[LM_NET] HIT: Red Ribbon Weeks books for elem

[Kaline Goodrich <kaline369@YAHOO.COM>]

I asked for help in coming up with books to be used during Red Ribbon Week, my 
request included any books that covered nutrition as well - basically I needed 
books that were about making good choices on what to put in your body.  

I only got one response, but did some scouring and manged to find a half dozen 
more.  I can't find the message about the recommended books, so if I didn't respond 
before, then I thank you profusely now.  

Below is the list I complied, included the one book recommended to me, called 
Sylvie.  All I did was cut and paste the list I put together for my principal.  
Since I have read the books, I included reviews or summaries found on Amazon.  My 
principal also requested that I get The Berenstain Bears and the Drug-Free Zone.  I 
hadn't included that one because it's out-of-print and very expensive, but she 
still wanted it.  I hope this list helps others:


1.  Bird by Zetta Elliott:  Bird, an artistic young African American boy, expresses 
himself through drawing as he struggles to understand his older brother's drug 
addiction and death, while a family friend, Uncle Son, provides guidance and 
understanding.  48 p. / Grades 2-5      $13.57 (HC)

2.  Sylvie by Jennifer Sattler:  The story of an adorable pink flamingo, searching 
for her identity. When she wonders why she is pink instead of a different color and 
her mother tells her it's because of the shrimp that flamingos eat, Sylvie decides 
to try out some different colors, by eating lots of different things.  Sylvie 
samples some grapes and turns a lovely shade of purple, snacks on some chocolate 
and becomes a beautiful brown, and even consumes a piece of paisley bathing suit 
and is instantly a gorgeous paisley all over. However, after trying all of 
wonderful colors, Sylvie feels a bit yucky and a whole lot less like Sylvie.  40 p. 
/ Grades K-2   $10.87 (HC)

3.  My Big Sister Takes Drugs by Judith Vigna:  Paul's teenage sister, Tina, is 
addicted to drugs. He has seen her personality change and has refused her offer of 
pills. He feels guilty but tells their mother. Later Tina is picked up by the 
police for drug use in the park and is sent to a rehabilitation center. Because of 
Tina, Paul's new friend Jose doesn't want to play with him and there is no money to 
send him to soccer camp, but in the end his parents, his soccer coach, and Jose 
turn out to be true friends. Muted realistic watercolors with black ink outlines 
complement the text, capturing the feelings and dilemmas of the characters. This is 
bibliotherapy rather than literature, and is best used as part of a drug 
education/awareness program. 32 p. / Grades 2-3   $6.95 (SC)

4.  Showdown at the Food Pyramid by Rex Barron:  In this dynamic picture book, 
personified foods fight a battle over good nutrition. Following the wisdom of the 
Great Food Guide tacked on the wall, the various edibles that form the pyramid have 
always tried to remain in balance. Then, dangerous interlopers overrun them and 
take over the top level ("They had strange names like Hot Dog, Candy Bar and Donut, 
and they liked to cause trouble"). The healthy foods almost give up trying to make 
things right again, but the problem is resolved when the pyramid is destroyed by 
its own excess; with all of that fattening stuff on top, it collapses "under its 
own weight." The foods then rebuild the structure, a process shown in a literal and 
amusing way, with sturdy starches supporting bright fruits and vegetables, and 
finally, way up on top, a few sweets and fats, which are allowed to return.  32 p. 
/ PreK-2    $11.55 (HC)
**Note:  The info here will be a little dated as the copyright date is 2004, and 
the government revised the food pyramid in 2006.**

5.  Gregory the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat:  Gregory likes normal food; 
eggs, vegetables, fruit, and fish. Normal food, for a normal kid, right? Wrong! You 
see Gregory isn't exactly normal well not in his family's eyes. To them, normal 
food is tin cans, boxes, tires, and mostly garbage. Well that is normal food...for 
a goat. You see, Gregory is a goat and since he likes eggs, vegetables, and fruits 
his parents think he is sick. But Gregory just wants to eat what he likes. So since 
Gregory and his parents haven't had dinner together in a while (and mothers like to 
have dinner with they're kids) they decide to take him to Doctor Ram. Doctor Ram 
has treated picky eaters before but not like Gregory. Yet, he comes up with a 
solution. That is to feed Gregory what he wants but to sneak in a little bit of 
garbage every meal.  32 p. / K-2       $4.99 (SC)

6.  Danger:  Drugs and Your Friends by E. Rafaela Picard:  Introduces the topic of 
illegal drugs, explaining what they are, how they cause harm, why some people use 
them, and how to say no.  24 p. / Grades K-2       $21.25 (HC)



Kaline Goodrich, LMS
HES & HMS
Hermon, ME
kaline369@yahoo.com


      

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