It's Hard to Be Five : Learning How to Work My Control Panel

Rating:
Summary: Another Exceptional Book From Jamie Lee!
Review: Yet, we have another exceptional book from Jamie Lee! She has such compassion for her craft of writing books for kids. I just bought several copies for family, as I cannot have children. But I do remember the problems with waiting in line, pushing, and the first day of school for my foster children. It can be a fearful transition for a child. Buying this book which explains everything decreases that fear. In nursing school, we are taught about the importance of teaching plans. What about the kids? They need it too!What I learned in nursing school and foster parent training about development and the many obstacles that tag along with it, is explained on a child's level in this book; therefore, I highly recommend it! Jamie- you get a A+++ for this one!

Rating:
Summary: Good reading for teachers and parents
Review: As a new kindergarten teacher who'd taught second and first for three years running, I was really having a hard time understanding the minds of my new students. This book, told from the kids' perspectives, was a godsend.

Jamie Lee Curtis does a great job in getting down how kids talk and think. The art work also adds to the story.

Early in the year, when my students were having a hard time sitting still and learning to focus, I read this to them. It really clicked with them and helped them see that other 5 year olds felt the same.



Rating:
Summary: My grandson is having a problem with controlling, he is five
Review: I am so happy that you wrote this excellent book, about children learning to control themselves. My grandson just bit a little kid in his class, because the little boy was hitting him in the chest. What upset me the most is the fact that my grandson said he gave up hitting as part of his goals he is working toward.

My grandson is very quite and doesn't bothering others unless provoked, but bitting is not acceptable in any form.

I have purchased and read this book, this is one of his christmas present.

thank you so very very much,


Wanda

Rating:
Summary: Not for normal children
Review: I don't get what 'type' of 5 year old this book is intended to, but certanly not any of the ones I know.
This book pictures 5 year olds like such confused/'in-pain'/explosive/disoriented minds it makes you feel bad about 'being five'.
The flow, language and orientation of the book is not for kids. This seems to be oriented not even to all adults. just some group that relates to a very troubled childhood full of complexes and psicological trauma.
I had had 5 year old children, and they are Happy and positive about all around being five, not 'scared', 'confused', 'jealous', 'intimidated','envyous','undiscipline', 'mean', as the words presented by the book.
Even the drawings seen to reflect the above; the ilustrations look mean and messy. I kind of get that that was their intention, but I believe they ended with a very negative and dark view of 5 year olds on trying to being 'cute'.
I don't believe Mrs. Curtis is cutting the 'children' literature thing.
This book is going back to the store and I do not reccomend it at all.



Rating:
Summary: Self- Control and Focus
Review: I love how this story makes light of "sitting still" and "focusing." It encourages us to have a sense of humor and it tells my children that they are normal. I love reading my children stories like this that turn challanges into positives. I have also been teaching my child simple self-control skills by using a CD audio/book called "Indigo Dreams".

Now we acknowledge the self-control issues we need to work on and we practice actual techniques for focusing,sitting still and calming down. I recommend both of these books to every child and adult.

Rating:
Summary: "The Horseman" should go out to pasture!
Review: I take issue with a previous reviewer...Jamie Lee Curtis is truthfully one of the FEW actor-turned-author of childrens books that is actually talented. All of her books are fresh, thought-provoking, and fun.

I agree that many in Hollywood are "jumping on the bandwagon." But if you research a bit on the author and illustrator, you will find they started the bandwagon. They've been around awhile and each offering is as good, if not better than, the last.

Rating:
Summary: Good concept, uneven delivery
Review: I thought that the book did a good job capturing what is going on with 5 year old boys. However, I often found myself stumbling over the words as I read (forcing the rhymes), which took away from the flow of the story.

Rating:
Summary: IT'S FUN AND KIND
Review: IT'S A FUN BOOK AND TEACHES WELL-MEANING MESSAGES TO MY KIDS WHEN WE READ IT TOGETHER. WITH PLENTY OF KIDS AND A CRAZY HOUSEHOLD, I AM ONE DAD WHO ADORES JAMIE'S WORK.

Rating:
Summary: I ACT, THEREFORE I WRITE?? NOPE!
Review: IT'S HARD TO BE FIVE is yet another in a long line of books "written" by notables wanting to jump on the bandwagon of the world of children's books. Are we to believe that Jamie Lee Curtis would be accepted as an author if she hadn't previously produced name recognition as an actress? I think not! Let the buyer beware with this one. There's nothing special here and the only thing that's getting attention is a famous name!

THE HORSEMAN

Rating:
Summary: Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day
Review: There are few books that I can say my 5-year old daughter sits through without blinking an eye or wiggling around but all of Curtis and Cornell's books have completely captured her! Although my daughter LOVES to read, there is something about these books she is amazed by and so far, we have all of them. The books speak to kids but entertain parents, the fun little "stickers", "mood wheels" and other things just add more to what are already wonderful books to have. They not only entertain her, but they also take me back to my childhood and make me smile. You absolutely can't go wrong with any of them...we can't wait for the next one!