday worries, learning that a problem shared is a problem halved.

Jenny's bag is filled with worries of all shapes and sizes. We see their cheeky monster faces as they squirm and wriggle about. For most of the story, the zipper is tightly closed, but as the story progresses,those little monsters just get bigger and bigger. Worries are reliable like that, aren't they?  

Jenny kept her worries to herself and decided not to ask
for help. She thought her Mum would tell
her 'You've got no worries. You're a lucky girl. You've got your health, your
friends, your family-what more do you want?'

Jenny's worries take on a life of their own. They toss and turn at night, chase her to school and even scurry up a drain pipe to sneak into her bedroom. The text and illustrations perfectly show how our negative thoughts can overwhelm us and become out of control. We even see her worry bag lifting weights, with poor Jenny helplessly standing by.

Poor Jenny. All this emotional baggage is exhausting!

Thankfully, Jenny's sensible neighbour steps in. She tells Jenny she ought to open the bag and deal with it's contents. But Jenny is fearful- what ELSE could happen if she takes those worries out?! Don't open the bag! Surely we shouldn't open the bag?!

"Nonsense", said the old lady firmly. "There's nothing a worry hates more than being seen. If you have any worries, however small, the secret is to let them out slowly, one by one, and show them to someone else. They'll soon go away."

 Jenny's fears are put into perspective. By talking with an adult & getting help,
her mind is less of a muddle as the old lady 'sorted the worries into groups.'

Jenny learns that, its normal to carry some worries but important not to take on too many.

....and of course, some worries belong to other people!

In short

This is an excellent book for opening up discussions about anxieties, fears and how to manage emotions. Feelings are illustrated in a concrete way with comical images and expressive little monster characters. An excellent circle-time read, this book fits well in a PSHE/SPHE curriculum. 

For more support/info about anxiety in children check out WorryWiseKids.org or these 12 helpful tips written by Amy Przeworski in Psychology Today

You may also be interested in What to Do When You Worry Too Much and Worries Go Away
Happy reading, 
Missus B. 

Get the book at the below  affiliate links.

You may also be interested in the collection of books I have compiled on my 'Feelings/Emotions' Page

           
             

Daddy, Papa, and Me

Written by Leslea Newman. Illustrated by Carol Thompson

Tricycle Press 2009
ISBN 978-1-58246-262-2
(reviewed copy is from my personal resource library)

'Daddy, Papa, and Me' is a short, rhyming, board book narrated by a young toddler.
A variety of parent-child interactions are described, all of which are play based and represent a warm and caring family.

Simple, rhyming text makes for a lovely  read-aloud in 'Daddy, Papa, and Me'
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews

Dressing up, flying paper planes, baking or painting- each page describes an activity and has a brightly coloured, corresponding illustration. 

The playful scenes capture interactions that all children can relate to, no matter what their family type. And that's the beauty of this book- it shows how play, love and together-time are the essence of family. The story high lights how parental love is universal, no matter what the sex of a parent may be.

An important book for a classroom library which represents diversity .

Check out 'Mommy, Mama, and Me' also.

Happy reading, 

Missus B

Get the book at these affiliate links:

                         

Mommy, Mama, and Me

Written by Leslea Newman
Illustrated by Carol Thompson
Tricycle Press 2009
ISBN 978-1-58246-263-9
                                                                             

'Mommy, Mama and Me' is a rhyming board book which describes typical day-to-day, family interactions in the home of child with same sex parents. 
(check out 'Daddy, Papa, and Me' from the same duo)

In warm water colours, fifteen parent and child interactions are shared in 'Mommy, Mama, and Me'

Told from a toddler's point of view, the book describes familiar parent and child activities like- sharing a book together, having snuggles, preparing meals or going to the park. Every child who experiences nurturing, care and love will relate to the family experiences described in the book. 

Mommy gently combs my hair. Mama rocks me in her chair.
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews: 'Mommy, Mama, and Me'

The story is told in rhyming text, each line directly corresponding with an image. Simple and predictable, it is perfect for a read-a-loud story time. 

In short:
'Mommy, Mama, and Me' describes a loving and warm family unit, with interactions and activities that every child may be familiar with. It shows how the principles of parental love are universal, no matter what the make up of a family may be.
If you want to represent diverse family types, or the non-traditional, this book is a must for your class-room collection.

Happy reading,
Missus B.                                                     

 Get the book at theses affiliate links:

                                                                          
     

Whiffy Wilson The Wolf who wouldn't go to school

The story of a little wolf who learns that school is definitely NOT boring!

Author: Caryl Hart, Illustrator: Leonie Lord  
Published by Orchard Books 2014   

Reviewed copy: library, hard back but  as far as I know, this book has just recently  become available in paperback.
The Story
Whiffy Wilson has absolutely NO interest in school. He'd much rather stay at home watching the telly. Then one day he calls round to play with his friend Dotty and she encourages him to come along to school for the day. Wilson realises that learning can be fun - he gets stuck into painting, cuts dough shapes, makes new friends and becomes a hero on the football field. 
A funny & heart warming story written in fantastic rhyming text with adorably cute Illustrations.

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More from Missus B 
Oh I do love this book!

I was immediately drawn to it's front cover and the image of a scraggly grey wolf dressed in red dungarees. Whiffy is a deliciously cute and lovable character. I just want to pluck him out of the pages and give him a squeezy hug- even if he is a bit on the pongy side. 

Wilson looking a little unsure when Dotty suggests he should come to school....
(holding a twig instead of his stripey teddy)
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews

Overall, the images in this book are wonderfully cute. Even the cover pages are illustrated with a lovely blackboard and chalk effect.

Spot the little wolf amongst these lovely chalk doodles
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews

The characters are  brightly coloured and have a chunky look. Their faces are simply drawn, yet expressive - Wilson looks suitably confused as he tries to count with his fingers, and later slightly alarmed, as Dotty shoves him in the door of the classroom. The child characters have smiling faces and bright, circular eyes -  I love how we can see joy, excitement and trepidation during the football when Wilson scores  a surprise goal!

The main characters are Dotty, Whiffy and the other school children who are either in the foreground or background of each scene. Whiffy Wilson is the only animal in school, but his wolfiness doesn't seem to phase the other students (like I said, he is utterly cute.) There are some other little characters too- like Whiffy's blue teddy, the ladybirds flitting in and out of pages, the bees or the bug who sits on the floor at story time.These are the cute little extras that we adults often miss, but which little readers love and appreciate. 

There are plenty of visually pleasing images- like Wilson splodging green paint on his toenails instead of the paper, his absent minded stare at the TV as he sits in it's blue hue, the collection of child drawings displayed in the classroom or the mobile creations hanging from the ceiling. Lots of lovely details to admire! At the end of the story, Wilson enthusiastically dresses for school in floral knickers, quickly brushes his hair and in his haste buttons up his duffle coat unevenly (oh, the bother of those big triangular buttons!) 

What a perfectly lazy, dead-pan TV face!
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews
'Whiffy Wilson the Wolf who wouldn't go to School'

The story is written in a chirpy, upbeat rhythm making it an excellent read-aloud book. My little listeners loved the fact that it's catchy beat allowed them to join in almost spontaneously. 

Here's a taster:

There was a wolf called Wilson
Who couldn't count to ten.
He wouldn't learn to write his name.
He never used a pen.

He didn't know his ABCs.
He couldn't paint or cook.
He wouldn't learn his two-plus-twos.
He never read a book.

So, we hear about Wilson's fear that he could get things wrong at school while the confident Dotty assures him that learning is fun. The little lady takes the lead, gently pushes Wilson  through the door and shows him what this school business is all about. First things first though- Wilson needs to know where the toilet is (oops, he has mistakenly used the girls room!) and where he should put his coat. After that, it's all about painting, play dough, joining the dots and playing outside. 

Or, maybe it's not such a gentle push judging by Wilson's startled expression.
 Either way- it's a nudge in the right direction. Once Wilson starts at school, he realizes
he's been missing all the fun!

This book is a comforting and fun read for any child who is preparing for school. In it's jaunty rhythm we see how Wilson makes the transition from being  an uninterested, slightly nervous pupil to a happy-go-lucky school child with a bunch of new friends and a lovely teacher. In fact, Wilson loves school so much, that he even wants to go on a Saturday!

A Missus B favourite!
Happy reading, 
Missus B

                                       See my video review here:

See a child talk about the book here:

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