Nana’s Books: They Didn’t Use Their Heads

Nana’s Books:  They Didn’t Use Their Heads, by Jo Ann Stover, written in 1960.

Age: 3+

Reminder:  Nana’s Books are rated G.  Anyone could read them, or listen to them being read aloud.

Particulars:   Good examples: *****  Bad examples:  *****  Inappropriate language:  None.  Sexual references:  None.

This is a great book to read aloud and talk about.  What we see here, beautifully drawn, are bad examples: spectacular fails.  “Clarence liked to clown, but he didn’t use his head…so he made his father frown.”  What happened here?  Clarence was goofing around with his yo-yo and it hit his dad in the head!

Then, for every bad example, there’s a good example, showing a better way to go.  “Tessie got a toy, but she didn’t use her head… so it didn’t bring much joy.”  Tessie hoarded her toy.  She was miserable, sitting there like the Grinch, and her friends were sad, too.  Then in the corner is a different scene, of the girls playing together.  “A gift for one can be a joy for all.”

            Then there’s Cora, who thinks she’s so pretty… and she’s also lonely!  Because she’s stuck up!  There are kids who don’t share, who break the rules, who are careless, who show off, who sit around and are waited on, who don’t respect other people’s toys, who play too rough, who aren’t satisfied with what they have, kids who cut in line, and more.  And you know what?  These kids aren’t happy!  There’s another talking point!

            Here’s the Amazon link.  It is still in print, and at the time I’m writing this is available for $6.99.  It’s also available used, but might end up being more expensive with shipping.

©Janet Farrar Worthington

Note:  I am an Amazon affiliate, so if you do click a link and buy a book, I will theoretically make a small amount of money, but I’m just starting this thing, so I don’t even know how that works.   Still, full disclosure, etc.