A review by karenrenka
Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean by Tricia Tusa, Jane Lynch
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.