Tyaja Uses the THiNK Test

by Linda Ryden, Shearry Malone (Illustrator)

Mrs. Snowden tells the kids that T = True, H = Helpful, N =Necessary, and K = Kind. If what you’re about to say isn’t any of these things, she tells them, you shouldn’t say it. Later that day, when Tyaja is about to criticize her friend Dhavi’s new haircut, she is stopped by four little elves sporting the letters T, H, N, and K, who reinforce Ms. Snowden’s lesson and remind Tyaja how friends should treat friends. Tyaja learns that she is the “I” in THiNK!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 13, 2019

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teaching good manners to elementary school kids is appropriate. Regarding the THiNK test though? Maybe not.

It's so important to teach children how to treat other people, like simple good manners. However, I find two big problems with the approach in this book.

FIRST PROB

I sympathize with Linda Ryden, thinking she can teach her spiritual ideal in the same way as, "Don't push other kids. Don't shove."

When did I first encounter the kind of ideal Linda aims to teach 6-year-olds? It was during a period of time when I studied the religion of Eckankar. Although that religion (or maybe cult) wasn't for me, the strongest idea I received was when the head of Eckankar taught:

Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind

No harm in trying to teach all this to a child. Except they likely lacks the cognitive development to learn this yet. But no harm.
Just don't expect more long-term impact than showing them a picture of a smiley face.

SECOND PROB

I also sympathize with the author's well meaning attempt to teach through this book. As a Goodreads author who is a writer of how-to books for personal development, I am acutely aware of what works and what doesn't.

Not that I'm the definitive arbiter. But I'm going to quote one example of unhelpful teaching from this book. Imo. You can judge for yourself.

The teacher, Ms. Snowden tells these kids:

"Before you say something, ask yourself if it passes the THiNK Test."

And are these little kids supposed to think about this set of four ideas before they say ANYTHING?

EVERY TIME?

"Is it True?"
"Is it Helpful?"
"Is it Necessary?"
"Is it Kind?"

How to raise a group of children who stop speaking normally!

RATING THIS BOOK

I'll give it FIVE STARS. I doubt this particular approach will help many children, but they may take away the idea that consideration matters. That would be good.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As children grow and start to navigate different social situations, sometimes they find it confusing to decide what to say about someone. After all, they want to be truthful, but the truth or their perception of the truth can be hurtful. In this helpful book about mindfulness and being more aware, Tyaja learns an important lesson about keeping some of her thoughts to herself. After learning about the THiNK test from her teacher, Ms. Snowden, she applies its principles when dealing with her best friend Rosie.
While Tyaja might not be impressed with Rosie's new haircut, she doesn't need to add to her bad feelings. Before she speaks and does harm, she asks herself if what she plans to say is true, helpful, necessary, and kind. Eventually, Tyaja makes the right decision and ends up supporting her friend. The back matter offers additional suggestions for teachers, including an exercise that helps them deal with anger by tracing their hands and breathing in and out. Colorful illustrations accompany the text, and I know many teachers will find this book useful in their own classrooms.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story to illustrate the importance of reviewing what we say to others before the words leave our mouths. This book is geared toward elementary age children. I like that it uses a specific example in which the main character wants to tell a friend what she really thinks of her haircut and through imaginary helpers, is guided through the THINK test and discusses the pros and cons of choosing to voice our thoughts. During their discussion they also address what is fact versus opinion.

I appreciated the authors note at the end of the book which included helpful mindfulness ideas and links.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly liked the message this book sent, but I felt the way it was portrayed was a little off-the-wall. A teacher teaches her students about the THNK test. Before they say something, they need to think about whether it is true, helpful, necessary, and kind. So then these fairies show up to help Tyaja not say something rotten about a friend's haircut. Love the message, the pictures and execution were a little strange to me.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mindfulness book about what children should think about before they say something to a classmate. Tyaja has something to say about a friend's haircut but her friends advise her to think before speaking about hurting feelings and whether it is kind, necessary, helpful, and true. Reminds me of the Jim Fay Love and Logic training for teachers. Good idea for use with second-grade tattling.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree that kids should be trained to think before speaking, but I don’t agree they should think whether something is “necessary” before they say it.

Also, it’s weird that the book only gives an example of what the kid shouldn’t say, but doesn’t give any examples where the think test shows something the kid should/could say.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Kindergarten-3rd grade

A great tool to teach students how to be more mindful about the words we use. True. Helpful. Necessary. Kind. And the i stands for I! Very didactic but that's its purpose.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Use this for sessions on kindness. Use the THINK Test before you say something: Is it True? Is it Helpful?Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? And I am the person to question myself before I speak. It is nice to see the multicultural classroom depicted.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elaboration on the idea that "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." The story was a little drawn out, and while I think the lesson is good, I might choose a different book over this one.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this one that fell a little short...

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up book about thinking about what you say before you say. Includes a test to give what you are going to say to make sur it is worth it.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good message in the book along with the tools needed to be a good, compassionate communicator.

[Re • · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book I wasn't particularly fond of the illustration but i like that uses the "stop and think" mantra which is so important and I wish it was utilized more for children.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lacking in subtlety but likely a helpful teaching tool.