Review by The Mole
During "Anti Bullying Week 2011" someone kindly recommended this book to us but unfortunately it was too late at that time to get a copy, read it and review it for the weekly theme. We have how managed to get hold of a copy and I am very happy we did.
The book is structured in a very 'cartoon' and 'quiz' style format and this gives it the attraction that it can be picked up and put down after just a couple of pages so not demanding a long sit and read but, in fact, encouraging a 'stop and think about that' approach.
This book does not teach you how to physically deal with bullies or "bs, bs and sc fs" as we get to know them, it rather teaches the reader how to appreciate themselves more, develop self-confidence and self-esteem and so stop themselves being the target of bullies.
It is, in my opinion, a must for just about every child so that they can understand more about themselves as well as get on and enjoy life more. But more importantly I feel that parents should give it a read too. A child that is being bullied will probably not talk about it and if parents can understand the symptoms of low-esteem then they can help the child without causing confrontation and talking about it, and after reading this book it becomes apparent to the reader how to help someone to see themselves better, enjoy life more and get more from life in general.
A really good book BUT... I would love to think that it has helped thousands of children but if children read it, the process needs weeks, if not months, of work to make it really happen - and it will happen - but without support will a child keep working on it? Or will they find it's not an instant fix and walk away from the book? Unfortunately I believe they will walk away, so parents... read it, especially if you know your child has picked it up or read it, and support them in any way you can. There are useful websites in the back as well that may assist parent and child.
But I apologise, this is supposed to be a review, not a rant! It is an excellent book and takes a great approach to the issues. I would highly recommend this book to old and young alike.
Publisher - Hodder Children's Books
Genre - Non-Fiction, Children's, Adults
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Thank you so much for reviewing my book! The real problem isn't so much that children struggle to work with these ideas on their own - I get emails from many readers who have the book by their bedside and dip into it over a period of weeks or months - though of course if parents get involved that will always help. The problem is that children often don't know this kind of book is available and that it might actually help. Anything that raises the profile of children's self-help - such as reviews like this one - is really really good news. So thank you again!
ReplyDeletePerhaps raising the awareness of books like this is another job for parents? I do believe that parents should read this though to (a) know how to determine if their child has an issue and (b) help to get the issue addressed. My thanks are to you though Jenny, for working to raise the awareness, not so much of the problem, but of how simple and non-agressive the solution can be.
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