PPBF: Hooway for Wodney Wat…Believe in Yourself!

Posted on October 5, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review and related resources for parents, teachers and children.

Can you stand some really good news? Actually, two good newses…is that a real word?

GOOD NEWS NUMBER ONE: Julie Hedlund, founder of 12×12 in 2012, put together a cornucopia of amazing prizes to reward the people who are participating in her picture book writing challenge.

The prizes ranged from manuscripts critiques to autographed picture books to query critiques to helpful books on creative writing to…Emma Walton Hamilton’s 8-week online picture book writing course. This last is something I have been wishing I could take…tongue hanging out as I visited the “Just Write For Kids” website and scrolled down the awesome list of lessons.

Can you imagine how thrilled I was when I saw my name as winner of the gift certificate (provided by the generous Emma Walton Hamilton) that entitles me to take the course FOR FREE? I don’t think you can…my husband came running downstairs, sure that some terrible catastrophe had befallen me, as all he heard was me yelling at the top of my lungs (and I have a pretty healthy set there), “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!!!!!

I’ve already connected with Emma and have downloaded the first week’s lesson…Hooray!!!!

GOOD NEWS NUMBER TWO: Kathy Ellen Davis is having an October challenge…31 in 31 . She is encouraging everyone to read 31 picture books during the 31 days of October. Needless to say, Kathy had me from ‘read picture books every day’. If you are interested, you can click on her link or on her cute ’31 in 31’ button on my sidebar…I know she would be thrilled to have more people participating.

To date, I’ve read “Neville” by Norton Juster, “Cloudette” by Tom Lichtenheld, “The Jellybeans and the Big Camp Kickoff” by Laura Numeroff and “Knuffle Bunny Too” by Mo Willems. It’s been a lot of fun reading the newer books…and I just put two dozen more on hold at the library…all published in 2012! I do have to say that there is a BIG difference between the classics of years ago and the new generation of picture books. I notice that many of the newer books have humor that probably goes over the head of the young child…I guess parents are really having a great time while they read these stories to their kids…and that’s a good thing!

Since October is National Bully Prevention Month, I want to continue to highlight some amazing books and other resources that address this important issue.

If you stopped by last Friday, you might have seen my spotlight on a new anti-bullying app: AWESOME UPSTANDER. Here’s the link: http://www.awesomeupstander.com for those of you who might have missed it.

I encourage anyone who is involved with kids to visit the website at http://www.awesomeupstander.com. There are free downloadable info sheets for parents and teachers that address positive action plans for kids and adults. You can follow Awesome Upstander on Twitter or on Facebook.

The game identifies the participants to a bullying problem…the bully, the target and the bystanders. The key to the game (and perhaps an important key to putting an end to bullying in real life) is to turn the bystanders into ‘Awesome Upstanders”…people who get actively involved to help the target or victim and stop the bullying.

And, as with my Perfect Picture Book Friday pick last week, the concept of group dynamics brings me to today’s choice.

Hooway For Wodney Wat

Written by Helen Lester

Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Bullying, teasing, self-esteem, creative thinking, cooperation, group dynamics, being comfortable with who you are

Synopsis:

From Amazon: “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. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully.”

Why do I like this book:

I love books that celebrate each individual’s uniqueness! We each bring special gifts to the table of life…and Rodney Rat seems to embrace that concept. Every child will understand how difficult it is to be different. Rodney had a strong positive self-image and this helped him triumph over the bully. The illustrations show us how each character is feeling…even I wouldn’t want to cross paths with Camilla Capybara! What a wonderful story to read to a class during National Bully Prevention Month…or to a child who is having a hard time feeling good about himself.

Related Activities:

RODENT PAPER BAG PUPPET

Photo from www.EnchantedLearning.com

Role playing with puppets is a fantastic way to help kids express their feelings.

Here’s an easy paper bag hand puppet that even the youngest child can make!

You will need: 1 brown lunch-size paper bag, 1 brown oval piece of construction paper, 1 smaller pink oval, 2 small white circles, 2 smaller black circles, 1 small red circle, 1 black rectangle, scissors, glue and a marker.

1. Cut the brown oval in two pieces and paste each at the top of the paper bag for the ears.

2. Cut the pink oval in two pieces and paste each on top of the brown ears.

3. Paste the white circles for eyes…then paste the smaller black circles on top for the pupils.

4. Paste the red circle for the nose.

5. Cut the black rectangle into six strips and paste on for whiskers.

6. Draw in the mouth.

7. Now read the story again and let your child use the puppet to speak Rodney’s words.

Play ‘Simon Says’…this is a wonderful game to help a young child learn to listen carefully and follow directions!

Lovely lesson plan from Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/hooway-wodney-wat-lesson-plan

A lesson plan for second and third graders: http://www.drforgan.com/Adobe%20files/Hooway_For_Wodney_Wat_sample.pdf

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susanna Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities. This is an unbelievable resource for any parent, teacher or children’s librarian.

My Secret Bully (childrensbooksheal.com)
[Picture Books] Vampirina Ballerina (laurasalas.wordpress.com)
Children’s Picture Books (4eyesbooks.com)
This Is Why We Celebrate Banned Books Week (patheos.com)
Awesome Upstander App Review (tech4mommies.com)

PPBF: Swimmy…Group Dynamics with an Awesome Upstander

Posted on September 28, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Before we begin the picture book review, here are some IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. The Show-Me-How School Initiative is still looking for A FEW GOOD SCHOOLS. We only have a couple of days left for you to leave a comment on this post, telling which school or other child-care facility you would like to nominate to receive a free copy of Show Me How! In the first week of October, we will pick 12 lucky schools via Random.org

2. Show Me How! has received another lovely review…this time from Beth Stilborn, fellow 12x12er, and PPBF participant. If you’d like to see what Beth had to say about it, please click this link. If you’ve never been to her blog, By Word of Beth, hurry over…you’ll be glad you did…her posts are funny, informative and not-to-be-missed!

3. Earlier this year I connected with a children’s author in Singapore, Emily Lim. It was just before their big Asian Festival of Children’s Content, where kidlit publishers, editors, writers, illustrators, educators and all who are involved in helping kids become loves of books and reading meet for conferences, workshops and fun. As Emily and I chatted via email, she mentioned that she wished I could be part of the conference. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my email yesterday morning and saw an invitation from her (she is on the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference Committee) to speak at the conference! What a great honor…I don’t know if I will be able to attend…but I hope we can work it out.

Is it Perfect Picture Book Friday yet?

You’ve all been so patient…so to reward you, you will be getting TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

October is National Bully Prevention Month! I’ll be highlighting some amazing books and other resources for the next four weeks.

I’ll share my picture book choice in a minute, but first I’m thrilled to tell you about a new anti-bullying app: AWESOME UPSTANDER. Here’s the link: http://www.awesomeupstander.com

Did you know that 13 MILLION kids…over one-third of all school-age children, are bullied every year?

Awesome Upstander, developed by HealthTeacher:

Empowers children to take action
Reinforces positive respectful behaviors
Teaches children to intervene by getting help from adults
Emphasizes group dynamics
Shows kids how to gather a group together to counteract the bully’s plan
Encourages kids to help when they see bullying

This concept of group dynamics brings me to…FINALLY…my Perfect Picture Book Friday pick.

SWIMMY

Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni

Publisher: DragonFly Books (1973)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Bullying, helping others, overcoming fears, self-esteem, creative thinking, cooperation

Synopsis:

From the Amazon website: “Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger.”

Why do I like this book:

Let me count the reasons:

1. Written by one of my favorite author/illustratos, Leo Lioni

2. Winner of a Caldecott Honor Award

3. Amazing illustrations of the underwater world

4. Teaches the power of positive group dynamics

5. Encourages creative thinking and problem solving

Related Activities:

Watercolor Wash Picture

Photo from artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com

You will need: 1 piece of construction paper, crayons or markers, blue food coloring and a brush.

1. After reading the story, let your child draw a picture depicting his favorite underwater scene.

2. Mix a drop or two of blue food coloring (you can use non-toxic blue watercolor paint) with some water.

3. Your child can brush the watercolor wash over the entire picture…when it dries, it will have an underwater look to it.

4. Hang it up in a place of honor in the house!

You can also make a fish mobile…with a bunch of little red fish and one little black fish.

More simple under-the-ocean activities from : http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2008/10/draw-your-own-underwater-scene.html

Great arts and crafts activities from eHow here: http://www.ehow.com/list_6729112_underwater-art-activities.html

Some parent/teacher materials on Scholastic here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/swimmy

How to recognize if your child is being bullied…9News Report

Posted on August 27, 2012 by viviankirkfield

I just got back from the 9NEWS TV studio in Denver and wanted to share with you the piece we did on bullying.

Here’s the link to the video clip of the show…it’s only 3 minutes long…but packed with critical info on bullying: http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1808390606001

With the new school year just getting underway, kids need to be prepared with more than just a new outfit and a shiny backpack! Parents also need to be aware of the subtle signs of bullying and what they should do if they suspect a bullying problem.

Bullying is a problem that has been around forever…but the effects on our children seem to have intensified, especially with texting and social media available to the bullies.

How to recognize if your child is being bullied

Written by

Blair Shiff

Physical bullying at school, as depicted in the film Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

–>KUSA – Denver Public Schools started back on Monday. Even though many kids are excited to see friends who were gone over the summer, some children are dreading returning to school due to bullying.

So, how do you know if your child is being bullied if they won’t tell you? Vivian Kirkfield joined 9NEWS at 8 a.m. on Monday to discuss some warning signs that your child may be a victim of a bully.

“There are a couple of subtle signs, and some not-so-subtle,” Kirkfield said. “One of them would be a child coming home scratched or bruised. Another might be a child coming home with belongings missing, like their new bookbag is gone, a jacket or some of their books perhaps.”

Kirkfield says another sign may be your child not wanting to take the bus to school or are walking a different route to school. But the signs may not just be from your child returning or going to school. The issues may permeate into family relations also.

“Maybe they always gotten along with siblings and now, all of the sudden, they are fighting with brothers and sisters,” Kirkfield said. “Maybe they are having trouble sleeping … or bad dreams.”

Kirkfield says sudden complaints of health conditions like a headache or a stomach ache may be a sign too.

“Although all of those symptoms could be caused by other problems, a parent really needs to be sensitive to it and act upon it,” Kirkfield said.

A lot of times, a school will notice a problem on a playground and give parents a heads up. However, if that’s not the case, how does a parent confront their kid about possible bullying?

“Most of the time, children do not want to talk about the bullying because either they’re embarrassed or they’re afraid,” Kirkfield said. “Maybe they’ve been told ‘I’m really going to beat you up,’ or ‘kill your brother.’ Parents can speak with their child and ask direct questions such as ‘Is somebody bothering you at school?’ And ask indirect questions such as ‘Is there anybody at school you don’t like?'”

Kirkfield says a child might be much more willing to talk about something like that than to come straight out and admit they are being bullied.

“Even after your child doesn’t come out and say it … definitely talk to the school staff,” Kirkfield said. “Talk with your child’s teacher, with the child’s principal, guidance counselor, because they are there. Police really need to form that connection with the school early on, even if there isn’t a problem with bullying.”

Kirkfield says parents need to stay involved in their child’s school.