Ripples Effect

This is a wonderful book for a parent to read with a child. I know kids are very smart and intuitive, but I think this is a book that could possibly go over a very young child's head if they read it alone. Like others have commented, there is some mild name-calling in the story, and I wouldn't read this to a very young child who hasn't been exposed to bullying because I think the point would be lost, but this was a beautiful and sweet story for any kid who is getting picked on. I think if the parent moderates the story-time session and provides meaningful viewpoint questions, this could be a fantastic learning tool. Like, "Do you know anyone who is like Snark the shark?" "How does it make you feel when someone treats you like that?" "Do you think it is ok to call people names like Snark did?" "Do you know anyone like Ripple?" "Do you think you could make some happy by bring nice?" Books are great, but the conversation they can stir up is what will really drive the good lessons home. If your kid is being bullied, read this book together and discuss it. It's a cute story, but there is also a lot of depth to it. Dissect it together. It's a great lesson in human behavior and how small, positive initiatives can make life much better.

This is a great book for all kids, grown and still growing. My 4-year-old twins love to make their best shark-smiling faces at the end. It is a wonderful parable of how we can choose our attitude even if there is risk involved, and the outcome could improve things over the long run. The concept is a life-long keeper. The only issue I have with the entire book is that in the kindle version the print is so tiny I have difficulty reading it. I have not seen the print version, so I don't know if it is any better.

The Ripple Effect reads like a fable; it teaches us the life lessons of dealing with bullies not by flexing muscles or showing fearlessness, but by understanding bullies as creatures who just need to be introduced to happiness so they learn firsthand that it feels really good. Moreover, the publisher and Kindle do an outstanding job with the graphics. Ripple Effect is like the Kissing Hand; always to be on the shelf long after the kids outgrow it, and always to be referred to whenever a 'shark' tries to show your child his teeth.

Just recently I was chatting with a first grader about his experience being bullied. It's hard to get over those kinds of hurdles as a child. What a great book for kids who are smart, fun, and joyful except when they are around "sharks." Every child can be a great influence but the power of a positive kid in the midst of adversity can change lives. Children's literature needs this book. I'm glad it's here.

Cute

Great for my grandson whose latest experience is bullying at school. He is seven and very a kind and gentle soul. Perfect prey for an unhappy child to push around. As an adult I even enjoyed the message. Always good to try new ideas when you feel lost in what seems to feel like a big bad world.

Both my 2 and 7 year old sons love this book. What a wonderful message that we can each make the world a better place because of who we choose to be! I was so excited to see that this book was authored by happiness and positive psychology researcher Shawn Achor.

I'd hoped to introduce my almost 4 year old to the Happiness philosophy via story as sometimes she gets hung up on sad and I am a big fan of The Happiness Adgantage. Although the story is cute, and the illustrations are vibrant, the storyline is more superficial than I'd hoped and I have to "edit out" the name calling when we read it (e.g. dim fin & bubble brain) as she has no concept of name calling yet, and I don't think it is appropriate for me to introduce it to her via storytime and have her go around calling her little sister or friends names. We will keep it in the rotation, as I think any reinforcement of choosing to be happy is positive and I can still use the characters in the story as examples when she is having a tough moment, I just expected a little more.