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Heathcote Elementary School
December 2012
Book of the Month:
King of the Playground
By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Dear Heathcote Family,
This month’s book deals with a subject most of us have encountered at some point in our lives. Kevin is a boy who loves to go to the playground to play. He only wants to go when Sammy is not there. The problem is Sammy. Sammy has proclaimed himself to be the “King of the Playground”. He has told Kevin that if he catches Kevin on the swings, or the slide, or the monkey bars, he will do awful, terrible things to him. Kevin is frightened.
Kevin tells his dad what Sammy says and they talk it over. Kevin listens to his wise father’s advice. He learns that Sammy’s words are simply - words - and he soon sees through the empty threats. This helps to empower him. Kevin goes to the playground even though Sammy says he can't come in, even though Sammy tells him to go home, even though Sammy says he will put Kevin in a cage with bears in it.
By the end of the story the boys are playing together.
The book has many valuable lessons on conflict resolution embedded within it. Lessons such as: going to an adult for help, not giving up, and reaching out to others even if it makes you uncomfortable. Lastly, this book shows us how harmful and powerful words can be and that sometimes we can overcome those words with a strong mindset and a little help from a friend.
Warmest regards,
Maria R. Stile
Heathcote Elementary SchoolDecember 2012
Book of the Month:
King of the Playground
By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Dear Heathcote Family,
This month’s book deals with a subject most of us have encountered at some point in our lives. Kevin is a boy who loves to go to the playground to play. He only wants to go when Sammy is not there. The problem is Sammy. Sammy has proclaimed himself to be the “King of the Playground”. He has told Kevin that if he catches Kevin on the swings, or the slide, or the monkey bars, he will do awful, terrible things to him. Kevin is frightened.
Kevin tells his dad what Sammy says and they talk it over. Kevin listens to his wise father’s advice. He learns that Sammy’s words are simply - words - and he soon sees through the empty threats. This helps to empower him. Kevin goes to the playground even though Sammy says he can't come in, even though Sammy tells him to go home, even though Sammy says he will put Kevin in a cage with bears in it.
By the end of the story the boys are playing together.
The book has many valuable lessons on conflict resolution embedded within it. Lessons such as: going to an adult for help, not giving up, and reaching out to others even if it makes you uncomfortable. Lastly, this book shows us how harmful and powerful words can be and that sometimes we can overcome those words with a strong mindset and a little help from a friend.
Warmest regards,
Maria R. Stile
