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Dignity Rocks Reviewed By Fran Lewis Of Bookpleasures.com
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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

 
By Fran Lewis
Published on November 29, 2009
 

Author: Stephanie Heuer
ISBN: 978-1-60005-097-8
Publisher: HappyAbout

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.


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