Telling Isn't Tattling (Paperback)

by Kathryn M. Hammerseng (Author), Dave Garbot (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"For parents, teachers or anyone who works with children, Telling Isn't Tattling is a worthwhile read and excellent reminder to pay attention to what kids are saying." -- School Safety, Winter 1996

Product Description
Can your children tell the difference between telling and tattling? Do they understand when it's not only okay---but important--that they tell an adult what's happening?

This easy-to-read book describes several situations and asks kids to determine whether the characters are just snitching on each other or if they really need adult help. It also alerts parents and caregivers so that they learn to pay attention to kids' requests.

"Telling Isn't Tattling" encourages kids to think about how they might handle both minor irritations and potentially dangerous situations. The book includes a place where kids can write the names and telephone numbers of people who can provide help.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Parenting Pr (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884734065
• ISBN-13: 978-1884734069
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #521,300 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tool for kids to learn to help themselves., July 21, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

We start our school year in Kindergarten with "Telling Isn't Tattling". It is a wonderful introduction for these young children to start to learn how to handle situations on their own and when they should involve an adult. The situation/role play set up of the book is wonderful to pull the kids into discussions and to brain storm ways to solve problems. A must have for all teachers and parents!

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile Concept, but Confusing/Ambiguous Stories, April 5, 2004

By A Customer

This book attempts to distinguish between telling and tattling by presenting 1-page scenarios in which your child is supposed to choose whether the characters are telling or tattling. The answers and a brief explanation are included following the scenarios.

For example, 2 children are playing outside and get into a squabble. One boy begans teasing and calling the other names, then stops and goes off to play. The one who is teased goes inside to report what happened to his mother. Was he telling or tattling? If you guessed "telling," you're wrong - according to the author of this book. The little boy was tattling (...)This situation confused my young niece when we read it since she learned long ago to let us know if anyone is treating her wrongly, rudely, etc. Most importantly, bullying is a real problem for kids sometimes and they need help learning how to cope with this from adults (some experts have attributed the Columbine incident to the perpetual teasing/bullying that the 2 boys experienced over the course of many years -in addition to the lack of consequences their bullies faced). If permitted, this book would have taught her to disregard her feelings and not to turn to us for assistance.

In another scenario 1 sister informs their dad that her sister put the board game they were playing with on the floor in the closet instead of the shelf where it belongs. She was clearly tattling, claims the author. Once again, this was confusing for my niece because she is expected to put toys up where they belong and we never put board games on the floor since they can get stepped on. Also, my niece's sister doesn't always listen to her when she is reminded where things belong - so an adult's assistance can once again be required.

While the author's concept of this book is great, the actual application of her ideas is ineffective. The two examples from the book above can sometimes be "tattling" and other times be "telling," which makes them poor examples to clarify this concept for children. In fact, they only bewilder children more.

My advice is to take a pass on this book. Instead, create and practice telling vs. tattling scenarios with your children based on your own parenting/discipline style.

5.0 out of 5 stars adult guidance in learning the difference, December 17, 2006

By	Learning Abilities Books - See all my reviews

Sometimes children endure horrid suffering because they are afraid of "tattling." These thirteen stories help children see the difference between necessary "telling" and unnecessary "tattling." This book offers relief from the highly stressful situation of being afraid to tell but desperately needing to tell. It needs to be used carefully with adult guidance.