Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants by Susan R. Stoltz

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're welcoming back The Children's Book Review with another stellar tour featuring an adorable Picture Book that not only stars a pair of bestest doggy friends, but imparts a valuable lesson on factoring in the feelings of others before we take action that might be in a selfish direction. Curious? Well, you should be, and on that note let me tell you this...we've got your introduction, followed by a SPECIAL GUEST POST, and then your chance to win, so make sure you read through to the end. Deal? GREAT! Let's go! Please join me in saying HELLO to today's blog tour guest and title in the spotlight...

Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants

Written by Susan R. Stoltz

Illustrated by Melissa Bailey

Ages 1-5 | 32 Pages

Lyric & Stone Publishing

9781733759861

About the book...

Dash and Zoom are really good friends. But when Dash takes things that don’t belong to her, even Zoom’s ball, there’s a problem to be solved because not only is Dash taking things that don’t belong to her, but she’s also hurting Zoom’s feelings.

Kids often have a difficult time understanding that they shouldn’t take things that don’t belong to them. When we don’t rescue kids from mistakes and instead focus on the solution, it’s an opportunity to help them learn to make good choices. The illustrations are extremely engaging and it’s always fun to see how many things you can find under that precarious chair.

Dash And Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants is written for young children who are learning social norms. It exemplifies good decision-making and helps kids solve problems rather than being ‘in trouble’ for making a mistake. If children are approached with the opportunity to fix what is wrong without fear of anger it often contributes to good decision-making skills all throughout their lives. These two dogs are so engaging that children will want to read the book again and again.

AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG

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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~

How Books Can Help Teach Children About Caring For Others

...by Susan Stolz

‘Research in human development clearly shows that the seeds of empathy, caring, and compassion are present from early in life, but that to become caring, ethical people, children need adults to help them at every stage of childhood to nurture these seeds into full development.’ ~ Harvard Graduate School Of Education Making Caring Common Project *

Although I cannot speak for all books or the intent any author may or may not have in their message, I can speak for mine.

For better or worse we’ve spent the past 40 years or so teaching children that their feelings are the most important thing, and their wants a close second. By doing so we’ve raised generations on children that are self-absorbed, and self-centered. I don’t think any of this was intentional, however it has had a great impact on how those children now relate to others as adults.

Here’s an example. As a child I was taught to look both ways when I crossed the street, yield to oncoming traffic, and hurry if there were cars waiting to turn. Not so in today’s world. People just step off the curb without looking and stroll casually across the street keeping traffic waiting. This attitude of self- importance is misguided and to say the least dangerous and is, actually, teaching children to make others responsible for their well-being.

I know, the above example is simple, and doesn’t apply to everyone, but how do we overcome the attitude of such extreme self-importance and learn to think about others? It has to start early, and we have to cultivate children’s innate concern for others, so that they can empathize with others and learn to build stronger relationships, which is key to happiness throughout their lifetime.

In the book Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants, Dash takes things that belong to others and hides them (or so she thinks! LOL) under a chair. But what happens when she decides to take Zoom’s ball? Zoom is her best friend and loves that ball beyond measure. It’s with her on every page. But Dash has now hurt Zoom’s feelings and has to make a choice. Does she put her own wants above that of her friend?

What I like about this book is that we give Dash the option to do what is right rather than scolding or punishing. Although reprimand is often necessary, in my opinion I believe that small children will make the right choice more often than not and when we help them make good decisions and think about the consequences of their actions, they begin to develop a skill that will serve them well throughout their lifetime. This enforces pondering a situation carefully and decision-making based on their critical thinking.

* https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-families/7-tips-raising-caring-kids

The interaction in this book invites conversation, discussion, and opens the opportunity to help children think, a skill that will never be wasted.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Stoltz is a Jack Russell mom and author of 13 children’s books. An avid gardener and stained glass artist, she spends most early mornings in the garden. When she’s not writing, she’s either caring for and playing with her well-trained and highly energetic dogs, creating mosaics and stained glass, reading, and teaching. She occasionally cleans the kitchen!

Susan lives in Arizona with Dash and Zoom and is well known for eating chocolate cake for breakfast.

For more information, visit susanrstoltz.com.

INSTAGRAM

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Melissa Bailey is owned by two poodles and is an award-winning illustrator of over 50 children’s books. She’s also an author and loves dreaming up story ideas while being walked by Biscuit and Archie. They are training her to take them on 3 or more walks a day!

Melissa lives with her family in rural Michigan, which is perfect for walking.

For more information, visit mbaileyart.com.

INSTAGRAM

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Enter for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants and a Dash and Zoom metal lunchbox

One (1) winner receives:

A copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants, signed by Susan R. Stoltz and Paw-tographed by Dash and Zoom

A Dash and Zoom metal lunchbox

Two (2) winners receive:

A copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants, signed by Susan R. Stoltz and Paw-tographed by Dash and Zoom

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for the guest post. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

The Children’s Book Review

A book review of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Life Is What It’s Called

An interview with author Susan R. Stoltz

Friday, May 13, 2022

The Momma Spot

A book review of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants

Monday, May 16, 2022

Me Two Books