Tease Monster: A Book About Teasing vs. Bullying (Building Relationships)

My daughter who is 3 really got this book now she tells me all the time that is mean teasing or nice teasing when she hears something. There where a couple of parts I had to re word for her because her age it was a little confusing to her the way it was written but not many, I just wrote my "corrections" above the sentence to keep it consistent when I read it to her multiple times.

There were a few things I didn't quite agree with in this book, but it provided a great opportunity for me to talk with my son about it. We don't agree with name calling, even if it is meant to be nice, like brainiac or friendly teasing, like klutz. It was good to talk about what behavior we choose, and how to interpret the behavior of others, especially because so many people tease each other these days. Overall, I think this book can really help kids who are being teased at school, to know the difference between bullying and friendly teasing. I will personally teach my son not to tease at all, but to be honest and sincere, and not to call names, but to praise or criticize individual behaviors.

Julia Cook's books are great! My students enjoy listening to them and they are helpful in sparking conversation about difficult topics. I would say they are probably most effective for kids under the age of 10. Although I use them with some of my older students as conversation starters they do tend to find them a bit babyish. I would definitely recommend.

My kiddo is autistic and these books are written and illustrated so well. They follow similar to our social stories we use. And the author address so many issues kiddos these days face, including mine. Highly recommend her books, we have many of them!

One of my favorite authors. Julia Cook has these books that teach lessons that we encounter on a daily basis in our classrooms but puts a funny spin to it so the children really enjoy the story. When it comes from a "kid" perspective, they seem to understand and relate alot more. I teach first so I had to read this book a little at a time. I think geared more for 3-5

my son, a 10 year old boy, likes to tease others, in different situations, but he hates when some one laughs at him. so, this book showed him that whatever you do to others you must expect for yourself. it was most useful book to teach him some manners towards his friends when something happens to them. thank you so much for the opportunity amazon.com gives us to buy such books from this corner of the world.

I had high hopes for this book since as counselor I teach elementary school age children how best to treat each other. The first few pages of the book are great- that teasing is not acting in a kind way. BUT then the book attempts to separate teasing into two categories, mean teasing and "just joking" type of teasing. I think it is extremely confusing to try and make the definition of teasing mean two entirely different things. I think the author should have separated the two behaviors using different terminology, maybe teasing (laughing at somebody- insults, mean words) and joking (laughing with others about a truly funny, harmless situation). The author's examples of the "acceptable" type of teasing are still unkind and insulting. As I was reading the book aloud, I skipped entire pages just to avoid confusing the students. I do not want to reinforcement any type of behavior that could hurt a person. The book sends a message that we shouldn't feel sad when something mean is said if it's just a little mean (the author's opinion of appropriate teasing). This book could have been a great teaching tool BUT it took a very wrong turn. Teasing is wrong- end of story!

I am reading this book with students in a Language Learning Disabled 3-4th grade class. It generates specific discussions about teasing and bullying and helps students differentiate the terms. It also helps them to self-reflect about their own peer relationships. My classes enjoy many of Julia Cook's books and they reach students in 1st through 5th grades easily with modifications as needed to explain vocabulary and concepts.EFG, Speech Pathologist

The book explains teasing v/s bullying very well.The reason I haven't given 5 stars being, the illustrations are a bit confusing, plus the beginning was a bit difficult.I now realize I should have read it earlier and then should have read aloud it to my children.

I have now bought about half of Julia Cook's books. Beware that as an American counsellor/writer the book does contain some Americanisms, so best shared with a class, rather than children reading the text directly.

Good for working with SEN pupils

fabulous book. my 6yr and 4 yr. could understand completely the moral of the story. easily read, easily followed and the illustrations are fantastic. loved it....

Yet another excellent Julia Cook book. This is perfect for helping young kids understand the difference in good and bad teasing. My kids loved it and understood the message.