Christine Mehlhaff

"Don't Talk to Strangers" by Christine Mehlhaff is a great book if you want to teach your kids about strangers in a fun way. The book does a great job going through and talking about strangers, who they are, how to know if someone is a stranger, and what to do if you encounter a stranger. The book does an amazing job explaining all of those things in a simple way so children can easily understand the message that the book is trying to convey. I really like how the book starts off with the show more dilemma of Emma liking to make new friends and talk/meet new people, but with her mom's rules of no talking to strangers, she doesn't know who a stranger is. I like that beginning to the book because most children are pretty social and like to talk to lots of people, especially if it's someone their age. I think the illustrations to the book were well thought out and picked. The only reason I think the illustrations were a good idea is that in this book, everybody is an animal, and kids love animals. If you want to keep kids engaged, what better way than to include some of their favorite things as the illustrations of a book? show less

Emma Lion loves to make new friends. But Mama warns her to be careful and tells her not to talk to strangers. Emma sees new people wherever she goes, and she wants to meet them. How will she know who is a stranger?

A cautionary tale with charming illustrations and a gentle, repetitive message for young children to help them learn to stay safe. Parents should read and discuss the story with their children, helping them understand how to keep safe without becoming afraid.

Highly recommended.

Summary: This book is about how Matthew is explaining to his little sister Emma not to talk to strangers. He explains to her how important it is to not ride, talk ,answer the door or phone when she doesn’t know who it is. “Emma asked him but how do I know Matthew?” He replies a strangers is someone you do not know. Emma is a little lion that loves answering the door, phone just basically to meet new people and be friendly. Matthew also explained to her that she needs to let her mama show more answer the phone and etc and to let someone know if a stranger tries to give her a ride or candy.

Personal reflection: I really like this book because I think all parent, older brothers and sisters should explain how important it is not to talk , answer the door, ride in a car or accept any candy from a stranger. Now days you just never know how people are especially with children. I feel like its okay to meet new people like at school but never let them give children a ride home unless its someone that you trust like a grown up or parents.

Classroom Extension Ideas: I would read this book to my children than explain to them how important it is not to talk to strangers. Also when we go on a field trip before all the children got off the bus I would tell them about “stranger danger” and let them know we all need to stay together. show less

Genre: Fantasy
Critique of Genre: This is a good example of fantasy because it has a brother and sister lion talking about how to be safe around strangers. The big brother tells his little sister throughout the story of places she should be aware of strangers and what she should or shouldn't do to keep herself from harm.
Theme: There is a recurring theme throughout the book of being in public places and learning how to be safe from strangers. The big brother keeps telling his little sister, show more "Don't talk to strangers." show less