Customer Reviews

Bootsie Barker Bites

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Bootsie Barker Bites tells the familiar tale of the uncongenial playmate, but it provides a much les conventional, and much more satisfying, ending. The story is interesting, funny, and encompasses a useful lesson about coping with mean kids.

The narrator of Bootsie Barker Bites hates playing with Bootsie, but she has to, because Bootsie's mother is her mother's best friend. Bootsie is mean - she treats the narrator very badly, breaks her toys, tries to hurt her pet lizard, and claims she is a dinosaur who will eat the narrator right up. The narrator grits her teeth and bears it until she discovers Bootsie will be staying at her house for the night; then she thinks up a plan that turns the tables on her unpleasant playmate.

Most authors would have forced an unrealistic but ultrasweet ending from this plot by having Bootsie and the narrator become friends. Barbara Bottner knows that isn't how real life usually works, so she provides a different ending. Bootsie doesn't change; the narrator's ability to cope with Bootsie changes. In addition to being thoroughly satisfying, this ending gives kids a small, easy lesson on dealing with difficult people.

The illustrations in the book are energetic and fun. The artist has done an excellent job of making Bootsie look like the archetypal evil toddler. And the small details of the pictures - the toy turtle on every page, the changing expressions of the stuffed animals, etc. - help hold kids' attention and make the book fun to reread.

Overall, this is a solidly entertaining children's book that contains, but not does not force, a message. Bootsie Barker Bites is fun for reading out loud or privately; kids enjoy it, and so do adults.

Whenever I read this story to a group of children, I'm a librarian, they're on the edge of their seats waiting for the next horror from Bootsie. Everyone knows a Bootsie, has been a Bootsie, or lives with a Bootsie sibling. The ending is satisfying in that Bootsie doesn't reform but her victim uses her intelligence to solve her problem. (With some help from mom) A good read-aloud and a wonderful story.

I'm not sure who was more entertained, my kids or me. Funny, yet full of teaching points about manners, behavior and getting along with others. My kids loved it so much, I bought copies for my brother and sister-in-law who are both elementary school teachers for their personal library.

Highly recommended to anyone and everyone who has preschoolers and older...

Whether we like it or not, we're going to meet a real "bully" someday in either our childhood or adult years. I LOVED this book as it describes Bootsie being that bully, and the main character's mother giving her the advice to learn to work it out (as opposed to the mother stepping in, hence teaching children not to stand up for themselves). The fact that this lead character decided to use her intelligence to stand up to Bootsie was wonderful.

My son loved this book when he was growing up and we still refer to it as one of the best children's books out there. The illustrations are terrific and keep kids entertained. I highly recommend this book.

This would have to be my favorite book ever, I remember begging my mother to read it to me when i was little,and I even memorized the whole thing. To this day i can quote my favorite lines. This is a book that i highly reccomend for anyone and their children. I am in my teens now and I still enjoy going back and reading "Bootsie Barker Bites"

What a wonderful well written book. My 3 year old son and 4 year old daughter have memorized the book. They now read it to me. The words between the main character and Bootsie the bully are creative and my children love it. They now know what a salamander is and what a paleontologist does. Buy this book!

My daughter and I have been enjoying this book for the last few years, not knowing that she would later (which is now the present) have to deal with - yep, you guessed it- bullies! And at the age of 7.5, mind you. And, of course, I have to have my say on this book and it's negative reviewers. Here goes:

1. This book contains stereotypes of females (i.e.the "mean girly-girl" and the "kind tomboy").
Actually, Bootsie can be seen wearing rough-and-tumble cowboy boots, and her victim does wear skirts. Both characters seem to be balanced as far as femininity traits go.

2. The victim threatens Bootsie.
Wow, yeah, she's a regular Mafia soldier. All she does is finally stick up for herself after Bootsie has gotten physically and mentally aggressive with her one too many times by using her humor, strength, and an interest of hers (paleontology...and after all, Bootsie does claim to be a dinosaur). She just gives her a small, polite taste of her own medicine.

3. The artwork, Bootsie, and Bootsie's actions are "scary".
Sure, possibly to some sensitive toddlers, but it's not like there's any bloodshed contained within this book. The illustrations are just cutely and accurately portraying a bully's behavior. Wait till your kid experiences bullydom in reality...now that's scary.

4. The victim's mom is clueless as to what is going on, thus, this book is not healthy for children to read.
Well, she has no inkling that Bootsie is a nut because she is yapping it up and eating berries and donuts with Bootsie's mama, which I would rather do instead of playing with rugrats (yes, I am evil due to physical and mental exhaustion). And, she has no idea what is going on until her own daughter (the victim) tells her. She is then suprised and tells her daughter how to handle the situation. It's not like the mom is from Stepford, CT. (Side note: the teachers at my daughter's school either do not notice or are ignoring the bullies at that institution, so the victim's mom not noticing Bootsie's behavior is realistic, trust me.)

5. The "victim" (placed in quotations by negative reviewer) "of this book wishes ill/harm of Bootsie."
Oh my God, wishing that your tormentor moves away is so evil! I think that the visualization techniques of the victim are very healthy for her...hey, if Marcia Brady can do it, why can't she?! Besides, she does state that she tries to help Bootsie before she falls off the edge of the earth, and she also states that she does not have to wish that Bootsie takes a rocket ship to outer space if she goes to Chicago as opposed to sleeping over the victim's house. Plus, she is only human, and we cannot expect a child to be a martyr. To get back at her bully, my kid rushed to the "clean", one-student-at-a-time bathroom (the students' quotations, not mine) after P.E., so she got there before her bully. I do tell my daughter to stick up for herself and to try to avoid her bully, but if this harmless action made her feel better about her bully situation, I am all for it. And anyway, why did the negative reviewer who made the above statement put the word victim in quotations? Surely, she does not think that Boostie is the victim here...I hope?

6. This book "is not about resolving conflict".
Actually, (I love that word) it is. When the victim finally sticks up for herself, she resolves the conflict! Bootsie leaves for Chicago instead of spending the night at the victim's domicile. I'd say that's pretty effective and does solve the problem of Bootsie in general.

Last notes in general, with a big sigh and a prayer that certain people finally see the light:
The negative reviewers of this book constantly complain that Bootsie's victim threatens Bootsie...what the heck do you think Bootsie was doin'- wishing her (the victim) good health in a toast with apple juice?! No, she was threatening to eat her- in short- she was doing the exact same thing, but in bully style (with more aggression). Irony stinks, huh? And as far as one negative reviewer stating that this book teaches "revenge, unforgiveness, and fear"...um, what do you think a bully's personal makeup is all about? It ain't a giant peace sign or heart patch on a backpack, let me tell ya...it's those exact things (revenge, fear, etc.). Looking into Bootsie's life is good and all, but still, some bullies have a stellar home life, and even if Bootsie didn't have one, does that give her the right to terrorize others? Plus, I do not entirely agree with the suggestion of one negative reviewer who states that Bootsie (and all bullies) should be embraced, rather than kept distanced from her victim. Staying away from a bully when possible is a fundamental rule in my book- not being in the presence of a bully equals happiness, kapish? I do not think that I am teaching my daughter avoidance issues that will greatly affect her later in life. Besides, she can only avoid her bully so much, as she is constantly present in the classroom with her. (This girl not only targets my daughter, but others as well, both physically and mentally. And yes, I am going to write the teacher a note. My daughter has high functioning autism; she is sometimes quiet and shy, and other kids sense this and go in for the kill. Her doc told me that autistic kids have a lot of trouble in these types of situations, and to let her teacher know, so I have no problem rattin' out the bully.) So yeah, I am touchy about this subject because it is hurting my daughter and it is personal. This humorous book helps my daughter cope in a positive way, and I'm all for healthy justice! (Sorry for not explaining the plot of the book, but the most helpful reviewer did, and you probably get the gist of the book from my above musings, anyway. Thanks for reading, and I hope it makes a difference.)

A wonderful and funny book. Bootsie is a hilarious villain. Makes good conversation for how to deal with a bully, also!

Failing to name the protagonist, Bottner allows us to slip into the main character's emotional seat and experience the teeth-gritting, tyrannical Bootsie Barker. How would you handle such an ill-mannered, fearsome guest? Discover the imaginative, realistic resolution expertly conveyed in gratifying mood-injected illustrations.

I absolutely love, or love to hate, Bootsie Barker. She conjures up all the feelings that come with being bullied, which helps the reader identify with the narrator that much more. I found myself thoroughly appreciating the narrator's daydreams of having awful things happen to Bootsie. The fact that the two mothers are friends and Bootsie is in her home on a regular basis, just adds to our heroine's initial feelings of hopelessness. The ending is sweet desserts. Our narrator has found a way of speaking up for herself and outsmarting Bootsie that is intelligent and proactive. This one has been a favorite at our house for years now. Also, look for the great small details in the illustrations that are sometimes funnier than the text. Having the pet salamander being taken away on a stretcher, complete with an IV, makes me chuckle every time. Don't worry. The salamander is fine.

Chris Bowen,
Author of, "Our Kids: Building Relationships in the Classroom"
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