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Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions and Specific Learning Difficulties
Kevin never smiles at school, but he is different at home. He jumps up and down when his favorite football team scores a touchdown, and screams "CANNONBALL!" when he jumps into the swimming pool. But at school he feels that he isn't 'okay.' Other kids in his class are much quicker at putting their hands up and answering the teacher's questions, and Kevin feels that he will never catch up. One day, his reading teacher asks him to help out with the school store, and Kevin slowly begins to realise that he had really been 'a okay' all along. Through providing an insight into Kevin's thoughts, feelings and coping strategies, this picture book for ages 5-8 is a source of support for children who, like Kevin, find school difficult and feel that they are 'behind' their peers. The book, which draws on the author's experiences as the principal of an elementary school, is also the perfect springboard for discussion around difficulties at school, academic ability, self-esteem, confidence and recognising strengths.
- GenresPicture Books
36 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 23, 2017
Read this book for my 16 months old daughter. It’s a good book but too long to hold her attention. Will read for her again when she’s a little older.
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My Experience: I started reading Okay Kevin on 3/22/17 as a story time for my 5 year-old son and we finished it on the same day. We read it again on 4/1/17. This book is awesome! An amazing read for kids and parents alike. Reading this book as a parent reminds me that each person is different and they learn differently. I like the different ways of encouragement this book presents and the areas to exposed kids to. My son likes the story as well and I can see that he relates to Kevin in a way that at home he can be so outgoing and at school he can be so quiet.
In this book, readers will follow Kevin as he struggles in class because he couldn’t think of an answer fast enough compare to his classmates when the teacher, Mrs. Brooks ask a question after reading a book to the class. He feels sad and thought that there may be something wrong with him. His mom decided to sign him up to meet with a reading teacher, Mrs. Martinez, to improve his reading skills. The reading teacher works with Kevin everyday from Kindergarten to third grade. One day in third grade, Mrs. Martinez introduce Kevin the school supply store where Kevin will be the store manager selling school supplies via cash transactions. Kevin discovered that he can actually do math in his head and able to compute really fast. It caught the attention of the school principle and the comments she gave him of his abilities motivates him for days.
“When you do something a lot, you get better. Just keep trying, even if it’s hard.” p.23
This children’s book is unlike any other children’s books I have read for my son. This book follow a child over time, from Kindergarten to third grade. I like how the author involve teachers and parents into the learning progress of the kids. I like when a principle of the school admitted to making mistakes too. I like the innovative ways of exposing kids and encouraging them to learn and explore their strengths and weaknesses. Most of all, I love the additional last page of the book, a guide for parents and educators for talking to children about learning in school. I highly recommend parents to read this book, both for yourself and for your kids. It definitely makes a difference.
Pro: learning self-esteem & confidence, learning concerns, different ways of learning, learning strategies, relatable, illustrations, parents involvement, encouragement, teachers involvement
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to read and review. Please assure that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
——//////———
My Experience: I started reading Okay Kevin on 3/22/17 as a story time for my 5 year-old son and we finished it on the same day. We read it again on 4/1/17. This book is awesome! An amazing read for kids and parents alike. Reading this book as a parent reminds me that each person is different and they learn differently. I like the different ways of encouragement this book presents and the areas to exposed kids to. My son likes the story as well and I can see that he relates to Kevin in a way that at home he can be so outgoing and at school he can be so quiet.
In this book, readers will follow Kevin as he struggles in class because he couldn’t think of an answer fast enough compare to his classmates when the teacher, Mrs. Brooks ask a question after reading a book to the class. He feels sad and thought that there may be something wrong with him. His mom decided to sign him up to meet with a reading teacher, Mrs. Martinez, to improve his reading skills. The reading teacher works with Kevin everyday from Kindergarten to third grade. One day in third grade, Mrs. Martinez introduce Kevin the school supply store where Kevin will be the store manager selling school supplies via cash transactions. Kevin discovered that he can actually do math in his head and able to compute really fast. It caught the attention of the school principle and the comments she gave him of his abilities motivates him for days.
“When you do something a lot, you get better. Just keep trying, even if it’s hard.” p.23
This children’s book is unlike any other children’s books I have read for my son. This book follow a child over time, from Kindergarten to third grade. I like how the author involve teachers and parents into the learning progress of the kids. I like when a principle of the school admitted to making mistakes too. I like the innovative ways of exposing kids and encouraging them to learn and explore their strengths and weaknesses. Most of all, I love the additional last page of the book, a guide for parents and educators for talking to children about learning in school. I highly recommend parents to read this book, both for yourself and for your kids. It definitely makes a difference.
Pro: learning self-esteem & confidence, learning concerns, different ways of learning, learning strategies, relatable, illustrations, parents involvement, encouragement, teachers involvement
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to read and review. Please assure that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
January 18, 2017
I really liked this story. Even though when it starts Kevin is only in kindergarten, this book is actually good for children 7 to 10 in my view. Kevin is a kid who has a lot of talents, reading just isn't one of them. When he goes to school, he becomes very quiet and withdrawn. He does not feel smart like the other kids in his class. Kevin ends up going to the reading room and working with the reading teacher for a few years to catch up with his reading level. He works hard and tries hard, but he is still behind. Mrs. Marinez, the reading teacher realizes that Kevin has strengths in other areas and asks him to run the school store. Kevin shines in this role and other kids start looking up to him. As his confidence grows so do his skills at school. Kevin finds his strength and this is reinforced by his teacher, mother and the principal. I liked Kevin. Even though he struggled, he did not give up and was willing to try new things. The teachers and other adults in his life did a great job helping him develop confidence. This book could be used in various ways with students who are struggling to find what they are good at and how to improve as well as with students who need to help others and realize they have different skills. Often there is a lot of teasing that happens when kids perceive someone as "stupid" or when they are not able to finish the work, this book could be used in those instances to help rid this behaviour from the classroom. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
May 20, 2017
Okay Kevin is a realistic story about a boy who struggles with reading. Starting in Kindergarten Kevin needs extra help to catch up with his classmates, and he feels like he's not like everyone else. By third grade, Kevin still needs help, but his reading teacher has an important job for him to do. That job helps Kevin see that he is okay just like everyone else, even if he needs a little extra help with reading.
If you're looking for a book about working hard over a long period of time and learning to be okay with your own learning differences, Okay Kevin is a great read aloud for kindergarten - 2nd grade kids and it would be a good independent read for 2nd - 4th graders.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
If you're looking for a book about working hard over a long period of time and learning to be okay with your own learning differences, Okay Kevin is a great read aloud for kindergarten - 2nd grade kids and it would be a good independent read for 2nd - 4th graders.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
January 22, 2020
Okay Kevin is a story about how it's ok to learn differently than others. Kevin struggles to read as well and answer questions as quickly as the other students in his classroom. Children who learn slower or differently from other children may lack self-confidence in the classroom. This book helps children understand that it's ok if you have to work a little harder or take a little longer to learn something than others and that different people are good at different things. There is a one page guide in the back for parents and educators to talk about this topic with children.
May 15, 2017
Kevin needs extra help to read at grade-level. He feels like he isn't okay because he isn't as fast as the other kids. But Kevin is given an extra responsibility at school and finds that he is good at math (making change). As he is given recognition for this skill he continues to work at reading and make improvement! A very encouraging book!
January 14, 2019
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
January 18, 2017
A fantastic reminder that learning is a process and journey, not a competition or race.
Kevin struggles with his reading skills, but excels at math and responsibility. He begins to learn coping mechanisms for dealing with overwhelming situations, and blossoms with self-confidence.
Recommended for kindergarten through second grade.
received via Netgalley for review purposes
Kevin struggles with his reading skills, but excels at math and responsibility. He begins to learn coping mechanisms for dealing with overwhelming situations, and blossoms with self-confidence.
Recommended for kindergarten through second grade.
received via Netgalley for review purposes
February 1, 2017
I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This story is about Kevin who is behind in reading in school, and has to get extra help in reading. This makes him feel that he is not okay. His teacher asks him to help out with the school store where he shines. He gains confidence about himself and learning in general. This is a really valuable book for kids who are struggling in school as they can relate to Kevin and learn about some of the coping mechanisms and skills he gains. It is also good for kids are aren't as they can learn empathy for someone in Kevin's situation. There is a good discussion section at the back for parents and teacher. My six year-old enjoyed this book and we discussed it after reading it.
This story is about Kevin who is behind in reading in school, and has to get extra help in reading. This makes him feel that he is not okay. His teacher asks him to help out with the school store where he shines. He gains confidence about himself and learning in general. This is a really valuable book for kids who are struggling in school as they can relate to Kevin and learn about some of the coping mechanisms and skills he gains. It is also good for kids are aren't as they can learn empathy for someone in Kevin's situation. There is a good discussion section at the back for parents and teacher. My six year-old enjoyed this book and we discussed it after reading it.
January 18, 2017
--I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are purely my own and not influenced in any way.--
I actually really liked this book. Kevin has a hard time reading and falls under grade level, causing him to feel he is not okay. He learns that he's just fine and learns that everyone learns at different speeds and excels in different things. This is a very timely story that many kids will relate with and may feel ashamed about. The moral is good, and kids will learn that everyone learns at different speeds and masters different things at different times. Highly recommended for classroom discussions!
I actually really liked this book. Kevin has a hard time reading and falls under grade level, causing him to feel he is not okay. He learns that he's just fine and learns that everyone learns at different speeds and excels in different things. This is a very timely story that many kids will relate with and may feel ashamed about. The moral is good, and kids will learn that everyone learns at different speeds and masters different things at different times. Highly recommended for classroom discussions!
February 2, 2017
I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Kevin struggles at school. Learning and reading seems to come easy to his classmates and it is very hard for him. At school he is quiet and subdued, whereas when he is a home he talks and shouts when his team scores. The kids at school wonder why he is different. This is a great book with a positive message explaining that some kids learn differently then others.
Kevin struggles at school. Learning and reading seems to come easy to his classmates and it is very hard for him. At school he is quiet and subdued, whereas when he is a home he talks and shouts when his team scores. The kids at school wonder why he is different. This is a great book with a positive message explaining that some kids learn differently then others.
April 21, 2017
Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon is currently scheduled for release on April 21 2017. Kevin never smiles at school, but he is different at home. He jumps up and down when his favorite football team scores a touchdown, and screams "CANNONBALL!" when he jumps into the swimming pool. But at school he feels that he isn't 'okay.' Other kids in his class are much quicker at putting their hands up and answering the teacher's questions, and Kevin feels that he will never catch up. One day, his reading teacher asks him to help out with the school store, and Kevin slowly begins to realize that he had really been 'a okay' all along.
Okay Kevin is a story that offers a look into the mind and emotions of one student that does not learn the same way as his classmates. He cannot keep up with the pace of reading skills as his classmates. This goes on through several grades in school, leaving Kevin feel like he is not okay, that he is different in a bad way. His mother and reading teacher do thier best to help him understand that there is nothing wrong with him, but Kevin still feels bad about himself. It is only when he is offered the change to work in the school store, and shows off his math skills, that Kevin gets the reinforcement and confidence in himself that he needs. He starts to see that he is okay, and might not learn the same way as his classmates, but he has his own skills and talents that make him smart in his own way.
Okay Kevin is a story that can help those struggling in school see that they are not alone, and that other people understand how they feel. It can also help those that have no problems academically understand and have some empathy for those that might. This is an important book for children of all abilities to be exposed to, in the interest of empathy and self confidence.
Through providing an insight into Kevin's thoughts, feelings and coping strategies, this picture book for ages 5-8 is a source of support for children who, like Kevin, find school difficult and feel that they are 'behind' their peers. The book, which draws on the author's experiences as the principal of an elementary school, is also the perfect springboard for discussion around difficulties at school, academic ability, self-esteem, confidence and recognizing strengths.
Okay Kevin is a story that offers a look into the mind and emotions of one student that does not learn the same way as his classmates. He cannot keep up with the pace of reading skills as his classmates. This goes on through several grades in school, leaving Kevin feel like he is not okay, that he is different in a bad way. His mother and reading teacher do thier best to help him understand that there is nothing wrong with him, but Kevin still feels bad about himself. It is only when he is offered the change to work in the school store, and shows off his math skills, that Kevin gets the reinforcement and confidence in himself that he needs. He starts to see that he is okay, and might not learn the same way as his classmates, but he has his own skills and talents that make him smart in his own way.
Okay Kevin is a story that can help those struggling in school see that they are not alone, and that other people understand how they feel. It can also help those that have no problems academically understand and have some empathy for those that might. This is an important book for children of all abilities to be exposed to, in the interest of empathy and self confidence.
Through providing an insight into Kevin's thoughts, feelings and coping strategies, this picture book for ages 5-8 is a source of support for children who, like Kevin, find school difficult and feel that they are 'behind' their peers. The book, which draws on the author's experiences as the principal of an elementary school, is also the perfect springboard for discussion around difficulties at school, academic ability, self-esteem, confidence and recognizing strengths.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews