Say Hello

by Jack Foreman

Based on the author's childhood experience, this is the story of a boy who is left out and all alone, while other children play happily.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction, School, Emotion, Storytime

33 pages, Hardcover

First published November 5, 2007

About the author

Jack Foreman is studying art history in college. Say Hello, his first book, is based on a heartfelt poem he wrote when he was about ten about his own experience of being bullied in school. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simplistic book with a powerful message. The minimalist use of colour and words ensures the focus on the powerful message of including people. It's a very accessible book that really encourages the reader to empathise with a left out child... perfect basis for a discussion about bullying and inclusion. I like how the authors compares how easy it is to include a pet into a game to make their point of how easy it is to include a person.

[Erin Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a lovely text to have in a classroom about how easy it is to make someone feel included. The consistent rhyming pattern throughout this book would make it easy and fluent for children to read. The simplicity of the illustrations is fantastic. The black and white for characters, blue for scenery and then red for the ball, it is wonderful how much illustrations can aid communication of the story to the reader.

[Megan Bamforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story with a simple but powerful message. Children may recognise this in themselves and possibly in others. Learning about how to be inclusive is important for children to learn at an early age. The end papers really adhere to this idea as 'hello' is written in various different languages which is really inclusive for children with EAL. As children with EAL often feel alienated due to the language barrier, this book could remind children of the importance of including everyone, no matter their background, culture or language. Alongside its important message, the repetitive, rhyming scheme would encourage children to join in.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I get the need to be simple for the youngest readers, and I think that's what this was going for, but really, it just ends up taking a complex issue and implying that there is a very easy solution. Kids are smarter than that. I didn't hate this, and the spare art is expressive, but it could have done so much more.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute book i read with my preschoolers!!

[L- Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Say Hello is such a simple story with few words but portrays through its pages the concepts of loneliness and the power of friendships. The drawings start with a little dog and then a sad little boy, watching and wondering if they could join a group of children playing on a playground. The dog breaks the ice in the group of children, encouraging the boy to join in. The question raised is “When someone’s feeling left out, it doesn’t take much to say ….hello!”

This book is wonderfully simple, sending such an important message. It would be a very good introduction to discussions about including others, bullying and what it is like to feel left out. While the end of the picture book has the word hello in multiple languages, I was disappointed that the illustrations throughout the text do not reflect diversity in culture or ethnicity.
This book would be preschool through 2nd grade.

[Psicoleggimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

👫“Perché restare in disparte? Quando vedi qualcuno solo e triste, non ci vuole tanto sai: basta un… ciao!”
In poche e semplici parole questo albo ci regala un messaggio fondamentale, ci insegna l’importanza di pronunciare la parola “ciao” e tutto ciò che di bello può nascere. È una tra le prime parole che si imparano da piccoli ed è la prima parola che pronunciamo quando ci rivolgiamo agli altri e quindi ci permette di comunicare, interagire e socializzare.

🌈La socializzazione è un processo chiave nello sviluppo di ogni essere umano perché il contatto con i propri simili modella l’identità ed il comportamento. L’acquisizione della socializzazione nei più piccoli passa attraverso l’apprendimento vicario cioè attraverso l‘osservazione dei comportamenti e delle conseguenze delle persone che li circondano. Per questo, la famiglia e la scuola hanno un ruolo fondamentale essendo i primi luoghi di socializzazione del bambino. I genitori, i parenti stretti e i professori si comporteranno coscientemente o incoscientemente come modelli, trasmettendo valori al bambino con ogni comportamento ed espressione. Crescendo, l’esser a contatto con gli altri, fare nuove conoscenze, frequentare attività sportive, essere sempre aperti agli altri agevola lo sviluppo di peculiarità caratteriali che danno la possibilità di districarsi anche nelle situazioni più complesse. Infatti, quando si è disponibili e socievoli si risulta simpatici e divertenti quindi più accettati dagli altri e questo favorisce lo sviluppo dell’autostima. È quindi fondamentale che un genitore favorisca i processi di socializzazione, senza proteggerlo eccessivamente e aiutandolo a crescere senza paura dell’altro.

🐶“Basta un ciao”, edito da Pulce Edizioni e scritto da Jack e Michael Foreman, è un albo illustrato caratterizzato da frasi minime e disegni essenziali che trasmettono un grande messaggio comunicativo. La storia apparentemente semplice cela una grande riflessione sull’importanza del saluto come momento di socializzazione e come segnale di aggregazione quindi può essere un valido strumento da usare a casa o in classe, per comprendere il valore del saluto e dell’accoglienza durante la crescita.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty weak tea.

Tea mixed with guilt flavoring. And, instead of a slice of lemon, maybe a wad of preachy codependence.

HONESTLY

The situation depicted in this book is somebody -- not the reader, presumably -- who feels left out.

But this book doesn't encourage the outsider to join in and give other people the chance to make friends.

Pity Boy says, at one point, "I wouldn't do this to anyone." But the onus is on the Left-Out-One: Learn better social skills. Maybe from a parent. Perhaps a school counselor. At church?

Learn skills from somebody who can teach shy folks that they're the ones who often must initiate a "Hello." Not just wait like the sulky wallflower at a dance.

[Clemmie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple book with an important message. A lonely dog finds friends when he asks to play with them, but a boy looking on doesn't have the same courage to ask to play, leaving him all alone until the dog notices him and asks him to join. A powerful message of being aware of those who are left out and lonely. Great rhyming practise for children, 'only one' 'lonely one' 'anyone' and steady flow of the narration.
A great book for adults to use in encouraging children to expand their friendship group, and see those that might need an invitation to join.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about including others and how to be a friend. I like that it started from a dog's perspective before a child's perspective, to ease the reader into the message. The back cover of the book had how to say hello in many languages, and I wish the children illustrated were from diverse backgrounds.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has cool illustrations and a good message. I wish some more words were used to help with the clarity of the story and its message, but it does work well for young readers to have less words. Additionally, its slight lack of clarity could lead to more thought-provoking discussion if the book is read in pairs/groups because the readers could ask each other about their interpretations.

[Henna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is brilliant for the early years. A great way of expressig how loneliness can be overcome by friendship. The crayon illustration give a great effect of the emotions expressed. Lots of rhyming words! A brilliant book to read as part of PSHE, encouraging discussion of feelings

[Elaine Fong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, simple book on inclusivity for the early years in primary.

[Ms. Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple read, kindness is never wasted anyone can make a difference

[Jentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about being kind and inviting others to participate.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet book

[Laura Talboys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of children will be able to relate. Sad but sweet!

[Charlotte Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book carries a powerful message about not leaving people out and letting them be lonely. A very simple book, that would be lovely to teach children about friendship.

[Wetdryvac Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the single line crayon work in this.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy reader with a message about inclusion. Good but not amazing.

[Brady]

Kindergarten

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: This is a spare, poignant picture book reminding us that when someone looks lonely and in need of a friend, one little word can help. A lone dog comes upon a group of kids playing ball and with leaping ease, joins the game. They’re all having so much fun, they don’t see a sad little boy standing off by himself. Who will spy the boy and invite him to play? With arresting images by a master illustrator and a simple, touching text by his son, SAY HELLO evokes the joy and relief of finding a new friend just when it’s needed the most.

Potential Audience (reading level): k-3; emergent

Genre: Fictional picture book

Topic: being an outcast in school/bullying, lonliness, making friends, fitting in

Specific curricular uses: independent reading for first grade (text is easy to read, one sentence per page, large font)

Social issues the book addresses: being an outcast in school/bullying (based on a poem by the author about his own experience with being bullied in school)

Specific literary elements: the text utilizes rhyme throughout the entire story. the end of the lines rhyme with each other. (ex: "Can I play too?" "It's great to make new friends like you!")

Interactions and counter actions of text and images: the pictures in the story support and enhance the text because the pictures help you visualize the feeling of loneliness more vividly. (ex: pictures illustrate a large group of kids playing together on one page, and one little boy standing by himself on the other page)

[Somona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author: Jack Foreman
Genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Summary: Begins with a lonely, wandering dog who meets a group of kids playing basketball. The dog joins the kids and is accepted by everyone. Now a kid is wandering around, feeling lonely. He runs into the dogs and the other kids and the dogs ask him to join them. At the end of the book, the kids remind us that when we see someone all alone, we should simply say hello.
Response: I liked the message of initiating communication with other children and including others. This book is definitely for readers as the sentences are short and simple and the majority of the book is illustration. I’m not impressed with the pictures though, they’re a bit bland to me. I liked that the last page included a different ways to say hello in other languages.
Theme/Concept/Connections: Friendship, Loneliness, Including others, How other cultures say hello

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally rated G- by Shelly Kraus
Based on a poem the author wrote when he was ten, SAY HELLO, provides thought for the reader about being left out and alone. The text and illustrations are sparse, creating the feeling of loneliness on the pages and in the reader's mind. The lesson one takes from the story is that a simple act of kindness can make a big difference in someone's day.
The theme is a little depressing but one that needs to be explored with children today. This book would be an good starting point for a discussion on bullying, and the need to treat others with kindness. The focus audience would be primary grades but the story could be used to begin a discussion woth older students.

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the stark simplicity of the words and the illustrations that accompany them, although the pictures tell more than half the story in themselves. The restraint in the book is great, although for some reason it feels that the pictures could have been just a little bit better, just a little more stark and had more punch. As it is, the text is a simple poem, well described by the adjective "heartfelt." Its message about loneliness is beautiful in that it doesn't preach or be too descriptive, leaving the reader open to identify with it. The resolution is clear and hopeful. The pictures work well with the words, filling in a bit of a story of a dog and a boy that aren

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the stark simplicity of the words and the illustrations that accompany them, although the pictures tell more than half the story in themselves. The restraint in the book is great, although for some reason it feels that the pictures could have been just a little bit better, just a little more stark and had more punch. As it is, the text is a simple poem, well described by the adjective "heartfelt." Its message about loneliness is beautiful in that it doesn't preach or be too descriptive, leaving the reader open to identify with it. The resolution is clear and hopeful. The pictures work well with the words, filling in a bit of a story of a dog and a boy that aren

[Michael Mccaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say hello is a story about being left out and friendship. I like that it begins with a little dog, how it is all alone and how it becomes a part of a game. This same plot is then transferred to a little boy, and the message is very clear for young children. The topic about being left out is a very familiar and real issue for children at school especially in a playground environment. This helps them see what being left out looks like from a perspective other than their own.
I liked this book and would use it in a year 1 or reception class, especially if a new child arrived into the classroom.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to use for friendship and solitude. The expression on the little boys face is clearly one of sadness and longing to be included in the group. I found it interesting that the illustrations were black and white except for the basketball. Some good discussions regarding being lonely, acceptance, awareness and friendship will result from reading this book.

I like the end papers at the end of the books which are single words saying "hello" in multiple languages. Children will enjoy learning how to say hello in the many languages presented in the end papers.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An earnest and well meaning but also successful book dealing with the loneliness that children on the outer can feel, and the simple step they can take (say hello) to join in with other kids and be accepted into the game. Michael Foreman is a prolific children's author and illustrator that I mainly know from his association with Micahel Morpurgo. I have the impression that Jack Foreman is his son, but can't find out definitively. Simple but very emotive illustrations help with the impact of the story.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for so many reasons! First of all, the simple coloration is relaxed, yet inviting; the seemingly simple illustrations speak almost as much as the words! Secondly, the words and sentences are very accommodating for early readers, organized in a rhyming pattern that is easy to follow. Finally, the overall message of this book runs deep, but is made accessible by its simplistic style. Reading this book with children would make for a great conversation starter, and is an easy way to implement everyday character education.