Just the Way I Am (7 Habits of Happy Kids Series #1)

by Sean Covey, Stacy Curtis (Illustrator)

Overview

“Be proactive” with the 7 Oaks gang in this first picture book in the 7 Habits of Happy Kids series.

Pokey is getting teased by Biff because of his quills. At first, Pokey is upset, but soon he realizes that his quills make him who he is, and he would never want to change that!

Featuring the lovable characters of 7 Oaks, this book addresses the first habit of happy kids: “Be Proactive.” This story encourages children to always be in control of their own life and not let others determine how they should feel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416994237
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	09/08/2009
Series:	7 Habits of Happy Kids Series , #1
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,329,761
Product dimensions:	7.26(w) x 8.12(h) x 0.32(d)
Lexile:	AD480L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 6 Years

About the Author

Sean Covey is Executive Vice President of Global Solutions and Partnerships for FranklinCovey. He is a New York Times bestselling author and has written several books, including The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, The 4 Disciplines of Execution, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, which has been translated into twenty languages and sold over five million copies worldwide.

Stacy Curtis is the illustrator of The 7 Habits of Happy Kids series by Sean Covey. He lives with his wife and dog in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Editorial Reviews

Beginning a series of small books spun off from Covey's The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, this story demonstrates the first of the seven habits, “Be Proactive: You're in Charge,” which is explained further in a “Parents' Corner.” Pokey the Porcupine, who lives in the town of 7 Oaks, is picked on at school because of the quills on his back. Though some of Pokey's friends are supportive (“You're a porcupine—you're supposed to have quills”), Pokey must learn to appreciate his unique qualities for himself. Pokey's story is a little thin, but the discussion questions may help concerned parents. Also available: When I Grow Up. Ages 2–6. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 1—Pokey is hurt when Biff the Beaver mocks his quills by saying they "look like a pile of toothpicks." The porcupine's friends try to cheer him up, but it is only when he looks at his reflection in a creek that he does an about-face. He finds that he likes himself just the way he is and shows off his quills by gluing glitter onto the tips. The story concludes with Biff wishing he had quills. Back matter has a "Parents' Corner" and discussion questions. The plot is simplistic and contrived. The cartoon illustrations are pleasant but do little to elevate the story. Readers may feel cheated by the abrupt ending and the relative ease with which Pokey goes from feeling down to feeling up, which rarely happens in real-life bullying situations.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

School Library Journal

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