Book Review: Benji, the Bad day and Me

Benji, the Bad day and Me is a story of two brothers.  The story opens with the older, Samuel, struggling with a really bad day.  A rotten day at school, getting wet and cold on the walk home, and coming home to a little brother, Benji, who also had a difficult day.  The younger brother has autism, and the reader learns through the interactions between mom and Samuel that Benji is hypersensitive to sensory input. I'm not going to give summarize any more.  Read the story. This JE is owned by three branches and listed as a "Supplementary Title" on Children's Core Collection (H.W. Wilson).  
However, having worked with youth with autism for many years I think this is better than supplementary...I highly recommend it.  And yes every child is different, so not all children will react as Benji does in the story, but it is a jumping off point to open the conversation about behaviors, feelings, kids that go to different schools, and much more i.e. who and why kids ride the little yellow bus (there is a stigma). Oh, I've put it in the cart because ROHN doesn't own it.

Ocean Storytime

Craft:
Paper plate fish with dot stickers and pens. A couple parents said this was their favorite craft.  I should have asked why, as it is so simple, and I don't think it is very creative.
Supplies:
scissors
white cheap paper plate- large
circle stickers in various sizes
markers
masking tape for tail




I read a variation of the same books at my Toddler Time and Preschool Storytime.

Rub-a-Dub-Sub by Ashaman 

Is a story about a boy in the tub playing with toys, but the reader does not know that until the very end.  There are rhyming sentences on every page that include the sea creatures in the verse. Bright fun colorful pages.  Great read-a- aloud book!

Poor Little Guy by Allen

This is a book with a cute fish that looks harmless, but isn't.  I had to do some explaining and deeper discussion with the toddlers.  It was over their heads, but the parents loved it.  The older preschool kids however did get it and thought the book was funny.

Hooray for Fish by Cousins

This a a staple fish book, I think, for toddler story. The covers colors, shapes, and more.  I think it is too low for preschool.

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Sherry

I love this book!  I wish it came in BIG BOOK size.  It is about a egomaniacal giant squid