I used YOUR behavior book, Steve: Balooga

by Rob Callahan
(USA)

Steve,

I just had to write and tell you how grateful I am for your book - The Time Balooga Forgot Other People's Feelings! My almost four-year old son had been having some difficulty sharing at pre-school and this book really helped us! Thank you so much!

I first began by telling him that I had found a very special book just for him that I wanted to read with him. I explained it was special because this was a book where HE would get to draw the pictures. He thought that sounded pretty interesting.

So, we sat down and read it together. He immediately wanted to go to the kitchen table and draw the pictures. Granted they were very quickly done but with pretty interesting details for an almost four year-old! Then I laminated each page and put it in a small three-ring notebook for him - you know the kind with a window on the front where you can insert your own cover page. And, I then asked him to color the cover page, too.

Wow! It has made a wonderful difference! We had tried talking with him before about how his actions might make others feel, but he didn't quite grasp the concept until after reading this book and illustrating the pictures for himself. Now, when his behavior starts to get a little pushy with his little sister, we ask him about how he thinks that makes her feel, and you can see the look of understanding come over his face and he stops the negative behavior and even gives back any toy he may have taken from her! Thank you for creating this wonderful story and offering it to your web site visitors for free. I hope many, many more parents will utilize the subtle strength of this exercise!