Who Moved My Cheese? For Kids (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Christian Johnson (Author), Steve Pileggi (Illustrator) "Once upon a time, there lived four little friends named Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw..." (more)
Key Phrases: Cheese Station, New Cheese, New Magical Cheese

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Motivational author Spencer Johnson (The One Minute Manager, Who Moved my Cheese? for Teens) may have finally found the perfect format for his popular parable on the importance of anticipating and adapting to life changes.

Critics of Johnson's best-selling Who Moved my Cheese? for grownups complained about its oversimplification and lack of substance (and the fact that glad-handed managers sometimes gave the book to employees fearing for their jobs didn't help). But in a kids' book, that simplicity doesn't grate as much, and Johnson's cartoonish characters--sneaker-wearing mice Sniff and Scurry, and the tentative Hem and Haw, ever in search of "cheese" in the "maze"--look right at home alongside the rest of Steve Pileggi's crude illustrations.

Of course, Johnson's homily might seem even less applicable to kids than it is to adults, and some of Haw's "Handwriting on the Wall" (again, lifted directly from the grownup version) will likely prove too abstract (like "Smell the cheese often so you know when it's getting old"). But then again, kids face more changes than most adults, and they often have fewer tools to deal with them. If nothing else, Johnson's message on "How to deal with change--and win!" is at least a slight improvement on the more time-honored "Shut up and deal." (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-While this picture-book allegory is not a panacea to every change occurring in a child's life, some may find it a useful discussion tool. Johnson shows the different ways that four little friends search out the Magical Cheese that will make them happy. The author explains that some children may look for change early like Sniff, some may hurry to action like Scurry, some may resist change like Hem, and still others may learn to adapt like Haw. Rhetorical questions are asked, for example, "What do you think your New Cheese could be?" Haw frequently pauses to write inspirational comments on the wall such as "Imagining Your New Cheese Helps You Find It!" This book could aid children in understanding that "the best change happens inside of you-like when you believe a change can lead to something better." The cartoon characters are distinguished by their colors and the names on their caps and jumpsuits. Endpapers portray a maze, which is also shown within the pages of the book. The author concludes with discussion questions to consider.
Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399240160
• ISBN-13: 978-0399240164
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #174,644 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect story Post Katrina, December 19, 2005

By	David (New Orleans) - See all my reviews

My children have had to deal with tremendous unexpected changes in our lives as our home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. One day we were in a home and my four year olds were just getting settled into school. The next day we were living 500 miles away from home, their home was destroyed, and they were placed in new schools. This story was perfect in explaining to them that change happens to everyone. Sometimes these changes are very unexpected. If we are willing to embrace change we can make this change an opportunity rather than a tragedy. Wonderful principles to teach to kids. My wife and I learned from it also.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars On their level - and ours too!, February 27, 2004

By	J. D. Fegler (Chesterfield, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a fan of the adult version of this book, so when I saw it came out in a children's version, I had to have it. We're a military family, so change is one constant in our lives. We're about to make a move which will be the first one my 5 year old daughter is really aware of. I introduced this book to her, and even though she doesn't quite understand the real meaning of the story, I'm hoping it will be a way to remind her that change is a good thing. She'll already have the lessons tucked away in her mind, so hopefully when she's in the midst of a change, it will mean something to her. The pictures are wonderful, as is the story. My kids love it and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is dealing with change. It's an optimistic view of whatever changes come into our lives.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Autistic Kids, March 31, 2005

By	Jill A. Carpenter "School Teacher" (Grandville, MI, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I use this version of the story with my Autistic students--even the older ones. One of the primary difficulties that people with Autism have is dealing with changes. This gives me a vocabulary and means to talk with my students about change and helps them to see that change can be positive. When they are experiencing change and can communicate about how they feel, they are better able to deal with the changes and see how they are a part of the change. A must have for all teachers of all ages.