Nicki Nice’s Bully by Dr. Fran White

When I was a child I was teased and bullied. I had buck teeth, was skinning, not very athletic in terms of sports involving balls, and was very intelligent. I think for those reasons, I was the target for teasing and bullying. In response to children hitting me, my dad taught me how to hit back. He taught me how to punch and “dance” like a boxer. That was 40 years ago.

Much has changed in 40 years. We now seek to understand why bullies do what they do to help them as well as their victims. We teach our children not to respond to teasing and bullying because the instigator is seeking the response for attention. Not responding takes power away from the instigator.

In Nicki Nice’s Bully by Dr. Fran White, children are taught how to respond to bullies through the simple words of another child. Nikki is taught by a counselor not to respond to the bully and to inform another adult, in this case, her teacher, who can help both the bully and Nikki. The outcome is very positive.

I would encourage parents or anyone who interacts regularly with children to read and discuss this book with their children. I would even encourage educators to read it to their class. It’s a great way to talk about a scary subject with a child and may open the door for them to confess their own troubles.

I was in several fights as a child. If this book had been available when I was a child and its principles taught, I would have avoided many physical as well as emotional wounds.

Nicki Nice’s Tricky Letters by Dr. Fran White

Do you remember reading The Little Engine that Could as a child? "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." The engine succeeded in making it up the hill. It was a simple story with a simple message. You can overcome an obstacle such as a hill by encouraging yourself to keep trying and not give up. Such is the message of Nicki Nice’s Tricky Letters by Dr. Fran White. Nicky has dyslexia and so has much difficulty learning to read in school. She, like the little engine, encourages herself to “Try and try and try and never give up.” She repeats similar mantras throughout the book. With help from her tutor, teacher and mother Nicki succeeds in learning to read and overcoming her obstacle of dyslexia.

Whether your child suffers from dyslexia or needs encouragement to overcome another obstacle, this would be a good book to read and discuss with them. It teaches the value of overcoming obstacles by the virtue of persistence. The child will be able to relate to Nicki’s feelings and frustrations and will be encouraged not to quit.

The Germ: How to Talk to Children about Racism and Diversity by Deidra A. Sorrell

The Germ: How to Talk to Children about Racism and Diversity by Deidra A. Sorrell is an important book with an important message. Racism and violence are sad realities in our society.  Our children are exposed to it in the playground, at school, in media and elsewhere. It is important that we discuss the topic early in their childhood. Sorrell presents an easy way to do this. The book is a discussion between a mother and daughter after the daughter witnesses and news broadcast about the shooting of a black man by the police. The conversation is tactful and careful. The mother compares racism to a germ. Not all people have the germ, but some do. The daughter poses several questions that a young child may have about racism. The mother tactfully answers the questions and gives real life examples. This is a wonderful way to teach our children about racism, how to deal with it and even how to be a part of the solution. I would recommend this to anyone who has the opportunity to teach children including parents and educators. This book is not only a positive investment for the life a child but a positive investment for the society in which we live.

Nothing to Fear by Laurie Salisbury

Are you able to recite “Jesus Loves Me?” We learned this little song and its profound truth when we were young. It is never too early to begin teaching your children the truth of God’s love and his precious word. “Nothing to Fear” by Laurie Salisbury is based on 2 Timothy 1:17 which tells us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We have nothing to fear. This simple book teaches children that they have nothing to fear because of Jesus’ perfect love for us. It is written much like a song with rhyme and a repeating chorus. Repetition is how children learn.  This book will begin to teach our children about God’s unconditional love and that they have nothing to fear. I read it to my 16 month old and she was fascinated by the baby pictures and paid attention to the whole book. I read it to my 3-year old and she wanted it read again. I recommend this book for any parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt or friend of a young toddler.