I’m catching up on my book reviews and I have to tell you about two great books for children by Pat Palmer, Ed.D and illustrated by Betty Shondeck.
The Mouse, the Monster and Me is all about being assertive. There are people who are like the “mouse” (my son) who are timid, shy and let people walk all over them. Then there are the “monster” people who like to be pushy and bully people (my daughter is this way with our son, but not with her friends).
I’m always trying to get my kids to be more assertive. My son just needs to be assertive – period! He doesn’t have an assertive bone in his body. My daughter on the other hand is a “monster” to her brother and to us but when it comes to her friends she’s not assertive at all.
I had both my kids read this book. From the cover my ‘tween daughter said it was a “children’s book”. I told her that it was for ages 8+. She didn’t believe me but read it anyway. She said it was “good”. I asked her if she understood what it was teaching her about being assertive and standing up for herself when it came to her friends. I just got a simple “yeah” out of her.
My son read the book too. He’ll be 10 in a few weeks. He’s a “mouse” so I was hoping the book would help him. We got into a discussion on how he needs to be assertive when someone does something to him at school that he doesn’t like. For example kids love to take his pencils or other school supplies. Instead of telling them not to do that and to please ask if they wish to use something and then return it, he will just let them take it and not say a word to them. Even if it means he doesn’t have a pencil to do his work.
My son thinks is he’s assertive people will not like him. I think he’s confusing being assertive with being a “monster” (bully).
I think The Mouse, the Monster and Me opened up my son’s mind to how he shouldn’t be a “mouse”. I think he needs to read it again and we need to discuss ways and situations where being assertive will be better then being a “mouse”.
Another great book is called Liking Myself. It’s all about feelings and how you can be more true to yourself and how you have a right to feel certain ways about things and how you should never let anyone stop you from having your feelings.
I especially liked the part of the book that teaches you that it’s OK to be different and that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, after all, we’re only human.
My son loves to wear a Fedora. He loves it. Not too many kids wear them but he’s OK with that. My daughter is always making not-so-nice comments to him about how he looks like a “freak” and a “dork” wearing it. We keep telling her to STOP putting him down and how she should look at herself before criticising others. Where as as my son loves to wear his Fedora, regardless of the fact that no one else at school wears one, my daughter is a follower who wants to have the same things that her friends and classmates have. So really, who likes themselves MORE? My son who is doing his own thing and something that makes him happy or my daughter who would jump off a bridge if her classmates and friends did it and said it was “fun”?
It’s a great book that teaches kids the importance of being true to themselves, feeling free to like the things that want to like, and how to be confident about themselves.
Both books are outstanding in my opinion. If you have a child ages 8+ you should really look into these books, especially if your child tends to be a bit of a “mouse” or a “monster”, or if your child tends to lack confidence and self esteem.
Both books feature interesting and fun activities and games as well as sections where your child can write down answers to some thought provoking questions.
Don’t let the small sizes fool you. There is A LOT packed between the covers of both these outstanding books. Both books are around 75 pages long.
I love the writing and the illustrations in both books. They are written on what resembles notebook paper in a handwriting that is a lot like that of a child. The illustrations are more like “doodles” you would see a child in that age range draw. It’s as if the book was written and illustrated by children too.
Both books deserve two thumbs up from me as well as five stars each. They are fantastic books!
Both books are sold on Amazon and other online book retail locations.
To learn more about Pat Palmer, the author, you can visit the official web site at www.DrPatPalmer.com.
*I received both books free to do this review. There was no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and that of my family.
The Mouse, the Monster and Me is all about being assertive. There are people who are like the “mouse” (my son) who are timid, shy and let people walk all over them. Then there are the “monster” people who like to be pushy and bully people (my daughter is this way with our son, but not with her friends).
I’m always trying to get my kids to be more assertive. My son just needs to be assertive – period! He doesn’t have an assertive bone in his body. My daughter on the other hand is a “monster” to her brother and to us but when it comes to her friends she’s not assertive at all.
I had both my kids read this book. From the cover my ‘tween daughter said it was a “children’s book”. I told her that it was for ages 8+. She didn’t believe me but read it anyway. She said it was “good”. I asked her if she understood what it was teaching her about being assertive and standing up for herself when it came to her friends. I just got a simple “yeah” out of her.
My son read the book too. He’ll be 10 in a few weeks. He’s a “mouse” so I was hoping the book would help him. We got into a discussion on how he needs to be assertive when someone does something to him at school that he doesn’t like. For example kids love to take his pencils or other school supplies. Instead of telling them not to do that and to please ask if they wish to use something and then return it, he will just let them take it and not say a word to them. Even if it means he doesn’t have a pencil to do his work.
My son thinks is he’s assertive people will not like him. I think he’s confusing being assertive with being a “monster” (bully).
I think The Mouse, the Monster and Me opened up my son’s mind to how he shouldn’t be a “mouse”. I think he needs to read it again and we need to discuss ways and situations where being assertive will be better then being a “mouse”.
Another great book is called Liking Myself. It’s all about feelings and how you can be more true to yourself and how you have a right to feel certain ways about things and how you should never let anyone stop you from having your feelings.
I especially liked the part of the book that teaches you that it’s OK to be different and that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, after all, we’re only human.
My son loves to wear a Fedora. He loves it. Not too many kids wear them but he’s OK with that. My daughter is always making not-so-nice comments to him about how he looks like a “freak” and a “dork” wearing it. We keep telling her to STOP putting him down and how she should look at herself before criticising others. Where as as my son loves to wear his Fedora, regardless of the fact that no one else at school wears one, my daughter is a follower who wants to have the same things that her friends and classmates have. So really, who likes themselves MORE? My son who is doing his own thing and something that makes him happy or my daughter who would jump off a bridge if her classmates and friends did it and said it was “fun”?
It’s a great book that teaches kids the importance of being true to themselves, feeling free to like the things that want to like, and how to be confident about themselves.
Both books are outstanding in my opinion. If you have a child ages 8+ you should really look into these books, especially if your child tends to be a bit of a “mouse” or a “monster”, or if your child tends to lack confidence and self esteem.
Both books feature interesting and fun activities and games as well as sections where your child can write down answers to some thought provoking questions.
Don’t let the small sizes fool you. There is A LOT packed between the covers of both these outstanding books. Both books are around 75 pages long.
I love the writing and the illustrations in both books. They are written on what resembles notebook paper in a handwriting that is a lot like that of a child. The illustrations are more like “doodles” you would see a child in that age range draw. It’s as if the book was written and illustrated by children too.
Both books deserve two thumbs up from me as well as five stars each. They are fantastic books!
Both books are sold on Amazon and other online book retail locations.
To learn more about Pat Palmer, the author, you can visit the official web site at www.DrPatPalmer.com.
*I received both books free to do this review. There was no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and that of my family.