Friday, January 21, 2011

Essential Books for Discussing Strangers, Getting Lost, and More

Over the past week my children and I have been talking about safety. On the news I've recently been hearing about people going into schools and shooting children. Strangers trying to kidnap children on their way to school and so on. Schools have been practicing lock downs. Our church wants to have someone come in to talk to our children about strangers and personal safety. I am like, "Good Golly!" And I know why they are doing it. It's awful that we have to worry about this everyday and that people are willing to hurt children, but at least schools and everyone are taking the right precautions.

This is a topic that I talk to my children about all the time. I homeschool my children, so there are certain dangers I don't have to worry about, thankfully, but even so, I make sure they are aware of how to handle certain situations that might arise. It's a must! Well, as a mother you all know that fears automatically come to mind, and that protective instinct comes out in full force like a tiger on the attack. If we can prevent something from happening, we will.

I found some books that we have been discussing that might be helpful to many of you. Some books are silly, some are more serious, but they all make for great discussion when read to your children. They ask questions, you give wise answers, and there you go. Some cover quite of bit of interesting info.

Here are a few of my books. If any of you know others, please share. I got these books through scholastic but they are also available through Amazon.

Lost!

  Lost is about a bear who gets lost. When a truck breaks down the bear climbs into the back looking for a good place to nap and finds himself in the city. He has no idea where he's at. A young boy finds him and helps him find his way home by asking him many questions about where he lives. This book brings up conversation pieces about knowing where you live and how to describe it. Also, knowing where to look. In a parents case we can discuss a child knowing their address, phone number and who a safe person is to talk to if they do get lost.

Another book:

Emergency! (Picture Books)

This one talks about the various emergencies that can happen everyday. It mentions calling 911 for emergencies, ambulances, policemen, tow-trucks, flooding, blizzards, and so on. It talks about how certain people help in various situations. For parents, a discussion about these situations, especially if they happen in your area, like flooding or blizzards, will prove helpful for your childs understanding. Simple book with lots of pictures.

Next,

Stop Drop and Roll (A Book about Fire Safety)and No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons)


These are both great books which talk about creating an emergency escape plan in case of fire. Testing fire alarms, what you should do if you catch on fire (obviously stop, drop and roll), and reminder tips. Stop, Drop and Roll has 10 actual fire safety tips from Sparky on the back. Both books create lots of discussion opportunities in various ways relating to fire safety. Both cover a tremendous amount of area.

Where are YouThis book is also about getting lost, but in a grocery store. A parent can relate it to any store situation, like the mall or department store. A child wanders off, in this case a pup, and they find that they do not know where their parents or grandparents are. Creates discussion about staying close and not wandering.

Never Talk to Strangers (Little Golden Books)This is a silly story, but it gets the point across. Do not talk to strangers. It doesn't scare children, but makes them laugh at the examples that are given. There are exceptions, of course, like if the parent knows the person and so on, but the book discusses those situations in a fun way.

 Again, if anyone knows of other books that are informative and helpful, please share them. I would definetly be interested.
Thanks!
Renee

17 comments:

  1. Love the blog!!! I'm now following you from MBC! I'd love it if you stop by my blog and follow me! :-)

    April
    http://greenmissionmama.blogspot.com

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  2. New follower from MBC! I would appreciate your visiting Savings Corner and following back. Thanks! :)
    (http://www.savingscorner.org)

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  3. We often talk about these issues - they are so important and so scarry! We have a great stranger safety video that we watch occassionally, but I would love to check out some of these books too.

    New to following you from MBC!
    Danielle
    www.DaniellePender.com

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  4. Thanks everyone for responding. This is scary. It makes me feel sick when I hear bad things happen to children. But the only thing we can do is bring knowledge to our children that danger is out there and help them be prepared for something that we pray will never happen.
    Bless everyone and their families.
    Renee

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  5. Hey there I am following from MBC. I have 5 kids so we read a lot of kids books so this looks like a great blog.
    come check out mine. http://twin-imaging.blogspot.com/

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  6. Those look like great books for my kids! I'm following you from MBC. Here's my blog: http://www.brendashandmade.blogspot.com.

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  7. Hi, Im visiting from Harvest for Tomorrow Blog Hop. Nice blog. I'm your new follower. Visit me at hppt://seriosmrse.blogspot.com
    I would love a follow back. :)

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  8. Newest follower and former teacher- I am familiar with Lost and Stop, Drop, and Roll. Very good books for kids.

    All my best,

    Clay

    http://tantrumstroublesandtreasures.blogspot.com/2011/01/is-it-ok-to-lie-to-my-kids.html

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  9. These books look great. I honestly believe I would like to get every single one - and just might. Thanks for posting!

    Thanks for linking up with Sensational Sunday Follow. I am your newest follower and cannot wait to see what more you have to write on! Have a wonderful day!

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  10. These books look great. I am following you from the hop and would love if you would drop by my blog at WV Stitcher . Have an awesome Sunday!

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  11. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm your newest follower! Great blog and your book series looks wonderful!

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  12. Following from Book Blogs.
    Great post and book suggestions. Will put on the to do pile for a story time!
    Please follow back if you can,
    -r

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  13. I'm now following your blog! Looks great, love your stranger danger picks. Its hard to introduce something like that to young children as you don't want to scare them. (I found that out with my own daughter!) Stop by and follow me at www.yaynot.blogspot.com

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  14. Pretty good blog you have here. I'm a new follower. -laura

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  15. It's me again!! Swinging by once more to follow your awesome blog.

    Happy Monday!

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  16. Hopped on over from Book Blogs, and what do I find but another homeschooling mom! Well, we seem to have that and church and a love for books in common. Very nice :-). Thanks for the follow. Have an incredible week!

    - a girl & her books

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  17. Hi I'm a new follower and would LOVE some recommendations to get for a newborn. I'd love to start reading to her right away.

    <3, New Follower

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