No, David!

No, David! by David Shannon is one of my all-time favorite children's books. To go along with wonderfully engaging illustrations, the book's text helps Early Childhood teachers facilitate classroom discussion around certain expectations regarding student behavior. 

The book's illustrations include David drawing on the wall with markers, playing baseball in the living room, jumping on the bed while wearing cowboy boots, picking his nose, and running down the street in the nude (get ready for your kids to lose their minds over this one). "No, David!" and "No, No, No!" are examples of the text as David's mother responds to his conduct with displeasure. This brevity in  prose allows readers to discuss thoughts about what David is doing without the author spelling out insights for them. Children are empowered to examine how David is handling himself, and what he could be doing differently. As a consequence for his behavior, we see David sent to his room and receive a timeout. Tears are visible on David's face after hearing his mom tell him "No, David!" repeatedly. 

When I first read the story to children, the first thing I usually hear from them is "David's a bad kid."At the end of the book (Spoiler Alert!), David's mom gives him a big hug, and says "Yes David, I love you." Readers are now provided with an opportunity to discuss David not as a bad kid, but rather a kid who at times, displays some unsafe and inappropriate behavior. We talk about alternate choices that David could make considering each act. I remind my students that our rules are in place to keep them safe, and consequences give an a chance to discuss the reasons for rules. I tell my kids that even if they receive a consequence, they are still loved. In an area heavily affected by poverty, it's important to me that my kids hear that, and that they start to believe it.