Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class

May 1, 2009
K-Gr 2-The students in Miss Fox's class have been squabbling for days, so their teacher declares "Peace Week." The children decide that there will be no fighting or saying mean things, and that they will help others for an entire week. The rest of the book consists of various ways in which a child is tempted to engage in bad behavior but consistently chooses the high road instead. When Squirrel's sister complains about him bouncing nuts against the gate, he bounces marshmallows instead. When Bunny wears her yellow sweater and Polecat calls her "Bunny-Banana," she does not retaliate. In each case, the perpetrator of the mean remark or action is instantaneously and unrealistically reformed. Kennedy's watercolor, ink, and dye illustrations feature an endearing cast of animal characters with expressive faces. The book could generate some discussion about making positive choices; otherwise, it's an additional purchase."Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2009
Preschool-G Tired of all the squabbling in the classroom, Miss Fox declares Peace Week: no quarrels, dont say mean things, help others. The message is overt in this lively picture book, but it never gets too heavy as the animal cast carries out the teachers instructions. Caught by the angry standoffs and hurtful confrontations in everyday life, kids will welcome the scenes of reconciliation. Of course, the quarrel scenes are exciting: Is not! Is too! Squirrel wants to yell back when his big sister yells at him, but he doesnt. Mouse wants to ignore the little kids who are quarreling in the sandbox, but instead she joins in and helps them make a bigger, better sandcastle. Baseball fans supporting opposite teams taunt each other, and then smile, Good game. The celebratory endingmake every week Peace Weekmay be pushing the theme, but the common scenarios make this a fun story that will open discussions with bullies, victims, and bystanders.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)