The Someone New
What a sweet, simple book about what it’s like being new and how to embrace someone who is new. I like the fact that this book tells children that basically everyone was a new person at one point or another and that, it’s okay to change your mind (to be wrong). I think this book would make a great conversation starter for children and a great one that helps them understand emotions.
One day, Jitterbug the chipmunk, wakes up and feels there is something different about that day. She sees some of her friends but it isn’t until she sees Someone New, that she realizes that they are what is different about that day. Her friends talk with Someone New, learning a lot about them while Jitterbug listens. Suddenly, Jitterbug starts to get worried and scared. She feels threatened and begins to worry about herself and the forest and she makes a comment to this new individual (Pudding).
Jitterbug has many questions about what Pudding says: what will happen to the forest if he stays? will her friends like Pudding more than they like her? What will happen if he stays? Even though Puddings life was in jeopardy where he lived, Jitterbug reaction shocked me but it’s a reaction that some children have when a new child becomes popular or looks interesting and they feel threatened. When Jitterbug’s friends try to talk to her about what she did, I liked how they approach her. They were smart in handling their friend’s behavior.
I feel that for younger children this is a cute read but for older children it could also be used as an educational book that could help children understand both sides of what it is like to be a New Person and how to accept someone who is New.
