PPBF: Swimmy…Group Dynamics with an Awesome Upstander

 

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review and related resources for parents, teachers and children.

Before we begin the picture book review, here are some IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.      The Show-Me-How School Initiative is still looking for A FEW GOOD SCHOOLS.   We only have a couple of days left for you to leave a comment on this post, telling which school or other child-care facility you would like to nominate to receive a free copy of Show Me How!  In the first week of October, we will pick 12 lucky schools via Random.org

2.      Show Me How! has received another lovely review…this time from Beth Stilborn, fellow 12x12er, and PPBF participant.  If you’d like to see what Beth had to say about it, please click this link.  If you’ve never been to her blog, By Word of Beth, hurry over…you’ll be glad you did…her posts are funny, informative and not-to-be-missed!

3.      Earlier this year I connected with a children’s author in Singapore, Emily Lim.  It was just before their big Asian Festival of Children’s Content, where kidlit publishers, editors, writers, illustrators, educators and all who are involved in helping kids become loves of books and reading meet for conferences, workshops and fun.  As Emily and I chatted via email, she mentioned that she wished I could be part of the conference.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my email yesterday morning and saw an invitation from her (she is on the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference Committee) to speak at the conference!  What a great honor…I don’t know if I will be able to attend…but I hope we can work it out.

Is it Perfect Picture Book Friday yet?

You’ve all been so patient…so to reward you, you will be getting TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

October is National Bully Prevention Month!  I’ll be highlighting some amazing books and other resources for the next four weeks.

 I’ll share my picture book choice in a minute, but first I’m thrilled to tell you about a new anti-bullying app: AWESOME UPSTANDER.  Here’s the link: http://www.awesomeupstander.com

 

Did you know that 13 MILLION kids…over one-third of all school-age children, are bullied every year?

Awesome Upstander, developed by HealthTeacher:

• Empowers children to take action
• Reinforces positive respectful behaviors
• Teaches children to intervene by getting help from adults
• Emphasizes group dynamics
• Shows kids how to gather a group together to counteract the bully’s plan
• Encourages kids to help when they see bullying

I encourage anyone who is involved with kids to visit the website at http://www.awesomeupstander.com.  There are free downloadable info sheets for parents and teachers that address positive action plans for kids and adults.  You can follow Awesome Upstander on Twitter or on Facebook.  You can also purchase the download for iTunes or Android.

The game identifies the participants to a bullying problem…the bully, the target and the bystanders.  The key to the game (and perhaps an important key to putting an end to bullying in real life) is to turn the bystanders into ‘Awesome Upstanders”…people who get actively involved to help the target or victim and stop the bullying.

This concept of group dynamics brings me to…FINALLY…my Perfect Picture Book Friday pick.

 

SWIMMY

Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni

Publisher: DragonFly Books (1973)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Bullying, helping others, overcoming fears, self-esteem, creative thinking, cooperation

Synopsis:  

From the Amazon website: “Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger.”

Why do I like this book: 

Let me count the reasons:

1.      Written by one of my favorite author/illustratos, Leo Lioni

2.      Winner of a Caldecott Honor Award

3.      Amazing illustrations of the underwater world

4.      Teaches the power of positive group dynamics

5.      Encourages creative thinking and problem solving

Related Activities:

Watercolor Wash Picture

Photo from artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com

You will need: 1 piece of construction paper, crayons or markers, blue food coloring and a brush.

1.      After reading the story, let your child draw a picture depicting his favorite underwater scene.

2.      Mix a drop or two of blue food coloring (you can use non-toxic blue watercolor paint) with some water.

3.      Your child can brush the watercolor wash over the entire picture…when it dries, it will have an underwater look to it.

4.      Hang it up in a place of honor in the house!

You can also make a fish mobile…with a bunch of little red fish and one little black fish.

More simple under-the-ocean activities from : http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2008/10/draw-your-own-underwater-scene.html

Great arts and crafts activities from eHow here: http://www.ehow.com/list_6729112_underwater-art-activities.html

Some parent/teacher materials on Scholastic here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/swimmy

 

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susanna Leonard Hill.  Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.   This is an unbelievable resource for any parent, teacher or children’s librarian.

Related posts;

http://beunltd.com/2012/09/28/boys-being-boys/