Someday You'll Thank Me for This! - Hardcover

Gellman, Marc

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0316012343 ISBN 13: 9780316012348

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007

Synopsis

Clean your room! Don't Interrupt! Were you raised in a zoo? These sayings may sound all too familiar; they may even make kids want to groan. But what if someone could magically make all the rules parents give--or a least 30 of them--actually make sense? Translator of the secret language of parents, Rabbi Marc Gellman, to the rescue! In addition to co-hosting the cable program "The God Squad" and co-writing a nationally syndicated column, Marc Gellman has appeared on many national network TV programs including Good Morning America and writes a solo column for Newsweek online. In his companion book to the successful ALWAYS WEAR CLEAN UNDERWEAR: AND OTHER WAYS PARENTS SAY "I LOVE YOU", Gellman uses wit and humor to help readers understand their parents' motivations.

About this title

About the Author

Marc Gellman writes a solo column at Newsweek.com, and along with his close friend Thomas Hartman, he co-hosts the cable television program "The God Squad." The rabbi-and-priest duo have made frequent appearances on Good Morning America, Donlmus, and other major media programs. In addition to being the authors of Religion for Dummies, they have written five children's books including How Do You Spell God? which was made into an animated, Peabody-award winning HBO special. Gellman is the senior rabbi at Temple Beth Torah in Melville, NY.

Reviews

Grade 3–6—With a humorous tone, Gellman attempts to teach readers how to speak "Parent" by explaining 30 commonly used phrases, such as "You need a time-out," "I'm not gonna tell you again," and "Don't run with scissors." For example, "Clean up your room" really means "show that you respect your family, even if it means giving up having cold pizza and used underwear close by at all times." This slim guide has problems beyond its lack of kid appeal. Gellman's examples (IMing, Goths, drinking at parties) often seem targeted to older readers than those to whom the book's well-spaced type and cartoon illustrations are marketed. Some families may take issue with Gellman's lenient take on laughing at others ("It's okay to laugh at your friend if he or she gets hit by a cream pie."). What is most problematic with such a work is its assumption that all families have the same values. However, the book will satisfy some parents and youth leaders looking for a discussion starter.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI
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Gellman, the rabbi who is familiar to many from his media partnership with Monsignor Thomas Hartman ("the God Squad"), offers a follow-up to his 1997 book, "Always Wear Clean Underwear!" and Other Ways Parents Say "I Love You." The premise here is the same. Gellman invokes familiar sayings that drive kids crazy, including such ever-popular chestnuts as "Were you raised in a zoo?" and "If your friend jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?" Then, in a chatty narrative, Gellman explains parents' concern behind some of the mantras. There are also chapters imploring kids to think about how others feel, not only parents and friends but also people outside of one's social circle. Gellman often tries too hard to be funny or "with it," and reading the book in one gulp might put kids' teeth on edge. But taken in small bites, it offers a lot to think about and discuss. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0316012343
• ISBN 13: 9780316012348
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 144