Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales

by Jeanie Franz Ransom, Jackie Urbanovic (Illustrator)

With humor and exuberance, a compassionate problem-solving teacher shows classmate piglets who squeal incessantly on each other how to know when to tell and when to solve conflicts themselves. Includes Note to Parents and Teachers. Full-color illustrations.

Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 8/15/2005 Pages: 2006 Reading Level: Age 4 and Up

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Fiction, Parenting, Back To School, Teachers

32 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2005

About the author

Jeanie Franz Ransom is a children's picture-book author and former elementary school counselor with a penchant for puns and a fondness for fractured fairytales. Her books include the award-winning "What Really Happened to Humpty?" and "The Crown Affair," and her newest title, "Cowboy Car."

Jeanie also writes self-help books for kids and the adults in their lives, including "Don't Squeal Unless It's' a Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales," "Big Red and the Little Bitty Wolf: A Story About Bullying," and "There's a Cat in Our Class: A Tale About Getting Along."

Jeanie divides her time between St. Louis, MO, and Northport, MI, and is a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and conferences. To et updates on Jeanie's books and special events, follow her on Facebook.com/JeanieRansomAuthor, or visit www.jeanieransom.com..

Reviews

[Molly]

Tattletale-ing. “Most problems that happens between kids are kid-sized problems they can work out themselves.”

[Destiny Hernandez]

"Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales." This is a book for classroom management. It is natural for children to tattle, but they need to learn when it is the right time and occasion to involve an adult. I was impressed with Mrs. McNeal's response to classroom tattletales. Her goal was to avoid hurting anyone's feelings and to recognize and appreciate one's positive qualities. In this book, the author discusses tips for resolving kid-sized problems, like talking, listening, and helping each other. The illustrations were amazing specially when the illustrator made the students surround Mrs. McNeal after she fainted and made the picture seem from her point of view (the floor).

[Aubrey May]

Don’t Squeal Unless It’s a Big Deal by Jeanie Ransom is about pigs in a classroom who can’t stop tattling on each other. Mrs. McNeil makes the new class rule “Don’t squeal unless it’s a big deal” but the pigs struggle to follow this because they have not had a lot of practice with it. At the end of the book, the pigs and Mrs. McNeil agree this is something they are going to work on. I really enjoyed reading this picture book because of the cute pigs and the dialogue. I would use this in my classroom when there becomes a big issue with tattling.

[Maren Peterson]

Obviously a bit of an older illustration compared to some of the other books I've reviewed but i really loved the story of this book. This book does a great job of highlighting that somethings are just worth letting roll of your back rather than making them a much bigger deal than it is. Its a great book to bring out if kids are having a hard time with tattling or getting upset with one another, just a good reminder that if it doesn't effect you for more than a few seconds, lets not talk about it for more than that same amount of time.

[Gabriella Nay]

I liked this book, the teacher, Mrs. McNeal, tries to help students learn to problem-solve and keep friendships healthy. It teaches about how students can solve their own problems, and take care of their feelings, and she can step in if needed. It teaches kids that "kid-sized problems" can be worked out together, and big problems are when an adult can get involved. Very cute and with fun voices, can be very engaging for students.

[Kaylee Sulda]

Summary: This book talks about tattle taling. In this book the students tattletale on each other a lot which create a bunch of frustration and distrust. The teacher decides to make a strict policy and promote mutual problem-solving.

How can I use this in my classroom?
-I can use this book to talk about tattle taling
-this book will teach students that tattle taling isn’t needed in the classroom
-I can use this book to talk about rules and problem solving

[Maybee Library]

My daughter is learning when it is important to tattletale. This book I highly recommend for parents and elementary teachers. It is a school setting, but touches on different types of tattletales. Children might giggle, but they soon learn how to settle disagreements and when its necessary for adults to help with issues.

[Jackie Spell]

This is a great book to read to students who do a lot of worrying about what others are doing instead of worrying about themselves. We are going to put little pig stickers on our desks to tell it to the pig if it’s not a big deal in addition to having a poster to remind us about the big deal stuff.

[Cheryl]

Oh well done.
Now of course this is a very didactic book. But it's also entertaining and delightful, w/ plenty of giggles prompted by the barnyard setting.
I am pleased, and would have loved this when I was in teacher-training esp. I will look for more by Ransom.

[Haelee Jenft]

I feel like this book also has an awesome lesson tied into it. There are alot of great activities running through my head that you are able to do with this book as well. Along with great illustrations and a ton of different stories about the lesson being taught.

[Jazmin]

I liked this book because of the message it had. I think that it is important to let students figure things out on their own and to try solving their own problems. I think that it could also help them avoid "snitching" and "tattling" in the classroom.

[Sarah Baker]

An excellent book! Great for younger ages! This book reflects on tattle tails and when it's ok/necessary for young ones to tell an adult when something bad happens! Great lesson to teach kids early in the school year, especially if they are kindergarten or first grade!

[Smita]

5-YO loved this book. I like the lesson too but found the actual delivery of the story a bit odd. (2 stars for me; 5 stars for the kiddo).

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023)]

2* art
2* story

[Kitty]

This was a great one for my whiny tattle-tales--now I can just ask "Is it a big deal? If not, don't squeal!"

[Dan]

This book is a nice book that I could see being useful in many classrooms and even work settings too.

[Oksana]

This is a fantastic book for discussing tattling with your didn't. Some teacher /parent resources in the back of the book as well 🙌

[Liz Todd]

Good one, although kind of long!

[Heather McC]

Quick and witty, a school of little pigs get some hands on practice with knowing the difference between tattling and telling (or reporting).

[Cassidy]

"Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales", is a sweet read and it's a great book for the beginning of the year, and a good reminder when you feel like it's needed.

[Chelsea]

Nice story with a good meaning to go along with it.

[Alex Gonzalez]

I really liked this book becuase it would help students try and see if they can solve disputes on their own. Just in practicum I had seen my teacher tell his students to figure it out on their own.

[Allie Kelley]

Very entertaining book for a young audience and promotes smart and thoughtful behavior. A great book for young children to hear or read in a classroom setting!

[Makenzie Manley]

A great book to read on the first day of class, especially with younger students.

[Annie Traugutt]

Great story to read to students at the beginning of the year!

[Diana]

Mrs. McNeal looks like a Mr. McNeal, but the pigs are cute, though.

[Ally Slahtasky]

Great to teach kids not to tattle and for establishing rules for the classroom at the beginning of the school year. Or as a refresher if the rules if things get out of hand

[Cristy Mendez]

A very good book for teachers if they are having tattle tale issues, this may also be a good conversation starter for a tattle box or something like that so it doesn't get overused.

[A.C.]

A little long and better for k5-2nd grade

[Christina]

Love this as a way to discuss all the "concern" for others and the need to tell me about everything.