Just Because: Where Another Point of View Makes a Better You!

by Amber Housey, Denise Clemmensen (Illustrator)

A flip book giving two different perspectives about possessions and sharing.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Amber grew up in Michigan. She holds a Masters degree in the Art of Teaching. She taught preschool for many years and later, became a first and second grade teacher in her home town of Berkley. She now lives with her husband and three children (and two dogs Mango and Hershey) in Troy, Michigan. She enjoys volunteering at her children's schools and for a charity her husband founded called Building Bridges.
She also loves photography, drawing, exercise and of course. writing.

Reviews

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of a flip side story is very interesting and appealing to me. In a flip side story, the reader gets both perspectives. They always say there are two sides to every story and now you can see all of them. In Just Because, the first perspective the reader gets is a family taking clothes to a donation center for people who don’t have clothes. It teaches children not to be greedy. If there are things that you don’t use another family might need them and not be able to afford them. It also teaches about how giving to others can make you feel good inside. The second perspective is about the family that needs the clothes. I felt bad for this family just by looking at them. They had holes in their socks and shoes. However, they learned an important lesson about giving and donating. Even if they do something that they think is small, like volunteering at a homeless shelter, it can make a big impact on someone’s life. This is a great book for parents to read to their children and discuss it afterwards. What can children do to help others? As the book shows, even the smallest child can do something to help. I recommend this book for children 3 and older.

[Charlie Nitric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Amber Housey did a wonderful job encouraging children (and families) to be concerned about our fellow mankind. In a world where people are becoming more and more selfish, the author promotes empathy through her very unique and poetic writing style. "Just Because" helps us to realize our many material blessings and that almost all people living in western countries have much more than we need. In fact, much of what we have are merely wants, sitting in closets and garages gathering dust. We rarely use a vast amount of the items we hold on to. Amber shows us (children and adults) to step outside our comfort zone (to think), seeing life from another person's perspective (to care), and to share (to love). This is a wonderful book for all people.

[Amber Housey · Rating 5 out of 5]

WINNER OF THE 2012 CREATIVE CHILD MAGAZINE BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR FAMILY VALUES, MOM'S CHOICE GOLD AWARD and YOUNG VOICES AWARD! Amazon best seller for family values 2012.
Every child and family needs this book to teach the value of helping those in need and seeing another point of view. Empathy, the ability to put yourself in the shoes of another, is an abstract concept. This book is a great tool for parents and teachers to teach empathy to children and students. The whimsical illustrations make it fun to read with or without the words. It is a great gift for friends, family and schools.

[Lisa Imparato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book today and loved it! I illustrations were fantastic. The book does a great job showing ways to help others and just how much others really need it. I loved the little things in the book that show how different yet the same both of the families are. And as a mother (of older kids) I had to laugh at how both little girls jumped to play in the boxes! (sorry don't know why I thought that was so cute but it really was) I enjoyed reading it, as did my older daughter who said it was really good. I cannot wait to give this book to my little nieces and read it with them.

[DWGibb · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent children's book that teaches empathy and compassion in a way that kids can easily understand. Beautifully illustrated as well.

[Lauren Ditmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre - Realistic Fiction

Grades - 1-2

Unique Feature - The messages the book delivers to the reader from the two families in the story. The pictures are also beautiful in color.

[Lily (Night Owl Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

A little treasure for both the parents and the children. Amber Housey not only put out a book filled with beautiful colorful illustrations and an easy to follow rhythmic story, but she also packaged it up with an important values and morals to both the children and adults alike. I really enjoyed both side of you from the two families, how both of them are similar and at the same time different. I also loved the fact that the second family, even thought they had less, were very aware that there are people out there that have even less then them and offered the help they could in their situation. A real fun and engaging read that leaves you walking away feeling like you have learned something.
Read this to my niece, it was a nice moment to share :)

[Kara Caruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! What a wonderful way to teach kids to look at the other person's point of view and to teach empathy. I can't wait for the next book to come out!!