This book is the first in a series to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. The skills are part of the Boys Town Education Model that has improved student behavior and classroom climates in hundreds of schools across the country. The book includes tips for parents and educators on how to effectively teach listening and following instructions skills to kids. This book is available with an accompanying CD so children can listen to the author's entertaining rendition of RJ's story. One track features the text only while a second track includes cues on when to turn the page for youngsters just learning to read.

"No" is RJ's least favorite word... and he tries his best to convince his dad, his mom, and his teacher to turn "No" into "Maybe" or "We'll see" or "Later" or "I'll think about it." Even though he doesn't have much success, RJ keeps arguing until his teacher suggests that he try to join her classroom's Say YES to NO Club. If RJ can learn how to accept "No" for an answer and to disagree appropriately with his teacher and parents, he can add his name to the club's Star Board. RJ finds that lots of praise and some rewards come his way when he uses these skills the right way! Put an end to arguing or negotiating with youngsters by teaching them how to accept "No" for an answer. Instead of wheedling or pleading, teach them how to disagree appropriately. The steps for each skill are easy to remember with the simple rhymes presented in the story. Author Julia Cook helps K through 6 readers laugh and learn along with RJ as he understands the benefits of demonstrating these social skills both at home and in school. This storybook is the second in Julia Cook's BEST ME I Can Be! series which teaches students that socials skills can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators on how to teach children to accept "No" for an answer, respond appropriately to others, and how to disagree properly are included at the end of the picture book. The series also

RJ is making a lot of trips to the time-out chair... Without telling anyone, he and his best friend Sam decide to walk home from school instead of riding the bus. Later the two of them are caught trying to use Dad's computer to get on the internet. After their piano lesson, RJ and his sister Blanche spoil Grandma's birthday party surprise. Dad helps RJ learn how to do a better job asking for permission, and when RJ and Sam return to school their principal has them practice making an apology. RJ feels a lot happier when he says he's sorry to his teacher, the bus driver, and Grandma, and he learns that asking for permission will mean fewer trips to the time-out chair! No more lame excuses or empty apologies! Help kids in grades K through 6 accept responsibility for their actions by understanding how and when to ask for permission and how to make sincere apologies for mistakes. The steps for these necessary social skills are presented in rhyming text that kids can easily remember from RJ's social skill story. This storybook is the third in Julia Cook's BEST ME I Can Be! series which teaches children social skills that can make home life easier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators to help teach children the social skills of asking permission and making an apology are included at the end of the picture book. The series also

RJ’s having another bad day. His teacher wants him to work with bossy Bernice, messy Frankie, and Norma (who just sits and picks her nose) on a report about Egyptian mummies. After a frustrating school day with his “team,” RJ goes home to find only one cookie left in the jar - and his mom makes him share it with his sister! With the help of his coach, RJ learns that working as a team and sharing are skills needed not just on the soccer field, but in school and at home too! Together Everyone Achieves More! Share this story with kids in grades K though 6 before assigning the next group project! Strengthen social and emotional learning and help kids learn to interact with each other in positive and constructive ways. Four simple steps each for using the social skills of teamwork and sharing are presented in rhyme so they are easy for listeners to recall when needed. This is the fourth storybook in Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series which teaches children that social skills can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators to effectively teach working as a team, sharing with others, and showing graciousness are included at the end of the picture book. The series also includes:

RJ’s way of doing things isn’t working out for him, especially in math class. His teacher is upset because so many of his assignments are missing or incomplete. RJ blames Norma “the booger picker” and Rodney “the alphabet burper” for distracting him during class. With support from his mom and dad, RJ learns how to ask for help and stay on task. By learning how to do things the right way the first time, RJ discovers he no longer has to do his work over and over and over again. Share this story with children who have difficulty staying focused long enough to complete assignments or who insist they have a better way to do things! Kids in grades K through 6 will learn strategies to tackle a task, ignore distractions, and ask a teacher or other adult for help to get the job done to completion. This storybook is the fifth in Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series which teaches children that social skills can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators on how to teach kids self-control, patience, how to ask for help, and staying focused included at the end of the picture book. The series also

Do you know a young person who tends to argue or give excuses when you are trying to correct behavior? Or a student who misinterprets praise and compliments? Teach them the social skills “how to accept feedback” and “how to give and receive compliments” using a kid-friendly story with a lesson that enriches social emotional learning. This entertaining story follows RJ as he goes about his day doing the things he enjoys, such as blowing bubbles, playing soccer, and hanging out with friends. But when a couple of friends give him compliments, he just isn’t sure how to respond! As RJ continues through the day, he hears from his teacher and parents that while there are many things he’s doing very well, there are some things he needs to work on. His first reaction is to argue and make excuses. Throughout this story, RJ learns what it means to receive positive and negative feedback, and how to respond appropriately. Parents and teachers will love taking kids on RJ’s journey as he discovers the many forms of feedback, and he learns to accept and grow from criticism and compliments at home, in school and with friends. This picture book book is the sixth in Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series which teaches children in grades K through 6 social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators to effectively teach how to give and receive compliments and how to accept feedback are included at the end of the picture book. The series also

RJ is a youngster who always says what he thinks no matter how it sounds or makes others feel. RJ doesn't realize his words are wrong. He thinks he's just speaking the truth and offering feedback. Throughout the story, RJ is taught how to analyze social situations before he speaks and to choose appropriate words to say, or none at all. With help from his parents, he discovers he doesn't have to verbalize every thought that pops into his head. In fact, sometimes the less said the better! This storybook is the seventh in Julia Cook's BEST ME I Can Be! series which teaches children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. Tips for parents and educators on how to effectively choose appropriate words to say, analyze social situations, think before you speak, and control impulses are included at the end of the picture book. The series also