Cootie Shots: Theatrical Inoculations Against Bigotry for Kids, Parents, and Teachers (A Fringe Benefits Project) (Paperback)

~ Norma Bowles (Editor) "Cookie Shots is a book about words-powerful words that can both hurt and heal..." (more)
Key Phrases: stray football, Cootie Shots, Fringe Benefits, Darryl Day (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

This eclectic and refreshing collection of plays, poems, and songs was originally created and performed by the educational theater group, Fringe Benefits, in elementary schools throughout California. These pieces are designed to promote tolerance and acceptance of all people regardless of culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, gender, class, or appearance. Divided into four broad chapters, the 54 selections are an assortment of workshop and brainstorming improvisations, creations of individual artists and educators, and adaptations of existing longer works that can be performed by a range of ages. The artwork, too, is a mixture, made up of children's photos and drawings, as well as work from known artists. This is a valuable resource for adults working with youngsters to help them acknowledge discrimination and prejudice in their lives and create a more understanding and compassionate world.
Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

For nearly two years, Fringe Benefits, a team of professional artists, teachers, parents and youth, have been working to concoct Cootie Shots, a delicious assortment of plays, songs and interactive performance pieces that promote tolerance and celebrate diversity by presenting role models of people of many different races, classes, genders, abilities, sexual orientations, religions, shapes and sizes. In all, Cootie Shots is comprised of about 50 2-15 minute educational plays for Elementary School audiences.

The lessons covered are:

o Love is what makes a family
o Children should feel free to play with whatever toys appeal to them, study whatever subjects interest them and choose career paths unhindered by gender stereotypes
o Name-calling is never acceptable
o Putting people down because how they look and whom they love is neither kind nor fair.

The cast of characters includes:

Rapunzel
Rosa Parks
Cesar Chavez
Harvey Milk
Emily Dickinson
Alexander the Great
The Statue of Liberty
and more!

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group; 1 edition (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559361840
• ISBN-13: 978-1559361842
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #946,367 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Thinking Child's Theatre Book, October 1, 2002

By	Danielle L Usry (Long Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This book will capture your imagination and inspire you at the same time. Every page offers a new suprise and new unexpected delight! This is the "Free to Be You and Me" for a new generation. It speaks to children and adults both while never talking down to either of them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in bringing smart and fun theatre to children. Plus the artwork is fabulous!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking Book for Kids and Grown-ups!, March 19, 2002

By	Carrie Piccard (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This incredible book is not only an amazing tool for getting kids to open up about and annihilate prejudices of all kinds, it's also wildly funny, at times, very moving, and a joy just to look at. With gorgeous photos and artwork by both children and adults, "Cootie Shots" is an anthology of theatre and poetry for everyone. Some pieces are from emerging artists, some are from pros like Tony Kushner (Angels in America). When I got my copy I expected just another trite collection of writing "for kids". Finally there's a theatre book on the market for kids with DEPTH. BE SURE to check it out!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Book Review on Cootie Shots, April 27, 2004

A Kid's Review

I rated this book 4 out of 5(with 5 being the best) becuase it had a little bit of bad language. Besides that I thought the book was great! It really made me think about how other people can be different and that you shouldn't tease, make fun, or judge them differently,when you really don't know them. I learned that you should always respect people because of who they are. I would recommend this book to bullies, people who get bullied, and people who like to read about standing up for yourself and appreciating who you are. I'm really glad I read the book.