Too Nice - Tapa dura

What does it mean to be ""too nice""? Amy's not sure, but she is sure how it feels: rotten. She feels sad and angry, she's tired of giving her things away, and she's tired of being taken advantage of. But with a little help from Grandpa and a bunny bandit, she learns how to be friendly while taking care of herself at the same time. And with a surprise, she finds out that everyone is happier when she is no longer ""Too Nice Amy."" For Amy, fourth grade did not get off to a good start. Her best friend is mad at her because she gave away the ball they were supposed to play with. She has to sit alone in the back of the bus because she gave up her seat for someone else. Her friends ate all of her cookies at lunch and left none for her. And she got stuck cleaning the tables by herself when she only offered to help the other kids on duty. She is sad, angry, and tired, and it's only the first week! Her best friend said Amy is ""too nice."" What does it mean to be ""too nice"" Amy asks her grandfather? Grandpa helps Amy learn how to stand up for herself and be friendly at the same time. What's Inside: Fiction with colorful, upbeat illustrations; Gentle assertiveness training for kids who are ""too nice""; Makes clear the distinction between setting healthy boundaries and being unfriendly; Assures children that people will still like you when you say no; Addresses fears that people will get angry if you say no; Demonstrates friendly, assertive responses with warmth and humor

Marge Pellegrino's writing for children of all ages includes the books Too Nice, My Grandma's the Mayor and I Don't Have an Uncle Phil Anymore from Magination Press. With more than 100 published articles in regional and national magazines and in anthologies including Cup of Comfort for Women, she facilitates workshops for school, agency and community organizations, and is on the artist roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Visit her at www.margepellegrino.com. Bonnie Matthews is the illustrator numerous books for children, including What to Do When Bad Habits Take Hold: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Nail Biting and More and What to Do When You Dread Your Bed: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Problems With Sleep. She lives in Baltimore. Visit her at www.bonniematthewsillustration.com and follow her on Instagram: @bonnie_matthews_illustration.