The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Brand New Kid
Book Review: NIce idea. Poorly written. Pedantically presented.
Summary: 1 Stars
As soon as I saw the intro of this book, where Ms. Couric explains "the moral of the story" for the kids before they even get into the text, I knew this was a misfire. While she means well, Couric's rhymes are forced, her meter is awkward and her characters' logic and actions feel imposed. Instead of this being a STORY with an underlying lesson -- it is a LESSON with a marginalized story. While the illustrator does what she can to support the amateurish poetry, it is not nearly enough. The clunky text and bombastic moralizing sink this book from the get-go.
PLEASE DON'T BUY IT.
Instead buy a "new kid" story or a tolerance story solidly written by an accomplished children's author. Support the folk who devote their lives and talents to the art of writing an excellent children's book.
If you like the idea of buying a book by Katie Couric -- buy an adult book about her being a news anchor. But don't expose your children to this hack job of a children's book.
Celebrity children's books which are BADLY WRITTEN (like this one) rob real talented children's authors who know their craft of their livelihood AND rob children of their access to quality literature.
Book Review: OK, BUT WHO IS SICK OF KATIE COURIC
Summary: 3 Stars
KATIE COURIC IS THE KATHY LEE GIFFORD FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM, BUT OVERALL THE BOOK HAS SOME GOOD LESSONS FOR KIDS. WHAT'S NEXT KATIE? A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL?Book Review: Pathetic excuse for a book
Summary: 1 Stars
How sad that some readers actually feel this "book" has any literary merit whatsoever. Apparently people are more concerned with the moral of a story than with the story itself. When did childrens' books become medicine? And where, may I ask, was the editor while this book was being produced? Oh, wait, now I remember. It really doesn't matter if the book is good or not. When the author is on the Today Show every morning plugging her book, who cares what the content is? Shame on Doubleday for publishing such a poorly written, didactic book.Book Review: Reach and Befriend Someone Different From You!
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are like me, you are a Katie Couric fan. This book shows a new side of her, the caring mom looking out for all the kids in school. Aided by the bright, up-beat water colors of Marjorie Priceman, Ms. Couric has written the most directly effective encouragement to looking beyond appearances that I have seen for the 2nd grade group. Despite being flawed by an awkward rhyming scheme, the fundamental message manages to hit the heart directly. I suspect that enormous numbers of children will benefit as a result, as will charity with some of the proceeds from this book.At the beginning of second grade, Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O'Toole were delighted to find themselves together in Miss Kincaid's class, who is "the best teacher by far in the whole second grade."
On the first day of school, the teacher introduces a new student, Lazlo S. Gasky. He has spiky white-blond hair, and a voice that is a bit too loud and accented. His name seems strange, too. When Miss Kincaid asks the class to "Please welcome him here, won't you all please say hi?" the students just turned and stared. Everyone ignored Lazlo after that until Ricky Jenson called him, "Hey fool!" and someone tripped him in the cafeteria.
Lazlo was lonely, and his mother was upset. Upon learning this, Ellie decides, "I'll ask him to play . . . ." Becoming acquainted, she is able to break the ice for him with the other children. Soon, he is accepted.
As Ms. Couric says in the introduction, "[C]hildren can sometimes be cruel. Kindness can be taught . . . ." She hopes "this story will inspire all of us to reach out and make someone feel a little . . . less lonely." I think it will work, and encourage you to buy and read this story to your children.
Most children's books attack the problem of the "different" kid (The Ugly Duckling) by working on that child's self-esteem, using differences as sources of strength. But a friendly, welcoming hand works much better in my experience.
This book helps the child who isn't "different" to extend herself or himself across the social gulf. We clearly need both kinds of books. How many times have you wanted to do the right thing, but weren't quite sure what to do? This book is very helpful for that circumstance in elementary school.
"He may look slightly strange, has an accent and stuff, but if you know him, you'd like him . . . ." An obvious follow-on is to ask your child to invite over classmates whom he or she does not yet know well. In the second grade, your encouragement will probably carry the day. This can then start to become a habit of being an open and friendly person. Your child will accordingly enjoy many more good relationships throughout life. Lots of good results will follow for your child . . . as well as for other children.
Help your child learn to enjoy becoming better acquainted with everyone! In this way, you can help spread love and caring throughout humanity. We will all be the beneficiaries.
"Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee."
Book Review: Read This Ms. P.
Summary: 4 Stars
The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric4 paws
The genre of The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric is realistic fiction. It's realistic fiction because it charactorizes a way a student might feel when they first move to a new school. Poor diminutive Lazlo gets teased and taunted by all of the 2nd graders. No one dares talk to "Lazlo the wierdo". Then a sweet girl does something nobody expects.
This story shows what new kids are going through. Even if they seem weird at first, they could be nice people. It helps kids underside what it's like to go to a new school.