Funny kids bedtime books to tame a child's fear of monsters

Hello my friends of the Omschool. Did you know, teacher Omi wasn't always an adult? I was a little kid who was often scared of the dark and of the monsters which I was sure inhabited it. But I learned, from my emotional support books how to conquer some of those fears. Books provide what we call bibliotherapy. By reading certain books and stories we find help for mental health issues, such as fear. Kids books offer bibliotherapy by showing children in similar situations safely resolving struggles. And when they use humor, all the better. If your child fears monsters, likely its worse at night. Here are funny kids bedtime books on taming fear of monsters. 

Harry and the Terrible Whatzit (Dick Gackenbach) We kids believe that the basement is a place where awful things live. My grandma used to tell me to fetch a can of peaches for her while she counted. As if THAT was going to help! I'd run so fast I tripped up the stairs. So I really feel for Harry, when he worries that his mother has been taken or worse by a terrible whatzit in the basement. Our brave hero goes looking for her and finds that you can't judge a monster by its two heads. Absolutely hilarious denouement! 

There's a Nightmare in my Closet (Mercer Mayer) Who hasn't been afraid of the thing in the closet and been told "there's nothing there"? My grandfather humored me and closed the door but even then, I knew as did the kid in this book that I was right, there's something inside! But good news for us when IT turns out to be more afraid of us than we are of him.  I absolutely love the annoyed look on the kid hero's face as he comforts the crybaby creep! Here are some free printable lesson plans on Nightmare in the Closet. 

There's Something in the Attic (Mercer Mayer) Along with the dreaded basement, the attic is another scary place where frights of all kinds lurk. In another case of  mistaken monster identity, it appears there IS something in the attic as we've suspected but he identifies as the fearful rather than the feared. And it takes a brave cowgirl to calm him. 

There's a Monster Under my Bed (James Howe) Monsters have a lot of hiding places and under a kid's bed is their favorite. My preferred monster-prevention method was to cram so much under the bed that a monster wouldn't fit. But Simon can't so he must face the under-bed-dwellers, man to monster. You'll love the outcome. 

Little Monster series. Mercer Mayer really knows his monsters and there could not possibly be a cuter monster than Little Monster unless it's his (sometimes annoying) little sister. Kids can address monster fears by seeing that he's just one of the gang. And Little Monster has to do some bully-busting of his own with big Yally who also turns out to be not as brave as he presents. 

Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak) What is is with monsters not living up to their reputations? In this classic story, Max not only tames but rules the whiny baby wild things! Because really kids are the most wonderfully wild things of all. 

Go Away, Big Green Monster! (Ed Emberley) The monster in this interactive book is real and really scary UNTIL a child takes him down to size. My youngest daughter loved dismantling Big Green Monster and telling him not to come back unless SHE said so. 

Read these books to your kids before bed or in the classroom at school. Allow for lots of discussion. And see my other articles for more bibliotherapy on bullies, conflict resolution and more. 

Bully busting children's literature: bibliotherapy books for kids to deal with bullies

Hello my friends! Teacher Omi of the Omschool, here. Today I'm thinking of ways we can address bullying with students. When I was a kid, many moon ago, the concept of a bully was pretty stereotypical. I always think of the Charles Atlas bodybuilding ads on the backs of comic books. A big guy is featured kicking sand in the little guy's face while the dismayed girl looks on. 

Bullying prevention was stereotypical too. The Charles Atlas ad exhorted "Frail, puny" boys to build up their muscles, take on the bully and impress the girl. Dubious motive and overall cringyness aside, it wrongly implies that "might makes right." But neither brute strength nor two wrongs make a right. Coping with aggressive, coercive or intimidating behavior is about inner fortitude, self-esteem and brains, not brawn. 

Even the term bullying prevention can be misleading. It suggests that the bullied are responsible for making bullies stop bullying. And that only "shrimps" get picked on. But bullying happens to people in all sizes, colors, creeds and orientations. People don't do anything to make themselves targets. And bullies aren't' born that way. They are grown. Bullies bully because they can and/or were taught to. And often they were bullied themselves. True bullying prevention gets inside the bully's head, addresses his/her back experience, tells bullies they can't and punishes them when they do. And helps children develop empathy but also interpersonal and self-care skills. 

And it helps the "bully" (who are actually kind of frail emotionally themselves). Children need to develop empathy and insight into how and why people act this way. Best outcome is that the person behaving in hurtful ways will get his or her needs met in healthier ways and be able to be part of the group of friends instead of an outsider fighting his way in. 

Here's a list of bully buster children's literature books on bullying to teach kids what bullying is, what it feels like and what to do if they are bullied. Bullying prevention happens in clever, avant-garde ways. Through gentle bibliotherapy for kids, children see bullying for the weak cowardice it is. These children's literature books on bullying help kids use humor to diffuse the pain and get past victimization to the find the chutzpah they need to deal with their bullies. And in some stories, the bully becomes the friend. 

 "Hooway for Wodney Wat" by Helen Lester. Poor timid Wodney Wat (Rodney Rat) can barely "squeak clearly" to his friends, let alone to big mean Camilla Capybara. But when our hero is forced to take on Camilla, rodent to rodent, everyone at P.S.182 School for Rodents hears the mouse-sized bully buster loud and clear. This is one of the most endearing children's literature books on bullying ever. 

 "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig" by Eugene Trivizas. This fractured fairy tale flips our preconceived notion of bully vs. victim on its ear. And therein lies the bibliotherapy for kids as they cheer on three gentle, peace-loving little wolves who teach one pyromaniac pig bully to dance. 

 "A Bargain for Francis" by Russel and Lillian Hoban. The redoubtable Francis the badger brings off a scathingly brilliant coup against her devious, double-dealing sometime-friend often-times bully Thelma. Bully buster Francis gets the prize for best plot twist in children's literature books on bullying.

"Ira Sleeps Over" by Bernard Waber. Ira loves his teddy bear Ta-Ta. When he's invited stay the night at his friend Reggie's house, his bullying big sister convinces him that "Reggie will laugh" at boys with bears. But Ira and Ta-Ta have the last laugh on sister. 

 "The Bully of Barkham Street" by Mary Stolz is a tender, heart-jerking look at how a bully is grown. It's bullying prevention from the roots up. In this bibliotherapy for kids, children may find themselves sympathizing with the bully as they see him as he really is, a hurt kid. 

 "Mouse Soup" by Arnold Lobel. Fox wants to make soup out of Mouse, but Mouse pulls a Scheherazade and makes mental mincemeat of Fox. Children will howl as the bully gets his comeuppance. 

 "The House on East 88th Street" by Bernard Waber teaches people not to judge a bully or a bully buster by his cover. You couldn't ask for a nicer crocodile than Lyle, but the neighbor cat Loretta is terrified he's a bully. Read how Lyle befriends the fractious feline. For more bibliotherapy for kids, read Lyle's other adventures in diplomacy too. 

 "Thomas the Tank Engine" by Rev. W. Awdry. A little engine is alternately the bullied then the bully. Will rascally Thomas ever learn that bigger isn't always better? Kids learn many important lessons watching cheeky Thomas fail and rethink his choices. 

"Emil and the Detectives" by Erich Kastner. Young Emil is stalked by some very fierce men with nasty intentions, but this sensible, prescient boy takes them on and saves the day. 

 "Go Away Big Green Monster" by Ed Emberley. In what might be the most interactive bibliotherapy for kids, children take down a monster of a bully one piece at at time! 

Read these books for kids to explore creative bully buster ideas. As always, talk about what you're reading. Help kids build empathy and tolerance for all people regardless of behavior. But also heathy self-respect that sets boundaries and feels okay about that. Tolerances doesn't mean tolerating hurtful acts. 

More YA literature and kids books on girl power for Women's History Month

Hello my friends of this blog on free printable lesson plans from the Omschool (Omi's homeschool)! Teacher Omi (grama) here with another list of YA literature and kids books on girl power for Women's History Month. When I was a kid and teen, literature was my lifeline, social media and therapy! There's a word for this: bibliotherapy. My role models came from strong female characters. The term "girl power" wasn't a thing yet, but I think it stems in part from many of the girl protagonists featured in these books. 

The most important thing about these girls and women is that they are 3D, realistic, relatable and fallible. They aren't cardboard Disney princesses, helpless handwringers or male dependents that peopled so many books of the time. They interact with men. But they are higher power or self-reliant. They break glass ceilings and defy expectations. I know that now, this may sound like dated ERA rhetoric, but believe me, it was crucial then and necessary now. Because expectations woman were hypocritical, shaming and punitive. 

We had to be beautiful but humble, work like mules and be paid about as much, achieve the impossible but not outshine men. We worked in factories to support families when our men couldn't or wouldn't, but were blamed for taking men's jobs. And then we couldn't vote or own property. We had to take care of our children but not have a say in their lives. The list and I, could go on all day. So here are YA and kids books featuring young women and girls, existing within these expectations but yet rising above them. This will be an ongoing series as I think of more books with strong female leads. 

Where the Lilies Bloom I'm known for crying over stories, even Pooh Bear and this YA book, was one of the tear-jerkiest. It explores the lives of an orphaned family of rural Appalachian children who find creative ways to avoid being separated. Second oldest, Mary Call Luther takes on the matriarch (and patriarch) role at just 14. 

The Boxcar Children You haven't lived till you've read the story of four also orphaned kids who make a home for themselves in an abandoned train boxcar. It's maybe a smidge idealized but the lessons learned on sticking together are worth it. Eldest sister Jessie is our featured she-ro, but little Violet gives a lot in her own way too. 

Me Too  (Bill and Vera Cleaver). A sister rails against having to basically parent her special needs sister. But she also fights hard for her. It's got a lot of mostly-recent negative reviews, but that's because many in younger generations can't wrap their minds around issues and situations that many of us in this time period lived every day: parentification, rabid cruelty, discrimination and anger with no channels. 

I'll be sharing more YA literature and kids books on girl power for Women's History Month as they surface in my memory! Love you all and a special hugs and kisses sent to my lovely daughters, Emma and Molly, daughter-in-law Samantha and grand-daughters Lola, Juno and Flora. You rock my world. 

Best bibliotherapy books for kids on bullying prevention

Kids going back to school need more than just a notebook and a #2 sharpened pencil. They need to learn safety skills and essential to the toolkit are ways to deal with bullying. First, it's important to understand bullying. The bully stereotype is the Charles Atlas ad, where the big guy kicks sand in the little guy's face while the dismayed girl looks on. Bullying prevention was stereotypical too. "Frail, puny" boys were exhorted to build up their muscles, take on the bully and impress the girl. 

Dubious motive aside, it wrongly implies that "might makes right." Coping with bullies is about inner fortitude not brute strength. Even the term bullying prevention can be misleading. It suggests that the bullied are responsible for making bullies stop bullying. But bullying happens to people in all sizes, colors, abilities and orientations.  Kids don't do anything to make themselves targets. Bullies bully because they can. True bullying prevention tells bullies they can't and punishes them when they do. Having said that, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. 

 Here's a list of children's literature books on bullying to teach kids what bullying is, what it feels like and what to do if they are bullied. Bullying prevention happens in clever, avant-garde ways. Through gentle bibliotherapy for kids, children see bullying for the cowardice it is. These children's literature books on bullying help kids laugh at bullies and diffuse the pain and get past victimization to the find the chutzpah they need to deal with their bullies.

"Hooway for Wodney Wat" by Helen Lester. Poor timid Wodney Wat (Rodney Rat) can barely "squeak clearly" to his friends, let alone to big mean Camilla Capybara. But when the mouse-sized hero is forced to take on Camilla, rodent to rodent, everyone at P.S.182 School for Rodents hears the bully buster loud and clear. This is one of the most endearing children's literature books on bullying ever.

 "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig" by Eugene Trivizas. This fractured fairy tale gets my vote for funniest of the children's literature books on bullying. And therein lies the bibliotherapy for kids. There's a lesson to be learned when three gentle, peace-loving little wolves teach one pyromaniac pig bully to dance. 

"A Bargain for Francis" by Russel and Lillian Hoban. The redoubtable Francis badger brings off a scathingly brilliant coup over her devious, double-dealing frenemy Thelma. Bully buster Francis gets the prize for best plot twist in children's literature books on bullying. Here are realistic free printable coloring pages of badgers for kids to enjoy. 

"Ira Sleeps Over" by Bernard Waber. Ira loves his teddy Ta-Ta. When he's invited stay the night at his friend Reggie's house, his bullying big sister convinces him that "Reggie will laugh" at boys with bears. But Ira and Ta-Ta have the last laugh on sister. 

"The Bully of Barkham Street" by Mary Stolz is a tender, heart-jerking look at how a bully is grown. It's bullying prevention from the roots up. In this bibliotherapy for kids, children may find themselves sympathizing with the bully. 

"Mouse Soup" by Arnold Lobel. Fox wants to make soup out of Mouse, but Mouse pulls a Scheherazade and makes mincemeat of Fox. Children will howl as the bully gets his comeuppance.

 "The House on East 88th Street" by Bernard Waber teaches people not to judge a bully or a bully buster by his cover. You couldn't ask for a kinder crocodile than Lyle, but the neighbor cat Loretta is terrified that he's a bully. Read how Lyle befriends the fractious feline. For more bibliotherapy for kids, read Lyle's other adventures in diplomacy too. Here are some free printable crocodile coloring pages just for fun. 

"Thomas the Tank Engine" by Rev. W. Awdry. A little engine is alternately bullied then the bully. Will rascally Thomas ever learn that bigger isn't always better? Kids learn many important lessons watching cheeky Thomas epically fail and then rethink his choices. Here are some free printable Thomas the Tank Engine activities. 

"Emil and the Detectives" by Erich Kastner. Young Emil is stalked by some very fierce men with nasty intention, but this sensible, prescient but boy takes them on and saves the day. 

"Go Away Big Green Monster" by Ed Emberley. In what might be the most interactive bibliotherapy for kids (and a beloved favorite of our daughter Emma and her nephew Lucian), children take down a monster of a bully one piece at at time! Read these books for kids to explore creative bully buster ideas. 

Best wishes for a wonderful 22-23 school year! 

Free Printable Where the Wild Things Are Lessons, Activities and Crafts

March is National Reading Month and it's good time to pay tribute to beloved children's authors. In the category of picture books authors/illustrators, the late Maurice Sendak reigns on high. His most famous book is "Where the Wild Things Are" which Spike Jonze made into a movie in 2009, using giant animatronic wild things from the late Jim Henson's creature shop. It was a match made in heaven and Where the Wild Things was "wildly" popular. Here are free printable Where the Wild Things Are coloring, games, activities, lesson plans and book activities.

Start with the free printable Where the Wild Things Are coloring pages, because that's what children want most. This Grand Rapids Holidays Examiner loved coloring, Maurice Sendak, Max and Where the Wild Things Are as a child and her go-to is Coloring Book Info, which has 20 coloring pages from the Where the Wild Things Are book. Next is Making Learning Fun which has not only free printableWhere the Wild Things Are coloring pages, but also Maurice Sendak book crafts and puzzles. A-Z Coloring has a super nice set of wild things coloring pages too. Here are a few more printable coloring pages.

Here are free printable Where the Wild Things Are lessons plans, worksheets, word games and crossword puzzles. Maurice Sendak uses such delicious words like gnashed, rumpus and terrible teeth. There are free printable book activities and lesson plans based on the Maurice Sendak book here. Here are more Where the Wild Things Are printables.

The Warner Brothers Where the Wild Things Are movie website Downloads page has wallpapers and movie posters that you can print and color. The pictures are shown in color. To print as a coloring page, choose one of the size options and left click it. When the poster or wallpaper opens in a new window, right click on the image. Choose "print image" and then set your printer preferences to print in Grayscale. This will print the image in black and white which you can then color. Wild, huh? There are images of Carol, Alexander, Judith, Ira, The bull, Douglas, KW and of course, Max Records himself. There are pictures of Max's boat also. You could print a complete 22 page coloring book from Where the Wild Things are movie. For more book activities visit this authors blogs Free Printable Lesson Plans and Kidz Literature.