We Can Get Along: A Child's Book of Choices

by Lauren Murphy Payne, Claudia Rohling (Illustrations)

Children need help learning how to get along with others at school, in the neighborhood, and on the playground. They need to know that they have the power to make good choices. In simple, affirming words and exuberant full-color illustrations, We Can Get Along teaches essential conflict resolution and peacemaking skills—think before you speak or act, treat others the way you want to be treated—in a way that young children can understand.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Friendship, Childrens

36 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

About the author

M.S.W. LCSW

Reviews

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a great one for teaching children about conflict and how to disagree with someone in a constructive manner. These are skills that many adults lack, so it is important to teach them to children. The pictures are nice and the use of "I" messages throughout gives children a sense that they are in control of their own actions. I read this book because it was on my school's pillars of character reading list for citizenship. It does speak about how to be a good friend and neighbor, so it fits.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very explicit direct instruction on getting along with others.
It doesn't make it a book that most kids will want to re-read.

I'd rather cover this stuff using stories that illustrate the various situations, but there are probably some kids who need to hear it written this way.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

About how we and others do or do not want to be treated, and making choices to live together as best as possible.

[Daniel Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: This book demonstrates the ideal situation of when there is no bully present and when there is a bully present in the environment. The book gives examples of how things can be when kids don't get along with each other. The book does a great job at giving kids options about the ways they can deal with bullies. Once we are given the bad situation, the book automatically gives us the choices we get to make and how much of a positive impact we can make. The book does a great job of empowering kids to make the right choices on how they are going to make a difference to others. Although the book has no characters in it, the book does a good job of giving the advice it needs for those in trouble. The diversity this book can offer gives insight on what kids are going through.
Major Themes: Bullying, Trust, Advice
Personal Response: I think this book does a good job of demonstrating what positive out-look looks like and how we can make an impact where we live. This book lacks in characters but gives great detail about what should be done in certain situations containing bullies.
Recommendation: I think this book would be a great resource to both a kid being bullied and potentially someone who is seen as a bully at the moment. The book does a great job enforcing the impact of our choices and I think this is important for kids at all ages.

[Cecoiya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be a great book for students to learn about making choices The bright.pictures and self-affirmations throughout the book will help with teaching students about making choices and making thoughtful and right choices.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this with my youngest and had a decent talk with him about it.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could see a teacher of PreK students using this. Very didactic and not a story.