This selection is about behavior in school and the horrible effects of bullying. It offers a solution and cause for bullying that is a great discussion starter. It is also introducing “No Name Calling Week” from January 23 to January 27, 2012. A site you can go to for learning more about this is http://pages.simonandschuster.com/nonamecalling.
Title: Trouble in the Barkers’ Class
Written and illustrated By: Tomie dePaola
Published By: G.P. Putnam’s Sons – 2003 fiction
Themes: Bullies, Behavior, Schools, Twins, Friendship
Written for: Ages four through elementary school
Resources: To stop the bullying: http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=12019 . For students to develop sensitivity to the “new” kid in class and to develop strategies for kids that are “trouble” in school: http://www.spokenartsmedia.com/StudyGuides/Trouble%20in%20the%20Barkers’%20Class.pdf . Another general site is: http://www.tomie.com/books/bibliography/2003/trouble.html
From the Jacket: The Barker twins, Morgie and Moffie, are so excited: A new student is joining their class! Morgie makes her a welcome card, and Moffie can’t wait to play blocks with her. But when Ms. Shepherd introduces Carole Anne to the class, she doesn’t smile. Instead she causes trouble. She pushes Moffie in line and scribbles on Morgie’s drawing. She even throws Morgie’s special dinosaur book into the bushes! With Carol Anne making it impossible for anyone to like her, everyone in the lass starts to ignore her. But one Saturday, Morgie hears someone crying behind the bushes near the Barkers’. It’s Carole Ann! Will Morgie try to find out what’s wrong – before there’s even more trouble in class?
Why I like it: As usual Tomie dePaola has introduced a theme common to all elementary school students; fear of starting school in a new place or for the first time. With his clear style of writing he has explored the themes of bullies as well as friendship. And to beat all he has developed a strategy to solve the problem. With this theme prevalent in our schools today, this book should be imperative to be in every school library and recommended reading for all elementary school students.
For more books with resources please visit Perfect Picture Books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog. You can also click the PPBF badge on the right and web will automatically wisk you away to the resource page.
Would you read it? Would you like to read it to your child out loud?
There is the last installment of author Susanna Leonard Hill’s interview on Tuesday to come back for and we promise a give away in time for Ground Hog Day. Eeks, I know how time marches on but I promise you won’t be disappointed.
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Clarbojahn's Blog 
Tomie dePaola is a master story teller. And, it sounds like his book is a winner. It is hard starting a new school and kids respond in different way. Sounds like his book teaches kids a way to deal with bullies. Not an easy task. Great review Clar.
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Yes, dePaola tells how the new kid is afraid no one will like her so she goes out of her way to be horrible, rejecting others before they have a chance to reject her. Then there is the surprise at the end. He does a marvelous job as always. 🙂
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Clar, I have enjoyed reading this book to classes, and it is a super conversation starter. i enjoy how Tomie de Paola also give some insights into the insecurities behind much bullying.
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Yes, it helps kids to identify with others and when they see the bully as one of them they can overcome the bullying in creative ways. I’m glad you know about this book. 🙂
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This sounds like a great book, Clar. I love Tomie de Paola! (Strega Nona was a big favorite in our house :)) I am always glad to get another good book that addresses bullying on our list! Thanks!
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You’re welcome, Susanna. DePaola sure is prolific in all the writing he accomplished. He is a star and well awarded author. 🙂
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All bully books are welcome in my house. I’ll keep an eye out for this one. Thanks for sharing it 🙂
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You’re welcome, Jennifer. Thank you. 🙂
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Great book, great review, and I’m posting your review on my FB Fan Page.
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Oh wow! thank you! so honored. Let’s hope it helps bullying. It’s the right week for no calling week. 🙂
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I can’t believe I haven’t read this! It looks like a wonderful book with a great theme. I love Tomie’s storytelling and art. Than you for adding it to the PPBF list!
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Ooops *Thank* you for adding it to the PPBF list!
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You’re welcome,, Loni.
The more I read of Tomie’s style the more there is to like. 🙂
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This sounds like an excellent book, and on such an important topic. Good to see a bit of what might be behind a bully’s actions as well.
Thank you!
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Thank you, Beth. 🙂
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Great choice! It sounds funny! I love Tommi DePaola books! I will look for it!
Erik 🙂
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Well actually it isn’t a funny book but you will find some basic empathy and understanding in it.
Thanks for stopping by, Erik. 🙂
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I am sorry I read your review wrong! I was thinking that the kids were being trouble makers not bullies! Usually Tomie dePaola books are pretty fun and happy stories (like the Stega Nona books and the Popcorn Book) so that is what I was thinking of when I read your review. I went back and read it again. It is a very different book than the others of his I read. Bullying is an important subject our school has a whole program against bullying. I am going to see if our school library has this book. Thank you for telling me the correct message! Sorry I took the wrong meaning.
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No Worries, Erik. So glad you checked back.
Yes, you are right about the books Tomie dePaola usually writes are of a different caliber than this one. This one is totally different than the Stega Nora ones. I’m not too familiar with others but the ones I am familiar with are of a lighter tone.
This coming up week starting with the 24th is especially geared towards no bullying so you may want to check out the link at the beginning of the post of No-Name Calling Week. There are a lot of books on the subject that is on that link and more all the time. People seem pretty active against bullying. I keep wondering how it is that is thriving in the schools with all the programs against it, but it is. Some how bullies know their way around the teachers and grown ups so that they can still hurt kids. It is a shame. I hope you take care.
Clar
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Thank you for telling me about no name calling week. I checked out you links and I am going to ask my teacher if we are doing anything special for it. I also found an official site for no name calling week. Thanks again 🙂
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Great choice of book and author Clar. I did a write up about Tommi De Paola some time ago on my blog. Love his wit and clever writing, dealing with everyday issues. He makes it simple and easy to understand and goes behind to dig out reasons… Well done, so happy to see one of his books hitting the list.
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Could you give me the link to your write up? I’ve been thinking about doing a post on Tomie dePaola, too. I could give you a shout out and would be interested in what you said about him. He is so famous. 🙂
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I would read it — as a mother and a twin. I’m always interested in stories with twins. I’m going to check out this no name calling week link too. Thank you. Looking forward to the next installment of the interview.
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Thank you, too, Stacy. So glad to have made a good choice.
You’ll like the interview, I’m sure. I can’t wait to publish it. 🙂
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Very good choice. This is always an ongoing issue somewhere in our school. The little kids really relate to these kinds of books.
❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
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Thank you, Barbara. I like your signature but it kicked it into my “check it out” file or check for moderation. Did you know that if one clicks on your gravatar that it would wisk the reader to your site automatically? 🙂
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Not only would I read it…I am going to run out and buy it!
Tomie di Paoli is my absolute FAVORITE picture book author and illustrator…and this is a book I have never seen or heard of…so THANK YOU for bringing this book to Susannah’s PPBF.
As you said, the subject of bullying is one that needs to be addressed in every home, school and playground and it sounds as if this would be a perfect book to read to kids to help get the message across. I will definitely use it in my program!
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Thank you, Vivian, for your enthusiastic reply. I hope when you read it that it is everything you hoped. I am glad you found this review useful. 🙂
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