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Rating: 
Summary: A book about feelings
Review: Children can easily relate to Jamaica's feelings and may learn that sometimes people seem to be mean when really their feelings are just hurt.
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Summary: My daughter loved it!
Review: It was just right for my six-year-old to read it to herself -- and she carried it around with her until she had finished it!
Rating:
Summary: An All-Around Winner
Review: This book is a good one to read to pre-schoolers and kindergarteners to help explore the feelings they have when they either meet someone like Russell or, at times, actually find themselves acting like Russell. Hey, we all do it now and then.Jamaica finds herself having to share her markers with Russell, who is neither well-behaved nor particularly adept at being prepared for class - he never has his supplies with him, and Jamaica pays the price by having to share her markers. She pays a heavier price when the picture she draws gets scribbled on by the dreadful Russell. When she tells her father of the day's events, he acknowledges her hurt feelings at havbing her work ruined, and then springs a surprise on her - Russell is moving away, do you suppose his feelings are a little mixed up right now? Jamaica remains angry over the incident, to the extent that she won't join the class in making "Goodbye" cards to Russell; seeing how Russell behaves in the school yard at recess, one can find it difficult to blame her. The end of the story finds Jamaica empathizing, finally, with Russell. This is truly the moment of self-awareness and the moment when most children become cognizant of their own actions on others; by placing herself in Russell's shoes, just for a fleeting moment, Jamaica understands, or more importantly TRIES to understand, what has made Russell act this way recently. Again, sharing this book with the younger children opens up a museum of opportunities to see if we can learn from each other. Pat yourself on the back if you purchase this book.
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