Kids Make It Better: A Write-in, Draw-in Journal

by Suzy Becker

Ask a kid a question, and you never know what will tumble out. Here, from bestselling author and brilliant child-at-heart Suzy Becker, is a marvelously interactive way to involve kids in the challenges of life, from what to do about the ozone layer to how to mend a broken heart. Surprising, imaginative, funny, wise, The Kids Make It Better Book is a pure delight, combining a "kids say the darndest things" and Children's Letters to God humor with a greater that of teaching kids the value of being engaged.

Each "problem" begins with a spread that asks a question and gives one or more solutions from children―illustrated in whimsical full-color drawings by the author. Then the reader is presented with two pages of fill-ins, prompts, and a space to draw his or her own ideas. How do you fix a bad economy? "The government should have a bake sale," says Jennifer, age 9. What would you do to improve schools? "Put chocolate milk in the water fountain." ―Robert, age 8. What can we do to take better care of our water? "Have scientists make fish that love to eat tons of pollution." ―Jackie, age 9. And finally, a question on the nature of helping The biggest challenge of all might be getting people up off their couches to do something. Any ideas? "Put spikes on the couches" ―Micah, age 10.

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2010

About the author

An author, artist, educator, and entrepreneur, Suzy Becker began her career as an award-winning advertising copywriter, and then founded the Widget Factory, a greeting card company. She entered the world of books with what would become the internationally bestselling All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat, now in the Double-Platinum Collector's Edition All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat And Then Some. Suzy has since written and illustrated My Dog's the World's Best Dog, I Had Brain Surgery What's Your Excuse, Manny's Cows Books Are for Reading, Kids Make It Better A Write-in Draw-in Journal, One Good Egg and Kate the Great Except When She's Not. Her books, greeting cards and work in print and TV advertising have earned her numerous design and writing awards.

Yankee Magazine named Suzy Becker one of four 2010-11 "Angels Among Us" for her community service initiatives, including the Ride For AIDS Resources (Ride FAR), the country's first HIV/AIDS bike-a-thon, which has raised over $1,000,000 for HIV/AIDS service organizations. Suzy has also received the Anti-Defamation League's "A World of Difference" Award for her "I Don't Put Up with Put Downs" anti-bullying/prejudice awareness education project.

In 1992, Suzy was named New England Women Business Owners' youngest ever Woman of the Year. She was a 1993-1994 White House Fellow, a 1999-2000 Bunting Fellow, and she is a perennial finalist in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. Suzy was also the founding arts teacher at the Parker Charter School in Ayer, MA.

She lives with her family, a dog and a formerly feral cat in central Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Kishanna Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently journaling with Kendall.

[Jawa Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells you a problem with examples of other solutions and then it asks you for your own solution.