Being a Good Citizen: A Book about Citizenship(Way to Be!)

Be a good citizen it's a great way to be! In this endearing character education tale, readers learn about the different things they can do every day to be a good citizen, including having manners, strong values, and helping local government. Through charming illustrations and supportive, read-aloud text, young learners will discover a pride in their community and themselves.

About the Author :
Mary Small is a freelance writer who helps leaders of health care organizations communicate with their employees, patients, and communities. She is the author of several children's books and many magazine articles about medicine and health. Her writing reflects her experience with all kinds of people--all ages, backgrounds, religions, and nationalities. Mary lives in Minnesota and is the mother of a grown son, originally adopted from India. Stacey Previn has been an illustrator for over 20 years and has illustrated 16 Children's books. She currently resides in Oak Park, IL with her husband, 2 sons, and 2 mischievous hamsters while working on her 17th book. She has also done extensive advertising and editorial work for companies including Coke, McDonalds, Burger King, United, Kleenex and Kellogg's.

Review :
These books offer character education with a new twist: they include activities that young children can actually do. The first book explains that taking action like picking up trash and planting flowers are ways to be a good citizen. Next, the author suggests that giving back found money and keeping an eye on your sister even when playing with friends are ways to indicate trustworthiness. Responsible and Fair follow the same approach. The simple, nonpreachy texts and bright acrylic illustrations in crayon colors demonstrate how to be fair, trustworthy, a good citizen, and responsible. Worthy additions for libraries needing this type of material.-- "School Library Journal" This series examines qualities that would supplement a unit on character education such as respectfulness, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Each book identifies a specific characteristic and then depicts familiar scenarios where children demonstrate positive behaviorat home, school, and in the community. The last page has a small bibliography of books and Web sites, as well as an index. A concluding summary statement would be beneficial by suggesting additional situation where children could display character. The richly colored illustrations focus more on the concept rather than the detail. Occasionally, a picture contradicts a prior scenario; for example, in Being Reponsible, a child locks a gate confining her dog to the family yard, yet a subsequent drawing shows that same child standing at a bus stop with her brother and an unleashed dog. Altogether, these books provide valuable reinenforcement for character education units, and a classroom discussion could address any inconsistencies and extend concepts covered in each book. Recommended.-- "Library Media Connection"