Jacqueline Wilson's stories deal with some very sensitive topics and they're fun to read, too, which is why I read 'Cookie' within a few days of its publication. As a teacher, I was hoping to use it as the basis for a classroom discussion with a group of Year 6s on some of the issues that the book brings up.
In the end I couldn't use it. The book seems to be aimed at much younger children, and the story doesn't fit together properly. When Beauty Cookson's mum realises that Beauty is being bullied over her appearance by her classmates, as well as by her vicious dad, she decides that she will teach Beauty how to bake cookies so that she can share them at school and subtly persuade the bullies to give her a new nickname - Cookie instead ... Read More:
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Fab book - just perfect for all the young people you know. Wonderful illustrations and tongue in cheek fun, but also a serious message about making a difference in the world. Small actions X lots of people = Big Change, so let's get on with it.
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I havent read this book yet, as i have only recived it today (12th september 08), but amazon sent it to me and it arived exactly when it should. Thankyouu! xThe Butterfly Lion
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I read this over a few nights with my 7 year old daughter at bedtime. I have to say it touched me so much. Reading aloud, I could feel my voice starting to wobble when it came to Daisy talking about her feelings for her sister Lily who has learning difficulties. It was very well written and we both felt vexed for Daisy and contempt for the loathsome spoilt Chloe who gets her comeuppance. As someone who was sadly a victim of bullying at school I could really relate to Daisy's character and her worries and my daughter really empathised with her. I would definately buy more of this authors books.
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This book has no words which means you have to discuss the pictures with your toddler. It is the perfect tool to open a discussion about what is going to happen when the baby comes home from the hospital and shows them that they will still have special time with you after the new arrival.
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Every time we depict unnecessary interventions in the childbearing process as routine eg in this case ultrasound scanning and leaving the home environment to give birth we are laying down a legacy which will cause trouble for our children.
It could be argued that these are a common feature of many young children's experience - and so indeed they are. However, we do not see contemporary books for this age group depicting parents smoking, drinking alcohol, hitting the child, all of which are also part of many young children's experience. We would rightly question their routine depiction, and the fact that we unthinkingly embrace the inclusion of routine but for most women unnecessary interventions shows how effective our brainwashing has been. But ... Read More:
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This book appealed to year 5. They loved it infact. They voted it 5/5 in the book club. The boys loved it as much as the girls, even though the main character is a girl.
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I'm sure anyone who is in a similiar situation to Indie and her sister and mum will get great comfort from this book.
Cathy has an amazing ability to be truthfully frank about a situation but with a degree of sympathy for all involved who might be struggling.
She puts the good into 'feel good' and reading her books is like a cup of hot chocolate, a duvet and a hug!!
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