Customer Reviews

Mouse, the Monster and Me

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a psychologist in an elementary school, and this book is one of my students' favorite tools. They really relate to the 'mouse' and 'monster' analogies, and they learn to identify those types of behavior in themselves and others. It's a great resource for parents and professionals to use with kids. The activities and discussions are perfect for families or guidance groups!

I read this book to my children who with a variety of personality types, each learned about how to handle themselves in situations where they felt overwhelmed or enraged. It helped them to see that there is a middle ground and to learn how to find their "me" assertive selves; being able to stand up for yourself, but not be aggressive. I have now passed this book on to my grandaughter who is on the timid side. I am trying to buy it for my nephew who has anger issues, but it is now very expensive. The publisher needs to reprint this valuable resource.

nice resource for helping kids learn differences between being passive and aggressive, with a focus on good self-esteem and being assertive. use of characters is great because it helps kids have a visual reference point to remind them to stay on track by taking a path that's not at either extreme. it is an older book, and a newer, more updated version would be great.

I gave this book to my nine-year old grandson and granddaughter. I reviewed the book myself before giving it to them. Both of their mothers were quite pleased with the book! One mentioned that her daughter was dealing with a "bully" issue. Hopefully after reading this book, she will be better equipped to handle the situation. Since both of the grandkids love to read, I thought this was an excellent way to get the message of self assertiveness across to a young child. It is written with humor and in a "child friendly" style. I hope it will encourage communication between the child and parent if they need further help.

Reviewed by: Wayne Walker

Young people need to have a positive self-image. Dr. Pat Palmer, a clinical psychologist and the author of many books for children, teens, and adults, offers them compassionate, positive ways to handle and express feelings and to be assertive and confident. The engaging artwork and hand lettering by Betty L. Shondeck illustrate passive "mouse" and aggressive "monster" behaviors so that children can identify these characteristics in themselves and others and focus on finding a balance between them. Out of print for ten years, The Mouse, the Monster and Me has been updated with the help of Pat's longtime friend, Louise Hart, Ed. D, and is scheduled for republication in January 2010.

The book helps students understand, manage, and talk about their feelings, thereby contributing to their social and emotional well-being. Various fun activities encourage them to work at developing a positive self-image and healthy and safe relationships with others. Topics of discussion include understanding your strength and power, knowing your rights and responsibilities, asking for what you want, saying "no," handling both criticism and compliments, and being yourself. The goal is to give youngsters the tools to stop attracting bullies and bullying others and to start taking responsibility for their own feelings, words, and actions by teaching them non-violent problem-solving skills that are vital in today's society.

The Mouse, The Monster, and Me by Pat Palmer, illustrated by Betty Shondeck is a book every parent should read and discuss with every child. Written for ages 8 and up, adults too will benefit greatly from this. With childlike hand lettering and illustrations Betty has augmented the writing in a way children will identify with. The book tells how a person can learn to be ME. It is not good to be a Mouse and let everyone walk all over you. It is not healthy or wise to be a Monster and attack those who disagree with you. It is wonderful and secure and happy to be ME by learning how to be pleasantly and non-threateningly assertive in positive ways that encourage others also to be themselves. If everyone lived by the lessons in this little book, there would perhaps be no wars, crime, or divorce! The lessons are that powerful, and wouldn't it be great if we all learned these simple techniques as kids so that they became ingrained as daily, natural behavior. Get this book TODAY!

Dr. Pat Palmer presents a self-help book for children and young adults that serves as excellent tools for teachers, therapists, and parents. "The Mouse, the Monster and Me" is meant for readers ages 8 and up, and focuses on the importance of finding a balance between one's aggressive inner "monster", one's passive inner "mouse", helping young readers identify these behaviors in themselves and others. "The Mouse, the Monster and Me" goes on to teach healthy, non-violent conflict management skills that are more vital than ever in today's increasingly interdependent society. "Practice, with a friend or family member, assertive ways to ask for the things... Remember... to stand or sit up straight, to look at the other person, to talk in a normal (not whining or shouting) voice, and to be honest and direct. It's OK to ask for what you want. (But don't expect to always get it)." Highly recommended.

I teach Assertive Communication as well as Advanced Mediation for post graduates in University. I have found this book to be one of my favorite tools for getting a clear message accross to all ages, that we are all capable of being mouse-y and monster-y and sometimes less known but me-y. I use this as a tool with parents and children in my family mediation practice and I have only had very good feedback from all. The children are always in touch with this language and know too well what it means. It becomes a way of transforming the identities of their parents from possibly monster-y and mouse-y with the distress of pain, sorrow, guilt and anger to a search for the "me" in them. A worth while experience that the children are happy to participate in.

I highly recommend this book for parents going through difficult times as well as children going through hard times.

Michelle Brenner Conflict Resolution Practitioner in Family, Community, Government and Workplace.

There's a new edition available (which is why this one costs $100)... HERE: The Mouse, the Monster and Me: Assertiveness for young people

This is a great book, one I would recommend to all kids. But why in the world is oer $100?