Simon's Hook; A Story About Teases and Put-downs

by Karen Gedig Burnett, Laurie Barrows (Illustrator)

Simon is having a bad day because his sister gives him a strange hair cut and his friends tease him, but he runs into Grandma Rose who teaches him how to handle teases and put-downs.

Genres: Childrens, Parenting, Fiction, Education, Picture Books

40 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually think this is a pretty cool idea, but the illustrations will not be interesting to kids. Bummer - wish it was done in more of a cartoon-like drawing style because kids would jump on that and it would be way more effective.

[Marquisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Simon that gets picked on at school by his friend because of a haircut and learns how to handle being picked on and not react. In the beginning of the book the boy is very upset about being picked on but as the story goes on he learns from his grandmother other ways to handle children bullying him or picking on him.

This book is appropriate from kindergarten to fifth grade, although the book sends a great message that could be passed on to all grades you hope by fifth students have different ways of handling problems and this book isn't needed. It is also to easy a read for those older than fifth grade.

As a teacher I would use this as a read aloud in the begining of the year to teach students how to handle being bullied throughout the year and I would reference the strategies Simon learns to avoid reacting when being bullied throughout the year.

[Amy Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon’s Hook – A Story About teases and Put Downs
Awards: The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
Grade Level: K-2nd
Original Summary: Simon gets gum stuck in his hair and his sister cuts it out leaving him with the worst haircut ever. His first reaction is to run-off before anyone can see him, but this backfires as neighborhood kids see him and his hair, and the teasing begins. The rest of the story is Simon learning a lesson about how to ignore those kids that tease and be the bigger person in those situations.
Original Review: This book is a good story to help children who may be dealing with a teasing situation, or to teach an entire class how to respond to teasing (or not do it at all). It does not deal with bullying, so don’t confuse the two.
Classroom Uses: Could be used early in the year for classroom management, use with a student who may be dealing with teasing.

[Tatiana Ensz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Levels
DRA: 24
Lexile: 550L

Explanation of Star Rating: I gave this book five stars because of the central message. This book is used in a lot of elementary counseling sessions because it gives students ideas for what to say to bullies, especially when others put them down and tease them. I like how Simon expresses how other people have really hurt him because this will encourage the classroom to be kind to one another.

Most standout trait(s): Ideas

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you deal with people trying to get a reaction from you?
-Ignore them
-Laugh
-Agree with them
-Walk away
-Distract

Cute concept. Great for visual learners. I found the pages too distracting and the art a little dated.

[Amy Beth McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story to help children get coping skills for when they are teased.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great explanation and problem solving for being teased at school.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first in a rotation of books coming home for kindergarten reading, not chosen by my daughter I believe. I'm not a fan of stories that very obviously teach a lesson. At least I don't read them, like Berenstein Bears. I read a lot of them and then burned out. And a book called One about bullying. I'm not fond of those sort and I don't know if she's learning about teasing, but my daughter seems to like them all and that's what counts.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy in my daughter's Kindergarten class doesn't always say the nicest things to her or a lot of the other kids. So, we read this book to get ideas on how she can respond. It is probably more appropriate for kids a little bit older, but she still grasped the main idea. I think I might loan this to the Kindergarten teacher too.

[Shannon Sevcik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I think this book would be a great to read as a whole group if bullying or teasing arises or in the beginning of the year to lead into a conversation about how we should treat and respect one another and establish community. I would also lend this book to a student who is having a rough time dealing with having been teased.

[Rachel Solomin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon's Hook is a great book for children dealing with bullies. It gives concrete strategies for shutting down negative comments. Students as young as first grade will find it useful. The book is available in Spanish translation.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed at how well my kids grasped the concept of this book...it was so written so well (at their level).

[Vandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to share with someone having a rough day due to teases and stray comments....Book's msg: don't be a fish that bites (at the comment bait)..be a free fish.

[Anna]

Project Cornerstone Asset Year 1 Book 2

[Julie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite "how to" book for kids to deal with bully behavior.