karenrenka's review
3.0
I am usually a bit wary of celebrity picture books but the more I heard Jane Lynch talk about how she used to be a bully the more I wanted to read it. Plus you should always be wary of girls with huge bows on their heads. That is one thing I learned from Saturday morning cartoons.
The book is simple enough with rhyming couplets that describe the atrocities that Marlene creates across the playground. She rules the school yard until one boy stands up and asks "Why?" Why is she ruling us? Especially since she is so small. The wind is taken out of Marlene's sails and she realizes that having power over people do not make friends.
The best part is that Marlene does slip back into her mean streak every once in a while. It is more believable than if she suddenly became perfect. Plus it is a good teaching moment for kids that even if people change they can still make mistakes and hurt you. Marlene backslides but still tries to be good most of the time.
It is a good book to add to the anti-bully pile. I would check it out of the library rather than run out and buy it though.
The book is simple enough with rhyming couplets that describe the atrocities that Marlene creates across the playground. She rules the school yard until one boy stands up and asks "Why?" Why is she ruling us? Especially since she is so small. The wind is taken out of Marlene's sails and she realizes that having power over people do not make friends.
The best part is that Marlene does slip back into her mean streak every once in a while. It is more believable than if she suddenly became perfect. Plus it is a good teaching moment for kids that even if people change they can still make mistakes and hurt you. Marlene backslides but still tries to be good most of the time.
It is a good book to add to the anti-bully pile. I would check it out of the library rather than run out and buy it though.
dylanmariah's review
4.0
I think I'm biased towards this book because I heard Jane Lynch read it at a book signing at the Grove. It is cute though, and I like the illustration. I will probably give away my copy away to one of the kids in my family.
dmtcer's review
3.0
This is a rhyming book about bullying. Marlene, Queen of Mean was really hiding behind a mask. Inside, she just wanted to be liked and a part of a group. Once her meanness breaks, her old self only comes out, once in awhile, in very small ways.
circleofreadersdruid's review
5.0
Rhyming picture book about a bully who learns to change her spots. I actually identified with Marlene-even though I was more apt to be the bullied rather than the bully growing up-because it is so hard to make positive changes in our lives. This was a special breath of fresh air for me coming off [b:The Princess and the Presents|20708833|The Princess and the Presents|Caryl Hart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401071942s/20708833.jpg|40031785], in which I found the heroine's changes highly unlikely.
rachel_from_avid_bookshop's review
5.0
There can never be enough children's books about dealing with mean kids. The story of mean Marlene is told in delightful rhyme. Read to see how her school mates stand up to her and how Marlene changes her ways. Favorite line: "You see, it's a breeze to learn how to tease: it's harder, sometimes to be decent."
amandathebookishlibrarian's review
4.0
Celeb picture books can be bad but not this one. It's a cute but to the point story of an important topic. Young children can appreciate the story and learn a lesson about the wrongness of bullying.
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