Arnie and the New Kid

Arnie

by Nancy Carlson

When an accident requires Arnie to use crutches, he begins to understand the limits and possibilities of his new classmate, who has a wheelchair

Genres: Picture Books, School, Friendship, Animals, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Juli19 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Arnie and Phillip. Phillip is a new boy who is different from other boys. He need a wheelchair to move around the school. At the beginning of the story Phillip does not have any friends and other kids like to tease him, specially Arnie. One day Arnie was making fun of Phillip and he fell down the stairs. He had to go to the hospital and he ended up with a broken leg and sprained tail. Now he was different from the other kids like Phillip, Arnie was using crutches and he was not moving around easily as before. After his accident Arnie realized that it is not ok to make fun of somebody who is different, therefore he made friends with Phillip. At the end of the story Arnie and Phillip become inseparable friends. It is a great story to teach children that we should respect and care for others even if they are different from us. Children will be engaged in the reading because of the colorful illustrations and the message of the story. I recommend the book for children between the ages of 5-7. Good book, I liked it.

[Deirdre Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Arnie and the New Kid is a great book to read if someone is wheelchair bound and may be being bullied or teased. Sometimes children want to know why a person is in a chair. I think this book can effectively show others that it is not nice to treat someone different because of their situation. They need to know that people have feelings and that they can't help what may have happened to them or what deficiency they were born with. It showed how teasing and making fun of someone can lead to a dangerous like-mannered event happening to them as well. It focused on the need of being there to help one another because one day you may be in that same position. I think there are many valuable lessons to be learned such as friendship, respect, and socialization. I like the fact that after the other child was teasing Phillip, he got hurt and felt what he was going through. He then noticed what they had in common and invited him over. They became friends and laughed together and Phillip was the happiest he had been in a long time because he made a new friend. Eventually there were a few more friends because one was accepting of his different abilities. This can be shared in class meetings on a regular basis to remind them to be courteous and offer help.

I would recommend this book for preschool and up because they would have a better understanding.

[Kylee Doty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnie and the New Kid is an extraordinary children’s book written by Nancy Carlson that teaches children about kids in wheelchairs. In this book, Arnie is an able-bodied cat who innocently believes that imperfections are flaws. At school, Arnie teases the new cat, Philip, due to the fact that Philip uses a wheelchair. However, Arnie soon falls victim to an injury after making fun of Philip, leading Arnie to develop compassion for Philip. I rated this book four stars because the way Carlson executes the resolution is phenomenal. Also, the lesson of treating everyone with respect is clearly evident in this book. Nevertheless, I would’ve liked to see a more storybook approach, as this book is mainly focused on providing a lesson instead of a story.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book which is something I never do, but I decided to try it. Honestly I'm not that impressed. I'm currently also listening to "The Remarkable Journey Of Coyote Sunrise " by the same narrator and she grates on my nerves with the way she over-dramatises as she reads. It's really apparent here and it feels like she's talking down to the audience.
As for the story, it's extremely short. The audio book is only a little over three minutes which is nice but the story moved too fast for me. The message is obvious but the plot is kind of ridiculous and it doesn't go into a lot of details, nor is it really believable. But it does have a "happy ending " and I guess that's the most important thing.

[Luda Gogolushko · Rating 2 out of 5]

The feel of this story felt boring and sad, really it was all about more about the ability status and not on the relationship/friendship aspect, and read like a lesson versus like a story for kids. The thing that bothered me the most was that someone can only be friends/understand if you experience the same issues as the person in a wheelchair, and only include them after they know what it's like being in a wheelchair. I prefer A Very Special Critter by Mayer over this one.

[Sinthia Burgos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read. It’s about a new kid who is different because he uses a wheel chair. He needs help doing things at school. The book tells how he didn’t have friends at school because no one new how to play with him. Arnie would bully Philip all the time. Making fun of him because he used a wheelchair. Arnie than has an accident and breaks a few bones. He needed help doing normal activities. Philip and Arnie become friends and find ways to play and have fun together.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked: A story that helps a more-abled child understand by first hand experience what it might be like to be less-abled. And that the two became good friends. What I didn't like: The mean-spirited treatment of the less-abled child. Why do kids (we) feel the need to behave like this in the first place?

[MaryAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arnie makes fun of Philip who uses a wheelchair until Arnie falls and breaks his leg. Gives the message that you can’t have empathy until you experience what someone else is experiencing.

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Arnie and the New Kid” is one of the first “Arnie” books that I have read from Nancy Carlson’s popular animal series. In this book, Arnie learns the hard way about the consequences of teasing other people for their differences. “Arnie and the New Kid” is definitely a great book for children who are huge fans of Nancy Carlson’s popular series.

Nancy Carlson has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this book. Nancy Carlson brings out the message of respecting other people’s differences when Arnie breaks his leg and he learns that he and Philip have a lot in common once he actually got to know Philip better. Children will be inspired to get to know a person who is different from them and not tease them about their differences. Nancy Carlson’s illustrations are much brighter in this book than in her earlier books and Arnie is the first character in Nancy Carlson’s animal series that always wears a scowling look on his face while most of Nancy Carlson’s animal characters are always looking happy. Arnie’s appearance is truly creative as Arnie is a grey cat who wears glasses and has a flashy black and white t-shirt with black pants, even though throughout the book, he changes his outfits.

“Arnie and the New Kid” is a cute story for children about appreciating other people’s differences and the consequences of teasing other people. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since smaller children might worry about Arnie when he breaks his leg.

[Mallori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Phillip is new at school and in his wheelchair. Arnie would always make fun of Phillip until he fell, broke his leg, twisted his wrist, and sprained his tail. He ended up needing help doing things like Phillip. Phillip and Arnie began doing everything together until Arnie got his casts off. Even though Arnie did not need help anymore, he remained good friends with Phillip.

Reading Level: Ages 3-8

Genre: Picture Book

Uses: Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Read-Aloud, Shared Reading

Social Issues: This book is perfect to show the effects of bullying and how it can make an individual feel. When children read this book, it can teach them that they need to treat everyone the way they would want to be treated.

Literary Elements: Carlson uses a lot of feeling words and language that the book's reading level can relate to. There are also many high frequency words used so that reading is easier for the child and more enjoyable because they can understand what they read.

Text & Image: The text follows well along with the illustrations and help to create a more vivid picture in the reader's head. The text does not clutter the page and allows the pictures to be the main focus.

[Natalie Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnie and the New Kid by Nancy Carlson discusses the sensitive topic of those who are handicapped with disabilities. The story begins when a new kid, Philip, arrives at Arnie’s school. Philip is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair to remain mobile. Arnie does not comprehend his impairment and instead of choosing to learn about it, he makes fun of him. The teasing and taunting continues until one day, Arnie is injured. Through this injury, Arnie is able to sympathize with Philip and the daily struggles he encounters. This story serves as a vital teaching moment in which children need to learn to understand and empathize with others disabilities as opposed to making fun of them. I completely sympathize with this story, and Philip’s situation because when I was in the fifth grade, I underwent brain surgery. Although I did not utilize a wheelchair, I did obtain some physical scars and was teased for them. I would highly recommend this story as it can serve as a crucial lesson for children to never prey on others disabilities. I gave this story a four star rating as it teaches children to have empathy for others and their impairments.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arnie, the class bully, makes fun of the new kid in a wheelchair. His teasing becomes out of hand and he has an accident that causes him to have to use crutches. Arnie realizes that life is not so easy when you don't have full use of your legs. He and Philip become friends. Carlson gives Arnie the ability to see life through Philips eyes, even if his disability is not permanent. Sometimes it is not until we are faced with a disability that we are able to be compassionate toward someone who has one. This book is great for younger students. Discussions can be generated about bullying, disabilities, and ability.

[Sarah Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnie is the main bully in his school. He likes to pick on Phillip, who is in a wheel chair. Arnie ends up having to be on crutches, and the two boys become best friends. They realize that they aren't that different and that just becasue Phillip is in a wheel chair, that doesn't mean that he cant be a really fun best friend.

I liked this book becasue the message was really impactful. I didn't like the illustrations as much as the other books I've read.

I would use this book to show that bullying is not ok, because one day you might be in the same situation and you would want people to be nice to you.

[Hana Sm. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has 28 pages. It shows how people with disabilities feel when they are mistreated but it doesn't patronize them. In the story, Arnie is a rotten student who makes fun of Philip in obvious and underhanded ways.
On pages 4-6, "Philip didn't have many friends at school. No one knew how to play with a boy in a wheelchair. At recess Arnie would yell, "Let's race Philip!" Of course Arnie would always win."
I would have students point out the things that Philip could do and teach them how to respect their fellow students.

[Yiovana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it gives children a look in the topic of bullying and making fun of others for their disabilities. Arnie teased Phillip (the new kid) for being in a wheelchair, but later Arnie had an accident and ended up using crutches. Arnie felt how he was making Phillip feel, it made him realize that it wasn't a good feeling so later they became friends. Children can react to this in a positive way and might even get engaged by asking questions such as "how do you think Phillip feels?" "Have you ever felt this way?" , etc. Overall a very good book!

[Robin Giacomelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. It really explains that special needs children are just like everyone else. The story was touching and it made me want to read it to everyone. As a teacher of special needs children I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is having a hard time with fitting in.

[Siomara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. It was about Philip who was new at school, and would get teased on for being different. Arnie was one of his bullies and an accident happened to him which lead him to be at the hospital. Philip showed his care and worry for him and Arnie realized that Philip was just like him and they could be great friends.

[kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liby has had me read this book over and over. I think she likes it because she's not used to people in wheelchairs and it introduces her to that. Which is why I like this book as well. This book is also by the same author of "I like me" another favorite of Liby's.

[Elise Xuereb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnie and the New Kid is a book with many colors and vivid illustrations. It teaches children about compassion and what it is like to have a disability. Teasing and bullying is NEVER ok. I think children ages 3 and up would benefit from reading this book.

Genre: Children

[Valenza Whitaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book. It shows that just because you are different doesn't mean other people should treat or be ugly towards you. But at the end of this book Arnie became friends with the boy who was picking on him.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

People with Disabilities. Wheelchairs.

[Ella Zig · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story that isn't usually a children's topic for books...helping
classmates that are physically different than themselves.
great story and characters.

[Cassidy Reed]

Arnie teases the new student, Philip, in class for being in a wheelchair. One day, Arnie fell down the stairs, injuring himself, and returning to class a week later needing help just like Philip does. Philip helps Arnie up after falling in a race, and before you know it the two become best friends.

I liked how the characters in the book were all different types of animals and how they wore human clothes and acted as if they were humans. I love books with animals!

This allows kids to know how it is to be in a wheelchair or so, needing others’ help for things. Kids need to know that they might not always be able to do everything on their own and are going to need friends to help them, wheelchair or no wheelchair. From the story, kids can also learn to accept everyone, no matter what their condition might be; everyone is equal and needs a friend.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of thoughts from my first graders on this one. They thought Philip should have been included earlier, that George should have been a lot nicer, and that children who are in wheel chairs have lots of options for playing. It was interesting to me to see such young minds sharing their thoughts about how George should have acted. Now I'm not sure if these kids would behave better, but they certainly were shocked by George's actions. It was a good reminder about how we treat children who are differently abled.