The Day Leo Said, I Hate You is a children’s picture book which communicates to both child and parent the importance of communication. Leo is struggling during his day because everything that he finds to do to entertain himself is earning him a laundry list of “No’s” from his mother.
Mom clearly is telling Leo that there are times that she has to say no; however, Leo feels very put upon because he isn’t being allowed to do what he wants. He resents the word no and he resents being told no by his mother. In fact, Leo hates the word no. Finally, in an overflow of emotion…Leo mistakenly tells his mother that he hates her. He instantly regrets it and mom feels she must teach Leo the difference between hating things and circumstances; and, telling people that he hates them.
The pictures in this picture book are designed well to show the activities and the emotions that the characters are feeling. The feelings that Leo feels are intense and so this book uses a really great true to life situation to be a teachable moment. Leo not only says something wrong, he chooses to act out while he is angry; which gets him told no once more. Leo has made a mistake and by talking things through learns how to correct his error and make things right. Mom shows that even when mistakes are made, there is forgiveness to be had. She shows love to her child even when he has done wrong. I think this book will be a wonderful way to use a book meant to educate and entertain to also help build an opportunity for character building. I think kids from 2-10 can benefit from this book and enjoy it as well.
The author of the book is Robie H. Harris. She has a website here: http://www.robieharris.com/ . The illustrator of the book is Molly Bang. Her website is here: http://www.mollybang.com/ . The book was published by Little, Brown and Company in 2008. Their website is: http://www.lb-kids.com .
Standing Still is a novel that has the edge of a psychological thriller. It is the story of Claire who is bound up in her struggle between the cliff of her irrational fears and the valley of her very real, emotionally dis-connected marriage. She doesn’t even have the assistance of her husband to help her deal with her panic attacks; because his focus is elsewhere, on his own seperate pursuits in life. Claire must brave her demons on her own power; she feels helpless to do so.
In what turns out to be a case of self-fulfilling prophecy, Claire is kidnapped. She was faced with a scenerio right out of one of her nightmares when a stranger forces himself into her home and attempts to steal her young daughter. In a desperate moment of complete mother love, Claire trades her freedom for her child’s potential imprisonment by this stranger. As the knowledge of what she has done sets in, Claire’s internal panic mode sets in. It is her nightmare come to life; that lack of control over what is about to happen to her…she feels trapped and powerless to guarantee a good outcome. Claire’s husband has been living a secret life; maybe that is true but, so has she. These things are revealed slowly to her, during her time in captivity.
This taking of her freedom is what ultimately sets Claire free and opens her eyes to the life that surrounds her. Come and see how she puts the pieces of her life together, into a framework that allows her to live her life in appreciation of beauty, instead of fear; with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude for the things she holds dear. By the time the book was completely finished, I thought the title should have read; Still Standing! I loved this book, and you will too.
If you have ever had any relationship with an irrational fear, panic attacks or an anxiety disorder this book will feel like someone is speaking your language. A sister who shares your thoughts and feelings…she gives you hope that life can be different, freer, and more peaceful once again. Read the novel, soak it up and enjoy the knowledge that this author, Kelly Simmons, doesn’t make light of those who know what Claire has been through!
You can learn more about the author here on her website: http://www.bykellysimmons.com/ There you can also find a link to purchase her book. You wont be sorry that you did. The book Standing Still was published by Atria Books and copyrighted in 2008. They are a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. You can find Atria Books here: http://www.simonandschuster.net/content/destination.cfm?sid=33&pid=427719
Rainy’s Recommendations
