The Awfulizer

by Kristin Maher, Robert Dunn (Illustrator)

In The Learning to Overcome the Shame Game , author Kristin Maher gives shame a name and face, showing just how real and big it can be for children; how it keeps them feeling isolated and alone, and makes them question their self-worth. "I feel like there's a monster in my head. And all he does is say awful things to me. He tells me all the things I am doing wrong and how I am wrong, and it makes me sad and scared." Shame is a powerful emotion for children, and when they get sucked into the Shame Game and start believing lies about themselves - that they don't just MAKE mistakes, but they ARE a mistake - their world can become a dark place. James' life changes the day he meets The Awfulizer, a strange monster with a giant nose and breath that smells like pickles. The Awfulizer follows James everywhere he goes and reminds him of all the things he has done wrong. When James finally tells his parents all about The Awfulizer, they help him understand that talking about his feelings gives him a super power. It turns him into The Awesomizer! And James realizes that even though The Awfulizer might be big and persistent, up against the Awesomizer, he will always lose.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2019

Reviews

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about «guilt» or feeling ashamed and how to go through that and move on. Well done and explain for kids to understand and learn from it. Important subject! Not the best artwork in the industry but good enough. I like it!

[Christi M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book that focuses on how to help children address and respond to those negative thoughts that float through the brain when we feel like we’ve done something wrong or don’t live up to our own expectations.

Thoughts:
In The Awfulizer, James is on his way to school when The Awfulizer (a green monster who wears a bowling hat with a purple flower) introduces himself. James thinks it is a bit weird that no one else on the bus can see or hear him. Later at school, The Awfulizer pops up again and reminds James of when he got in trouble in front of the whole class. Suggesting to James that everyone now knows he is bad. Again and again, The Awfulizer shows up reminding James of all the bad things he has done. Each time James thinks about them and becomes embarrassed and ashamed. What is worse, he begins believing all the negative things The Awfulizer is telling him. As James begins to listen more and more The Awfulizer grows larger and larger in size until he is all James can see.

The Awfulizer is happy, but James is not and it is becoming apparent to his friends, teacher, and family. The parents realize they need to see what is bothering their son so they come together and ask him. James finally lets it out and tells them everything that has been going on – The Awfulizer, the negative thoughts, the negative feelings…everything. But as James talks and talks he notices The Awfulizer growing smaller and smaller and smaller. James’s parents tell him that they too have met The Awfulizer and have at times listened to his words, but learned that when you do something wrong, ‘you apologize, learn from it and let it go.’ His parents provide him with tips on how to fight The Awfulizer – such as talking about how he is feeling, which in turn makes him into a type of superhero – The Awesomizer!

Let’s be honest. Adults and children alike both listen to and fight against the negative thoughts that are in our heads. Even as adults we make mistakes, can say the wrong things, and act thoughtlessly at times. When someone points out of these moments it can so easily become an embarrassing or shameful moment that reverberates in your head over and over. Sometimes the thoughts can become too overwhelming and other times we as adults know exactly how to handle it. No one is perfect and we are all going to make mistakes.

At the end of the book is a list of several tips for parents and adults to use to help children become ‘awesomizers.’ I can easily see this book being a good conversation starter with a young one. Although this picture book is for children to help developing skills to work through the negative thoughts and shame, it is a good reminder for adults as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and National Center for Youth Issues for the reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

He may be kind of adorable, but the Awfulizer is just awful! This book puts a name and image to the nagging self-doubts that haunt everyone. James notices that the Awfulizer grows bigger and more powerful the more he tries to ignore it. Finally he confesses to his sympathetic parents, who introduce him to...the Awesomizer! This book avoids a preachy, self-help feel by illustrating what James does to fight back, in the hopes that children will imitate it. Tips at the back offer advice for parents to help children "Become Awesomizers". I just love that word!

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Awfulizer by Kristin Maher is a cute little book that teaches children that it's ok to be feeling things but that you can't let them overwhelm you and that you shouldn't try to keep them all inside. This book gives the overwhelming feeling of not being good enough a name and face, and teaches children how to fight back against it. The illustrations are beautiful and I also like the tips for helping children become Awesomizers at the end of the book.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Awfulizer is a sort of self-help book for kids experiencing shame. It shows that everyone goes through moments of shame and self doubt, but to not let it get to you and that it helps to talk to friends, family teachers... anyone. That it is normal and okay to feel bad, but it doesn't mean you ARE bad. A good book to read together with parents or even in school.

Thank you to NetGalley and IBPA for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Gladimore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book on the power of shame and what it can do to you, especially when it festers. The awfulizer gets to everyone. You say something or do something and you can't stop thinking about it. It gets stuck and you feel worse and worse about it till it makes you feel like nothing. A book every child needs to read and every parent needs to be aware of.
#Netgalley

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't really drawn to this book, but I get the point of it. I think that it would be helpful for kids in the target audience. The pictures are good. So for me it wasn't all that interesting but I think kids would like it.

[The Nashville Wife Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a phenomenal and incredibly important book. I don't even know where to start.

-1- The art is adorable!! Every kid will love it, no matter the age.
-2- Putting a name and a picture to "shame" is such a new concept and its brilliant. So so SO many kids (and lets face it, adults too) struggle with shame (me included) and it's just not something talked about enough. This is so incredibly exciting to see not only this concept being brought out into the light (finally!) but also through such an intriguing and captivating story! I was reading a child's book and I was captivated!
-3- The last page where there are 7 points. This page was probably just as important as the whole book if not MORE important. What is written here is something every SINGLE parent, foster parent, counselor, teacher, you name it, should be talking about.

This book should be in everyone's hands that has a child, no matter the age. Whether its your own child or if you're someone that works with or volunteers with children/young kids/young adults....This is important. And for $10?!? That is a STEAL for the art and the work involved in making this book.

If I could give 10 stars I would. BRAVO...

[Sany · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Awfulizer: Learning to Overcome the Shame Game es mucho más que un libro infantil. Nos da herramientas e ideas sobre cómo combatir las emociones negativas, sean estas las que sean y además a plantarle cara a todo lo imaginario que nos hace perder la autoestima, a sobreponernos a la vergüenza y aprender a ser mejores personas.

Creo que es un libro que todos deberíamos tener a mano en casa. Una lectura que he disfrutado mucho, con unas ilustraciones muy bonitas y que nos hablan por si solas del contenido del libro. Apto para todo tipo de público, un imprescindible.




Reseña completa en: https://libroshappy.org/the-awfulizer...

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where was this book when I was a kid?! I loved Kristin Maher's The Awfulizer, absolutely loved it. It beautifully depicts what shame is and what it does to you at a level that kids can understand. Even as an adult, I could relate to this book. The use of this big green monster as the Awfulizer is just genius and shows us how to overcome this sense of shame and negative emotion by making such a monster smaller and smaller. Overall, a lovely children's book that I will recommend to my parents of young children friends!

*Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested this book but I'm really glad I did read it. This book is about learning to deal with feelings of shame and anxiety, and talking to people you trust about it instead of keeping it bottled up. It may seem like such a simple answer to the problem but cultivating that self-worth and self-love at a young age is really important. While short, the book helps create trust and dialogue between children and adults. Recommend it!

[Leah Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic story to show children how normal It is to feel shame and guilt. The monster who tries to tear them down form the inside can be defeated by speaking up. Talking to parents. Friends. Teachers. Always talking and creating a positive feeling inside themselves.

I loved this book. It had a heavy topic but the message was clear.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book is one that has a home in a lot of classroom, SLP, and guidance libraries in elementary schools. It does a great job putting a name to the little voice telling a child all the things they've done wrong and does a great job normalizing it. I will certainly recommend it to my colleagues.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A topic that is hard to discuss for kids and adults alike is tackled in such a creative way with tips at the end that are great reminders. The illustrations are bright and colorful and the characters are those that are likable and are able to be related to. It is a great book for anyone to read and reread.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute fun story about teaching children what shame is, how it feels, and how to get through it in a healthy way. My six year old son could easily understand the point and told me a bunch of different times he felt the awfulizer. Illustrations are perfect and don't distract away from the story.

[Nita Creekmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Awfulizer, is a much needed book that discusses that negative voice in your head that brings on shame! The Awfulizer can make you believe lies about yourself that just isn’t true. It helps kids of all ages realize that they are their own Awesomizers by talking about the feelings they feel.