That's What Kids Are For: Phoebe Flower's Adventures (Adventures of Pheobe Flower) [Paperback]

Barbara A. Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Adventures of Pheobe Flower

This is the first in a series of books for kids with ADHD, grades 2-4. Designed to boost your child's self-esteem and to help your child develop a love of reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A vibrant, funny book that captures the essence of ADHD behavior through the captivating Phoebe - a girl who means well, but marches to her own drumbeat.

Phoebe Flower vividly depicts the struggle that is school for kids with ADHD. It's refreshing to hear her declare that she hates school - a sentiment harbored by many children, but rarely allowed expression.

All of the characters are true to life - the perfect sibling, the harried mother - friends and foes alike are fully drawn. This book is a delight. -- Maryanne Budetti, M.Ed. Educational Consultant

Barbara Roberts, a teacher herself, has used her experience and her heart-felt love and respect for the children she has known over the years, to create a lively and appealing young character whose adventures not only amuse, but also draw you into a special world that you want to revisit again and again. I hope that Phoebe Flower is just the beginning of a series of adventures (and misadventures) of this new little heroine. -- Lynn Spencer Library Media Specialist Walberta Park School Syracuse, NY

Dear Mrs. Roberts,

I loved the story you wrote. I brought it in my classroom and we read it. I thought it was awesome, My class liked it and wanted more!! My teacher loved it too. It was very funny. We have a boy in our clasroom named Robbie like the boy in the story. Thank you for sending me the story - our class gave it an A rating. Hope to see you soon. -- Paige 4th grader

It is so difficult for children to be accepted for who they are in this world today and that is why Phoebe Flower's Adventures is such an important book for our children to read and hear. Phoebe not ony interacts with her family and classmates in a unique and captivating way, but she also teaches children that with the freedom of self expression comes responsibility, She takes responsibility for her actions, because to live any other way simply wouldn't be authentic. Phoebe is authentic; she is who she is and the reader can't help but love her!

Phoebe Flower's Adventures is a book to be shared again and again. We can't wait for her next adventure! -- Suzanne Gilmour, Ph.D. Principal, Walberta Park Primary School Syracuse, New York.

Phoebe Flower dreads starting the school year. She is convinced that she won't like second grade and that second grade won't like her. And she is right!

Misunderstood Phoebe wilts as note after note comes home asking her mother to speak to her about her behavior. Her exasperated, but loving mother listens as Phoebe pleads, But Mom, let me explain what really happened, and promises, No more notes!

It is easy to care about Phoebe. She is funny and honest and we understand that she is not making excuses; she really tries to do what her mother and teacher want her to do.

Phoebe's mother confides that she had a hard tine in school too and teaches Phoebe a little rhyme to help her think before she acts. When finally a note comes home proclaiming Phoebe a heroine, she blossoms!

This realistic story of a little girl's struggle to be understood touched the hearts, as well as the funny bones of the students with whom I shared it. The easy-to-read chapter book with solid characterizations had my students asking about a sequel. -- Janet Hamm, Librarian James Elementary School Jamesville, NY

From the Publisher

Advantage Books is a unique small press which specializes in books for children and adults of a psychological nature. It's two publisher/editors are both specialists in treating children and adults. Patricia Quinn, M.D. is a nationally recognized developmental pediatrician who has written many books herself on the topic of Attention Deficit Disorder. Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist who specializes in the are of Attention Deficit Disorder and has written many books for both children and adults. Drs. Nadeau and Quinn conceived of the Phoebe Flower series as a much- needed series for children with ADD - book that will interest and excite children with ADD, encouraging a love of reading and helping them to gain self-understanding and self-esteem in the process. There will be many more Phoebe adventures to come and they are destined to become classics.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 52 pages
• Publisher: Advantage Books (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096603662X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966036626
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #775,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That's Me All Right!, September 29, 2001

By 

Edward L. Schultz (Allentown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That's What Kids Are For: Phoebe Flower's Adventures (Adventures of Pheobe Flower) (Paperback)

Even though I'm not a second grade girl, as I read this charming little book I found myself remembering my own childhood and saying, "That's me all right!" This book is a valuable resource for any parent with an ADHD child. In plain language, using an interesting story, Barabara Roberts portrays the dilemmas that haunt every child with attention deficit disorder. "But, Mom, let me tell you what really happened" is their theme song. This is a MUST have and MUST read for every parent of an ADHD child.

I would urge Ms. Roberts to consider a similar series with a male character.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, affirming picture book for the active girl, May 28, 2001

By 

Carol Watkins "Psychiatrist" (Parkton, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That's What Kids Are For: Phoebe Flower's Adventures (Adventures of Pheobe Flower) (Paperback)

Phoebe is an enthusiastic, creative girl. Because of her high activity level, she has has to struggle to pay attention in class, and has only one good friend. Girls with hyperactive AD/HD as well as other active kids may see something of themselves in Phoebe.

Phoebe's principal and her mother are sympathetic but also help Phoebe see that she has some responsibilities for her actions. In the end, Phoebe's energy and daring make her the class heroine. She takes quick action to rescue the class pet.

This book is uses superb, sensitive illustrations to follow the text. I especially liked how the pictures conveyed the strong bond of affection between Phoebe and her mother.

In the story, Phoebe is never formally identified as having AD/HD. I like having such a book because it can be used to explore behaviors without limiting ourselves to a specific diagnosis.

Carol E. Watkins, M.D.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Only an Author, June 27, 2002

By 

Jenn Kozlowski (Syracuse, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That's What Kids Are For: Phoebe Flower's Adventures (Adventures of Pheobe Flower) (Paperback)

Mrs. Roberts is not only known as an author to me. My brother Josh and I both had her as our Kindergarten teacher! We've both read the books as they come out and love to read them remembering our times we had when we in her class room! This book truly brings out the kid in you!