Trouble Talk

by Trudy Ludwig, Mikela Prevost (illustrator)

Maya's friend Bailey loves to talk about everything and everyone. At first, Maya thinks Bailey is funny. But when Bailey's talk leads to harmful rumors and hurt feelings, Maya begins to think twice about their friendship.

In her fourth book for children, relational aggression expert Trudy Ludwig acquaints readers with the damaging consequences of "trouble talk"-talking to others about someone else's troubles in order to establish connection and gain attention. Includes additional resources for kids, parents, and teachers, as well as advice from Trudy about how to combat trouble talk. Trudy Ludwig's books have sold more than 50,000 copies. Includes foreword by Dr. Charisse L. Nixon, author of Girl 12 Strategies That Will End Female Bullying.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction, School, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

Trudy Ludwig is a nationally acclaimed speaker and an award-winning author who specializes in writing children's books that help kids connect and engage with their peers in kind, caring ways. She has received rave reviews from educators, experts, organizations, and parents for her passion and compassion in addressing friendship, bullying, and cyberbullying issues at schools and conferences around the country.

An active member of the International Bullying Prevention Association, Trudy collaborates with leading US experts and organizations and has been profiled on national/regional media outlets. She has also served as content advisor for Sesame Workshop's "Good Birds Club" TV episode and as an expert panel member on Sesame Workshop's video series on bullying.

Trudy's books have won the Victoria Soto Legacy Award, NAPPA Gold Award, Mom's Choice Gold Awards, the Moonbeam Children's Books Gold Award and are included in Kids'Indie Next Selection,the Cooperative Children's Book Center's Best of the Year Selection,and NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Books for Young People Selection. the Junior Library Guild Selection, the School Library Journal Best Picture Books Selection, and more.

For more information or to book Trudy for a speaking engagement, visit www.trudyludwig.com

Reviews

[Isabel Brinck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently borrowed this book for our 6 year old, based on a recommendation from A Mighty Girl and it was a huge hit! J shared hurtful things that had been said to her at school last year, and was really interested in the topics the story addresses. Perfect for those starting school and already dealing with 'mean girls' or just social unkindness.

[Josianne Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl is having problems with her friend who likes to "trouble talk." She gets people into trouble and spreads mean rumors. The girl tries to stand up to her friend but it is a big problem and in the end she gets help from the school counselor.

Good book to read in class if "trouble talk" becomes a problem.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a nice job of discussing the issue of rumors, gossip, sharing information that isn't yours to share, and just saying mean things in general. It gives children a look into what "trouble talk" actually looks like, the consequences of the "trouble talk" and how to deal with it. This book is worthwhile to any parent with a school-aged child, so children are able to identify and deal with this type of thing when it happens at school. The only complaint would be the illustrations. The mixed-media style (it looks like she used paper for the clothes and other items in the book) was distracting.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya makes friends with a gossip and an insult-slinger. Which turns out to be a learning experience.

This unpleasant character, Bailey, is portrayed realistically.

RATING IS TRICKY FOR ME

I'll give this book FIVE STARS, for the sake of giving young readers the chance to learn about an important topic. Words CAN hurt feelings.

Personally, though, I'm not a fan of picture books written by psychotherapists. How nice that the author, Trudy Ludwig -- as described in her bio on the back inner flap of this hardcover -- has developed a niche for "helping children cope... in their social world."

Although there is a place for psychotherapy, in person, with a professional...

I am not a believer in books that aim to deliver therapy to readers, especially readers who are young children. The tone of this book could confuse even an adult.

SUMMING UP

Just because this book can be MARKETED to parents doesn't mean that it's an appropriate way to help children to learn about life, or to develop social skills or to solve problems in real life. IMO.

[Henry Claxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble Talk is about Ludwig masterpiece! Ludwig depicts a new student, with a big mouth, sharing rumors with everyone - even if they were about her friends. She calls a friend fat, embarrasses another friend in front of a boy, and spreads a rumor about parents getting a divorce. The story does an excellent job showing how distraught students can be when being bullied, even by their friends, and how it effects their social and academic life.

[Bonnie Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, Maya has fun being friends with the new girl. But then Maya notices that sometimes this friend hurts people with words, and maybe she isn't a friend after all.

Maya asks for help. The book role models what kids and the adults who supports them can do if someone is hurting others with words.

A good read for middle-grade classes when you think there might be some not-nice talking going on.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya has a new friend, Bailey, who likes to talk. The problem is she talks about everyone. Under the guise of a game, Bailey tells another friend she looks like she has gained weight. At recess she tells a boy that a girl in class likes him, embarrassing both. Then Bailey tells everyone Maya's parents are getting a divorce after the girls hear them arguing. May gets sent to the counselor who gives her some good advice and says she'll help Bailey.

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story to illustrate the destructive force of spreading rumors, lies, sharing information that isn't meant to be shared and putting friends in difficult positions. Beautifully handled by a counselor transforming trouble talk into healthy talk.

A very important matter to cover, throughout ALL ages.

[Kevin McDaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a secondary school teacher, I find the themes of this book valuable for audiences of all ages. With engaging passages, Ludwig accurately portrays how certain behaviors can create problems with peers.

[Claire Wrobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our SEL topic this week is rumors so I'll read this with my sixth graders. This is a great picture book especially for older kids who can easily connect it with their lives as budding middle schoolers.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a second grader who was having trouble with a not-so-great friend. This book was really helpful. It was well written and the art was beautiful and fun.

[Amanda Walz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story that explains an issue kids face and how to deal with it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't good for 2nd grade. Language and topics not appropriate for that age group.

[Haley Malloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Talk #5

I: Trouble Talk is the story of a group of friends who go through some drama when one of the girls only talks bad about other people. The main character, Maya, meets a new friend at her school named Bailey but quickly finds that she only talks bad about other people and loves to spread drama. Maya knows this is not the friend for her because she doesn't like being around people who hurt her other friends feelings. Bailey ends up realizing that she will have more friends if she is nice to everyone and stops spreading rumors around the school. She ends up apologizing to everyone she's hurt and tries to earn her friend's trust back.

II. A major theme in this novel is that talking bad about other people and spreading false rumors does no good for yourself or others. When someone spreads drama, it's helping no one but instead hurting so many people's feelings. Throughout the story, it was very obvious that talking bad about others was not the way to make friends. Another theme was forgiveness. At the end of the novel, Maya has to forgive Bailey for all the mean things she's said about her and to others. She realizes that if she opens her heart to forgive Bailey, they can be friends after all.

III. I gave this book a five star rating because I think it does an excellent job at showing the importance of always building other people up rather than tearing them down with unkind words. It teaches a great lesson starting on the first page and ends with a very uplifting ending.

IV. I personally enjoyed this story because I think it was a good reminder to never talk bad about other people regardless of the situation you're in because it can really hurt other people's feelings. It is important to always try and make other feel good about themselves rather than tearing them down.

V. I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone...I think it does an amazing job at telling a story with a phenomenal message. It is so important for children to learn about not talking bad about others at a young age. It is an essential life skill that will be carried throughout people's lives.

[Nadia Buffa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new girl in school, Bailey, is a troublemaker. She always says what is on her mind, often gossiping and hurting people’s feelings. Maya befriends Bailey, but often gets embarrassed by her cruel remarks and how she never knows when to stop. One day on the playground, Bailey goes too far with her cruel remarks. A classmate, Hua, yells at Baily, “ You’ve got a big fat mouth! Why don’t you mind you own business”? To get revenge on Hua, Bailey begins to spread mean rumors about her all over the school. As a matter of fact, Bailey even begins to spread rumors about her best friend, Maya. Maya gets very upset when she finds out the rumors of her are being spread by Bailey and goes to the counselor, Ms. Bloom for help. Ms. Bloom comforts Maya and explains to her that Baily has a case of trouble talk; that is spreading lies, saying upsetting things, and sharing information that isn’t hers to share. All of these incidences lead to trouble. Ms. Bloom gives Maya advice, explaining to her that she will talk to Baily about her inappropriate behavior and advises Maya to not join in on passing on rumors or bullying. When Bailey realizes the other students are not talking to her a much because of her rumor spreading and bullying, she begins to stop spreading rumors and works on becoming a better friend.

This book is a great addition to a text set on bullying and respect for others. This book teaches how spreading rumors and gossiping can be hurtful and is inappropriate behavior. It also shows the dangers behind spreading rumors and how one who spreads rumors and bullies can lose their friendships if they continue this behavior. This book teaches bystanders and victims of bullying to tell an adult about the bullying and ask for their help. When Maya gets bullied, she immediately goes to the school counselor, Ms. Bloom, to tell her of Bailey’s behavior and asks for tips on how to avoid being bullied.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an elementary school counselor, I used this book to facilitate a discussion with fourth graders regarding rumors and gossip. The story was told in a way that could be relevant for them, although I will admit that some of it seemed a bit much for me. I also used the discussion questions at the end with the students. Although it's not end all be all, it really helped start the discussion, and I will continue with more lessons. I'll also be reading this to the other fourth grade class once winter break ends! Definitely recommended.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a "friend" who can't stop spreading rumors about her friends. This book explores the harm of spreading rumors and would be best for upper elementary (3rd-5th). I would love to have this book in my classroom library and use as a read aloud to introduce conversation about the harm of "trouble talk" (rumors).

[Jaimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who can't keep a secret and talks about things she should not. She even starts some very awful rumors about the girl in her class. This story is told by one of her friends who is the victim of some of the stories she has been telling. This book is great for kids who are being bullied or dealing with rumors being spread at school.

[Christopher Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most of Trudy Ludwing's books, it was spot on, and can be used to address real problems that are plaguing your classroom environment. I think I'll make a concerted effort to read most of these books to my class throughout the year, especially if I continue to be placed in the junior grades.

[Joenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, nice message, but illustrations are super outdated. Talks about gossiping, spreading rumors and lying.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to start a discussion with children about how gossip is hurtful and that we need to watch what we say about others.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells a really great message about spreading gossip and lies, and how that hurts friendships.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of Ludwig's books on bullying, teasing, or trouble with friends are good read-alouds and deal with very real issues that students face.

[Girls Prep Maya Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jurnee

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that can be used to help understand what gossip and spreading rumors can do to others and yourself.

[Amy Varchetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit informational / straightforward to be a truly enjoyable story, but still a great book for a guidance class lesson or a school project.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I think all of us have known a kid like Bailey who's filled with "trouble talk." Several scenarios make a complete picture. I appreciate the hopefulness at the conclusion of the book.