Join In and Play (Learning to Get Along®) Paperback – Picture Book, December 15, 2003

We have really enjoyed this whole line of books. We have an only child (4 yrs) and as he is preparing for Kindergarten, wanted to make sure that he was getting the basics of how to express his emotions with other kids, since he is so used to expressing them with mostly adults around our family. So I bought a few of these, and we've enjoyed them so much that I bought the whole set.We read one of them every night along with several other story time books before bed. We can talk about the situations in the books, and relate parts of the books to situations that he is currently going through in Pre-K.Having said that, it's not that we did not know how to teach our child manners... these books were also a way for us parents to get better ideas on how to discuss these situations with our 4 year old in a way that he can relate to. If the teacher lets us know that he was not sharing very well that day, we have a small discussing about the situation and then we read the "How to Share With Others" book before we go to bed. This in turn puts our son's mind at ease, and helps him better explain his feeling earlier on in the day and gives him ideas on ways that he can handle the situation next time it happens. Quite simply, they help us communicate better as a family... and honestly, sometimes show us parents ways that we need to handle our own situations as well.Excellent series of books! I would recommend them to any parents of 2-6 year olds!

I like that this book has minorities in it. I like that there are suggestions on how to have a discussion with your child at the end of the book to help them understand the concept of collaborative play and being kind to others. I like that the book is part of a teaching series that is simple. I like that my kid loves this book and it helps them to understand how other kids have their feelings hurt if we exclude them or are unkind.What’s not to like? I can’t think of anything besides having to read it over and over every night. That’s saying a lot about a kids book.

I have a very shy and timid three year old. I have struggled trying to find ways to encourage her and help her to not be too scared to talk to children she doesn't know, to participate in activities and classes, etc. Things she loves, but is too scared to do when others are involved. I got her this book, and the Feel Confident book in the same series. She absolutely loves the books and asks to read them over and over. We talk about what the book is teaching as we read, and I have quickly seen a complete turn around in her, for the better. She is suddenly getting the courage to participate in her classes, talk to her teachers, make eye contact with people she doesn't know well (teachers and peers), and is even actually JOINING IN and having fun.I could not be more pleased with this book and the Feel Confident book by Meiners, and how they have helped my daughter. I would highly recommended them to anyone with a very shy child. I have even suggested the entire series to our local library, and really hope they are able to get them in soon!

Our seven year old son has mild Autism, we have struggled to help him understand the simple mechanics of how to make friends. This is the first book we have come across where we feel he has gained something useful. It is very straight forward, and written in such a simple, clear way that he was talking about the book for several days after purchasing it- and requests it every night at bedtime. Today, after I picked him up from school, he related using some of the book's principles, and they worked! We are looking into getting more from the series, I highly recommend this book to anyone with shy children, and/ or a child on the spectrum. Thank you to the author!

I read this to my 4 yr old. It seems to be a bit over his head and doesn't get much requests. Maybe when he is older.After a few readings, I happened to notice that in one of the illustrations, all the children sitting it out were colored, and the ones playing (4 square or duck duck goose, I can't recall) appeared to be white. And I flinched. I don't pay much attention to the illustrations but my son studies them. I can't help wondering what he's picking up and filing away.Caveat - I didn't study it that closely. Just noticed a difference in color.Anyway, it is a great book for young children who need some tips on how to join in and play. Probably kindergarten age would be more appropriate.

this author was recommended at a parenting class - yeah i know, eye roll - moving on - I bought a bunch of the books in the series, however this one has been a favorite of mine. I take my kids to the park a lot and when my 2 year old (the oldest) became interested in playing with other kids he didn't really know how to go about it. I would get so uncomfortable watching him (especially with older kids) try, but I didn't really know how to teach him how to do it (at the time) and I found myself interjecting into his interactions to "do it for him" (yeah, i know, not a strong parenting move. again, i've learned). We maybe read this book twice and the next thing I knew he was on the playground USING the words in this book! we kept reading it (because he just likes it) and he kept trying out the different methods of introducing himself and asking to play and make friends! I never expected this book to benefit him in any way other than entertainment. This is a book everyone should have in their library at home. A wonderful resource even for the most social kids.

By far one of the best behavior books. Having real people vice animals (eg Dino's Don't Push) demonstrating good behavior sticks more with my son. He can relate to the photos and really pays attention. My son also is usually the victim in toy stealing and needs to learn how to not get mad. This book addresses the victim unlike most other books that teach how not to steal or hit or push to get a toy that a kid wants.