Better Than You (editie 2011)

The author captivates the reader with the portrayal of a tough yet common character; the typical boasting obnoxious child who always sets out to outdo everyone, ridiculing all who can’t keep up with his performance or success. It’s easy for children to connect with such a topic. Every child encounters another who makes them feel inferior. The author emphasizes how children who encounter these bullies should realize that boasting is usually an inferiority complex from the child who’s boasting. Trudy Ludwig is an award winning author who sets out to write on topics of social interaction between children. She was featured on television shows- ABC’s Good Morning America and PBS’s Keeping Kids Healthy. Adam Gustavson at a young age would begin to draw all the professions he dreamt to be such as a cowboy or a crocodile farmer. As he grew up he realized he wanted to be an illustrator instead stemming from all the illustrations he drew.

Trudy Ludwig is a nationally-acclaimed author who is best known for her work about bullying and other childhood social issues. In this realistic fiction, Tyler is an African-American boy who starts to feel like a loser because his friend Jake does everything better than him. Or so it seems. The illustrations help tell the story because they show Tyler’s expressions when he gets tired of hearing all the bragging. At every chance, Jake brags about: how much better he can play basketball; how much better he can do a math problem; how much better he can do everything! When Tyler’s self-esteem plummets, his uncle visits him and they play guitar together. The illustrations provide a warm visual of the closeness between them. His uncle helps Jake deal with his negative feelings when Tyler brags. The illustrations are incredibly realistic throughout the story and are sure to engage young readers. The author includes a list of suggestions to help children deal with braggarts. This is an excellent book to teach children of all ages a life lesson about the impact their boastfulness may have on others and what to do if they are in the receiving end of it. ( )

"Tyler's neighbor Jake brags about everything. Tyler can't show Jake a basketball move, a school assignment, or a new toy without Jake saying he can do better"..."Jake's story gives kids insight into what lies beneath the urge to brag and shows them how adopting a "better than you" attitude can break friendships rather than build them."
Review taken from the blurb.

NCLA Review: The award winning author of MY SECRET BULLY, Trudy Ludwig, has written a book about kids who brag and puff up like puffer fish. In BETTER THAN YOU, Tyler is demoralized by his neighbor Jake. This insensitive jerk is better at sports and math and brags that he is five times smarter than Jake. With the help of his uncle, who explains that “when a kid acts like a pufferfish, he takes up so much space that he can also push friends away." Tyler learns that Jake’s “better than you” attitude comes from lack of self esteem and has nothing to do with Tyler’s own abilities, and that nobody is great at everything so he should embrace his strengths without negatively comparing himself to others. Trudy Ludwig has authored seven books that help kids cope in their social world. I highly recommend purchasing her latest for character building and proactive parenting discussion starters. Ages 6-10. Rating: 4 —BJM ( )

As a retired clinical psychologist and a character education consultant, I have seen characterological problems from all aspects and for people of all ages. What began with the "Me-Generation" seems to have fostered a generation of kids who tend to be somewhat narcissistic and insensitive to others' feelings--kids we describe as lacking in empathy. Readers, both kids and adults, will immediately recognize the egocentric Jake and will also readily identify with the long-suffering Tyler who doesn't know how to deal with Jake's ongoing one-upmanship and his lack of empathy. This is a wonderful resource for both the home and the classroom and will facilitate some great discussions. As with all of Ms. Ludwig's books, another life lesson is presented in a warm and caring way. Highly Recommended! ( )