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Help Me Be Good!
Teasing
Encourages young children who are the objects of others' teasing to retain their own self-confidence and to ignore whatever is being said against them
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
5 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Joy Berry
636 books58 followersWith over 85 million copies of her books sold, Joy Berry’s message has helped children around the world lead more responsible lives.
Joy Berry, pioneering educator, trusted child-development and parenting specialist, is the bestselling author of Joy Berry Classics for children with more than 250 titles and 85 million copies of her books sold. Joy Berry’s lifelong mission is to help kids help themselves by providing the information and motivation children need to lead responsible lives. Simply put, Joy Berry knows and understands children.
“Children should be 100% responsible for all of their choices and decisions by the time they are 12 years of age,” Joy Berry says. “In order for this to happen, parents need to encourage their children to make as many choices and decisions as possible as early in their lives as possible.”
Joy’s understanding of children and her pragmatic approach to educating and empowering children, has given rise to one of the most extensive juvenile product lines in the world.
Joy Berry, pioneering educator, trusted child-development and parenting specialist, is the bestselling author of Joy Berry Classics for children with more than 250 titles and 85 million copies of her books sold. Joy Berry’s lifelong mission is to help kids help themselves by providing the information and motivation children need to lead responsible lives. Simply put, Joy Berry knows and understands children.
“Children should be 100% responsible for all of their choices and decisions by the time they are 12 years of age,” Joy Berry says. “In order for this to happen, parents need to encourage their children to make as many choices and decisions as possible as early in their lives as possible.”
Joy’s understanding of children and her pragmatic approach to educating and empowering children, has given rise to one of the most extensive juvenile product lines in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 14, 2022
A great series, thank you Joy Berry!
March 20, 2021
Not the greatest of the ‘Help me be good’ books. I remember being told all these things as a child myself and none of them ever worked. At no point does it say to inform an adult of constant teasing, especially if the teasing is making you very upset.
October 21, 2022
bedtime story
December 29, 2025
First thing: This appears to be a complete remake of THIS edition, but I guess updated for racial representation—I recognised some of the dialogue from the older edition and realised what happened.
It has some good tips—or, tip—about teasing: It can only hurt you if you hear it, therefore if you remove yourself from where the teasing is happening, it won't hurt you anymore. There's a limit to its effectiveness, though, particularly in this era of social media, but certainly it works for in-person teasing vs. cyberbullying (and for genuine teasing vs. outright bullying, I guess).
There's an amount that I prefer the original, though—besides familiarity, the original had a certain charm that the remake lacks a little bit, probably because the girl's hairdo is a little weird (why FOUR braids when two could've worked fine?). I do say that while aware that I'm not exactly well-versed in popular children's hairstyles as of when the book was made, but I don't know. There just aren't a lot of remakes in general that I've liked.
It has some good tips—or, tip—about teasing: It can only hurt you if you hear it, therefore if you remove yourself from where the teasing is happening, it won't hurt you anymore. There's a limit to its effectiveness, though, particularly in this era of social media, but certainly it works for in-person teasing vs. cyberbullying (and for genuine teasing vs. outright bullying, I guess).
There's an amount that I prefer the original, though—besides familiarity, the original had a certain charm that the remake lacks a little bit, probably because the girl's hairdo is a little weird (why FOUR braids when two could've worked fine?). I do say that while aware that I'm not exactly well-versed in popular children's hairstyles as of when the book was made, but I don't know. There just aren't a lot of remakes in general that I've liked.
February 1, 2018
A book to teach young children why teasing others is not a nice thing to do.
A little too simple for my taste. Even as a kid I thought this book was kind of bland. But I think it's alright for a basic introduction on what teasing is.
A little too simple for my taste. Even as a kid I thought this book was kind of bland. But I think it's alright for a basic introduction on what teasing is.
September 11, 2024
This is pretty straightforward teaching of what to do and what not to do, with illustrations and examples. It's not entertaining or something you'll want to read for fun.
I'm not sure what age is best for this kind of teaching.
I'm not sure what age is best for this kind of teaching.
September 23, 2017
Great lesson.
April 5, 2019
I grew up on these books and absolutely love them! The Help Me Be Good books are great for young children. My children also loved them when they were young.
November 28, 2020
i'm a good kid now. 5/5.
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July 12, 20233091
August 16, 2023
Not super kid friendly language - unclear focus.
December 22, 2018
Help Me Be Good is the best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2022
I read this book aloud to my 4-year-old, but it definitely would work better for a child who can read independently. There are a bunch of spots where a character's dialogue is written in thought bubbles, so when reading this aloud I had to add in a bunch of "She thought to herself"s so my son would get that the character wasn't actually saying those things, just thinking them and refraining from saying them (which is the key point).
The book has a good overall lesson, which boils down to "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." But I thought it was odd that the little mouse guy who is meant to provide silly asides sometimes has teasing thoughts. He doesn't say them, just thinks them, but to my mind it still undercuts the message to be kind. I'm also not sure that "ignore and avoid" is the best strategy for teasing these days, especially in an era where teasing and bullying is harder to avoid than ever because of the virtual world that follows kids home every evening. It's definitely still a useful strategy, but I wish the book had some additional tips on what children should do if ignoring and avoiding isn't enough.
ETA 2022: Donated book
The book has a good overall lesson, which boils down to "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." But I thought it was odd that the little mouse guy who is meant to provide silly asides sometimes has teasing thoughts. He doesn't say them, just thinks them, but to my mind it still undercuts the message to be kind. I'm also not sure that "ignore and avoid" is the best strategy for teasing these days, especially in an era where teasing and bullying is harder to avoid than ever because of the virtual world that follows kids home every evening. It's definitely still a useful strategy, but I wish the book had some additional tips on what children should do if ignoring and avoiding isn't enough.
ETA 2022: Donated book
October 25, 2013
TJ is constantly teasing Tami about her inability to tie her shoelaces and so on. In the subsequent pages, Tami thinks about all the ways in which she can tease TJ or humiliate him publicly, but chooses not to, because it is not good. In the last page, TJ acknowledges Tami as a great sis...
My grouse with this book is that it does not deal with teasing head on. There is a lot of passivity in Tami as a character. Couple this with the fact that she is a girl (may be unintentional) it leaves me with a feeling that you have to be nice and not say what is on your mind. I am happy that Tami doesnt go aggressive on TJ, but she does not deal with the problem of teasing as well. Given this, it seems very illogical that TJ acknowledges Tami as a great sis in the end.
I read the book and chose not to read it to my daughter. I dont want her to be quiet and take whatever is dished out. While I agree that children should not become nasty, I think it is important to teach them to confront issues, which this book sadly glosses over.
My grouse with this book is that it does not deal with teasing head on. There is a lot of passivity in Tami as a character. Couple this with the fact that she is a girl (may be unintentional) it leaves me with a feeling that you have to be nice and not say what is on your mind. I am happy that Tami doesnt go aggressive on TJ, but she does not deal with the problem of teasing as well. Given this, it seems very illogical that TJ acknowledges Tami as a great sis in the end.
I read the book and chose not to read it to my daughter. I dont want her to be quiet and take whatever is dished out. While I agree that children should not become nasty, I think it is important to teach them to confront issues, which this book sadly glosses over.
May 6, 2015
Summary:
The book is about a brother, TJ, teasing his sister, Tami. He teases every little thing about her from the things she wears to what she have. She started to get tired of his teasing. Therefore, she wanted to talk to him about it instead of teasing him back because it would only escalate the problem. At the end, TJ acknowledges Tami as a great sister to him.
Characteristics:
The book is informational and has the trait of idea because the topic that the book elaborated much on was on teasing. The book has a beginning, middle, and end. It takes the reader in smooth flow. The text used were presentable with legible and neat writings.
Concept:
The book is suited for all grade levels because teachers can use this book to teach students to not tease one another. It shows how teasing looks like in different situations and how one should handle it properly.
If you enjoy reading this book, other mentor text you might enjoy reading is
-A Book About Cheating by Joy Berry
The book is about a brother, TJ, teasing his sister, Tami. He teases every little thing about her from the things she wears to what she have. She started to get tired of his teasing. Therefore, she wanted to talk to him about it instead of teasing him back because it would only escalate the problem. At the end, TJ acknowledges Tami as a great sister to him.
Characteristics:
The book is informational and has the trait of idea because the topic that the book elaborated much on was on teasing. The book has a beginning, middle, and end. It takes the reader in smooth flow. The text used were presentable with legible and neat writings.
Concept:
The book is suited for all grade levels because teachers can use this book to teach students to not tease one another. It shows how teasing looks like in different situations and how one should handle it properly.
If you enjoy reading this book, other mentor text you might enjoy reading is
-A Book About Cheating by Joy Berry
August 30, 2013
I love all the Help me Be Good Books by Joy Berry. I had a couple handed down to me from my mom and I found a bunch of the series at a used book store and bought them all! My kids love reading them just for story night, but I also find them very helpful to read when we are having a problem with a certain trait.
Each book focuses on defining what the action is, how it makes people feel and what to do about it. It helps both sides, if your child is the one teasing or the one being teased. It's simple and quick and my kids love the little mouse or bunny character that pops up. The beginning shows what can happen when you do certain things, and in the end shows a much happier outcome if you try something different.
A book About Teasing tells how to avoid teasing others and ways to help ignore the teasing of others.
Each book focuses on defining what the action is, how it makes people feel and what to do about it. It helps both sides, if your child is the one teasing or the one being teased. It's simple and quick and my kids love the little mouse or bunny character that pops up. The beginning shows what can happen when you do certain things, and in the end shows a much happier outcome if you try something different.
A book About Teasing tells how to avoid teasing others and ways to help ignore the teasing of others.
November 28, 2015
I remember these books from when I was younger. All these books are about lessons that children should learn and know. In this book its about teasing. Someone may say things to you that can get on your nerves and at first you might be able to ignore them or brush them off but sometime the things people say can hurt your feelings even if you didn’t mean for them to. In this book it not only has examples of some way that people can tease you but it also tells you how you should handle them. The number one lesson that children should take away from this book is that you should always treat people the way you want to be treated. So if you don’t like to be teased you should tease others either. I really like the illustrations in the book I feel like kids can easily relate with them because they are showing everyday activities and they are colorful and interesting to look at.
May 2, 2015
This book is from the Let's Talk About Series, and discusses the idea of teasing. This book is a great resources for teachers, parents, and students, and talks about teasing in a very real and relatable way. The book discusses what teasing is, looks at different situations in which teasing may occur, talks about how teasing makes people feel, and discusses more positive ways to say the thing that a child may want to say to someone. This book can be used for children of all ages, since teasing occurs in many different grades and among all ages, and provides a lot of good information about teasing for students, some more complex and descriptive than others, so it could be used for older students as well.
December 4, 2014
I tease, but in a fun way! I don't make fun of people or try to make them feel bad! If I tease someone it is to make them laugh!!
This book talks about hurtful teasing...and making fun!
I think "If you can't say anything nice. avoid saying anything" for me easier said then done.
And I was teased a lot as a kid, friends, weight, height etc....I just ignored them or came up with a witty retort like "I may be fat but you are ugly and I can diet, you will need plastic surgery" that usually shut them up!
This book is an important tool. Not sure I 100% agree with everything in it but it is a great place to start!!
This book talks about hurtful teasing...and making fun!
I think "If you can't say anything nice. avoid saying anything" for me easier said then done.
And I was teased a lot as a kid, friends, weight, height etc....I just ignored them or came up with a witty retort like "I may be fat but you are ugly and I can diet, you will need plastic surgery" that usually shut them up!
This book is an important tool. Not sure I 100% agree with everything in it but it is a great place to start!!
September 21, 2009
We had several books by Joy Wilt Berry including most of the "Survival books" when I was growing up that my mother had passed on to me. I highly recommend this author for books for young children. She approaches the topic in a straight forward manner explaining the words and concepts and then giving concrete instructions on what to do. Right now we are reading some of the books aimed at younger children and my son picks them out on his own at story time.
May 23, 2013
Such a great book for kids and adults to read together!! Joy Berry has a wonderful way of bringing things to a kids level to help them understand things better. Sometimes as an adult we forget kids see and process the world differently than us.
Beautifully illustrated to help kids pay attention while learning valuable life lessons!
This series is wonderful for any home or classroom! I want them for he community center where I work!! I am also thrilled they are being made available as ebooks!!
Beautifully illustrated to help kids pay attention while learning valuable life lessons!
This series is wonderful for any home or classroom! I want them for he community center where I work!! I am also thrilled they are being made available as ebooks!!
September 15, 2008
in this book this boy teased his little sister about the thing she wears or have. Then she starts to get tired of it in want to talk about what he does or have. but she doesn't want to talk or tease him back beacause it will feed to it. so she doesn't do it.
May 4, 2018
This was a good book to help children who get teased a lot. I bought this from the Friends of the Library and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 4.5* rating. Lots of useful information for children in here.
March 20, 2021
Not the greatest of the ‘Help me be good’ books. I remember being told all these things as a child myself and none of them ever worked. At no point does it say to inform an adult of constant teasing, especially if the teasing is making you very upset.
May 23, 2008
My daughter really liked this too. Not that she's a big teaser but she didn't really understand what teasing was. Now maybe she'll leave my sister's puggle alone.
1
May 9, 2014amazon.com
July 2, 2009
While intended for younger children, I have seen teenagers and even us adults affected for the better by reading these "Let's Talk About . . ." to children!!!
June 5, 2010
I hated this book as a child...
January 17, 2011
ترجم تحت سلسلة ساعدني لأكون أفضل من دار الشروق
February 26, 2012
This is a great book for children. It gives them the definition for teasing, and how you should handle yourself if someone is teasing you. It also tells children how not to tease.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews