The Hurt

by Teddi Doleski

A children's story of a boy whose feelings get hurt when his friend calls him a name. A simple story with a moral/behavioral message. Ages 6-8. †

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humans are beastly. I’m not going to get all Darwinian on you, but seriously, they really are vile, selfish, callous, treacherous varmints. And that’s me being gracious.

So, what do we teach our kids? We want them to believe in a Shangri-La, we want them to find the good in people but really, who(m) are we kidding? Let us just hope that they get to the age of 10 without having their hearts broken, without realizing that life isn’t fair and you just have to deal.

Yet, I try to be the Pollyanna. I try to tell them to look for the good, to treat people the way that you want to be treated, to be accepting. And, when they come home in tears because some miscreant told them that they’re fat or ugly or stupid or whatever else their petty little minds can whip up, I hold them and go all Dr. Phil on them while I’m thinking of pouring fire ants down their pants while I stick out my tongue and belly laugh.

You know… typical Pollyanna stuff.


The Hurt was given to my 8 year old at Grief Camp this weekend. In the story, Jacob is hurt because his ‘friend’ Gabriel calls him a ‘pig faced punk.’ Gabriel is on my shit list. I am directing all my anger towards that little freak who wears huskies and will grow up to be middle management at a slaughter house. Jacob doesn’t tell anyone about this.. instead he goes home and tucks the Hurt into a ball and places it in his room. The Hurt is now his friend. The Hurt doesn’t judge or get angry or wig out. It just is. Jacob starts to shepard all his Hurt into this ball, all the hateful words, all his pain and soon the ball is too big to fit in his closet or under his bed… it’s no longer the comforting blanket it once was… it’s the elephant in the room, it’s taboo, it’s the devil on your shoulder, etcetera, etcetera…

et-cet-ter-a.

Damn that Hurt. Why couldn’t you just channel it all in one tidy ball and let it be? Why does it gnaw away at you like one of those flesh-eating parasites? It would be so much easier to just --- not deal.

Yeah, well, this is a self-help book and in the end, Jacob realizes that talking about his hurt is the only way to make it smaller… so small that it just floats away. Yes, this is a good lesson for children… don’t hold it in… share and heal. (Because, people will continue to suck and you need to find the good ones and hold on to them and believe…. in what is for you to decide.)

[Rachel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just stumbled on this book that I haven't read since childhood. I think I got more out of it as an adult. The meanings of this book have to be lived and experienced before they can really be valued... however, as I looked at the pictures I realized that many of them had stayed with me and evoked a strong response.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel...

This little book is both unusual and retro, but its message is sorely needed in children's lit. The author's characterization of pain is the most realistic I have encountered--as a cold, tightly-wound little ball that constantly presses upon your insides and refuses to let up. When I am experiencing anxiety or grief, such is how my feelings manifest themselves as well. I'm quite glad this book doesn't patronize its young readers.

...I focus on the pain,
The only thing that's real.

[Ruth Schlieff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. I originally read it many years ago and find the moral of the story resonates even more with me as an adult. A must read for anyone who has been hurt or has hurt someone else.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The school librarian read this book when I had a fight with a friend and it made me realise how big hurt can get.

[Dan Stoia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 😳🤯😭

[S Jee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for therapeutic reading aloud.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great children's book that can resonate with adults. It's about acknowledging "the hurt" or pain/negative feelings and letting them go.