Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class [Hardcover]

Eileen Spinelli (Author), Anne Kennedy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

Miss Fox is tired of hearing her young students quarrel. So she announces Peace Week--no more squabbling for one whole week! The children chime in with their own rules: no fighting, don't say mean things, and help others.  Throughout the week each of the little animals gets a chance to practice this new behavior.  When Polecat teases Bunny for wearing a bright yellow sweater, instead of poking fun back at Polecat, Bunny admires his sweater. Soon, to their surprise, the animals are finding that it's easy to help others, take turns, and say nice things, even when someone is grumpy to them.  Wouldn't it be nice, Squirrel says, if every week could be Peace Week?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—The students in Miss Fox's class have been squabbling for days, so their teacher declares "Peace Week." The children decide that there will be no fighting or saying mean things, and that they will help others for an entire week. The rest of the book consists of various ways in which a child is tempted to engage in bad behavior but consistently chooses the high road instead. When Squirrel's sister complains about him bouncing nuts against the gate, he bounces marshmallows instead. When Bunny wears her yellow sweater and Polecat calls her "Bunny-Banana," she does not retaliate. In each case, the perpetrator of the mean remark or action is instantaneously and unrealistically reformed. Kennedy's watercolor, ink, and dye illustrations feature an endearing cast of animal characters with expressive faces. The book could generate some discussion about making positive choices; otherwise, it's an additional purchase.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
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From Booklist

Tired of all the squabbling in the classroom, Miss Fox declares Peace Week: no quarrels, don’t say mean things, help others. The message is overt in this lively picture book, but it never gets too heavy as the animal cast carries out the teacher’s instructions. Caught by the angry standoffs and hurtful confrontations in everyday life, kids will welcome the scenes of reconciliation. Of course, the quarrel scenes are exciting: “Is not!” “Is too!” Squirrel wants to yell back when his big sister yells at him, but he doesn’t. Mouse wants to ignore the little kids who are quarreling in the sandbox, but instead she joins in and helps them make a bigger, better sandcastle. Baseball fans supporting opposite teams taunt each other, and then smile, “Good game.” The celebratory ending––make every week Peace Week––may be pushing the theme, but the common scenarios make this a fun story that will open discussions with bullies, victims, and bystanders. Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080756379X
• ISBN-13: 978-0807563793
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute illustrations and engaging story, September 14, 2009

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class (Hardcover)

"Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class" illustrates the importance of being nice to one another. Miss Fox is tired of having her little charges bicker in class and proclaims a "Peace Week". The little animals are reminded to be nice to one another and others. Though they struggle with their anger and hurt, the little animals follow the rules, and keep calm, even when teased by others, choosing to say nice things instead. It may be a simplistic way of conveying a positive message, and in reality, it is not that easy to get children [or even adults for that matter] to be nice all the time, but I appreciate the point the author is trying to make, and my preschooler found the illustrations and story engaging.

5.0 out of 5 stars great for pre schoolers and older, April 14, 2009

By 

Judith Caner "volunteer Grandma Judy" (Keene, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class (Hardcover)

This made quite an impact on our preschoolers. They were silent during the reading and asked wonderful questions afterwords. Beautiful message.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for teaching control of your feelings, March 16, 2009

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Darla L. Grediagin "Librarian" (Alaska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class (Hardcover)

This is a great book for teaching students to control their words. After listening to her students arguing, a teacher declares that it is "Peace Week". What I loved about this book is that students still have the feelings of being hurt, but they ignore them and say something nice. Most books that teach about feelings don't allow the kids to have the hurt feelings. The children say either ignore the hurtful behavior and respond with nice words.