When a Butterfly Sneezes: A Guide for Helping Kids Explore Interconnections in Our World Through Favorite Stories (Systems Thinking for Kids, Big and Small, Vol 1) [Paperback]

Linda Booth Sweeney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1883823528 | ISBN-13: 978-1883823528 | Publication Date: January 1, 2001

A must-have resource for any parent or educator who wants to help children think about interconnections in our world.

Each chapter focuses on a favorite children's picture book--and reveals the systems principle inherent in the story, general points for discussion, illustrations of key concepts, and questions to spark conversation for both younger and older readers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Linda Booth Sweeney is an educator, researcher, and speaker dedicated to helping children and adults understand how the mysterious natural and social worlds function through the field of systems thinking. She is the co-author of The Systems Thinking Playbook, Volumes 1-3, and author of numerous articles on systems thinking.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Pegasus Communications (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883823528
• ISBN-13: 978-1883823528
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Systems Thinking Through Stories - A Winning Combination!, May 9, 2001

By 

Phyllis MacDonald (Oro Valley, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When a Butterfly Sneezes: A Guide for Helping Kids Explore Interconnections in Our World Through Favorite Stories (Systems Thinking for Kids, Big and Small, Vol 1) (Paperback)

Systems thinking provides structure to understanding our complex world. Stories, whether our own or selections from literature, offer a powerful hook to recognition of the interconnectedness within a system.

As an educator, I've been intrigued with the idea of systems thinking, but somewhat intimidated by its complexity. After reading and rereading WHEN A BUTTERFLY SNEEZES, I have a far deeper understanding of its power.

I''ve long believed in the power of story to enhance understanding. This little book affirms that belief.

Thank you, Linda Booth Sweeney, for this fine work.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Systems thinking is good for kids and adults., April 25, 2001

By 

Don Robadue (Wakefield, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When a Butterfly Sneezes: A Guide for Helping Kids Explore Interconnections in Our World Through Favorite Stories (Systems Thinking for Kids, Big and Small, Vol 1) (Paperback)

I have used some of the same stories described in Linda's book in training courses with environmental professionals from many countries as well as in introducing systems thinking into my own organization. There is a universal appeal to stories by Dr. Seuss, for example, and much wisdom hidden just behind the wild drawings and imaginative language. Linda's unique contribution lies in showing teachers and parents how they can use a wide range of enchanting stories to tap into this deeper meaning in order to improve problem solving abilities in everyday life. The book's recommendations on using stories can easily be applied to improving our parenting and teaching skills by listening more carefully to the stories children tell, asking better questions, and sharing responsibility with our children for interpreting the answers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories: A Gateway to Systems Thinking, February 16, 2001

By 

Janice Kowalczyk (Middletown, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When a Butterfly Sneezes: A Guide for Helping Kids Explore Interconnections in Our World Through Favorite Stories (Systems Thinking for Kids, Big and Small, Vol 1) (Paperback)

"When a Butterfly Sneezes" uses stories to help introduce the basics of systems thinking. This book was written for parents and educators as a guide for helping children gain a richer and deeper understanding of the world around them through their favorite stories. This is a much needed book for parents who enjoy reading to their children and for educators, particularly those who work with students in the K-4 classroom where there is a focus on literacy. "When a Butterfly Sneezes" is a first of a kind book on this subject and at this level. It offers parents, teachers and teacher educator's a practical means for introducing systems to young minds. I will use this book in teacher education courses and recommend it highly to others.