Kelsey De Weerd – illustratör

RJ has had a rough day - he wakes up with gum stuck in his hair, misses recess because he's late to school, earns a zero on his math homework, kicks the ball into his own team's soccer goal, and messes up Mom's kitchen with his overflowing pancake batter! With his mother's help, RJ learns that his problems happen because he doesn't listen or pay attention to directions from her, his school principal, teachers, or even his friends.Author Julia Cook's new book shows RJ as well as all K-6 readers the steps to the fundamental social skills of listening and following instructions. When RJ learns to use these skills the right way, he has the best day of his life!This book is the first in the series the 'Best ME I Can Be!' to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. The skills are part of the Boys Town Education Model that has improved student behaviour and classroom climates in hundreds of schools across the country. The book includes tips for parents and educators on how to effectively teach listening and following instructions skills to kids.

'NO' is RJ's least favourite word . . . and he tries his best to convince his dad, his mum, and his teacher to turn “No” into “Maybe” or “We'll see” or “Later” or “I'll think about it.” Even though he doesn't have much success, RJ keeps arguing until his teacher suggests that he try to join her classroom's Say YES to NO Club. If RJ can learn how to accept “No” for an answer and to disagree appropriately with his teacher and parents, he can add his name to the club's Star Board. RJ finds that lots of praise and some rewards come his way when he uses these skills the right way! Author Julia Cook helps readers laugh and learn along with RJ as he understands the benefits of demonstrating these social skills both at home and in school. Tips for parents and educators on how to teach and encourage kids to use the skills of accepting “No” for an answer and disagreeing appropriately are included in the book.

How can teachers help young students in the classroom learn to accept 'No' calmly and disagree with others without arguing or getting angry? In this guide for teachers, author, Julia Cook, uses everything from a game of tag to fifteen-bean soup in activities that teach students how to use the social skills featured in her children's book, I Just Don't Like the Sound of NO! These 24 games and activities, in addition to being challenging and entertaining, call upon students to use imagination, teamwork and creativity to complete them. They, also, exercise children's observation, reading, writing, thinking and decision-making skills. Each activity provides teacher instructions, lists of materials, when needed, and activity sheets for use in-class or as homework. Sixteen reward coupons can be used to recognise students who demonstrate the skills correctly. The enclosed CD-ROM has pdf files of all of the reproducible pages in the activity guide plus extra worksheets to use. Reward coupons on the CD come in full colour and black and white. (bkcd, cdxp)

RJ is making a lot of trips to his "time-out" chair! Without telling anyone, he and his best friend Sam decide to walk home from school instead of taking the bus. Later the two of them are caught trying to use Dad's computer to surf the Internet. After their piano lesson, RJ and his sister Blanche help themselves to a slice of their Mum's triple-layer double-chocolate cake and spoil Grandma's birthday surprise. Dad helps RJ learn how to start asking for permission before doing things and when RJ and Sam return to school their headmaster makes them practise apologising. RJ feels a lot happier when he says he's sorry to the bus driver and Grandma and he learns that asking permission will mean fewer trips to the time-out chair!This book is the third title in the Best Me I Can Be! series to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and teachers on how to teach and reinforce the skills are included.This title is, also, available as an audio book read by the author. The CD includes two tracks, one featuring the text only, while a second track has cues on when to turn the page for young children just learning to read.

RJ's having another bad day . His teacher wants him to work with bossy Bernice, messy Frankie and Norma (who just sits and picks her nose) on a report about Egyptian mummies. After a frustrating school day with his "team," RJ goes home to find only one biscuit left in the jar. And his mum makes him share it with his sister!With the help of his coach, RJ learns that working as a team and sharing are skills needed not just on the football field, but in school and at home too!This book is the fourth in Julia Cook's award-winning series, BEST ME I Can Be!, that teaches kids social skills that help them be more successful in school and happier at home.Also available as a paperback with free CD of an audio book read by the authorfor children who are just learning to read.

RJ's having another bad day . His teacher wants him to work with bossy Bernice, messy Frankie, and Norma (who just sits and picks her nose) on a report about Egyptian mummies. After a frustrating school day with his "team," RJ goes home to find only one cookie left in the jar. And his mom makes him share it with his sister!With the help of his coach, RJ learns that working as a team and sharing are skills needed not just on the football field, but in school and at home too!This book is the fourth in Julia Cook's award-winning series, BEST ME I Can Be!, that teaches kids social skills that help them be more successful in school and happier at home.CD Includes two tracks, one with page-turning cues for youngsters still learning to read.(bkcd, cdxp)

The fifth and final book in Julia Cook's award-winning series, Best Me I Can Be! Follow RJ as he tries to find and finish all of his missing maths assignments. With help from his parents and teacher, RJ learns he can save himself a lot of grief if he stays focussed and does things the right way!Also available with an audio CD 9781934490440 £14.99

RJ's back in the sixth installment of award-winning author Julia Cook's very successful Best Me I Can Be series, THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK . I THINK! This entertaining story follows RJ as he goes about his day doing the things he enjoys, such as blowing bubbles, playing football and hanging out with friends. But when a couple of friends give him compliments, he just isn't sure how to respond! As RJ continues through the day, he hears from his teacher and parents that while there are many things he's doing very well, there are, also, some things he needs to work on. His first reaction is to argue and make excuses. Throughout this must-read story, RJ learns what it means to receive positive and negative feedback and how to respond appropriately to that feedback. Parents and teachers will love taking kids on RJ's journey as he discovers feedback's many forms and learns to accept and grow from criticism and compliments at home, school and with friends.

The newest addition to the Best Me I Can Be! series offers help for children who say inappropriate things.RJ's mouth is getting him into a lot of trouble. A rude comment at school earned him a detention. An insensitive remark at home earned him a scolding and made his sister cry. RJ doesn't realise his words are wrong. He thinks he's just offering feedback. It's time RJ starts using a social filter when he speaks. With help from his parents, he learns he doesn't have to verbalise every thought that pops into his head. In fact, sometimes the less said the better!