Real Life is No Fairy Tale

Real Life is No Fairy Tale

Real Life is No Fairy Tale is a children s book unlike any other. Tony s story is based on research on resilience, a psychological trait that can give children a considerable advantage in overcoming adversity. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from negative experiences and move forward with a positive outlook. Although it is a key skill in making sense out of struggle, resilience is rarely taught to children. Real Life is No Fairy Tale presents a realistic portrayal of how resilience and positive thinking can drastically change the course of one s life. Tony s story takes place in a poor urban community, but adversity can take many shapes, forms, and colors. The story itself is written in rhythmic prose similar to that employed by hiphop artists. This dynamic can increase interest, retention and comprehension among struggling readers, and also makes the text resonate with children in a way that similar books often do not. The book s artwork also breaks new ground. The hand-drawn images incorporate even the smallest details of urban life. Like key elements in the story, much of the imagery is based on input from young people across the country. The texturing of the images was created using high- resolution photographs of urban exteriors and interiors, including the childhood home of the author. About the Enhanced CD The included disc provides a wealth of resources to accompany the book. These resources are designed to help parents, educators, and of course the readers themselves. In a CD player or computer, you can play a narration of the text in two versions. One version is set to an original musical score, and the other is read without music. A third audio track provides the music without narration. The disc also contains the captioned video of Real Life is No Fairy Tale. You can access this video by opening the CD on a computer. There you will also find lesson plans, graphic organizers, worksheets, mazes, crossword puzzles, and other printable activities. These resources will significantly extend the relevance of Real Life is No Fairy Tale in any home or classroom. Enhanced CD Contents For Play in Computer or CD Player: Audio Track 1: Narration with Music Audio Track 2: Narration without Music Audio Track 3: Music only For Play in Computer Only: Captioned Story Video (turn off narration by muting volume) Printable Resources: Lesson Plans and Project Ideas Vocabulary Building Worksheets Language Arts Worksheets Writing Prompts Reading-based Graphic Organizers Maze Activity Sheets (and Solutions) Wordsearch Activity Sheets (and Solutions) Hidden Picture Scavenger Hunt Gr 4-8-Written in rhythmic prose, this heavily didactic tale reads like a hip-hop rap to engage and inspire youngsters. Tony is an African-American boy with a positive outlook despite the fact that his family is poor and life is tough. He lives with his mother, two older brothers, and young sister in an inner-city apartment surrounded by graffiti and police cars: "they saw it all as they rode/Broken-down houses/and stores that stayed closed./People outside/with nothing to do all day./Tony couldn't daydream those problems away." Though mean teachers and a bully at school just add to his stress, Tony's refrain, "I focus on the good/I laugh away the bad,/and I never forget/that it could always be worse," helps him rise above adversity. Digitally scanned and colored-ink cartoons and collaged photographs illustrate this picture book for older readers. While the design and artwork appear amateurish and the rhymes often don't work, the book is accessible and the situations will be all too familiar to many good kids like Tony, struggling to get by at home and at school.-Barbara Auerbach, PS 217, Brooklyn, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Recommended Picture Book for 2010! From the beginning of his day to the end, Tony faces problems: no breakfast left for him, a crowded car ride to school through a hurting neighborhood, adults who misunderstand him, a possible confrontation with a bully. Through it all, Tony keeps his cool, telling himself to focus on the good, laugh away the bad, and never forget that it could always be worse. His steady ways are appreciated by his friends, who come through when he most needs them. This story teaches resilience and self-regulation, character traits that assist children in surviving and overcoming adversity. The story, the rhythmic prose, the urban setting, and detailed illustrations are aimed at disadvantaged children, in keeping with the publishers mission and the author s educational experience with high-risk teens. The book includes a CD-ROM with lesson plans, activities, and an audio version of the story. For ages 7-10. --Foreword Magazine, May/June 2010 Reviewer's Choice! Real Life Is No Fairy Tale is a truly inspirational book about a boy named Tony whose life gives him many problems and privation