Sometimes Bad Things Happen [Paperback]

Ellen Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2002 | Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Single Titles

Mentions some of the bad things that happen in the world and presents some positive ways to respond to them.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-This book is designed to help children cope with "bad things" that occur in their everyday lives and to allow them to explore their feelings of sadness, fear, anger, etc. Some of the examples offered include a game being canceled, a sibling being pushed by a bully, adults fighting, and seeing scary news stories on television. After acknowledging the emotions, Jackson reassures youngsters that while "a few people do bad things" most people "want to make the world a better place for everyone." A brief text and crisp, color photos show community heroes such as a firefighter and other professionals caring for people and animals. Simple coping strategies are suggested, such as "Hug a friend. Plant a flower.- Look up at the sky. Sing a brave song," and youngsters are told that "It's okay to cry." Older children could use this book as a springboard for talking about their own experiences and ways to handle them positively. Younger audiences will find comfort in expressing their own sadness and looking for a happier outcome.
Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Booklist

PrS-Gr. 2. Addressing children who respond to undisguised bibliotherapy, Jackson pairs very brief text with a gallery of posed color photographs in which pictures of sad youngsters give way to scenes of emergency workers and other helpful adults, and then to smiling children and photos of people helping one another. The author follows reasons for feeling "sad, scared, hurt, or angry" (a canceled game, an encounter with a bully, seeing adults argue, or a frightening news story on TV) with the suggestion that "most people want to make the world a better place," and a selection of strategies for coping, including hugging a friend, planting a flower, looking up at the sky, having a cry. "Something good will happen. It always does," she concludes. This isn't like Aliki's Feelings (1984) or Freymann and Elffers' How Are You Peeling? (1999), which beg to be discussed and considered, but it does offer comfort in a more visually appealing way than many of the drab old titles on emotions that tend to linger on library shelves. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (July 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761317341
• ISBN-13: 978-0761317340
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,393,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

WHO: Ellen B. Jackson

WHAT: An award-winning author of 55+ fiction and nonfiction books for children.

WHEN: Born in the days of woolly mammoths, I eventually grew up to be a teacher, counselor, book-lover and writer.

WHERE: I live in Santa Barbara near a very nice beach, ideal for beach-combing and canine stick throwing.

WORKS: Recent books include THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE, about supernovae and dark energy (a Golden Kite honor book), and EARTH MOTHER, a timeless tale about the circle of life (three starred reviews).

VISIT: www.ellenjackson.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent pics, great Message, July 8, 2011

By 

Miss B. "Miss B." (NYS) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sometimes Bad Things Happen (Paperback)

This is one of those multiple-purpose, bang for your buck mentor texts that teachers grow to appreciate over time. Besides the obvious message about how we can turn negatives into positives, teachers-like an awesome colleague of mine did- can focus on illustrations,an author's angle, and even point of view. The has bright,captivating pics that can facilitate a plethora of mini lessons! Moreover, text is written in a way that promotes access to a wide range of leathers- including ELLs.