I Just Don't Like the Sound of No! (Julia Cook)

We had a little incident in our classroom where I had asked a student not to take something out at recess. He put it back and then when I wasn't looking, snuck it out to play with anyway. Not good. Not good at all.

Luckily, we have a brilliant and resourceful librarian. I asked her if she had any books on this kind of situation and she came up with this one. I had the student take the book and read it and answer some questions:

What is this book about?
What is the lesson we learn in the book?
Why do you think I picked this book for you to read?

He and I then talked about what he had done and how relationships are strengthened when we are respectful towards one another.

Today I read the book to our class and we talked about it again. It was an opportunity to reinforce the lesson with the one student and to teach everyone else as well (without singling out this child, of course!)

The book teaches how to accept no as the answer:

LOOK right at the person who is telling you "no".

Say 'OKAY' to the person, he's running the show.

STAY CALM on the inside and don't disagree.

You can ASK him why later, this is how you should be.


The book also talks about how to respectfully disagree:

LOOK right at the person when you disagree.

Don't scream or use mean words, be the BEST you can be.

Tell why you feel differently, give your REASONS with facts.

LISTEN closely to what she says, this is how you should act.


Goodreads summary:

NO is RJ s least favorite word . . . and he tries his best to convince his dad, his mom, 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 K-6 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.

I Just Don t Like the Sound of NO! is another title in the BEST ME I Can Be! series of books from the Boys Town Press to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful.

This book is also available with an accompanying CD audio book, read by the author. Winner of the 2011 MOM's Choice Award Honoring Excellence and the National Parenting Center's 'Seal of Approval.'