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Dignity Rocks Reviewed By Fran Lewis Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Fran Lewis
- Published November 29, 2009
- Childrens & Young Adults
Fran Lewis
Reviewer Fran Lewis:
Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing
Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and
a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently. She is a member of
Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's
Who of America's Executives from Cambridge. In addition,
she is the author of three children's books and a fourth Alzheimer’s
book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey: Ruth’s story
in honor of her mom. Fran
hopes to create more awareness for a cure of Alzheimer.
She
was also the musical director for shows in her school and ran the
school's newspaper. Fran writes reviews for authors upon request and
for several other sites. You can read some of my reviews on Ezine.com
and on ijustfinished under
the name Gabina.
Follow Here To Listen to Fran's Radio Show and Here
View all articles by Fran Lewis
Author:
Stephanie Heuer
ISBN: 978-1-60005-097-8
Publisher:
HappyAbout
Click Here To Purchase Dignity Rocks!: I Feel Like Nobody When... I Feel Like Somebody When
Dignity is often defined as the quality of
being worthy of esteem or respect. Self-esteem, self-regard and
self-respect are all values that every child and adult should bestow
upon themselves and others. The words,” I feel like nobody,” this
simple phrase should never be spoken or come out of the lips of a
child or an adult. We are all somebody and we all have the right to
have our thoughts and opinions heard and recognized. Our
accomplishments should be praised and our shortcomings and mistakes
understood, explained in order that both children and adults learn
from their errors and not by being ridiculed because we are not
perfect. This brings me to my review of a very innovative and
creatively written book; Dignity Rocks by author Stephanie
Heuer.
Children are sensitive to the moods, words and
actions of adults, their peers and their teachers. Harsh words or
being ignored or laughed at, can create a negative effect on a
child’s self-esteem and self-worth and more. Children look to the
adults in their family, older siblings, and teachers for respect,
guidance, acceptance and security. The author of Dignity Rocks makes
a strong statement to both adults and children about how it feels
when a child cannot speak his or her words and their voices go
unheard. Making a child feel invisible, alone or upset when family’s
fight can often make the child feel isolated and alone. The author
asked many different youngsters to fill in the blank: I feel like
nobody when__________. This is a powerful statement and the answers
were quite poignant, revealing and heartfelt. A child who feels like
nobody when parents fight and no one listens to their words can turn
themselves off and often feel alone in their own private world. When
someone talks about them behind their back, or laughs when they fell
down or trip, their self-respect and dignity are bruised and it can
leave a negative effect on that child and make them think twice about
trying to do something new in front of others for fear of being
laughed at.
Children do not like to be ignored
when they need to speak to an adult as shown when the little boy
wants his mother and she is engaged on the phone. When a father no
longer lives at home and the child cannot say good night to him the
child feels like nobody because the other kids have their dads all
the time. The way a child dresses is not often their choice but that
of a parent. Not every parent can afford designer clothes, shoes or
fashions. Children feel left out when they dress differently from
their friends and are hurt when they are laughed at and do not fit in
with the current trends.
There are many important
points that are made by the author and many children who answered her
first question as to when they felt like nobody. These answers are
crucial to helping adults understand just how harmful their actions
and words can be to child’s dignity and self-worth.
On
the opposite side she counteracted the negative feelings and asked
the same children to respond to the prompt: I feel like somebody
when: on child answered: When my dad plays ball with me; another
when: my friends recognize what I do best, a third: when no one
interrupts me when I speak. My favorite: when everyone in my family
does everything together. This reminded me of my Sundays when my Dad
was not working and we all spent Family Day doing whatever would make
the entire family smile and happy.
Added to the book
and helping the reader to understand how each child felt about
expressing their feelings in both prompts are the illustrations. The
reader can see and feel the emotions of the child that is upset about
being made fun of or feels alone. The reader can see the look of joy
and elation on the same child’s face when something great and
wonderful happens that makes the child feel like a somebody.
On
page 26 of the book the author provides a guide for educators, group
leaders, parents, and youth groups to help teach life skills,
character education and DIGNITY and the true meaning of the word.
Dignity Rocks should be in school libraries, the office guidance
counselors, study schools, hospital libraries, group homes, and
schools and in every home for all children to read. Dignity Rocks and
so does author Stephanie Heuer for writing this book and sharing it
with us.
I would definitely recommend this book to every
child, parent and adult to read.
Click Here To Purchase Dignity Rocks!: I Feel Like Nobody When... I Feel Like Somebody When