explains very important life lessons in a way younger children will understand ( )

Time Machine
Stories Not Appropriate for All Kids, February 1, 2005

We really like the television show "Timothy Goes to School" and so we searched out this book. Unlike the show, however, I found that these stories are not very nice. For example, in "Charles Stands Tall", Charles is humiliated for being small and shy. My kids (3 and 5) were distressed by the story line particularly about the part where Charles is bullied and may fun of. Page 29 sums it up well. "Charles did not cry until he got off the school bus."

Likewise in another chapter, a beaver named Doris is called `fat' and `too big'. When she is nicknamed "Tubette," the teacher does nothing about the bullying but instead allows the children to carry on and giggle at Doris' expense. Perhaps others will think this is alright because her family steps in and offers her support in the way of diet and exercise, but to me this is just too mean spirited. Plus, I don't like the message at the end where the main bully compliments Doris on her efforts and says, "(s)oon you will be nice and thin like me."

This might be great for some kids, but I can't recommend it. ( )