The Tale of Brave Ritchie

Review by Angelene Heileson

In a world where bullying is more common and where bravery in school is needed, Shan Laks the author of The Tales of Ritchie the Rat addresses many of these issues affecting children today.  She discusses the issues of stranger danger and bullying and obesity in her newest tale The Tale of Brave Ritchie. 

The Tale of Brave Ritchie is made up of three different stories where Ritchie needs to be brave and show courage and wits while being in different situations.  While exploring the forest and looking for friends Ritchie encounters three dangerous animals with the lesson learned about talking to strangers.  Ritchie then in his next tale encounters the big bully rat, Cheet.  Ritchie learns to be kind even to the meanest of classmates.  Lastly, Ritchie and his friends participate in a football game where they all learn about having fun, playing well and becoming healthy.

Author Shan Laks writes a great tale which all kids will love and understand.  These Tales are written in a simple way that children of all ages can enjoy.  I read these tales to my 5 year old son.  He loved the stories as well as the beautiful drawings.  The illustrations are simple but done with bright colors that make it fun for kids who can't read to enjoy looking at.  I felt that Shan Lake really addressed many issues that our children face but also that we as parents should be discussing with our children.  These tales allow us as parents and providers of our children to allow for great discussions on these issues.  If as a parent you wonder how to discuss issues with your children, I would then encourage you to look into Shan Laks' Tales of Ritchie the Rat.

Shan Laks was born in Fiji and now a citizen of Australia where she resides.  She is a retired primary school teacher.  During her teaching years she was awarded, Teacher  Excellence level 1 and level 11.  As a teacher, she made an outstanding contribution to education.  She as a Curriculum Coordinator and mentor  to new students and teachers.  She was on the board of education with the University of Northern Territory.  She is now a full time children's writer that dedicates her times researching issues that effect our children.  Laks has always been very passionate in teaching children.  She says "My goal is to connect teachers, parents and children in their communities and get them to address ways to keep our children safe and healthy."

Where do the Animals Go When it Rains?

By Angelene Heileson

Where do animals go when it rains? Author Janet Crown and co-authors Henry, Jack and Sloan Peterson (her children) answer this question in a delightful children's book.  With fun, vibrant art work by Daron Rosenberg, children's imaginations are opened up to discover where to animals really go when it rains.  Where Do Animals go When it Rains? is the first book in a series of four children's books.

Janet Crown is the youngest of seven children and herself now has five children.  From her experiences growing up, trying to get her parents attention, she vowed to always allow her children special one on one time with her.  She did this at night time with each of her kids.  Before bed Janet and her children would make up imaginative and creative stories that usually involved animals.  These stories and rhymes that she and her children came up with has now resulted in the book Where do the Animals go when it Rains?

Janet Crown says, "The book was created with my kids as a bedtime story based on their curiosities about animals what happens to them during certain weather conditions.  I wanted the illustrations to be comforting, fun, engaging while inviting questions and thought."


I read this to my younger children and I really enjoyed how simple the idea of the story was but how it also got them thinking and wondering where do animals go when it rains?  We really loved the simple but bright and elegant pictures.   After I read it, my 2-year-old enjoyed just looking at the pictures again by herself.  The font through out the book is in different sizes and colors which helps add visual variety to the book.  The rhyming in the story is cute and easy enough for all kids to follow.

I am a believer in reading to my children and really enjoy stories that captivate them but also get them thinking. Janet is donating profits from the sale of this book to a charity. I really love how all proceeds go to benefit other children and their families.  I encourage anyone who wants to spend time with a child reading to pick up a copy of this book.  Not only will it strengthen you and your child but will also help another child in need.  

About Janet Crown

Janet has been a life-long philanthropist who has always believed that anyone can give back at any age.  Janet is involved in several leading non-profit organizations.  She has all profits of Where Do Animals Go When it Rains? to The Painted Turtle where she is a founding member.  The Painted Turtle is a a camp where children with chronic or life threatening medical conditions can attend free of charge for them and their families.

Janet also is a member of the board of Directors for The Every Child Foundation; a member of the ISE advisory Board of the Rand Corporation; a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF; a Board Member of the Lollipop Theater Network.  Janet is currently the President of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce in Brentwood, California.  Janet Crown is also the founder and owner of Brentwood, California's Burn 60, the west sides premiere boutique fitness studio.

5 Things A Bully Doesn’t Want You to Know

As the sound of school bells ringing signals that school is back in session for the year, it also means that students and parents will face some common issues. It is estimated, each day in America, that 160,000 students stay home from school in order to avoid being bullied, so it makes a lot of people wonder what goes on in the mind of a bully. Judging by the research regarding who bullies, it would stand to reason that it's quite a bit.

"We tend to look at the situation of bullying, and not so much at the bully him- or herself," explains Peter J. Goodman, author of the book "We're All Different But We're All Kitty Cats." "But if we had a chance to peek into the mind of the bully, we might be surprised at some of the things we would learn."

There are some things that bullies don't want people to know, including:

1.They aren't sure about the best way to communicate their feelings. Usually, there is something that a bully wants, but they tend to go about trying to get it in the wrong way. While people have typically thought that bullies were never the popular kids, for example, research shows that they are often popular kids. They tend to bully because they are trying to look good to their peers, and become even more popular.

2.They may be hurting inside and want you to hurt, too. Some kids who bully don't feel good about themselves and may be bullying others to help offset their own feelings. Bullies usually want to feel stronger. Bullying others makes them feel stronger and more powerful. Bullies, especially those who bully to raise their social status, want desperately to fit in with their peers and be accepted.

3.They are probably bullying people in the home, too. If someone is a bully at school, there is also a good chance they are bullying someone in the home, such as a sibling. Research published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology found that children who bully at school are likely also bullying their siblings in the home.

4.They have probably also been bullied, somewhere along the way. Some children who bully have learned the behavior at home. Research has found that many children who bully have seen such behavior in the home, or are more likely to have been exposed to violence in the home.

5.They probably sought you out because they thought you were weak. According to the American Psychological Association, a typical victim is sensitive, quiet, withdrawn, shy, insecure, has low self-esteem, and appears physically weaker than the bully. Those students who appear not to have at least one good friend are often seen as easy targets by bullies.

"A bully is a kid, just like everyone else," added Goodman. "They may need some help in learning better ways to communicate their feelings and learn how to get along better with their peers. But this is something that each of us needs to work on, in our community, in order to make it a better place for everyone."

According to the National Institutes of Health, bullying takes place when someone repeatedly tries to harm someone that they believe is weaker. It can take multiple forms, including physical (e.g., hitting, kicking, pushing, etc.), verbal (e.g., threatening, teasing, etc.), and social (e.g., rumors, exclusion, etc.). In recent years, cyber-bullying has also become more widespread; this involves bullying through the use of electronic means, including online and through text messaging.

Goodman's first book of the Kitty Cat series, "The First Day of School," is being used by schools, groups, and individuals across the nation to help teach young children about bullying. The book uses a cast of cat characters to demonstrate how we are all different, but that it's important to be accepting of everyone.

The book has been written for children in pre-kindergarten through the third grade. The earlier children learn about the importance of preventing bullying, the better. To learn more about the book series, or to purchase the volume that addresses bullying, visit www.kittycatsbook.com.

For more information about the book series, visit the site at: www.kittycatsbook.com or our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/kittycatsbook.

Sources:

American Psychological Association. School bullying is nothing new, but psychologists identify new ways to prevent it. http://www.apa.org/research/action/bullying.aspx

National Institutes of Health. Bullying. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bullying.html

Science Daily. Bullying at school linked to bullying at home. December 2009. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091206185410.htm

USNews. Bullying May Accompany Drive to Be Popular. February 2011. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/02/08/bullying-may-accompany-drive-to-be-popular

WebMD. Bullying may be linked to violence in the home. April 2011. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20110421/bullying-may-be-linked-to-violence-at-home