Donald Says Thumbs Down - Softcover

Cooney, Nancy Evans; Chambliss, Maxie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006630650 ISBN 13: 9780006630654

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, 1988

Synopsis

Although at first it is very difficult for him to stop sucking his thumb, Donald gradually substitutes other activities until he never even thinks about it any more

About this title

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2 Donald can dress himself and eat neatly, but he can't stop sucking his thumb. He tries wearing mittens, sticking the thumb in beets, sitting on his hands. Nothing works until he and his mother come up with a new game: Donald Says. Whenever he feels really unhappy and is tempted to suck his thumb, he runs to his mother. Then they bake cookies, go for a walk, play with puppets, ``whatever Donald said.'' Soon Donald stops his bad habit and finds positive things to do instead. The cheery paintings of the cozy family underscore the positive tone. Although other children tease Donald, his parents are unfailingly patient and supportive. The book's strong points are its eye-appealing format and upbeat tone. For children in search of hope that their thumbsucking can be overcome, this book might be useful. In fact, most children with a habit they want to control will love the ``Donald Says'' solution of demanding attention of the kind they want when they want it. Most less-than-perfect parents will probably cringe at the thought of being on call 16 hours a day to act out their children's desires. How long might it take some children to shake the ``Donald Says'' habit, a solution that might be worse than the original problem? Kathy Piehl, Mankato State Univ . , Minn.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

This book handles the problem of thumb-sucking with sensitivity and tact. Donald enjoys sucking his thumb when he's tired or sad. But he also takes pride in the fact that he is growing up, and he knowspartly because other kids have teased him about itthat sucking his thumb is "babyish." Finally Donald tells his father that he's going to stop sucking his thumb. "If that's what you want, fine. But don't worry about it," the father says. "You'll stop sucking your thumb when you're ready to." With his parents' support, Donald gradually learns to say "thumbs down." Parents can learn a lot from Cooney (The Blanket That Had to Go, who recognizes that only inwardly motivated change allows children to grow. And children will find a real friend in Donald. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0006630650
• ISBN 13: 9780006630654
• Binding: Paperback